
Read the full article on Randy's blog: BIM and Integrated Design.com
or on Life at HOK.

Diary of a 21st Architectural Technologist


Autodesk Labs has recently introduced Project Butterfly - a software-as-a-service (SaaS) model of AutoCAD. This seems to be modeled in a similar way to their Freewheel service for Design Web Format (DWF) collaboration. Users can upload DWG files and invite others to view and edit your designs - with or without a Project Butterfly account.The Third & The Seventh from Alex Roman on Vimeo.
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Compositing Breakdown (T&S) from Alex Roman on Vimeo.


HOK is a global provider of planning, design and delivery solutions for the built environment. Since the firm's founding in 1955, HOK has developed into one of the world's largest, most diverse and respected design practices. We employ more than 2,000 professionals linked across a global network of 23 offices on three continents. Industry surveys consistently rank HOK among the leading firms in numerous building types, specialties and regions, and we have earned many awards and honors for our projects, people and practice.Our New York office has also been ranked #13 "Best Places to Work" in Crain's New York Business! Read the profile - watch the video.
For over 10 years I have enjoyed many fruitful and fun experiences at SOM, but the time has come for me to depart the firm and take on a new opportunity. I can’t explain in one blog post the full breadth of my appreciation for the talented people I have befriended and excellent designs with which I have been privileged to be associated.
My transition will take place quite soon, primarily because of a coincidental project deadline. I cannot reveal my destination at this time, but stay tuned for an announcement early next week.
Yet another organization in the United States has hopped on the BIM wagon…this time it’s Indiana University (IU). I recently had the opportunity to speak with Theresa Thompson LEED AP, the Director of In-House Projects & Spatial/Project Information at the University Architect’s Office about their new BIM requirements and associated documentation.
Over the last two years, Indiana University has been embracing the use of building information modeling to expand and enhance their commitment to sustainable design and efficient use of funding through lifecycle data management. This journey began with various GIS and facility management implementations and has come full circle to encompass the building design and construction domain.
Earlier in 2009, IU had a positive experience with BIM - going literally from light table coordination to virtual building model – on the completed Innovation Center at their Bloomington campus. Messer Construction Company led the effort by generating models of the design data from BSA LifeStructures, ensuring a successful project delivery and a happy client in IU. In October 2009, the university announced that it would require the use of BIM tools and processes for all capital projects over 5 million dollars and on all projects within the next year or two.
IU has made the following documents available on their website:
The following are the key objectives behind the IU BIM/IPD program:
Beyond the usual standards and protocols, here are a few interesting highlights I found while reading the IU documents.
By focusing on data reuse for facility management, Indiana University presents a clear understanding of their objectives in requiring a BIM/IPD process. At the same time, IU is still learning about the process by placing much of the design and construction BIM standards in the hands of the architects, engineers and contractors. These documents and others listed below can help the AEC industry continue to improve its efficiency and can also assist those just learning about the implementation of building information modeling and integrated project delivery.
Other recently published BIM standards:
Wisconsin BIM Standards: http://www.doa.state.wi.us/dsf/masterspec_view_new.asp?catid=61&locid=4
US Army Corps of Engineers, New York District BIM Standards:
http://www.nan.usace.army.mil/business/buslinks/contract/ae/index.htm
Over the past several years of implementing Revit, I have come across a number of silly, superfluous and simply uninformative error messages. Here are a few of them (perhaps the factory is reading)…
Disclaimer: These kinds of errors are rare (honestly!)
Ol’ faithful – something to do with modifying shared coordinates and linked models…Autodesk Support says just ignore it
OK, which file?…
“This link”…WHICH LINK?!!
Huh?…
Weird one when opening a local copy of a central model:
And my favorite, the “super error”…
Click on the image to really get the full experience!!!