Mastering Autodesk Revit 2017 for Architecture

Chapter 8 Advanced Modeling and Massing

Every design starts with an idea. That can be shapes drawn out on trace paper, or a chipboard model, or a conceptual form in a 3D model. This idea becomes the basis for your design and ultimately your building. Although you might sketch out several variations to give your ideas shape, there comes a point in the design process where you need to begin testing your assumptions. Does the floor plan fit within the building’s massing? Does it meet the client’s functional requirements? Is the design energy efficient?

Massing is a set of unique tools within Autodesk® Revit® software specifically created for this kind of early design analysis. By creating the “big” design idea at a macro level, you’re able to quickly and easily quantify and analyze the results. This allows you to confidently work from general to specific as your design progresses, without concern about actual building elements.

In addition, the massing tools allow you to create forms and containers to control other building system components. Complex walls, curtain walls, curtain panels, and other elements would be incredibly difficult to make and update without some underlying form to establish and drive their design.

Even though your overall design might not be represented by a complex massing form, it’s likely that somewhere in a more conventional design, massing is essential to the success of your project.

In this chapter, you’ll learn to:

• Create and schedule massing studies ...