B4 Week 5 Blog Post

For this term project, our group chose the Revit modeling project on the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston, in Massachusetts. This building was chosen for its unique structure and design. Research was conducted on the building to determine the historical uses, base structure, and loading methods for analysis. We have also created a timeline for upcoming tasks. Our team met with a professor to discuss ideas for different modeling styles. This project can be considered to be an extension to the project for CIVE 371 course as an extensive exploration on Revit modeling. Therefore, the plan drawings can be acquired and shared mutually between team members. Currently, floor plans and some detailed information have been obtained from the Internet and other sources. Aside from solely modeling the architectural system, we were advised by Professor Mitchell that further exploration on both structural and MEP system should be performed. This method fits our project initiatives and will allow for a different experience to do all the structural analysis in a 3D drawing program.

ICA Boston is just as artistic structurally as it is architecturally.  In order to achieve the 56’ cantilever within the top floors, four steel truss superstructures (2 exterior, 2 interior) are located in the top portion of the building (the gallery space) to carry the load from the end of the cantilever to the foundation.

The MEP system was a very challenging part because my group only has experience on modeling building envelop. Modeling the MEP system needs more than some basic knowledge of this field and requires a higher familiarity in modeling MEP components in Revit. Not many in our group is very familiar with this. Aside from that, we are still trying to get more information on the structural members such as the material and steel size. Although our group will not be doing a finite element analysis, this is still crucial to the accuracy of the model. However, there is very limited source for structure. We are reaching out to the structural engineering firm, Arup, for more information. 

Response: 

Lee
I like your project. I was a starter before and I wish I could be this determined to research on Revit and gain more proficiency on it. This is could be a very good chance to learn Revit in-depth. I may know where to look for the button to put a truss and change parameters, but I will not exactly know why I am doing so.

Knittel
The Bullitt building is certainly very interesting building as its slogan goes "the greenest building in the world". How the engineers incorporated the intelligent features into the building will definitely enhance the understanding in Intelligent Building subject.

Voznyak
It seems your revit model designed for the senior design is already sophisticated. I like how you continuously work in extensive manner to your revit model. I am sure you will have a great turnout.