Revit Modeling enables architects to gain greater cost savings and quick turnaround through seamless automation, workflows, generative design, and more, leading to diminished rework.
Establishing design accuracy in the preconstruction stage sets the platform to move forward with positive outcomes. Architects are often impeded by challenges that come with traditional processes and tools. The use of hand-drawn 2D drawings serves no purpose in moving to structural design as they can be error-ridden in many ways. Within a collaborative BIM environment, architects and BIM firms need a robust 3D modeling tool to achieve high design performance, efficiency, sustainability, and productivity.
Whilst architects use sketches, they are interested in the layout of the project, whereas civil engineers need plans or detailed drawings. This creates a bigger source of confusion for various parties. CAD systems did modernize and digitize 2D drawings, but it does not contain the parametric design capabilities that Revit offers.
Revit 3D BIM modeling helps architects, and architectural BIM companies navigate around these challenges to derive maximum performance and efficiency with greater deliverable quality. Architectural BIM companies that adopt Revit modeling for their clients can ensure faster project completion with simplified processes. Get the most out of Revit with the following benefits and take your Revit BIM services to the next level.
According to McGraw Hill Construction, 43% of architects use BIM on 60% of their projects.
Challenges faced by Architects in absence of Revit modeling
- Drop-in design performance due to lack of skill, software diversity, and 2D visualization
- Workflow gaps due to the absence of collaboration leading to clashes and project delays
- Inability to track design changes owing to the lack of parametric capabilities that cause rework
- Higher project costs and reduced efficiency due to higher redundancy and project risks
- Absence of pre-defined component libraries to achieve standardization of geometry, materials, specifications, etc.
- Heavy usage of paper-based documentation leading to fragmented storage, information loss, or incomplete data
Importance of Revit Modeling for Architects
Greater design performance through Revit capabilities and diverseness
Revit versatility enables architects to embrace visualization through various views. Elevations, architectural and structural floor plans, and orthographic projections fuel design visualization. Rendering and walkthroughs of models with real-world materials and objects enhance the realism and detailing of 3D models. Taking an actual virtual walkabout of the project with lighting and textures takes client presentations to another level.
Extracting error-free model-based documentation from Revit ensures accuracy, completeness, and standardization across every level for quick and hassle-free construction. The use of attached data that includes location, volume, area, etc. helps architects and other stakeholders improve building performance and make informed decisions.
An architectural and engineering services firm from Europe outsourced its requirements to Hitech CADD Services to build 300 3D BIM models at LOD 200 in Revit. Learn how the team of BIM modelers and engineers adopted Dynamo automation integrated with Revit to save 50% time on project delivery, leverage 18% in cost savings, and achieve 100% deliverable accuracy.
Plug workflow breaches through complete collaboration
The biggest advantage Revit offers architects is “Collaboration”. AEC projects include a myriad of teams and stakeholders. Connecting every stakeholder in the design stage through 3D models helps them access and update data in real-time. Annotating and tagging 3D views in Revit provides Architects with a high level of design flexibility.
Accessing updated files from a centralized storage system improves overall coordination and collaboration. This reduces project risks and design clashes early on in the preconstruction stage through better teamwork.
Based on a study by Connecting Teams, 56% of the Architects claim the clients were more satisfied with BIM collaboration for their BIM projects.
Exceptional parametric capabilities that promote generative design
Quick design changes can be updated with Revit. It is this feature that helps architects reduce manual work and save time. Parametric design is a key feature that enables quick and accurate modification. Generative design with data manipulation in Revit helps resolve complex design to define and make sure models are built to client and project specifications.
The ability to assign parameters for materials, specifications, maintenance and energy values makes it easier for architects to meet project deadlines and reduce project risks through a single platform. With the various levels of granularity, Revit promotes a high level of data layering, greater interoperability, schematic design, and detailed LOD models.
An architectural firm in Australia approached Hitech CADD Services for a Rail Yard project and mixed-use building. The client required a coordinated 3D model and architectural 3D rendering as a visualization medium for presentations and client approvals. Learn how Hitech CADD Services delivered the requirements to quicken project progress and ensure project quality by using Autodesk Revit.
Reduction in projects costs and greater efficiency with diminished redundancy and better risk management
Revit 3D modeling boosts cost savings with a reduction in redundant data and workflows. Automation with Dynamo, APIs, and Plugins reduce task repetition. With changes recorded across the entire model, room for errors is significantly diminished leaving no redundant documentation.
With early risk detection and resolution, Revit modeling services for clients can save on material waste and reduce project risks by a significant factor. With model visualization in real-time architects can help clients save on time and costs with efficient planning enriched through accurate scheduling (4D) and cost estimation (5D).
Based on data gathered by Stanford University’s Center for Integrated Facilities Management, BIM helps reduce cost estimation time by more than 80%.
Voluminous library of Revit families for greater customization and standardization
A huge library of Revit families draws greater design standardization. A voluminous database of internal and external design elements can be used to customize the design based on client requirements. These families include walls, roofs, furniture, primitive objects, and other systems, loadable, and In-Place families.
Revit gives Architects the flexibility to access any object instantly, and edit them as per specific design needs, and diminishes the need to create new objects from scratch.
Diminished use of paper-based design through centralized storage, data security, and data absolution
Paper documentation is erroneous, incomplete, and can be fragmented if not stored correctly. Revit takes paper documentation out of the equation making the design process data sustainable. With every record stored in one Common Data Environment (CDE), architectural BIM firms can go paper-free with an all-inclusive functionality that is effective and efficient. Dynamic worksheet linking with models enables Architects to create design prototypes in real-time.
Hitech CADD Services were approached by an Architectural Firm from Manchester UK for a Mixed-Use Building Project. The requirements were a coordinated 4D BIM model with sequencing and project intro video. Learn how Hitech CADD Services used Revit’s interoperability with Navisworks and 3DS Max to improve design intent, save costs, and reduce rework.
Taking Revit to the next level in 2021 for Architects with brand-new updates and enhancements
With new features rolled out for Architects in the 2021 version of Revit, its capabilities are further extended for better interoperability, efficiency, and other features. Some of the top functionalities put forth by Revit for Architects in 2021 include:
- Slanted walls
- Generative Design
- Header freezing for schedules
- Striped schedule rows
- Linking and unloading PDF and Raster images
- Customized workspaces
- Path of travel
Conclusion
There are a ton of BIM tools in the market that architects can leverage to achieve the required deliverables. Yet, Revit is the only tool that stands out for architects to garner effective and efficient 3D modeling. With functionalities and integrations that can be extended for Revit 3D architectural modeling services, it has proven to be an exemplary BIM model creation platform for planning, designing, and management of complex projects.
Regular updates enable architects to push the boundaries of BIM design to enhance productivity, reduce TAT, collaborate across disciplines, and produce exceptional project results.
About Author:
Harika Singh is an academician and published writer. Her passion for engineering and technology reflects in the in-depth coverage she provides on technology trends. 20 years of work association with institutes of repute across India and the US positions her to provide valuable insights to business stakeholders on achieving scalability and operational efficiencies through digitalization.