B4 - Project Outline

Introduction

1. AE 391 project description
1. Programmatic elements
2. Base class requirements
3. Clear definition of the ways in which this project was an extension
2. Background on team members’ previous Revit experiences
3. Motivations for project choice
1. Further Revit expertise
2. Exposure to non-structural Revit disciplines
3. Introduction to BIM management techniques (file sharing, linking files/views)
4. Introduction to Dynamo to automate tasks

Summary of Modeling Timeline

1. Architectural model
1. Daylighting/location
2. Topomap
3. Rendering
4. Stair creation
5. Roof development
6. Scheduling/occupancy for life safety design
7. Sheet creation/annotation capabilities and limitations
2. Structural model
1. Interoperability with RAM (?)
2. Full modelling of structural systems
3. Custom family modeling of girder/truss elements (?)
4. Column scheduling
5. Automated beam systems to expedite modeling for short window
3. Mechanical model
1. HVAC System
2. Plumbing
3. Potential incorporation of  Dynamo 

Dynamo Introduction

1. Lynda tutorials
2. Identification of potential uses
1. Dimensioning
1. Solve missing dimensions upon relinking files
2. Scheduling
1. Export to Excel for report/presentation
3. Automation of repetitive tasks within MEP
3. Walking through challenges and development process

Reflection

1. Points of growth
2. Possible changes if redone
3. BIM as a tool to expedite design on a condensed timeline
4. How to go further with the building
   

Our AE 510 project is an extension of the work that we are performing in our Junior Design (AE 391) course during Winter Term. Our building will function as the new home for the CAEE department and the Architectural and Interior Design programs within the College of Media, Arts, and Design. There are also commercial and retail components within the program that have been fulfilled. The site is adjacent to Main Building at the current location of Lot F.

The motivation behind this process was to implement some of the tools and processes that are being covered in AE 510 to enhance our AE 391 project. The format of Junior Design allows for our group to explore BIM applications in preliminary Architectural, Structural, and Mechanical designs and realize its immense value in coordination of these disciplines. Because of this, we will be fully modeling our systems in Revit, which far exceeds the requirements for the course. We view this as an opportunity to extend our basic BIM knowledge and begin to explore the ways in which it can expedite design using real problems come across in our project.

As seen in the outline above, our report will consist of first and overview of our building’s program and our approach to the project. We will then go over the ways in which we implemented Revit/Formit interoperability in massing design, including energy simulation and daylighting capabilities that exist within these programs. In the structural design phase of the project, we will explore interoperability possibilities between Bentley’s RAM software package and Autodesk’s Revit to learn about the advantages and hurdles that still exist in this realm. The system will be designed and integrated using the architectural program as a guide, simulating real-world design. Additionally, we will be applying BIM coordination and management techniques to streamline workflows and perform our tasks most efficiently. This includes the process of linking files and coordinating views/underlays properly. The final stage is a mechanical design, during which we will employ some of the simulation processes explained previously to inform our design. Because our group includes structural engineers, we will be relying on Revit’s calculation tools most heavily in this section. An underlying theme of our project will also be staying aware of opportunities to implement Dynamo scripts to automate mundane design processes and help us produce a finished product under a condensed timeline.

Comments on other projects:

Kyle,

I am intrigued to hear about your findings on 3D printed steel members. With some of the more abstract forms being created using advanced modeling techniques (some of which we have been showed in class) it will be necessary to have the fabrication techniques that can keep up with these ambition design ideas. I am especially interested in your evaluation of these techniques’ feasibility in terms of being implemented into real-world projects

Hanyan,

I think it is interesting that you are choosing to focus your research on BIM in residential development. In a time when so much residential construction is dominated by large builders, the opportunities for BIM implementation in residential design are likely considerable in boutique scenarios.

Adam,

I am excited to hear a BIM perspective that is focused on construction management. I think that a lot of the applications that we are hearing about in this class are focused in the design sphere and how this will help to optimize/expedite the work of engineers and architects. However, as we learned about in the Whiting Turner presentation last week, BIM’s capabilities can be equally if not more helpful on the construction side.