BIM Reading - Week 4

This weeks assigned reading was kind of a continuation into BIM software introduction. I was a little confused about how BIM software related to other fields, but this reading was geared more towards showing how different BIM operating systems are strong and weak in architectural design. One of the articles I read last week (titled Software Strategy: BIM Comparison) would have been a very fitting related article for this week. It was interesting to read how the BIM handbook was supportive and critical of different software. I was particularly interested in reading about Revit, since this week was my first time using the software. The handbook complimented its ease of use and ability to use the interface easily, and the ability for multiple users to edit on project. The extensive models in the software are also a plus, as well as its ability to make changes in drawings once this change has been made in the model. However, it is not great for use in large projects as the program slows down, and it is unable to support complex curve geometries.

Because of my interest in Revit, I decided to read an article from ArchitectureWeek reviewing the newest release of Revit Architecture: Revit Architecture: Part 1. This article sort of introduced the key new elements of the software, including the point cloud system and the energy analysis tool. The point cloud system allows the model to be stored on a central network while teams in spread out locations can simultaneously work on the project from a local network. Changes made from the local network are updated on the central project. This allows work to be done more quickly in different aspects of the design, but also requires a higher level of communication between the different locations. The energy analysis tool allows you to make changes to building surfaces, thermal ones and glazings then compare different outcomes to see how this effects the buildings performance.

Reading these two articles made me interested in seeing how professionals in the field of engineering and architecture use Revit. The third article I read, therefor, was Role Models: a digital design guru at SOM looks to the future of BIM. This article, written in 2009, discussed how the architecture firm, SOM, was innovative at the time for using BIM in the design of the Freedom Tower, to be completed in 2013 at 1 World Trade Center. The firm used Revit to complete their structural and architectural documents because of the complicated schedule that would be needed in the design of a building with subway sytems and complicated utilities and structural design. The main digital "architect" on the project discussed how they hoped one day to be able to use BIM software simultaneously, which makes me wonder how this project may have turned out differently had they been able to use the new point cloud services discussed in the first two articles that I read, as well as how the design could have been made different or more energy efficient with the use of the energy analysis tool. However it was incredibly interesting to read how innovative this architecture firm was in the use of this software, especially on such a high profile project.