Probe-09_Adaption

Probe-08_CANstruction

Probe-07_Modrawel_Diagrams

Critique: "Report on Integrated Practice - 5"

A critical caveat must be noted: for architects to exploit the potential of BIM as an iterative design tool, they must be retrained to perceive fluidity in what looks fixed (or at least to resist this perceptual bias).  The turn of the century poet Paul Valery tells us that "seeing is forgetting the name of the thing one sees", in BIM, it is exceedingly difficult to forget anything.

- Renee Cheng, Report on Integrated Practice, 5

The specificity and data capabilities which make BIM so powerful, are ultimately the devices which hinders the ability to utilize the software as an effective conceptual design tool.  Cheng speaks about the differences between problem-solving and design-thinking; the first which simply seeks answers, while the later explores and questions the possibilities.  Locking-in specifics early in the design process can often limit the potential for forms, voids, elements to be perceived in different capacities.

However, the argument isn't that BIM simply incapable of conceptual design-thinking, but requires the designer to imagine and perceive the model with infinite potential and range beyond the specific parameters the software is documenting.  Collaboration between media is still critical to successful, efficient, and productive thinking, but BIM software can be utilized as so much more than a means for documenting construction.  For BIM to be fully realized for its potential to act as an early design-tool, the architect must adapt to "seeing" again in this new media, recognizing the specifics when they become appropriate.

Probe-06_Render

Critique: "Report on Integrated Practice - 1"

I go to schools that are still drawing plans and sections, and I have no idea what to talk about.  Because once you start getting used to [BIM] tools, it's like flying a jet plane and then going back and flying a prop.  Even though you're doing it for some nostalgic reason it would be impossible to get used to flying from Los Angelos to New York in ten hours.  Once you get used to working three-dimensionally, there's no going back.  It represents a new totality.

- Thom Mayne, Report on Integrated Practice, 1

In the ever changing field of architecture, Mayne asserts firms must adapt quickly in order to survive.  However, giving-up many of the traditional methods of design is no easy feat.  In many ways, drawing in 2-Dimensional abstractions is ingrained into our culture of design.  I have been struggling the past few days, attempting to design in Revit for the first time.  My difficulties stemmed from an intuitive reflex to apply my previous techniques of the design process in the new software.  

Typically when tackling a project, I would sketch by hand the majority of the elements throughout the design process as the fastest means for my understanding.  Once the design was substantially "locked-in," I would begin producing the final models in computer software.  This is  not how BIM methods are intended to be used.  As I begin to let-go of my old preconceptions and tendencies, the BIM modeling process is becoming increasingly useful as a design tool, rather than a means of documentation.

Probe-05_Brickality