Managing Large Projects in Revit

MANAGING LARGE PROJECTS IN REVIT ARCHITECTUREFROM EARLY DESIGN PHASES TO DETAIL DRAWINGS

MONARCH | Jody Lee Potvin-Jones | 2014.03.19 | VIA University College, Chr M Østergaards Vej, Horsens, Denmark

Goal:


* To share tools for coordinating large projects in Revit, from early design phases to detail drawings, while simultaneously balancing between flexibility + adaptability and discipline + systems.

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Overview:


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Intro

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Overview:


Project Phase

Description/Milestones

Level of detail

Expected deliverables

Requirements

Revit best practices

Possiblechallenges

Troubleshooting

Solutions

Workarounds

IDEAL SCENARIO

REALITY CHECK


An architecture project:


In theory:


An architecture project:


In practice:


flexibility + adaptability discipline + systems

• Support the creative process

• Allows trial and error

• Provide reliable data

• Deliver accurate geometry


Context and Initial Setup:

What is a large Revit project?



What is a large Revit project?

That depends.

For one team, a large Revit project can mean this:

... and for another team it can mean this:



Generally, one or more of these conditions apply to large Revit projects:

• Large amount of m2.

• Collaboration with several teams and stakeholders.

• Certain level of complexity.

• Focus on the “Information” part of BIM.


People have a bigger impact on the project than any other part of the BIM process.

People:

Culture Roles Organization


People:

The Revit coordinatorplays a critical role

People Processes + Workflows Technology


Rule for model coordinators:

* On large Revit projects it is always better to plan ahead than to fix later.


BIM Execution Plan:

A BIM Execution Plan is an essential tool in planning the projet. It provides a framework that anticipates decisions, and can be used as a reference to settle problems throughout the project.

It should include:

• The Design Authoring environment and workflow • Cost Estimation • Design Coordination • Project information • Uses of the Building Information Model • Requirements for model maintenance and keeping healthy project files • How information is exchanged between teams • Requirements for the model data • Procedures for collaboration • Structure of the building information model and team responsibilities.

Harlan BrummAutodesk Inc.


Project Revit User Guide:

On large Revit Projects, it is a good idea to gather all the internal project information in a document that can be shared with all team members.

It should include:

• A list of all Revit models• A description of how worksets are used• A description of the Project Browser organization• Positioning and file linking information• Step-by-step standard workflows• Step-by-step special workflows• Resources• A quick reference “cheat-sheet”

* All new team members should read this document before opening Revit.


Templates:

A good Project Template can save a lot of time and energy on a project. It can also ensure consistency between models on a large project with multiple files, and reduce the amount of coordination between the models.

* On a large project requiring a large amount of families, it may be necessary to create new Family Templates.


Dividing the model.

Large projects often need to be divided into several models in order to accomodate:

• Many users in the files.

• A heavy model - though not necessarily a large file size.

• Team members in a different geographic location-

Before dividing a Revit model into several models, remember that it is much easier to divide a model than to reassemble two models.

Consider the consequences, and divide the models in a way that will remain relevant throughout the project in terms of geometry, current and future workload, amount of users in the files, etc.

!


Schematic Design:

“ During the first phase—schematic design—an architect consults with the owner to determine project goals and requirements. Often this determines the program for the project. [...] During schematic design, an architect commonly develops study drawings, documents, or other media that illustrate the concepts of the design and include spatial relationships, scale, and form for the owner to review. Schematic design also is the research phase of the project, when zoning requirements or jurisdictional restrictions are discovered and addressed. [...] ”


Expected deliverables:

“ Schematic design often produces a site plan, floor plan(s), sections, an elevation, and other illustrative materials; computer images, renderings, or models. Typically the drawings include overall dimensions, and a construction cost is estimated. [...]”


Level of detail:

The focus is on geometry, layouts, and eventually placing openings (doors, windows).


Requirements:

• Ability to test multiple layouts without committing• Extract areas from the models• Extract preliminary quantities from the model


Revit Best Practices:

Linked models on their own worksetBegin with a generic model Position project correctly

*Maintenance:

• Purge Unused• Audit• Monitor and resolve warnings• Save As (with new name) – New Local files – delete old.• Monitor Project Size and Family Sizes• Compact


Possible challenges:

What can go wrong?

How can the problem be addressed?


Design Development:

“ Design development (DD) services use the initial design documents from the schematic phase and take them one step further. This phase lays out mechanical, electrical, plumbing, structural, and architectural details.

Typically referred to as DD, this phase results in drawings that often specify design elements such as material types and location of windows and doors. The level of detail provided in the DD phase is determined by the owner’s request and the project requirements. The DD phase often ends with a formal presentation to, and approval by, the owner. ”


Expected Deliverables:

“ Design development often produces floor plans, sections, and elevations with full dimensions. These drawings typically include door and window details and outline material specifications. ”


Level of detail:

The model becomes more accurate - building components are more clearly defined.


Requirements:

• Represent the project according to firm’s graphic standards• Ability to test multiple layouts without committing• Increase level of detail progressively• Extract quantities of materials from the models• Extract room data (areas, components, etc.) from the models.• Internal Revisions using Breadcrumbs



Gradually replace generic families with more detailed familesUse worksets efficientlyUse design options

*Maintenance:




What can go wrong?



Construction Documents:

“ Once the owner and architect are satisfied with the documents produced during DD, the architect moves forward and produces drawings with greater detail. These drawings typically include specifications for construction details and materials.

Once CDs are satisfactorily produced, the architect sends them to contractors for pricing or bidding, if part of the contract. The level of detail in CDs may vary depending on the owner’s preference. [...] ”


Expected deliverables:

“ The construction document phase produces a set of drawings that include all pertinent information required for the contractor to price and build the project. ”


Level of detail:

Building components have defined materials and are built accurately - finishes and-furnishings, and fixtures are added to the model.


Requirements:

• Represent the project according to firm’s graphic standards• Navigate between final design adjustments and detailing • Increase level of detail progressively• Extract accurate material quantities from the models• Find appropriate balance between 2D and 3D



Detail draw details in RevitUse keynotes for annotating detailsUse detail itemsDo not over-detail in 3D

*Maintenance:




What can go wrong?



Practice:

20 min

Teams of 4-6

SCENARIO:

You have just been given the role of Revit model coordinator of a large project:

The project is 60 000 m2.

The project geometry includes curved and irregular shapes.

The team of 12 consists mainly of first-time Revit users, but two have worked with Revit before, and one is a strong user.

How would you begin? Can you anticipate challenges?

Conclusion:


People

Communication

Collaboration

Thinking ahead

Thank you!

Managing Large Projects in Revit

Documents

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