282 Section 2 Architectural Planning
Model Design
A building design project typically begins
with design studies. The design studies are
intended to serve as a comprehensive analysis
of the design. For example, a building site is
initially studied to evaluate existing conditions
and environmental impacts of the proposed
structure. Factors such as solar orientation, wind
patterns, and building code requirements are
studied. This phase of design is commonly referred
to as schematic design. It is during this phase that
conceptual designs and models are prepared
and evaluated. In a BIM project, these may
consist of hand sketches, computer-generated
renderings, or a combination of the two. See
Figure 12-6. Once the initial design concept is
approved, the project moves from schematic
design into the design development phase, where
more detailed development occurs.
To gain the most benefi t from BIM, it is
customary to involve as many stakeholders as
possible in the early design stages. This allows
information to be collected from engineers,
Ultimately, architectural fi rms must weigh
the benefi ts and risks and decide whether BIM
can produce greater profi tability. For residen-
tial fi rms, this decision will likely be guided by
customer demand, growth and acceptance in
industry, and development of industry standards.
BIM Processes
One of the key objectives in using BIM is
to streamline coordination with the different
contributors in a building design project. The
design, scheduling, construction, and data man-
agement tools of a BIM system are used to help
achieve this objective.
Major BIM processes that take place over
the course of a building design project include
model design, model construction, model
collaboration, data management, and facility
management. Each process is coordinated so
that all stakeholders have the opportunity to
provide input. The following sections discuss
these processes and related tools.
the community service project, your employer
agrees to give participating employees one
workday to initiate a project. You and several
team members decide to attend a city council
meeting to identify housing and environment
issues in your community that negatively impact
citizens. The workday following the council
meeting, plan to take the following steps.
• Identify the community concerns. Brainstorm
ways to address one or more of the problems.
Evaluate the list and narrow it down to one
project on which the team members agree.
• Have the team set a goal. Determine what
resources your team needs to meet the goal.
• Create a plan for achieving the goal. How can
individual team members continue to help
meet the team goal after the initial action?
• Carry out the team plan and evaluate the results.
How was your team able to meet its goal
and your employer’s goal of getting involved
in the community? In what ways have team
members carried on with the project to meet
the needs of other citizens in the community?
Employability
Community Service
Most people in the United States act as
responsible and contributing citizens. As
communities look for ways to improve housing
for citizens and protect the environment,
opportunities exist for people and their employers
to take action. Some companies encourage their
employees to become involved in community
service. There are a number of organizations
that provide opportunities for volunteering in
community service projects. For example,
Rebuilding Together is an organization that
makes free repairs to homes owned by people
with limited income. Rebuilding Together’s
volunteer programs are designed to improve
homes owned by people such as older adults,
people with disabilities, and veterans.
Activity
Your employer asks you to organize and
lead a team of employees to help improve living
conditions for citizens in your community. To start
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.