What are the principal advantages of creating a conceptual design model using masses before diving into the detailed design and building element modeling?
Should all buildings be modeled first using conceptual masses?
When is it needed/appropriate? And when not?
For example, should you create a conceptual mass model of a small house?
No, not all buildings need to be modeled first by using conceptual masses. For smaller buildings, an example being a small house, it does not make sense to use conceptual masses because the square footage and design of the building will not be complex. Homes usually do not stray from the design of a square or rectangle and do not have complex shapes or cutouts. Small square footage buildings like a two-story office building are easier created by normal modeling methods that have been done in this class previously. Modeling with conceptual masses are appropriate for large and complex buildings. I would personally use conceptual masses for buildings larger than three stories or for buildings with complex geometries. For larger buildings, it is simpler and quicker for the builder to create a mass and use model by face then the normal modeling methods. For complex geometry buildings the same idea exists. Conceptual masses make it easy to create complex geometric shapes, corners or even building cutouts in comparisons to making walls and copying them up.
Can you think of any examples of a real building around the world that most likely was created by exploring the form using conceptual mass models?
Please post and share images of these examples to this Notion page.
An example of a real building that was likely created exploring the form via conceptual mass models is the Kingdom Centre in Saudi Arabia. Construction was completed on this curtain-wall, 99-story skyscraper in 2002. At the top of the tower is a public sky bridge. This unique arch cutout within the building most likely was explored by members of the design team using conceptual mass models. The cutout design was inspired by the Gateway Arch in America.
How would you abstract the essential form of these famous buildings using conceptual mass elements that you can create in Revit?
- One World Trade Center: https://www.archdaily.com/795277/one-world-trade-center-som
- CMG Headquarters: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CMG_Headquarters#/media/File:China_Central_Television_Headquarters_2.jpg
- Twisting torso: https://www.archdaily.com/771471/santiago-calatravas-turning-torso-wins-ctbuhs-10-year-award
- Apple campus: https://www.archdaily.com/804970/apple-campus-2-held-to-fantastical-standard-of-detail-new-report-reveals
- Salesforce tower: https://www.archdaily.com/889519/salesforce-tower-pelli-clarke-pelli-architects