Week 9 - Tasks and Collaboration Reflection

Group Task Check list For Submission next week:

Orange Highlights Complete Tasks

Submission: Due Thursday the 18th of October 5:00pm

1. Architectural + Structural

• Complete truss roofing system
• Continue working with interior model
• Resolve roofing issues
  

2. Landscape + Site

• Work with interior on interior green space

3. Interior

• Continue work on interior fitout
• Work with landscape to complete interior green spaces
• Work with lighting to work on interior lighting
• Continue importing components
• Complete wall finishes
  

4. Lighting

• Begin MEP modelling
• Work with interior
• Use researched products
  

5. Model Checking

• Ensure all models are clash free
  

Collaboration Reflection:

 This week the project is nearing completion with the architectural and structural models basically complete with some minor polishing required. The landscape and site models are also basically completed with some minor details to be added. Ben's responsibility this week was collaborating with me (Jake) on the interior green spaces, creating natural spaces for inhabitants and visitors of the building. This collaboration is important to ensure that interior and exterior spaces flow together and are not clashing. It was also my responsibility to work with Jack on the lighting model to ensure that there are no clashes between the interior model and the lighting model in terms of the furniture layout and interior spaces. It was also my responsibility to continue working on the interior model, finalising the furniture layout and importing all necessary components. I also had to complete the wall finishes, a task which had to be conducted in the architectural model due to the walls not being accesible in the interior model. Jack's responsibility this week were to implement the lighting grid, using products which he has researched. Creating the lighting grid was made easier due to the accessibility of the company's BIM Components, allowing real world products to be included in the model.

We are well on track this week with the project nearing completion. The interior and lighting models are the ones which need the most work as they are the final steps in the design. Working collaboratively with each discipline has ensured that all clashes have been rectified relatively quickly to avoid more major clashes further down the track.

Week 9 - Structure: Roof (Adam)

Week 9 Saw the structural systems for the top level begin. The first task was to deal with the large open roof spanning over the courtyard. In order to ensure the space had an open feel, and was naturally lit, the architectural proposition called for large open spans.

The roof section was split into four glass spans. These spans were then converted into curtain panels, by adding mullions and grid lines. The enclosed spans had to line up with the roof trusses, in order to support the roof properly.

The final roof structure, with curtain panels revealing the trusses within.

Week 9 - Structure: Level 3 (Adam)

The Roof structure for the top level differed greatly to Levels One and Two. The structure was primarily to support the large vaulted roof. Through our architectural proposition, the team wanted create an industrial feel within the building, with exposed structure and large open spaces. The best structural option to keep with the proposal was the installation of a series of large Gabled Trusses.

Truss Layout (Roof Structural Plan)

The trusses were kept as minimalist as possible, utilising Webbed Bar Joists to create the structure, ensuring the whole system appears light.

Level 3 Section Showing Roof Truss

Week 9 - Problems Encontered (Adam)

In the final stages of modelling, there are always small alterations and things to double check. Today when checking over the architectural model, I discovered a new set of walls protruding through the roof. After checking the Revit Link, these appeared to be partitions belonging to the interior model.

After quickly checking back with Jake (The Interior Specialist), I explained the problem and it was easy for him to fix up in his interior model. After reloading the model in the Architecture file, the problem was all sorted.

Week 9 - Interior Modelling (Jake)

With the Architectural and Structural models near completion it was possible to begin the interior fit-out in week 9. This process involves creating the interior detailing, including furniture placement, interior and partition walls, wall and floor finishes as well as the interior greenery. The first step in this process is to work out the furniture plan, collaborating with Adam who completed the architectural model. The layout for each individual space had to be designed according to the architectural design and circulation studies.

 

Ground Floor Schematic Plan

  

Ground Floor Circulation Plan

The furniture layout was completed by using the component tool to import furniture into the interior model. The furniture plan was devised based on the schematic design and consultations between Adam and myself.

Component Tool

Component families can be loaded into the project using the load family tool and offers a comprehensive list of components to complete the interior fit out.

 Revit Component Library-

However the revit component library can become highly limiting as you are restricted to the set number of families available. If a different family is desired for the fit-out it must be either created using the "Model In-Place" tool or by downloading a family from an outside location. A very useful tool for interior fit outs is revit city, which provides free downloads of user created families, offering a more diverse range of furniture and equipment.

 

Revit City Component Downloads

Another useful tool for interior modelling is the grouping tool which allows the user to group individual items rather than selecting them individually. This tool was useful in the interior fitout for creating collaborative work spaces in the studios and also creating indoor planter boxes.

 

Collaboration Spaces 

In accordance with the brief the studio spaces for local artists aims to achieve an open and collaborative environment. Allowing artists freedom in their work and also exhibiting local artists at work. 

 Interior Planter Boxes

The brief also had an emphasis on introducing greenery to both the site and interior of the building. This was achieved through landscaping and also the inclusion of a green wall and extensive indoor plants. In order to achieve continuity between exterior and interior green spaces it was necessary to collaborate with the landscape designer, Ben. 

After work began on the interior fit-out it became apparent that some small details would need to be changed in the architectural and structural models. Small details such as door locations needed to be shifted to accomodate the furniture plan.   

Example Schematic Alteration

Week 9 - MEP Modelling

This week I received the (relatively) completed model so that I could start on the lighting layout.

After a few confusing minutes as to why none of my lights were able to be placed in the rooms, I realised that somewhere along the track Adam didn't draw in ceilings for the rooms/hallways so I had to quickly jump in Revit Architecture and draw the ceilings in. This wasn't a massive issue but enough to set me back an hour or so in my modelling process.

I've decided to use Cooper Industries light products as my chosen range because a) they are Australia, b)they have extremely detailed lighting specs and c) all their products have a downloadable Revit family group. By using these real world products instead of the generic lighting products I am able to start to properly utilise the BIM nature of Revit in that all the lighting products have all their real-world specs loaded in and manufactures information.

These two lights are a few of the lighting products I'm using for the lighting layout. First is a suspended ceiling light suitable for hallways and interior workspaces. The parametric options in the model itself allow for the drop-height to be changed according to the room size/needs and different bulbs can be swapped out.

The second is a wall mounted strip downlight that I'll be using for the reception and along the top level walkways as these spots don't have a flat ceiling (or any at all) above them and this makes lighting a large space pretty easy.

First proper issue that has been encountered is that even though I drew the new ceilings in on the Architecture model, they still won't pick up in the ceiling plan views in the Lighting project file. I tried for a while looking for a fix but time was getting away from me and I used another method. I went into 3D view, made a section box cut through the room I needed, and using the 'Place on Face' command, I was able to attach the light need to the underside of the ceiling. Once it was there I could then go back into my ceiling plan view and copy/rearrange as many as I needed

I found a suitable light for use within the gallery spaces on the Cooper Industries site. This is a LED based downlight with an adjustable pivot head. This light is cheap to run, easy to install and can be aimed at whatever surface you need illuminated and at what angle.

Below are the ground and first floors lighting grid layout plans. I've never used MEP for lighting arrays so it was interesting working out how to implement them and do all the wiring detail (as best as I know how).

Ground Level Lighting layout

Second Level Lighting layout

This is a zoomed in section of the lower gallery space and how I managed to work both kinds of lights (suspended ceiling and downlights) around Jake's interior layout.

Ground level gallery

Week 9 - Site interior Model (Ben)

My next crucial role involved the creation of the interior site model. This mostly involved the creation of Courtyard spaces, green walls and interior plantation and devices for creeper vine. As seen in the screenshots this process was involved and required me to collaborate carefully with the rest of the group to insure both the aesthetic and function remained constant. I also had to insure that Adams circulation plans were not impeded.

The ground floor saw the creation of two courtyard spaces that fit with the architects plans involving the atrium. These spaces promote social activity within the building: 

As requested by the architect the first floor would remain as is, as the voids will view the courtyard space on the previous level.

The second floor involved the creation of a central courtyard space, as well as verandah spaces for each unit.

The central space fitted out with tress and plantation boxes:

The outdoor spaces (pre-render):

With the interior site model I had to collaborate much more carefully. Here I had to mostly work with Jake (interior designer) and Jack (MEP lighting), and to a lesser extent, with Adam's structural model. 

The following images are an overview of the modified spaces:

Overall this process was quite simple, and didn't require a great knowledge of Revit in order to create. In a way it was a very similar process to modelling the landscape, although requiring a lot more collaboration with my team mates. Next week I will focus on the creation of the green wall.

Week 8 - Tasks and Collaboration Relfelction

Group Task Check list For Submission next week:

Orange Highlights Complete Tasks

Submission: Due Thursday the 18th of October 5:00pm

1. Architectural + Structural

• Continue refining structural model
• Begin creating truss roofing system
• Work on roof and light well
  

2. Landscape + Structural

• Fix contour system
• Continue work on car park
• Decking for outdoor areas
  

3. Interior + Brief Integrity

• Continue working on furniture layout
• Work with architect to create interior spaces
• Continue furniture fitout
• Go through different disciplines and ensure they are all aligned with brief

4. Lighting

• Begin placing lighting grids

5. Model Checking

• Checking of architectural, structural, interior, landscape and site models
• Highlight all clashes for next week
  

Collaboration Reflection:

 This week the project is beginning to come together with the models beginning to tie in nicely together. Adam continued his work on the architectural and structural models, mainly focusing on the more complex structural elements of the project. He was refining the models, fixing any clashes while also creating the truss system for the roof. He also was designing the roofing system, creating cutouts to allow light into the interior and courtyard. This truss and lighting system is in line with the brief, creating an open industrial feel with natural lighting and raw materials. However with the creation of this system there have been some clashes with the interior model, with the trusses intersecting some interior spaces awkwardly. It was up to me (Jake) and Adam to resolve these clashes, creating this trussing system without sacrificing the interior spaces. Jack could begin placing the lighting grid roughly based on the interior schemtic design. It was also Jack's responsibility to highlight the clashes in each of the individual models. There were some issues with the contouring of the landscape model with the contouring done incorrectly there was a portion of landscape intersecting the building. This was resolved via Adam and Ben working together to notice the mistake and establish what had been done wrong.

To ensure that we were on track with the project, BIM management plan and the project brief I worked with each individual discipline to establish where they were at and whether they were on track with the brief and BIM Management plan. Reviewing the individual work was a helpful process as it showed what tasks had been completed and what was still to be done, providing useful insight to the group.

Week 8 - MEP modelling

This week, with the architectural, structure models nearly finalisation and the interior model beginning, I can start to look at the lighting layout for the building.


The ground level houses all the public spaces and some of the workshops. Even lighting is essential especially for the workshops to help people working in there and prevent dark areas/shadows over their work etc.
The gallery space is just a basic grid system but once Jake starts to model up the partition walls for the artwork to hang on I'll have to go back into it and place some downlighting to highlight the art works.

 As far as modelling this goes, I will have to work on them next week when the interior, architectural and structural are all practically finished otherwise any work I do now, I will most likely have to change/redo by next week.

Week 8 - Structural Modelling (Adam)

Week 8 - Structural Update After encountering some cross-platform issues between the operation of Revit Architecture and Revit structure, I was finally able to begin working on the beam systems for Levels one and two. The major issue I was having was due to a fundamental difference in the way engineers and architects look at buildings. I was attempting to place beam systems in the reflected ceiling plans for the desired floor,which is how I would expect the program to work after working in Revit Architecture. However the beams have to be placed on the Floor plan of the level they support. This is a classic case of architects considering structure as something above your head, while engineers view it as the structure below the floor. Once this problem was sorted, it was a simple matter of placing joists in between the major framework.

Week 8 - Landscape Modelling (Ben)

Once i fixed the small contour issue, this week I modeled the immediate site within the landscape model. This included the footpaths, surrounding vegetation, sign-age, car parking and outdoor furniture. 

 Here there was an issue of open, unused space in the bottom right corner  of the image below:

After collaboration with Adam, it was decided to switch the location of the outdoor furniture and the sign-age so that the furniture severed as an outdoor space for the adjacent cafe. 

From this point I designed a decking system for this outdoor cafe area. This was a simple task, where I just had to create a new level and begin modelling.

Screenshot showing building elevation:

Site section:

 The below image displays a site plan of the developed landscape:

Finalized Landscape model, ready for exterior rendering.

While test rendering it was noted that the trees used above rendered without any colour. Therefore the tree types were modified as specified in co ordination with Adam. 

Tree type selection change:

Final output file images:

In all this process proved to be efficient and smooth, as there was no real way that my landscape modelling could clash with anything significant, that it would effect other group members workflow. There was only one problem identified by Adam, purely due to human error. this was easily rectified and is covered in the Week 8 landscape problems encountered section.

Week 8 - Intiail Landscape Contour Issue (Ben)

Adam made it aware that the Landscape model was actually penetrating the architectural model, creating a "mountain" within the actual building envelope. This was easily rectified as it was only due to human error. A quick scan of the landscape model revealed that I had accidentally placed a contour dot of the wrong height within the highlighted area, of course causing the ground to peak. The Base Level as mentioned before was set at 16500 mm, but it was easier to simply delete the wrongly placed contour dots. Through thorough checking in section it was seen that this problem was rectified.

Although an issue was found, this is an example of good collaboration with team members. By Re-checking over each of our models weekly we are able to pick up on any inconsistency  and let the other discipline know that they need to rectify their mistake. Overall with this particular case, the process worked smoothly.

Week 7 - Tasks and Collaboration Relfelction

Group Task Check list For Submission next week:

Orange Highlights Complete Tasks

Submission: Due Thursday the 18th of October 5:00pm

1. Architectural + Structural

• Continue creating architectural model
• Rectify any clashes
• Include any forgotten elements
• Continue placing structural systems
• Check for structural clashes
  

2. Landscape + Site

• Continue developing landscape model
• Begin work on car park
• Ensure site topography is correct
• Collaborate with interior on interior green space
  

3. Interior

• Commence work on interior fitout
• Create furniture plan for the three levels
• Begin importing components to go into project

4. Lighting

• Begin researching lighting products and fixtures
• Start designing lighting grid
  

5. Model Checking

• Checking new models for clashes
• Collaborating with relevant disciplines to resolve clashes

Collaboration Reflection:

This week as the architectural and structural models were completed up to a standard when everyone else could work on them it allowed the other disciplines to commence work on their models. Adam continued refining the architectural and structural models, fixing any clashes found and correcting any mistakes found by other members during their work. With the completion of the archtitectural model it was possible for me (Jake) to commence the interior fitout, focusing on creating the furniture plan for the three levels as well as looking at custom and pre-made components that would be needed for the interior fit-out. It was necessary for some extensive collaboration between Adam and myself to rectify clashes with the architectural and interior models. As the interior fitout was only at the schematic phase as it began some clashes were detected which had to be fixed. It was also possible for Jack to commence the lighting grid design, however he would need the interior fitout to be roughly completed to fully complete this. However we began collaborating about the interior spaces and the lighting of these spaces. Ben continued work on the landscape model,  refining this and beginning work on the carpark.

This was a big week of collaborating with several members able to complete modelling there were many areas which clashed. With the architectural model nearing completion the group was feeling on track, confident that the other models would be on track for completion. The model checking by Jack was vital this week with the commencement of various models, ensuring that there were no clashes.

Week 7 - Structural Modelling (Adam)

Structural Modelling - Initial Stages

Week 7 saw the first phases of the structural model begin. To begin with, the major structural framework from the existing framework was kept, sticking to the original gridlines and utilising as many of the existing columns as possible. However this was not possible in some areas of the new model, due to the large courtyard and open walkways.

The original grid structure

This week I worked on the major framework for Levels 1 + 2 (Image Below), with the joists and beam systems to be put in the following week. Both levels had roughly the same floor layout, so the columns and beams lined up very well. I had an issue with placing the joist beam systems though, as I could not find the appropriate view to work in when drafting the system. This is something that I will have to look up for the following week.

The new major beam framework for Level 1+ 2.