Technology in Architectural Practice

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The AIA Technology in Architectural Practice Knowledge Community (TAP) serves as a resource for AIA members, the profession, and the public in the deployment of computer technology in the practice of architecture. TAP leaders monitor the development of computer technology and its impact on architecture practice and the entire building life cycle, including design, construction, facility management, and retirement or reuse.

    

  • 1.  BIMForum LOD Specification 2015 Now Available for Download

    Posted 11-05-2015 04:38 PM

    On November 3, 2015, the BIMForum announced the publication of the 2015 version of the Level of Development (LOD) Specification for Building Information Models. Anyone may download the specification for free at http://bimforum.org/lod

    The LOD Specification is a reference standard that enables practitioners in the AEC industry to specify and articulate with a high level of clarity the content and reliability of BIM data at various stages in the design and construction process. It defines and illustrates characteristics of model elements from different building systems at different levels of development.

    What's new in the 2015 version:

    • More graphic illustrations for various building systems
    • The geometric specifications are now known as "Part A"
    • A new document, called "Part B," begins to address development of non-geometric information

    BIMForum is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to facilitate and accelerate the adoption of building information modeling (BIM) in the AEC industry. Co-sponsored by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) and the American Institute of Architects (AIA), BIMForum seeks to lead by example and synchronize with counterparts in all sectors of the industry to jointly develop best practice for virtual design and construction.

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    Brian Skripac Assoc. AIA, LEED AP BD+C
    Vice President
    CannonDesign
    Pittsburgh PA
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: BIMForum LOD Specification 2015 Now Available for Download

    Posted 11-06-2015 05:26 PM

    Just in time for the weekend light reading stack.

    ------------------------------
    Mike Sealander AIA
    Sealander Studio
    Brooklin ME



  • 3.  RE: BIMForum LOD Specification 2015 Now Available for Download

    Posted 11-09-2015 08:06 PM
    I personally find LOD to be a waste of time. Good quality content that is rich in data and low in poly should be more than adequate from concept to completion even through to FM. Swapping out components according to information and geometry quality seams to be a waste of time? 

    I am not sure why Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) is not being used at early concept stage. Getting essential parties on the right page via a 3d model at the conception of the design should be a higher priority in my eyes. The client, the builder, the engineer & consultants all have useful information that can ensure the design is feasible, constructable and manageable.  LOD does not allow for this and it is a real shame. If a picture (2D plan) tells a 1000 word then a 3d model tells a trillion. We should be working on the 3d model from the start....

    The industry needs less complexity and more productivity! I do not believe swapping out models according to complexity is a good start. 

    I would be interested to know why it there is so much time and effort put into LOD. Is it due to software restriction, lack of foresight from the designer, in adequate client brief, lack of manufacturer specific content? Or is it an effort to reduce the risk of vexatious litigants taking concepts as working drawings? If this is the case then IPD and an associated IPD contract should reduce the need for LOD? 

    Kind Regards,

    Andrew Dwight
    Business Development Manager

    O: 02 9679-2429
    M: 
    0413074766

    E: andrew@rubysketch.com
    W: www.RubySketch.com
    W: www.PlusSpec.com

             
    Specification Tools & Product for Architects, Designers, Builders & Product Manufacturers. 

    Design & Construction Software Development & Implementation
    PlusSpec - The Simply Insightful Design & Estimating Tool for our industry...

    CONFIDENTIAL: This email and any attachments may be confidential, legally privileged and/or subject to copyright. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not disclose or use the information contained in this e-mail. If you have received this email in error, please notify RubySketch Ltd immediately and delete the email and all copies.






  • 4.  RE: BIMForum LOD Specification 2015 Now Available for Download

    Posted 11-10-2015 11:04 AM

    Andrew,

    I don't disagree with your personal opinion.  It would be great if a client had a project that could use an IPD, but IPD is only one of many project delivery methods.  Most are still using the traditional Design Bid Build (DBB) method, especially in Public Works and Healthcare projects.  It is in these delivery methods that I have observed the LOD paradigm to be key for those clients to understand the costs associated with the development of the project at each phase of the design process.  Without it, many clients will question why the architects cost estimate is carrying a design contingency and a sizable one at Schematic Design and Design Development.  They use the LOD matrix to evaluate the percentage of completion of the design and any cost savings actualized by design decisions at each phase of the design process. 

    That said, I do work from the start with a 3D model, however I have learned to discipline myself to use the LOD in order to avert major redesigns when the client or jurisdictional authorities (Planning Departments and Design Review Boards) weigh in on the design process.  It is a complex tool, but like written language, it is a very useful tool for delivering projects via BIM.  

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    Ricardo Ramos, Assoc. AIA, LEED® AP, CSI
    Arcadia CA



  • 5.  RE: BIMForum LOD Specification 2015 Now Available for Download

    Posted 11-16-2015 02:07 AM

    I see thanks for clearing that up. So at what stage do you do a feasibility study?  I assumed most were designing to an approximate budget yet cost is not attributed in low LOD models for obvious reasons. It seams the main reason you use LOD is to reduce the time and therefore cost at preliminary design stage. I understand that to be a software restriction more so than an efficient workflow. It takes time to spec early in design although I am sure we both see the benefit in doing so more efficiently. 

    I agree, in a perfect world IPD would be on the majority of jobs large and small. I assume you are using Revit?  I know it is hard to create a VDC model with Revit and therefore difficult to ascertain cost unless using a quantity surveyor. The problem is: the QS has no model based idea of the quality required unless you are writing a finishes schedule, in which case you may as well associate the finishes with the 3d model. I can see a circular reference being created. ....I believe in attributing the model early from the client brief as it saves a lot of time, it really is just a matter of letting the client know that a (negligible)  higher percentage of the design fees may be charged earlier which will quickly be covered by the time and cost associated with multiple feasibility studies being done from 2D documentation. In saying this we are not using the same software by the sounds of it. I spec manufacturers products from the concept and they carry through to the construction drawings and even through to maintenance. I base all of my detail in the model and I may then export to Revit or Archicad yet I no longer find my self doing this except for exporting IFC for consultants. 

    I am happy to give an example early December if you would like to see my workflow? Until then I will be kicking back in Hawaii on a long overdue vacation. 

    Thanks for the response, much appreciated. 

    ------------------------------
    Andrew Dwight
    BIM manager
    RubySketch
    Sydney



  • 6.  RE: BIMForum LOD Specification 2015 Now Available for Download

    Posted 11-17-2015 05:24 PM

    Andrew:

    What software do you use?

     

    -Brian






  • 7.  RE: BIMForum LOD Specification 2015 Now Available for Download

    Posted 11-18-2015 08:17 PM

    Hi Brian

    I actually developed PlusSpec for Sketchup 8 years ago and released it in February this year. I know most turn their nose up when they hear BIM and Sketchup in the same sentence as did I originally. There is a lot more to Sketchup than meets the eye yet it was difficult to unlock the power. Really all that was required was a tool set to do so. I spent 8 years with an engineer, several architects and 5 software engineers to automate the process and add  VDC, BIM and parametrics to Sketchup. You can check it out here BIM VDC software. Combining manufacturers' content early in the design process was the key to getting feasibility studies done and allows everyone in the design process to collaborate on a 3D model. No doubt you were wondering why I chose Sketchup instead of working with Revit or Archicad API. The truth is Sketchup had the flexibility to free form model or design and it was affordable and could be used on any computer. I was pulling my hair out trying to get engineers and builders to collaborate on models. They simply do not want to buy and use expensive software that is hard to learn. We now have a structural engineer who works in Revit so we simply export IFC. 

    The key to our jobs as designers and architects is communication and the result should be more work done with less waste (Time and money) for everyone  involved in the process from beginning to end. I understand that firms are already committed to their existing workflows yet everyone needs to take a look at what technology is doing now and in the future. In my opinion LOD is a work around that is time consuming yet it works. 

    I would be interested in hearing you thoughts. I will be in Hawaii relaxing for a couple of weeks so please excuse me if I do not reply. If you are in California drop me a PM, you will be amazed at what this does. 

    ------------------------------
    Andrew Dwight
    BIM manager
    RubySketch
    Sydney



  • 8.  RE: BIMForum LOD Specification 2015 Now Available for Download

    Posted 11-19-2015 06:44 PM

    Hi Andrew, I hope you are enjoying Hawaii. I use SketchPro 2015 and have been using SketchUp since its debut back in 2001. After one afternoon with it, I fell in love.  It's come a long way as I'm sure you are aware of.

    That said I used AutoCAD since ACAD 12 back in the early 90's. I used to write Acad Script and LISP routines to accelerate workflow. Even though it has a powerful 3D engine, no one in our offices used it. I even got our LA office to buy Form-Z for a major theme park project because no one knew how to model in ACAD proficiently.  I was very well versed in Form-Z, but the disconnect was between 3D graphics and production drawings. The painful transition between what I modeled and what was industry standard for working drawings required a lot of work. I investigated ArchiCAD, Revit and VectorWorks, 3D Studio and Viz as well as a transition point between 3D modeling and production drawings and they all had their limitations.  Then came SketchUp, quick, accurate, no bloat and it became the go to software when 3D was needed and our ACAD operators weren't efficient enough.

    I finally left ACAD behind for SketchUp Pro in 2007, but kept an ancient license to access older projects. The enlightenment in our office because of SketchUp is fantastic. We see and solve in 3D now. However, there is a dangerous tendancy to over develop detail that is not necessary at an early stage of development which is a time/fee killer.

    For feasibility studies we use systems based estimatation based on architype. We know that certain engineering systems will not work well in certain architypes, but we need not spec them until the spaces and volumes have been worked out.  So we use the LOD in our models with designations for intended building systems to make sure we have accounted for building systems of the correct size at the conceptual stage much like one would on a napkin sketch. As the design progresses, we find that those RSVP's building systems components in the model served us well as now our engineers have the room they need to produce their design within our shell. Somethings we have learned not to model and simply reference in notes or in Layout as annotation accordingly.  Most of these have to do with contractor means and methods or with variations in manufacturers specifixations.  It's not perfect, but incredibility more efficient than the 2D ACAD method, without the expense, bloat or limitations of Revit or ArchiCAD.

    Mahalo

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    Ricardo Ramos, Assoc. AIA, LEED® AP, CSI
    Arcadia CA