Article written by Matthew Wasnewsky, RA, Associate
Buildings have a lot of components in them – plumbing, electrical wiring, computer network cabling, security systems, ductwork, lighting – and our job is to fit everything together. We also want the buildings to look good. This requires coordination between the owner, architect, and a team of consultants. We find that our firm’s use of Revit to help design projects has been helpful throughout all phases of design and construction. One project that has benefitted from the use of Revit is the ongoing expansion and renovation of the Addabbo Family Health Center in the Rockaways.
At Addabbo, the new addition had to be built in compliance with new local flood zone regulations, yet still connect at each floor, accommodating significant differences in height. This required careful coordination to achieve high ceilings. Nearly all the trades involved worked in Revit, including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, sprinkler, fire alarm, audiovisual, security, and telecommunications. Instead of exchanging dozens of sheets of 2D drawings, we exchange a single, information-rich 3D model. This drastically simplifies information exchange between the Architect and all consultants, allowing for more frequent updates, and expediting the coordination process.
Coordination in Revit helps us make sure everything fits, but it’s also important to remember aesthetics. Since coordination is faster in Revit, we can dedicate more time to studying and developing the design, which ultimately gives us more control. For Addabbo, it was important that the new addition appear as if it were part of the original building. We also had to consider fenestration, with smaller windows providing privacy for exam rooms and larger windows providing daylight and a visual connection to the neighborhood for the public spaces. Using Revit, we were able to quickly model multiple options in 3D, considering the design from all angles while reviewing the relationships with the floor plan.
Unlike other 3D modeling programs, Revit is also used for documentation. This means we can utilize the modeled information developed in the early phases of design to produce the 2D drawings used for construction. This ensures nothing is lost from the original design concept. In addition, information about every modeled element can be scheduled and quantified. For Addabbo, we used this information to help the owner keep an eye on the budget during design, and ensure quantities in bids were accurate. Revit helped us quickly document the areas of masonry and curtain wall building envelope, as well as determine lighting fixtures’ power consumption, to ensure compliance with New York City’s energy code. We also scheduled floor areas to check compliance with zoning regulations and building code compliance.
The benefits realized for Addabbo can be translated to almost any project, causing us to use Revit for an increasing number of projects. As buildings become more complex, Revit is one tool that ensures we are prepared to handle the coordination required in an efficient manner, allowing us to maintain focus on the overall design.