Showing posts with label software. Show all posts
Showing posts with label software. Show all posts

8.06.2008

Program Status

It has been awhile since I've posted anything here, expecially directly related to the Architectural Technology program (which I am now 3/5ths through).

This summer's classes included a 3-D CAD class which focused on Revit, which is Autodesk's Building Information Modelling software. From Wikipedia:

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is the process of generating and managing building data during its life cycle[1] using three-dimensional, real-time, dynamic building modeling software to decrease wasted time and resources in building design and construction.[2] This process produces the building information model (also abbreviated BIM), which encompasses building geometry, spatial relationships, geographic information, and quantities and properties of building components.

I've got some rendering images from the project for that class on my flickr page in the Schoolwork set.



Over the summer I also had a class in Building Codes, which looked at the International Building Code, the Accessibility Code, as well as at Winston-Salem/Forsyth County's Unified Development Ordinances.

I had the same instructor for a class called Light Construction Technology, which was basically learning how to format basic construction drawings for smaller commercial buildings: stair plans and sections, bathroom plans, overall floorplans, elevations, wall sections... Might sound kind of dry, but it was my favorite class of the summer session.

Also had a class called Environmental Systems for which we made several field trips, most of which were photographed and are documented on my flickr page and have already been noted here on ARKTEK, including a trip to NC's greenest hotel, the Proximity.

Next week my family is on vacation, and the following week fall semester starts. It is my fourth semester of a five semester program, so I am about 60% finished with the "mid-thirties career redirection."

5.26.2008

Revit Architecture

Probably the biggest news for this summer semester is that we will be learning a second BIM (Building Information Modelling) software--Revit. BIM programs allow one to draw/design either in different ways, to edit in ways that make changes throughout the entire project--minimizing endless backtracking to fix little things that got changed in one drawing and overlooked in another. Revit allows one to produce the slick 3d photorealistic renderings as well as the construction documents, material lists, cost estimates, product specifications...all within the same program.

Last semester we started on ArchiCAD--a competing program. It will be interesting to see how different/similar the two programs are to each other.

Here is an example of a Revit rendering.

image credit: here

Archintent Louisville's set on flickr here has some great concept sketches as well as some Sketchup development. The renderings are done in Revit.