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The convergence of 25,000 years of Art History leads to BIM

I recently gave a three hour talk about Building Information Modeling (BIM) to a room full of people in South Carolina who had one of two major interests: building enclosures or specifications. Finding out how to properly teach them about BIM posed a unique challenge. While many in the room had some dealings with ArchiCAD or Revit, most were new to BIM. I’ve had countless conversations about BIM with all sorts of people-contractors, engineers, architects, owners, clients, students, etc. But this group felt different. I couldn’t just sell them on my concept of production, coordination, design, and integration. I had to find a new angle, something that energized them. I had to explain BIM in terms that they both understood and cared about. While building my presentation, this diagram came to me:

1d 2d 3d intersectionThe most important BIM diagram of 2014

Have you ever seen BIM explained so simply? No fancy speak, no bonus dimensions, no proselytizing about IPD or IFC or social or lonely BIM. Nothing about BIG or little. Just a simple convergence. Yet it’s not so simple because within that diagram is the culmination of about 25,000 years of art history. Let me explain.

1D (Text)

The description, the equation, the computer script, the hyperlink

In early 2013 I made a joke about spending all my time making 1D models. But the more I think about that comment, the more I realize it is not a joke. 1D documentation-text and numerical based data-is so damn important. It’s the core of IFC, it’s what we add to pictures to add clarity, and it is the heart of two of the most important yet under appreciated construction document types: the schedule and the specification. Furthermore it’s also the foundation for parametric design: equations and scripts that yield fancy forms. To paraphrase Shoegnome guest blogger, BIM guru, and ArchiCAD expert Nathan Hildebrandt: “Schedule First”. Focus on that for a moment. Before you add anything into Revit, ArchiCAD, SketchUp, or whatever program, think about how and why you’d schedule it. I promise you, when you start viewing your work from the Schedule First perspective everything you do in BIM will be better, tighter, and have more value.

Another thing that Nathan mentioned to me that also changed the way I think about BIM is that he wants to eliminate text from his documents. What he means by this is that every word shown on the 2D documents should be pulled from and derived from the placed elements and objects (whether 2D or 3D elements). So if there is a note, that note should be embedded in the object that it is describing. If there is a leader calling out a material, it should be linked to that material. Every piece of text. No fudging. All 1D linked to the higher dimensions.

History+of+1D

2D (Drawing)

Circles, Lines, and Tone

My second lecture on BIM, from back in 2011, talked about the history of 2D documentation and how it really hasn’t changed much since our ancestors were using paint on cave walls. Today there are architects and engineers drafting circles, lines, and tone in AutoCAD to represent windows, doors, and walls. Not much different from someone wearing a loincloth and using the same techniques to draw abstractions of aurochs on stone. It’s just marks on a surface that all the viewers agree pictorially represent the same thing.History of 2D

3D (Models)

From subtractive to additive to digital (and back again)

Likewise the history of 3D modeling hasn’t changed much either. Sure we’ve gone from chiseling stone and building up with clay to pushing and pulling and stacking volumes in digital space, but for the most part all we’ve done is take subtractive and additive sculpture and move it to the digital realm. The early forays into 3D printing technology are no different. It’s just automation of something we’ve been doing for over 25,000 years; it’s a better tool. However-much like BIM-3D printing is also experimenting and pushing into new frontiers. As we start 3D printing more intelligent things, we cross the line from dumb to smart-we move towards increased self-awareness vs environmental-awareness of our build environment. We finally do something new.History+of+3D

The BIM Continuum

Thirty years ago when ArchiCAD debuted, the architectural world had its first convergence of the three data streams. For the first time 1D, 2D, and 3D were all linked. It was crude then, but it was a start. And yes other industries had beat us there and continue to be ahead of us now, but what I care about is the AEC industry. As programs layer in 1D, 2D, and 3D data we progress to BIM. And here again is why SketchUp 2014 is now BIM and anyone who disagrees is wrong. BIM is the convergence of 1D, 2D, and 3D. Everything else BIM-related flows from that. SketchUp could do 2D + 3D for a long time; now with the addition of text based schema attached to elements, it crosses the threshold of 1D + 2D + 3D. Likewise, fancy modeling software that merge 1D scripts with 3D output are pushing towards BIM, but it’s the lack of integration with all three areas that keep them from crossing into the realm of BIM.

What about 4D, 5D, 6D, etc.? Describing pricing or sustainability as extra dimensions feels a bit like contrived bullshit to me, and distracts from the real power of the convergence that is BIM. These data are just other ways to describe specialized 1D, 2D, and 3D data. And in fact, most of that extra dimensional BIM is just adding more 1D information. So in a sense you could describe 4D BIM as 3D + 1D or 5D as 3D + 1D + 1D, as we are just adding more layers of text and/or mathematical data. At this point in the discussion I think it’s valuable to remember that 2D data isn’t just an output; it can be an input too. Things like heat transfer or cross sectional strength of materials might be added to a BIM via a 2D data set; 2D should not just be thought of as plans, sections, and elevations.

What about social vs lonely? Isn’t BIM pointless if it’s not shared? Of course not. I’ve discussed this before. The sharing of data is a logical outcome of BIM (and this diagram) because once you start merging all this data it becomes obvious that the results should be shared and the inputs should be collaborated on. Much like the integration of 1D, 2D, and 3D data benefits from a virtuous feedback loop, so does sharing that data with an ever widening circle of creators and users. The social aspect of BIM adds immense value to the whole process, but it is not a requirement. Sharing is a value-add.

The convergence of (almost) 1400 days of Shoegnome

Now that we understand BIM as the convergence and integration of 1D, 2D, and 3D data, it is time to push what we do with that to the next level. If you go back and read my post on Self-awareness vs Environmental-awareness you should see how this all connects, how the merging of 1D, 2D, and 3D also leads to smarter and smarter elements. And how as we layer in more data and blur the line between digital and physical amazing things begin to happen. To go a step further, reread my article Analog – Digital – Organic. As we merge 1D, 2D, and 3D and the digital with the physical the results will push beyond the imagination of the science fiction authors who were overly influenced by the technology of their day. The results will not be contrived new forms, but nuanced new functions. The architecture of the future will break the chains of form follows function because much of that function will be controlled by invisible forces and features small enough to be inconsequential to the macro forms.

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Comments

  • May 2, 2014
    reply

    Eduardo

    Came to the same conclusion on my resent projects, start creating schedules from the start to document the elements.

  • May 2, 2014
    reply

    Hi Jared,

    One thing that has to change in the industry is the idea that drawings are lines and arcs. That’s actually not what drawings are. Functionally, drawings are the affirmation at specific locations within a spatial environment (an environment formerly imaginary, now digital) that the information presented is good enough.

    Drawings are location-specific affirmation of information adequacy and significance. Drawings declare that here at -these- locations, the information that should be here, is here, and that a responsible party affirms this.

    That’s what drawings are, functionally. They are devices for providing affirmation, primarily, along with focus and clarity.

    This is an essential function that will never fade. and it must be expressed within spatial information, rather than just abstracted from spatial information as has been convention. Expression of this essential function within spatial data is the future, not abandonment of the function.

    Its interesting to notice regarding those cave paintings that those drawings are inseparable from the medium of the cave. See Herzog’s “Cave of Forgotten Dreams” for vivid observation of that https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZFP5HfJPTY

    Now we are saying the same thing again finally: drawing is not only essential, it is also inseparable from the spatial medium it affirms and clarifies >> http://dagsljus.wordpress.com/2013/05/16/drawing/

      • May 2, 2014
        reply

        Thank you Jared. Yes I’d like to write a guest post. Great! Yes I completely agree there are and will be many new ways of expressing this function, certainly not just 2D..

  • May 2, 2014
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    Josh

    Jared, Like a fine wine, your ideas (0d?), writings (1d) and drawings (2d) just keep getting better and better. Rob, Always good to read you too.

  • May 2, 2014
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    Jason Smith

    Hi Jared

    “To paraphrase Shoegnome guest blogger, BIM guru, and ArchiCAD expert Nathan Hildebrandt: “Schedule First”.”
    Nathan’s posts have sent me on a new path. I totally agree with the “Schedule First” approach. I have started to morph my template to make this happen. It has also changed how I model to make the scheduling happen. Using the IS in AC is an very easy way to change information surfaces, Bmats etc with out going and finding the element. The IS is probably the least use tool in AC

    I have also joined in a Linkedin discussion on adding information to doors via an external database. I didn’t know you could do that, but this opens up BIM access and process to anyone who can enter information into a database or spreadsheet.

    1D, 2D, 3D need to exist for BIM, take one of the D’s away and what do you have?

    • May 4, 2014
      reply

      Nathan Hildebrandt

      Jason,

      It isn’t just limited to doors any GDL object can be linked to data. The challenge is prior to building the database and corresponding GDL object there is lots of planning involved to make sure that you cover all of your bases and make it is easy as possible for people to interact with.

      If you take it to the next level any Element can have corresponding external data through unique GUID numbers, this data doe not come into the model but the model can be read in conjunction with the external database. This is how some Facilities Management Software works.

      I personally haven’t gotten that far in our data yet, my plans for this year were to review our Door / Window processes and as I have commented on in the LinkedIN discussion it enables non ArchiCAD users to participate in building data into the model.

      Kristian Bursell might be a good point of contact if you want to investigate databases further.

      • May 4, 2014
        reply

        Jason Smith

        Thanks Nathan,
        Kristian has already contacted me about external databases. Yes I think doors would be my first elements to try this out. Having the hardware spec completed by a non AC user so it can be included in our schedules will be ideal for all stakeholders (all info in one place).

  • May 3, 2014
    reply

    Djordje

    Drawings are the biggest menace … as they are the deliverables for ages, they are taken for granted, and therefore the industry regards them as a goal.

    They are not.

    They are simply a convention, a way to present the idea and to organize the data necessary to build something. That something is the goal.

    Excellent diagram, Jared!

  • May 3, 2014
    reply

    Jared…

    Really enjoyed this article. A while ago, from my experience as a marketing consultant, I learned that there is serial (sequential) information and parallel information (e.g., a graph) to present to clients. For example, your article, and what you are reading now, is serial (1D) information. Our architectural 2D and 3D presentations are parallel information. What’s the point? Both serial and parallel information have their place. “1D” text on a 2D drawing can save a lot of drawing time, and construction folks get it.

    That’s why we were really intrigued by Nathan Hildebrandt’s comment “Schedule First”. For example, before modeling in ArchiCAD, we still use the old drawing board in concept design and do our window and door schedules in “1D”. What’s the point? BIM (however you characterize it) is the end goal, but we may still use “old tools” in the design process to get there.

    Or, am I missing something in your points above?

    Steve Nickel from Lake Wobegon
    Estes Park, Colorado

    • May 4, 2014
      reply

      Nathan Hildebrandt

      Steve,

      BIM is a process that should align with your traditional design methods right from the start. There is no point in embracing BIM processes if your practice does not benefit from it. That said many people in our profession will be out of jobs in the future if they can’t find a sustainable way to embrace it as it will be a deliverable on more and more projects.

      The idea of the Schedule First that came out of a discussion with Jared one morning came about due to identifying the constraints of ArchiCAD in its outputs and then developed workflows to achieve the deliverable. An example of this is we only use the Roof Tool for Ceilings because if you use 2 x tools you can’t get a single column output in the IS for the Bottom Surface.

      Another important thing to note is before you model anything you need to make a decision. That decision could be something contained in your mind, I want to have a Solid Timber Door for example. Or a sketch to resolve spatial planning or a detail. This part of the process will never die, the challenge is getting people to think through things in a slightly quicker way.

      You do make a good point regarding presentation of Information. It needs to take different forms depending on who you are presenting it too or the information’s purpose. BIM is very powerful in assisting in delivering these different pieces of information.

      Nathan.

      • May 5, 2014
        reply

        Nathan…

        We’re flattered to get feedback from a “BIM guru, and ArchiCAD expert”…

        Your paragraph 1): Agree with everything. After getting substantial definition of our concept design using our “traditional design methods”, we try to jump into ArchiCAD as early as possible. What’s the value? In our minds, to help the client visualize. And in the case of a spec project, to get a letter of intent to buy. While ArchiCAD and BIM are fascinating, it’s a lot about sales.

        Your paragraphs 2) and 3): Pretty sure we’re on the same page here. Yes, ceilings need to be roofs so you can present a 3D (axon or perspective) Floor Plan to a client. Our experience is that clients and realtors LOVE these, as long as the spaces are fully furnished. As for sketches, these will die when when they stop making paper, pencils, and coffee over the breakfast table. THANK YOU!

        Your paragraph 4): The only comment that I would add here is (and I have separately conveyed this to Shoegmone) that the objective is not to understand and use every last conceivable feature of ArchiCAD/BIM, but to use them to make a sale, get a building permit, start construction, and get paid.

        Nathan, nice to make your acquaintance!…Steve Nickel

  • May 4, 2014
    reply

    Josh

    Jared, You inspired me to create this one for “access” (security or privacy might also work):
    https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8nMAtXzyw5FRlQwN1BaZHFGc2M/edit?usp=sharing

  • May 5, 2014
    reply

    Awesome post Jared!

  • October 17, 2014
    reply

    Excellent article! Showed it to my wife, who is an art historian, and suddenly she understood what I am working with 🙂
    I wish I could write as well as you!

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