Building Information Modelling AY 2024-25 Class

Quick recap

The class focused on teaching architectural production processes through a hands-on exercise where students created a 3D massing model of an exhibition pavilion in SketchUp. Professor Brian Williams guided students through converting a hand-drawn sketch into a digital model, including creating a terrain feature and conducting a solar study to analyze natural light exposure. The session covered fundamental architectural concepts like pre-design phases, project management levels, and the importance of understanding both design and production aspects. Students were instructed to complete the solar study as their first checkpoint submission, with the full project worth 60% of their grade to be submitted at the end of the semester.

Next steps

• All students: Complete and submit the hand-drawn preliminary floor plan sketch (based on the provided bubble diagram and concept sketch) by posting a photo of it on the mirror board under Class Activities, including name and ID

• All students: Use SketchUp to create a 3D massing model based on the provided concept sketches, including site terrain, and perform a solar study

• All students: Submit the solar study (showing different times of day) as the first project checkpoint before going on study tour

• Brian: Complete the schematic design phase of the project to be reviewed when students return from Study Tour

• All students: Attend the next class session at 6:00 PM to discuss the theory assignment

Summary

Student-Driven Architectural Design Process

Brian explained the architectural design process, outlining the progression from pre-design through schematic design, design development, and finally to construction drawings. He emphasized the importance of understanding both the business and technical aspects of architecture, noting that students would likely focus more on production and drawing skills. Brian announced plans to form a firm with students acting as new hires, where they would work on a pavilion project under his mentorship, with grades serving as compensation. He stressed the rarity of students being actively involved in the design process at firms, contrasting this with his approach of seeking more student input.

Architectural Firm Position Levels

Brian discussed the different levels of positions in an architectural firm, explaining that Level 1 involves interns learning the workflow, Level 2 involves team members who can produce work, Level 3 involves supervisors managing production, and Level 4 involves project managers overseeing projects and interfacing with clients. He emphasized that while the names for these positions may vary, the progression involves learning the workflow, participating in production, managing others' work, and eventually dealing with clients.

Architectural Firm Roles and Exercise

Brian explained the organizational structure of architectural firms, discussing different roles such as project managers, supervisors, and principals. He then assigned a design exercise to the team, asking them to create a floor plan based on a provided bubble diagram and concept sketch for an exhibition pavilion within 15 minutes.

Preliminary Design Sketch Exercise

Brian instructed the class to create a preliminary sketched floor plan based on a bubble diagram, emphasizing that this is a design exercise in the pre-production phase. He explained that the sketch should represent ideas without focusing on specific measurements or dimensions, and students were given time to complete their sketches. Brian clarified that the goal of this exercise is to train students in approaching design, as their career progression might shift from producing drawings to creating designs. He also mentioned that in an architectural firm, senior personnel often do not use AutoCAD or Revit, and the class would move on to the next activity after completing the sketches.

3D Massing Model Design Exercise

The class focused on converting a hand-drawn sketch into a 3D massing model using SketchUp. Brian Williams instructed the students to use either the web version or local version of SketchUp to create a simple box representation of their design. The goal was to explore the building's relationship with sunlight and natural light for an exhibition pavilion, as well as to better understand the design at different levels (one or two stories). The exercise was presented as an important skill for architectural design and a meaningful task for students to contribute to the project.

SketchUp 3D Model Conversion Workshop

Brian led a discussion on converting hand-drawn sketches into 3D models using SketchUp. He provided links to two sketches (A and B) and explained the task of creating a massing model to explore design further. Brian demonstrated how to scale and trace the sketches in SketchUp using reference measurements. He emphasized the importance of understanding the tools and asked participants to ask questions if they were unsure. The session aimed to guide the team in creating digital massing models based on the provided sketches and site plan.

SketchUp Building Design Demonstration

Brian demonstrated how to use SketchUp to create a scaled model of a building design. He explained the process of measuring dimensions, using the tape tool, and rescaling the model. Brian then showed how to sketch out the building's layout, including walls, a patio area, and exhibition space across two floors. He emphasized the importance of using scaled figures and proportional measurements in the design process. Brian also discussed the benefits of creating a 3D model to explore and answer questions about the design.

SketchUp Building Model Demonstration

Brian demonstrated how to create a building model in SketchUp, including drawing walls, creating a base, and adding a terrain feature using the sandbox tool. He explained how to use various tools like offset, push-pull, and smooth to achieve the desired design. Brian also highlighted the sandbox tool as a useful but lesser-known feature in SketchUp for preliminary design work.

Solar Study for Museum Model

The class focused on completing a solar study for a massing model of a museum building in Hong Kong. Brian demonstrated how to use SketchUp to perform a solar study, including geolocating the model and analyzing sunlight exposure at different times of day. He emphasized that the solar study is an important checkpoint for the project and can be completed during class time. Brian also explained the submission process for the pre-design phase, which includes the floor plan and massing study. He mentioned that the project is divided into individual and collaborative components, each worth 30% of the final grade. The class will continue with schematic design after the study tour.

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