Session 2.2
Developing methodologies and tools for large-scale urban design projects
Synopsis:
Large scale urban design projects can be difficult to deliver due to their scope and site extension. However, Revit and other automation tools can help by providing both accuracy and efficiency. This session will discuss and share the development and implementation of Revit/Dynamo tools and workflows at Jasmax that focus on the visualization and delivery of a neighbourhood plan.
Learning Objectives:
1. Limitations when delivering urban design projects with traditional software
2. How Revit and Dynamo can improve efficiencies when delivering such projects
3. Struggles faced when implementing such tools and workflows to the practice
Body:
Large scale urban design projects demand different methodologies according to deliverables needs, purposes and timeframe. Different from typical architectural work, there are certain limitations in using traditional software due to the scope and site extension. Apart from that, the investigation of planning data, site characteristics, opportunities and constraints are difficult to analyze unless all urban elements can be visualized simultaneously.
The application of Revit and other automation tools provides not only accuracy, but also efficient ways to deliver long term projects that will go through numerous changes and/or stages.
This session will describe the creation of tools and processes that focus on the visualization and delivery of a neighbourhood plan, Glen Innes Northwest.
The project will deliver around 1,200 new dwellings over the next 20 years and is part of a wider urban regeneration strategy. The construction of homes is accompanied by significant investment in parks, community facilities, streets, infrastructure and transport.
An emphasis is placed on the creation of an Urban Design Revit Template with a focus on master planning and data management, the use of area plans and schedules for early-stage density studies, creation of Revit families for residential typologies, links to other graphical software and 3D visualizations in a way that is useful for the (urban) design process and analysis. BIM knowledge also enabled systematic and accurate teams’ interaction with the wider practice, consultants, or other stakeholders, as well as continuity for future stages of the project.
This is intended to be a technical presentation where we will discuss and share the development and implementation of these tools, limitations, struggles while collaborating with the Landscape Team, how Dynamo significantly reduced the time spent in the project set-up, and why this was an important milestone for our practice.