BIM Capstone
Develop a comprehensive BIM model for a real-world construction project, applying core BIM principles and project management skills. Use a structured process to research, conceptualize, and design the model, ensuring it aligns with the building's systems and project goals. Your final deliverables will showcase your understanding of BIM coordination, technical analysis, and efficient design practices. Put together a detailed presentation highlighting your project process, the software tools you used, and your portfolio of completed work.
Learn more about the BIM Certificate Program capstone project deliverables.
Estela: BIM Office Building
Student Project: Estela B.
This capstone project focuses on the creation of a BIM model for a commercial office building, including detailed architectural designs, floor plans, and technical specifications. It demonstrates the integration of 3D modeling for the construction of a real-world building, showing various aspects such as site planning, floor layouts, elevations, and building sections. Various types of plans (gross area, rentable area, tenant suite, etc.) and specialized sections (e.g., roof plans, reflected ceiling plans) are included, showcasing a comprehensive understanding of both BIM software (such as Revit) and architectural workflows. View Estela's full capstone project!
Concepts Covered:
- Project Brief outlining the building's purpose, goals, and functional requirements for the office space.
- Site Analysis and Planning showcasing the selection and layout of the building’s location in relation to its surroundings and access points.
- Building Design and Architectural Plans, including detailed floor plans, elevations, and sections that reflect design principles and space functionality.
- 3D BIM Model and Visualization, with comprehensive digital representations of the building’s exterior, interior, and structural components.
- Material and Finishes Specification documenting the selection of construction materials, including finishes for walls, flooring, and ceilings.
- Sustainability and Efficiency Considerations embedded within the design, including strategies for energy conservation and efficient space usage.
- Professional BIM Portfolio compiling design process, technical documentation, and visual assets, demonstrating proficiency in BIM software and architectural workflows.
Cody's 10-story condominium using BIM
Student Project: Cody A.
This capstone project centers around creating a detailed BIM model for a 10-story condominium building located at Shai Agnon Street, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel. The project requires students to use Revit and other BIM tools to model the structure, including all architectural, structural, and site elements. Throughout the process, students will produce comprehensive construction documents, including floor plans, sections, elevations, and 3D views. Additionally, the project will involve analyzing building systems and ensuring code compliance while documenting each phase of the design process. Mentoring sessions will support the development of the model and documentation. View Cody's full capstone project!
Concepts Covered:
- BIM Model Development: Creating a fully integrated BIM model for a 10-story condominium building and modeling both the architectural design and structural systems, ensuring they are accurately represented in Revit.
- Construction Documentation: Producing comprehensive construction documents, such as foundation plans, floor plans (Levels 1-10), roof plans, building elevations, and sections.
- Site Planning and Layout: Creating a site plan showing key elements like walkways, roadways, and landscaping. In this capstone, Cody integrated site-specific data, such as planting schedules and tree placements (e.g., American Beech, Scarlet Oak).
- 3D Visualization and Renderings: Creating 3D views of the building, including perspectives of the balcony, entrance, and overall views to provide clear visual representations of the design.
- Building Code Compliance and Coordination: Ensuring all systems and design elements comply with local building codes and regulations. Additionally, coordinating between architectural, structural, and MEP systems to ensure seamless integration and functionality.
- Documentation for Portfolio: The final submission includes all necessary construction documents, 3D views, and professional case study portfolio with a detailed process description and all assets, ready for inclusion in the student’s portfolio.
- Mentoring and Feedback: Taking advantage of scheduled mentoring sessions to discuss project progress, resolve challenges, and receive expert feedback.
Karen Dietrich: House Remodel
Student Project: Karen D.
Karen’s final BIM capstone project involves the remodel of an existing house and the design of a new detached accessory structure. Using Revit, Karen will create a comprehensive set of drawings that include site plans, floor plans, elevations, sections, and renderings that reflect both the existing and proposed designs. This project is a practical demonstration of her ability to apply BIM principles in real-world architectural design, showcasing her skills in both modeling and documentation.
Concepts Covered:
- House Remodel and New Detached Accessory Structure: The project involved redesigning an existing house and adding a new accessory structure. This included updating floor plans and integrating new design features to optimize space and functionality.
- Site Planning: Detailed site plans were created to show both existing and proposed conditions, including accurate measurements and the placement of the new structure in relation to the remodeled house.
- Floor Plans and Elevations: First and second-floor plans for both the remodeled house and new accessory structure were developed. Additionally, elevations for all sides of both structures were created to show vertical design elements, such as wall heights, rooflines, and window placements.
- Revit Modeling and System Integration: The capstone required the use of Revit to model the architectural elements of both the remodel and the new structure. This also included the integration of building systems (such as plumbing, electrical, and HVAC) into the overall model to ensure accuracy and efficiency.
- 3D Renderings: Professional 3D renderings were produced, providing visual representations of the final design, including perspectives of the proposed living room and workshop spaces to showcase the interior layout and design features.
- Construction Documentation: A full set of construction documents was prepared, including detailed sections, construction notes, and annotations. These documents were formatted for professional use, ready to be shared with contractors or clients.
Donahue Chase: Commercial Office Building
Student Project: Donahue C.
For Donahue's capstone project, the student demonstrated a thorough understanding of Building Information Modeling (BIM) by designing a commercial office building in Washington D.C. The project required Donahue to apply advanced BIM techniques to develop a fully integrated model that covered all aspects of the building’s design, from architectural layouts to structural, mechanical, and electrical systems.
Concepts Covered:
- BIM Integration: Donahue applied BIM software (Revit) to create a fully integrated model, ensuring all building systems (structural, mechanical, and electrical) worked cohesively together.
- Floor Plans and Layouts: Donahue designed detailed floor plans that aligned with the building's functional needs and aesthetic vision, ensuring each space served its intended purpose.
- Building Elevations and Sections: Donahue developed clear building elevations and sections, presenting both the exterior and interior design elements in precise detail.
- Site and Landscape Plans: Donahue modeled the landscape, integrating it into the BIM model to ensure that the building fit seamlessly into its surroundings, including pathways and green spaces.
- Structural Design and Analysis: The student modeled and analyzed the building’s structural elements, such as floor framing and roof systems, ensuring they were accurate and met design criteria.
- Mechanical and Electrical Systems: Donahue incorporated HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems into the model, ensuring their optimal placement and efficiency.
- Building Schedules and Material Specifications: Donahue prepared detailed schedules for doors, windows, furniture, and materials, ensuring all elements were accounted for in the construction process.
- Professional Case Study Portfolio: Donahue documented every stage of the project, from initial design through the creation of the final BIM model, presenting a polished portfolio that highlights their BIM expertise.
Daniel: Commercial Office Building
Student Project: Daniel P.
Daniel's capstone project focuses on designing an office building, incorporating essential architectural elements such as detailed floor plans, elevations, sections, and interior perspectives. The design demonstrates a practical application of Building Information Modeling (BIM) for commercial architecture. It includes various phases of design development from initial conceptualization to final submission. The project aims to showcase Daniel's understanding of architectural design processes, spatial planning, and the integration of BIM tools for detailed documentation and presentation.
Concepts Covered:
- BIM Design Phases: Detailed progression from 30%, 60%, 90%, to 100% deliverables for the office building project.
- Floor Plans: Multiple levels of the building (Level 1 through Level 6) are presented, showcasing the spatial layout and structural elements.
- Building Elevations: Various building elevations are included, offering exterior views from different perspectives, providing a holistic view of the structure.
- Sections and Wall Details: In-depth wall section drawings are provided, emphasizing materials, dimensions, and structural elements.
- Interior Renderings: Visual representations of interior spaces, including conference rooms, office spaces, and common areas.
- Building Materials: Use of curtain walls, storefront doors, and other structural components like aluminum mullions and spandrel glass.
- Keynote Legends: Inclusion of detailed keynote legends for various building materials and components such as concrete slabs, columns, and roofing systems.
- Construction Documentation: Creation of building sections, interior elevations, and enlarged floor plans, which are critical for understanding the building's construction requirements.
John Sikora: Commercial Building Design
Student Project: John S.
This project involves the design of a multi-level commercial building, with detailed renderings and architectural plans covering aspects such as office spaces, conference rooms, bathrooms, break rooms, and the overall site plan. The use of Revit software is central to the design process, and the project includes elevations, floor plans, building sections, and detailed views of the interior and exterior.
Concepts Covered:
- Site Plan: Detailed layout of the site with scale and dimensions.
- Floor Plans: Level 1 and Level 2 floor plans showcasing room layouts, office spaces, bathrooms, and common areas.
- Elevations: Views from the north, south, east, and west, detailing the external appearance and architectural features.
- Building Sections: Detailed cut-throughs of the building to show structural elements and interior spaces.
- Detailed Views: Focused sections on specific areas, such as bathrooms and office layouts, including furnishings and fixtures.
- Lighting and Mechanical Fixtures: Integration of mechanical and lighting systems within the building design.
- Renderings: 3D visualizations of various areas including the lobby, conference rooms, office spaces, and bathrooms.
- Revit Documentation: Full utilization of Revit for creating and organizing the architectural elements of the building design, ensuring accuracy and coherence in the plans.
Brandon: Single-Family Residence Design
Student Project: Brandon H.
This BIM-focused project is centered around the design and construction of a single-family residence, which includes a custom car/boat garage and a workshop area. The design takes inspiration from Acadian-style homes, with an emphasis on incorporating modern functionality and aesthetic appeal. The project utilizes BIM (Building Information Modeling) tools to generate detailed architectural plans, section drawings, and elevations.
Concepts Covered:
- Project Brief outlining mission, values, target audience, and visual direction
- Site Planning with a detailed layout of the residence, garage, outdoor areas, and driveways, considering topographical features
- Building Design including ground, first-level, and roof plans; elevations and sections illustrating the design of the residence, garage, and shop areas; and floor plans for various rooms
- Construction Documentation including door/window schedules, material specifications, and key construction details
- BIM Tools Application demonstrating the integration of design and construction documentation for collaboration and precision
- Lighting and Electrical Planning including lighting layouts, outlet placement, and electrical fixture specifications
- Building Materials specifying materials such as wood, brick, and metal for structural components
- Professional Case Study Portfolio documenting the design process, revisions, and final presentation for academic and professional review
Daniel's Single-Family Residence
Student Project: Daniel M.
Brandon’s capstone project focuses on the design of a single-family residence, incorporating key elements of architectural design through BIM technology. The project emphasizes a cohesive approach to integrating various building systems, ensuring that all aspects—from the floor plans to the roof details—are accurately represented and coordinated using Revit. The project also explores spatial organization, building materials, and structural integrity, demonstrating Brandon's ability to work with complex data in a dynamic, integrated environment.
Concepts Covered:
- BIM Design Workflow: Utilization of Revit to model a single-family residence, focusing on both architectural design and documentation.
- Floor Plans and Elevations: Detailed floor plans and elevations showing room layouts, structural components, and dimensions.
- Site Plan Integration: Application of BIM tools to manage the site context and incorporate topographical features into the design.
- Structural Details: Incorporating structural elements into the design, such as framing, roof systems, and material specifications.
- Construction Documentation: Production of construction drawings including foundation plans, sections, and roof details.
- 3D Modeling and Visualization: Use of 3D views in Revit to visualize the design and improve the coordination between different trades (architecture, structural, mechanical).
- Code Compliance: Ensuring the design adheres to relevant building codes and standards.
- Collaboration and Coordination: Effective coordination with other consultants (e.g., structural, mechanical) through Revit’s collaborative features.