1,000,000 Members of Autodesk Student Community.

I was just wondering on Facebook and ran across the Autodesk Student Community page where this message was posted:

The Autodesk Education Community just hit 1 million members! Thanks to all the students and educators who have made this an active and thriving global community.

Wow... I remember looking a couple weeks ago and there was only about 800,000 members. What does this mean to The Revit Kid.com? Well, this means that, whether they all know it or not, one million people have access to a fully functioning copy of Revit for FREE! Incredible.

Not a member yet? Click here to access the Autodesk Student Community and Register.

Windows 7 - Student Price

I meant to post this before my other Winodows 7 post but forgot to. For those of you with student email address (ie. Doe@College.edu) you can get a Windows 7 (64 or 32 bit) upgrade for 30 dollars directly from Microsoft!

• Click here for more information and to see if your school is enrolled.
• Click here to register and get your copy now.

This is a great buy and I took advantage of it right a way!

Windows 7 and Revit 2010 - Disappearing Ribbon

I recently installed Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit on my MacBook Pro through Boot Camp. I have to say the the performance, overall, has been great. Every program, even Revit, appears to run much faster than on Vista 64 bit.

I have ran into one little thing. When using Revit I start to get some graphic errors along the lines of a disappearing ribbon bar, flashing large dimensions, and dissapearing graphics on sheet view. This is clearly a graphic issue and I am looking more into it. I am not sure if this is a Windows 7 problem or the fact that I am using a Macbook Pro. Anyone else have these issues?

My solution so far is to change the theme of Windows to something classic (without Aero and the "flashiness"). These graphical errors are not continuing when I turned off the "flashiness."

Please comment and let's start this discussion.

Tutorial - Complex Formulas in Revit (Inconsistent Units)

As many of you may know I am working on a final project for my Calculus class involving Revit (see here and here). Well, I have been working a lot on that (one of the reasons the posting has been a tad slow) and I ran into a problem that some of you may have or will have.

The problem was due to the complexity of the equation I was creating to drive one of my parameters. Here is the equation:

• Click here to see the original equation.

Now, notice the "MIN" is referring to a seperate dimensioned parameter (therefore, it becomes our variable in a sense) and the remainging numbers are fixed. I used meters in order to utlize fractions better and divisions. Now... I go to apply the formula and get this message. (Inconsistent Units).

Then the frustration begins. I tried many different combinations and ways of typing in the formula and could not working. I did some research and found two blog posts that helped me understand what my problem was. It turns out that my problem was not with the actual formula, but the units. Those of you with some Physic's classes in your background will remember this when I break it down. Here is my example:

First, I think about the type of parameter I am making. It is a length parameter. Therefore, the unit it needs to be in is a Meter (not a Square Meter, or Cubic Meter). Now, I look at just the units of my equation:

• (Meter * Meter Cubed) - (Meter * Meter Squared) + (Meter * Meter)

Which yeilds:

• (Meter ^ 4 ) - ( Meter Cubed) + (Meter Squared)

These cannot be combined and also cannot create a result that is a length paramter (must be just a meter).
Solution:

The solution is very simple. Set up the equation so that you divide out the remaining Meter units you do not want.

• Click here to see my solution formula.

Notice the added division in the formula. Where we yeilded a meter cubed I simply divided the result by 1 meter squared. There you have it. Pay attention to your parenthesise and make sure your result is a single meter.

Happy Thanksgiving!

To show how thankful I am that you are all reading my blog the very next post will be a tutorial... WOOHOO!

Tutorial - Revit Curtain Panel Material Takeoff

A very nice video over on YouTube... I actually received a few question about this so I hope it helps. I think her voice is a lot nicer to listen to than mine ;)

The Revit Kid.com! Multi-Lingual

I have been receiving quite a few emails lately in different languages. Sadly, I only speak, read and write English (although I know a little Portuguese). In honor of my new, or old, international readers I added a widget on the right hand side of the site that will translate every blog post into your language of preference.

Given that I do not speak any of these languages I am not sure how good it really works, so please comment and let me know if it works well.

Stay tuned for more posts and some tutorials on the way. I have been very busy with the final of the semester and the Revit Calculus project in particular.

- Jeffrey A. Pinheiro, LEED AP

Autodesk Bluestreak: Collaborate, Socialize... BIM!

Some of you may have read about Bluestreak on other blogs a while ago... Well, I wanted to give it a try and understand it a little more before posting. Basically, imagine Facebook for the construction industry. Doesn't sound like a horrible idea. Unless, of course, there are quite a lot of "beefs" between the contractors, architects, and engineers.... Well, to me, Bluestreak looks very similar to Facebook but with the addition of a file sharing system.

In todays society (especially with my generation) Facebook (social networking) is slowly becoming the means of communication. I can tell you what half of my high school friends have been up to without even talking to them thanks to status's, pictures, and conversations with other friends. A know at least four or five people who have went out on dates with people they met on Facebook. Our class reunion used Facebook Events solely.

Ultimately, I am getting at the idea of social networking has its benefits. Bluestreak, to me, looks like it is taking this idea of social networking and narrowing it down. Narrowing it from something as broad as Facebook to a single Project. Imagine having a Facebook group for that single multi-family residential project. All of the architects, engineers, contractors... the whole team are part of the group and can stay informed, inform others, and share files.

This is truly my generations model of BIM. I can be at dinner with the family and have a thought run into my mind, or a question... Simply take out my phone and check my groups status's, posts, and files, as well as post a quick status of my own. I like it... The next group project I have in school I will submit the idea of using this for sure.

Here is some info straight from Autodesk:

Design Collaboration for AEC Professionals
Coordinate, analyze, and review designs with project group members

Autodesk Project Bluestreak is a web-based collaboration environment that accelerates building information modeling through the open exchange of design information and ideas between desktop applications, web-based services and people.

Get Involved!

• Log in to our preview today and tell us what you think. With this initial release, you can...
• Create and join project groups
• Communicate with your project group members
• Share project designs and documents
• Quickly respond to project activities

What's Available Now?

The basic building blocks needed to collaborate with your team -- user profiles, self organized private groups, file sharing, activity streams, notifications and comments -- are available now for testing and feedback. To get started and help build the next generation of AEC collaboration:

• Create your account and a project group, and try it out!
• Use the "Feedback" button within the application to give us your feedback and discuss the application with other members of the Bluestreak user community.

Related Links:

• Click here to find out more about Bluestreak.
• Click here to sign up and give it a try!

Job Searching... Where to Start?!

This goes right along with yesterdays post from Archinect. Design Intelligence released a nice write up with their recent newsletter. I urge you all to check it out. There is some great information as well as a list of links as to where to begin searching for Architecture related jobs.

"...Recessions in 1973, ’82, ’87, ’91, ’97, 2001, and now ’08. Does it seem like they get progressively more frequent? Do they now appear to be the norm, with prosperity being a temporary situation? Has stability become an outdated phenomenon? Has economic uncertainty affected our performance? Has everything-due-yesterday rendered us too stressed to do anything today? Has fear replaced hope?

Nope. Media thrive on reminding us of the dismal state of our economy … and lives. Few reports are apt to point out the opportunities and choices we still have, and still fewer to offer any real solutions. We are left with self-doubt, anxiety, and the critical question:

What is wrong with my profession, and when will it improve? When will the (good) jobs return?

This article offers advice to those seeking work in the construction design professions, particularly architects and interior designers. When job hunting, accept that the process will not be linear. Also know that there is no walk-in perfect design job. The key is to find a potentially promising employer, get on board, and then grow into the position. The cast of characters involved, employers and otherwise, is worthy of a novel; no one will make it easy for you. Those new to the design professions are the most at risk; however, they are also in the best state to land a job because the number of positions available to recent graduates is usually highest...

...School vs. Work

Sadly, employers remain at odds with education, particularly in the case of recent grads. Design schools -- if not all schools -- teach us to think outside the box. Conceptual theory and imagination are the seeds of good design, from which a superior reality flows. Architects emerge with essential analytical skills and environmental sensitivity. And they can use computers to fabricate glorious cyber-complexes, underwater cities, and second-generation prairie housing. All this mind expansion is grand.

Unfortunately, most employers want none of it. “Did you finish the egress study yet?” “What is the floor occupancy, and how many toilets do we need?” “What is the square footage of the northeast quadrant of the site?” “Have you checked the ADA requirements for a judge’s bench?” “Make me five copies of the specs, and ship them to Mumbai.”

This is what you should be prepared for. Why? The worse the market, the more nitty-gritty the work. Are you up for it?

Those with work/study experience (such as internships) can be the most conflicted of all, having gone back and forth between theory and reality. During times like these, it’s usually best to concentrate on what was learned on the job... Continue Reading for links, info, and more..."

Archinect's Official Portfolio Guide

It is very rare to find this kind of information geared towards architecture so when I do I like to share with you all.

Introduction to the Series

For many of us architecture is a calling, for others it’s a job and for some it’s a lifestyle. Regardless of which description(s) best fits your personal perspective, as designers there are a few important questions that will unify our cause and help to shape our professional lives. These questions include: What type of architect do I want to be? What type of education or institution will help me to become that architect? How do I get the attention of employers in such a competitive field? And How do I realize my full potential in the professional world?

The following essay is the first in a series that will attempt to guide us in answering those questions. This series is written for designers who have firmly decided that architecture is a career path they wish to pursue. I do not intend to go through the arguments about whether anyone should become an architect and how to tell if you would be a good one. In addition, I will not digress into the pessimism about low salaries, long hours and poor working conditions that run throughout the profession. This series is meant to raise our spirits and ambitions within a tough economic climate, provide some helpful advice about portfolio preparation and the search for employment and contribute to the ongoing dialogue about the forces that shape our professional lives.

With the current economic downturn forcing many talented designers back into the academic world or into the realm of unemployment, we must remain focused on conveying our talents and experiences in the most effective manner to remain competitive. Part One of this series will include advice on preparing an academic portfolio and applying to graduate school while parts two and three will focus on the search for professional employment and the interview process. I have included examples of my design work and detailed some of my own personal experiences while engaged in these processes. The articles in this series will consider questions from hundreds of past discussion threads and provide one central resource for answers....

• Archinect's Official Portfolio Guide: Part 1 - The Academic Portfolio

• Archinect's Official Portfolio Guide: Part 2 - The Search for Employment

Some great advice, examples, and information! Thanks Jason at Archinect!

Busy busy busy..

I have to apologize for the recent delay in postings. Between the end of the semester arriving and the release of Modern Warfare 2 I have been quite busy.

I have some more posts planned so stay tuned and take this down time to really explore the 300+ posts and tutorials I have. Remember to check out the search bar as well.

Autodesk Project Twitch

This is not breaking news to many of you but I figured I would post on it. I received an email from a fellow student who said that his main computer crashed and he needed to use Revit at home. Sounded like a perfect job for Project Twitch.

OVERVIEW

Welcome to Project Twitch! This project is testing remote delivery of our applications over the Internet. The goal of project Twitch is to enable you to test and try the latest versions of AutoCAD, Revit, Inventor, and Maya without having to install or download the applications. These applications run remotely on our servers and are delivered to you over the Internet. You will use them in the same way that you would if they were on installed on your system.

FEATURES NOT SUPPORTED TODAY

As a technology preview, there are currently several limitations with the service.

• No ability to upload, download, or save files. To make it easier to try out the application, we have loaded a number of sample files that will allow you to interact with complex drawings.
• No ability to load or keep any customizations that you create .
• Access is limited to users that have hardware and network connections capable of supporting the service

This, of course, is limited. The day they allow you to save on your machine or a server this will take off! For now, those of you wanting to TRY Revit and not wanting to install it or able to install it can go right ahead...

Phil Bernstein - AIAS Grassroots Leadership Lecture

My last post spoke about a video now on the Autodesk Student community of Phil Bernstein speaking at AIAS's Grassroot Leadership Conference. From Autodesk:

Hear Autodesk’s Phil Bernstein’s inspirational presentation, Leadership by Design – How to Develop and Sustain Leadership, presented at this year’s AIAS Grassroots Leadership conference. The presentation focuses on how the next generation will help design a better process and impact the construct of how buildings are designed and built and ultimately change the architect’s role.

I found it unfair to those of you who should see this that are not part of the Student Community so here is the direct video from Autodesk:

An excellent lecture. I would love to hear some of my readers opinions before I give my own. I imagine this lecture was much longer, but it brings up the idea of the role of the "future architect" I am always speaking of.

Post #300: Welcome New Readers!

The Revit Kid.com! has been featured in this months Autodesk Student Community Newsletter:

The Revit Kid
The Revit Kid blog is an amazing source of information for students using Autodesk® Revit® Architecture. The blog is designed for students planning on entering a career in architecture, and strives to help all users become comfortable with the world of BIM.

For those of you who are first time visitors be sure to check out all of the tutorials on the right hand side and subscribe via email, RSS, or blogger on the right hand side as well! Don't forget about the search function either!

To my returning readers that belong to the Student Community there is a great Phil Bernstein video uploaded onto the Student Community website:

Autodesk at AIAS Grassroots Leadership Conference
Hear Autodesk’s Phil Bernstein’s inspirational presentation from this year’s AIAS Grassroots Leadership Conference. The presentation focuses on how the next generation will help design a better process and ultimately change the architect’s role.

Thank you Autodesk for featuring me in this months newsletter.

2010 America's Architecture Schools

When I was choosing colleges I never looked at rankings like this. I don't fully believe in them but I know lots of perspective students look at stuff like this. I enjoyed the preface that was written on Architectural Record and Design Intelligence released the list (if you have followed my blog you know how much I enjoy Design Intelligence). I also like the "Skills Ranking" portion of it.

• Click here to go to the Architectural Record Article.

TOP 10 UNDERGRADUATE ARCHITECTURE SCHOOLS

1. Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y.
2. Syracuse University, Syracuse, N.Y.
3. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Calif.
4. Virginia Polytechnic institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va.
5. University of Texas, Austin, Tex.
6. Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kans.
7. University of Oregon, Eugene, Ore.
8. Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, R.I.
9. Rice University, Houston, Tex.
10. University of Southern California, Los Angeles, Calif.

TOP 10 GRADUATE ARCHITECTURE SCHOOLS (M.ARCH.)

1. Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.
2. Yale University, New Haven, Conn.
3. Columbia University, New York City
4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Mass.
5. University of Texas, Austin, Tex.
6. University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
7. Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y.
8. Virginia Polytechnic and State University, Blacksburg, Va.
9. University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va.
10. University of California, Berkeley, Calif.

SKILLS RANKINGS

1. Computer applications
2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
3. Carnegie Mellon University
4. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
5. Columbia University
6. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

And some interesting survey results by students...

What students do after graduating (%)

33 - Pursue an advanced degree in architecture
6 - Pursue an advanced degree in something else
50 - Work in private practice
3 - Work for a corporation
3 - Self-employment
3 - Undecided or other
1 - Work in government
1 - Community service
85 - Planning to take the Architect Registration Exam
77 - Planning to become LEED certified

Continue Reading Results...

I find the last results very interesting. 77% plan to be LEED AP, only 3% want to be self employed, and 85% plan to be licensed. Interesting results...

A New Normal?

By Scott Simpson at DesignIntelligence...

"According to official statistics, the deepest recession of the past 40 years is now behind us. The GDP is growing, the Dow has cracked 10,000, and interest rates remain at historic lows, keeping inflation in check. Wall Street is even paying big bonuses again.

Yet to most people, the tangible effects of the recovery remain elusive. Unemployment has increased over the past six months, the dollar has lost significant value on the currency markets, and many sectors of the economy (especially commercial real estate) remain fragile. Is this what a recovery is supposed to feel like?

Unfortunately, yes. The economy may have bottomed out and experienced something of a bounce, but it’s certain that the boom years of 2005-2007 will not be returning any time soon. While it’s true that panic has subsided into caution, the credit markets remain deeply chilled, if not frozen. While some clients are doing planning new work in anticipation of a more robust recovery, very few new projects are getting the green light, and this state of affairs is likely to pertain for the foreseeable future. Under these circumstances, a slow-growth, cost-sensitive economy is beginning to look like the new normal.

What’s a design firm to do?

Like it or not, get ready for increased competition. Significant layoffs in the profession have spawned a new generation of small, nimble design firms with low overhead. These new firms, often headed by well-regarded professionals with significant experience, can be formidable competition.In the past, perhaps a dozen or so contenders would be chasing any given project; these days, that number can easily double or even triple. Clients are increasingly price-sensitive, so expect significant downward pressure on fees. You will have to price your proposals accordingly, and when successful, execute the work with relentless efficiency. There will be little if any wiggle room.

This will almost certainly require a leap in technology, and specifically BIM, which can be used for all phases of the work from design through construction administration. Sophisticated users of BIM have found ways to create significant efficiencies in the documentation process and have even been able to eliminate the need for shop drawings during construction. Now that the GSA (as well as several states, including Texas and Wisconsin) have mandated BIM deliverables for all projects, the tipping point has clearly been passed. If you have not already done so, it’s time to get on board. Make use of your downtime to acquire the software and institute a firm-wide training program, as BIM capability is fast becoming a gating issue during the selection process.... Continue Reading...."

Give a Little Bit.

Today is a sad day in the Revit blogging world. I woke up and checked out the daily grind of blogs to see any new content and posts. Surely enough there was a post from Greg over at Revit3d.com (not very surprising considering he has made over 800 posts this year alone). Greg's blog is a major source of information for Revit, BIM, IPD, LEED, and construction law. In fact, his blog was the inspiration for me to make this blog.

Sadly, Greg's post today stated that he will be postponing his blog posting. He asked his readers to donate 5 dollars to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization before AU. Here is his write up on the donation page:

"After having read an email from Autodesk's Shaan Hurley about his request to raise $2000 for Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, it inspired me to come here, learn more about the organization and inspire me to use my resources to help make a difference.

It started by seeing Shaan write that if he could raise $2000 and get his Twiiter membership up to 2000, he would shave his head at Autodesk University. My goals is to help Shaan reach his goal and get enough people to follow through so we can watch Shaan do this at the Autodesk Blogger's Social.

Here's what I am going to do. From now until December 1st, for every new follower to my http://Revit3D.com blog, I will donate $1.00.

Also, I will ask each of my blog readers to make a $5.00 donation to the fund.

My favorite aunt is a 2 time breast cancer survivor and this is my tribute to my Aunt Rosalie. I didn't think much of it yesterday, but my father told me that my mother had a clean bill of health from her mammogram yesterday. We take for granted the good news and dread the prospect of the bad news.

Lastly, these donations are my tribute to all things 3D or maybe 36D, but we'll stick with 3D for the moment. In honor of architecture, visualization and the beauty of woman and nature, we can all work together to make a difference for Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and for Revit and BIM.

I've never seen anyone offer to shave their head for a worthy cause, but Shaan, this page is for you.

Also, please follow Shaan on Twitter as part of his offer to shave his head. http://twitter.com/mrcadman
You can follow me too if you're so inclined: http://twitter.com/revit3d"

Now, I am asking my readers to donate. I have already donated some of my own personal money towards this cause. If you are one of those people who "doesn't give to charity" then do it to bring Revit3d.com back. Better yet, do it for me considering I have given you all so many little tutorials for FREE!

• Visit this page and please donate. For Greg, for me, and for the cause.

One dollar, five dollars, or ten dollars is not too much to ask.

Maybe I will stop posting tutorials until I hear from Greg that donations have risen a bit since this post.... maybe.... nah....

Tutorial - Angle Wall End: Plan View

Eugene emailed me a question:

"Hey Jeff,

My name is Eugene, and i am currently an architecture student. I decided to use revit this semester for my design class because i thought that it would help me in my design process as well as help me learn some technical aspects. The blog you run was a great resource for me and i owe a big thanks to you in helping me learn Revit.

I have a quick question for you regarding something I am trying to achieve. I looked everywhere for the answer and could not find it. I tried several solutions but none yielded the result i wanted.

I attached a jpg. which will hopefully illustrate what I am trying to achieve.

I want to be able to cut the end piece of my wall on an angle rather then leave it parallel to the face it started with. I used the cut profile tool but that only does the trick in plan/section, but not 3D.

What I am trying to achieve is Wall A in 3D. If its possible for you to throw some ideas or hints as to how to do this it would be great.

I look forward to your reply."

Click here to see my video and solution.

Wherefore Art Thou, Tutorials?

I received an email today of the following:

"Just downloaded Revit 2010 and the accompanying tutorials from Autodesk. Accidentally unzipped the tutorials to the wrong location, the one where the first file should go. Realizing my mistake, I unzipped them to the correct location, but now can’t get the tutorials to “boot.” I’ve tried to open them from both the applications button and also the “help” drop down, but to no avail.

Any suggestions?"

Before I go ahead and start installing and uninstalling stuff on my computer I figured I would ask all of me readers to help along... Anyone run into this problem?

Leave a comment and let Norman and I know!

(Thanks for the email Norman).

Tutorial - 3D Dimensions

A reader sent an email asking about how 3D Dimensions in Revit 2010 work...

Click here to see the video.

Topics Covered:

• 3D Dimensioning
• Setting Work Planes
• Showing Work Planes
• Working on Multiple Work Planes in a 3D View

Revit DOESN'T Suck!

Wow... if you would all remember my post about a thread on the ArchDaily Forums you remember the harsh denial of Revit by many of the members... well... looks like he decided to give it a chance... Here is his original post:

"Revit for CD's...= the fingernails on the chalkboard of my soul!"

And his latest post:

"Some of you might remember me from my recent Revit Sucks post. A few weeks ago I decided to take a few step back, take a deep breath...and really try my best to understand things better, and to try to truly recognize why I was so frustrated...
This approach has helped my gain some understanding, and proceed in a much healthier way. AutoCad was my bitch...she is gone now....So, here is what I have come up with in my attempt to embrace Revit...First, Our office, for one reason or another has decided not to use all of the features it is perhaps known for....and this, it would appear, would be part of why I had become frustrated. Next, I knew that I had to approach this like I do everything else...learn a lot on my own, or from others on line. And lastly to not settle and make it do what I want it do do. While I know I will suck on Revit for awhile longer, I am enjoying some of its benefits, and know that someday...Revit too, will be my bitch, just like AutoCad, PowerCad, and hand Drafting that came before it!
Thanks to those who offered encouragement, and even those who think I am an arrogant prick. I love Achitecture..."

Thank you Mr. TaliesinAGG for seeing the grass is greener on the other side. Feel free to email me with any questions, comments, or concerns.

The Cost Savings of BIM

When I wrote my article about the Jersey Devil lecture and it's connection to BIM I spoke to Greg at Revit3D.com about some useful information for it. After an hour or so of conversing he sent me some useful information... a week later he sent me the REAL information he was looking for... this is the post from (bim)x:

cost of a clash

An intelligent building information model enables us to virtually fail and then coordinate the building systems. After the interference check is run, instances of colliding beams, pipes and mechanical equipment can be resolved with the input of the architect, engineers and subcontractors. All of this can be done without setting a foot on the job site.

Without BIM, subcontractors attempt coordination independently of each other and then run into problems in the field.

An example of a clash is an 8" PVC pipe colliding with a W8 x 28:











This particular clash comes from Togar Suites, one of Tocci's jobs in Union, NJ. It is one of 20 that was found in the ground level of the 400,000 sf project.

With the help of Stephen Burkholder of SR Enterprises, I was able to figure out what BIM saved us in this particular instance.

If this clash wasn't detected ahead of time, the following costs would have been associated with it:

• $1300 (the cost of a W8 x 28)
• $2500 (the cost of a W24 x 55 to replace it)
  
• $205 (removing the beam with a crane - if the beam had to be removed by hand, the cost would have been $356)
• $195 (installing the new beam with a crane - if the beam had been installed by hand, the cost would have been $705)
  
• $464 (the cost of cutting the hole for the penetration in the field)

Those costs don't even include other concerns with replacing and cutting the beam in the field:

• An analysis of the beams is required to detemine if shoring would be required
• Structural systems status (is the W8 x 28 supporting anything that will need to be supported or replaced)
• Field penetrations are typically required after erection is completed, causing delays to other trades such as
  
• Spray on fire proofing
• Finish work

Since the clash was detected prior to steel fabrication, the only costs associated with it were:

• $2500 (the cost of a W24 x 55)
• $210 (the cost of cutting the hole for the penetration in the shop)

Which would an owner rather spend on one beam:

$4932 or $2935

It is a post from three years ago but I think it illustrates very well the cost advantage to BIM when speaking about clashes.

Tutorial - Log Cabin

I received an interesting email from Joe at Noblesville Schools:

Love the web site!!!!! I have a student who wants to design a log home. How
can he get the log effect ..

Thanks,

Joe

First, thanks for all the explanation points Joe. I have never thought about a log cabin in Revit before and took a stab at it. The video is not going to be last stab at it but it might give someone inspiration to truly figure this one out.

• Click here to see the video.

Autodesk University - Virtual Pass FREE!

That's right... remember I posted about the virtual pass a few days ago? Well it is free to those of us with a student subscription account:

Students and educators who are members of the Education Community get free access to Autodesk Univeristy 2009 Virtual passes by signing up from the promotion in the community. AU is Dec. 1-4 this year, but by sigining up for AUv, you'll get access to over 400 classes on demand for the entire year!

Just go and login to the Student Community... there is a banner on the right hand side with the promotion. Enjoy!

Thanks for thinking about us students Autodesk!

A Design/Build/BIM Future

I posted about the Steve Badanes lecture at University of Hartford earlier in the week. I attended the lecture and was asked to write an article about it...

Jersey Devil
A Design/Build/BIM Future.
October 31st, 2009
By: Jeffrey A. Pinheiro, LEED AP

Steve Badanes conducted a very intriguing lecture at the University of Hartford this past Thursday. The lecture focused on many of his design/build projects with Jersey Devil Design/Build and many more recent design/build programs at colleges around the United States. Although most of the design/build projects with Jersey Devil were completed in the 1960’s and 1970’s, it felt as though he could be sharing a glimpse into the future with his audience.

For most of his projects Steve lived on site in a mobile trailer. He grew his own food and cooked it in a solar oven. The thought comes into mind of what LEED Innovation in Design credit could this relate to? Could this possibly be used towards a Sustainable Sites credit as well? Lots of people are searching for new ways to create less pollution, emit less carbon, and disturb less earth while building, but Jersey Devil appeared to be doing so back in the 1960’s.

Additionally, there is a dramatic shift taking place in the building industry that focuses on improving the collaboration between all levels of the building process. Jersey Devil designed and built their projects. Talk about improving collaboration. Fifty years ago Steve Badanes and Jersey Devil were way ahead of the industry. Looking even further back, even the Ancient Egyptians saw the advantages of a design/build approach. Today, there is a major added cost to a project due to change orders, miscommunication, and clashing. If the design team is the building team the idea of clashes, change orders, and coordination problems could possibly disappear. It is interesting to see that it has taken fifty years for the rest of the industry to begin catching up to these ideas and using technology to advance them. The advent of Building Information Modeling (BIM), Integrated Project delivery (IPD), and green building practices appear to be at the forefront of the shift taking place.

The idea of a design/build company can be paralleled with today’s Architecture /Engineering Company (A/E). It is also interesting to juxtapose why Jersey Devil’s design/build concept was so successful with the success rate of BIM and IPD projects. The National BIM Standard defines BIM as “a digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility and a shared knowledge resource for information about a facility forming a reliable basis for decisions during its life-cycle; defined as existing from earliest conception to demolition” (National Institute of Building Sciences, 2007). In the 1960’s Jersey Devil did not have a virtual representation of their project but their physical project became a building information model.

During his lecture Steve explained that they were able to see, experience, and adapt to issues such as mechanical clashing and complex details on site. Of course, they did not have three months of strict drafted construction documents to follow and change orders to be submitted. Ultimately, the designers/builders on site were performing the tasks of today’s building information modeler. Today’s building information modeler creates a virtual representation of what the building will be and foresees the problems that will arise long before construction begins. The use of BIM has proven to yield 79% fewer RFI’s (Request for Information) and field coordination problems, 79% better communication due to the three-dimensional model, and 66% positive impact on overall outcome of projects (McGraw Hill Construction, 2008). One issue that arises when a virtual building is being created before it is constructed is the knowledge of the virtual builder.

When Steve Badanes spoke about the many design/build projects he directed at colleges across the United States he stressed the idea that it teaches architecture students how a building is built. Phil Bernstein, Vice President of Industry Strategy and Relations at Autodesk, stated that, “We’re seeing this very interesting dynamic where you have young architects who are extremely digitally skillful, but they don’t know anything about putting a building together, along with baby boomer architects who know a lot about putting buildings together and have no digital skills whatsoever” (McGraw Hill Construction, 2008). Perhaps Steve Badanes has the solution to this problem, design/build. Many students learn better by physically performing activities rather than text based studying. In fact, research shows that students involved in activity-based programs performed 20 percentile units higher than the comparison groups that used traditional text book approaches (Haury & Rillero, 1994).

If BIM is a resolution for many of the problems in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry and design/build will educate students about how a building is built, could they exist together in the classroom? The research shows the benefits of each party, but not the two parties together. A classroom where the student learns to design a project and build it with his/her own hands while simultaneously developing a virtual model in the classroom would educate a student with most of the skills required to be the architect of the future: an architect with technical skills, practical building knowledge, and understanding of communication and coordination importance. The future architect will no longer only be a designer and consultant for the owner. The future architect will be part of a team consisting of engineers, contractors, and sub contractors that share a common interest in the success of a project without the strict separation of roles that exists presently. A design/build/BIM approach in the classroom could help prepare a student to become the architect of the future.

Resources

Haury, D. L., & Rillero, P. (1994, June 30). Perspectives of Hands-On Science Teaching. Retrieved November 1, 2009, from Pathways: http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/content/cntareas/science/eric/eric-2.htm

McGraw Hill Construction. (2008). Building Information Modeling (BIM): Transforming Deisng and Construction to Achieve Greater Industry Productivity. New York: McGraw Hill.

National Institute of Building Sciences. (2007, December 18). National Building Information Modeling Standard. Retrieved October 31, 2009, from Whole Building Design Guide: http://www.wbdg.org/bim/nbims.php

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Please let me know what you all think! Thanks to Greg for some of the resources!