The amount of detail developed in a model is an emerging conversation where clients and consultants are trying to figure out what is needed. How much detail is necessary for the successful design, construction and management of a project? In the film Inception[1], the detail of a model was crucial because the dreamer had to believe that they were still living in reality. The small details from memory could betray the dream, causing the dream to collapse. Mr. Saito running his fingers through the wrong shag carpet of his apartment revealed the truth of his dream, even though he had just woken up from another dream. Fortunately, when it pertains to modeling a building for BIM, we aren't talking about that kind of detail, yet.
The binding question needs to remain Why. What and How can be done through many variables and can take too long and not provide much return. Why model the detail? What benefit is it bringing to the project and to whom? From early conception, to design, to construction and beyond, the amount of detail in a building model depends on who is using it and why. The detail is not just a reference to the 3D modeling either. Information built upon the model content can be critical to the construction and management of the building. How long does it take to implement that information and how valuable is it? Can this massive amount of data be developed faster? In Inception, Cobb challenges Ariadne to draw him a maze in two minutes that will take him at least one minute to solve. The important aspect of this task is not the maze itself, but the time it takes for her to create it and provide a useful return.
A potted plant can be modeled down to every leaf or an electric receptacle can be modeled down to every curve on its face. Why? What value does that add to the usefulness of a model? At what point does time spent on too much detail become useless and costly to a project? That determination must be driven by how long it takes to incorporate the information and how useful it will be for the cost of the building in design, construction or management. Level of Detail (LOD) from AIA E202 is a growing standard covering each element in a model and what amount of detail is expected through each phase of development. As the standard becomes known, it is being referenced in Proposals and Contracts. Another standard is COBie. It is just as important for consultants and contractors to understand what the owner is expecting from the scope. Massive amounts of data manipulation can be very expensive for the consultant and it needs to be understood and accounted for in a fee proposal. Otherwise you may get lost in a Penrose Staircase[2]. Don't worry, Ariadne looked a little overwhelmed when she first began to comprehend controlling Cobb's dreams.
The Master Library of Shared
Parameters being used to build compatible content will aid in rapidly creating model information that can be used throughout the building project. The goal must be finding a common ground throughout the BIM model development so that each consultant can build upon the previous and not start from scratch. Content needs to be developed so that 3D content and information are useful for everyone. That is the important detail. Maybe someday we will be able to think and watch a building bend up and over another building in seconds, still knowing the thermal resistance properties of the walls
-Craig
[1] Inception (2010) Christopher Nolan, Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Ellen Page, Ken Watanabe
