Architectural MEP CAD and BIM services – An Overview

Architectural Services is extremely important for overall construction services. Architectural design efficiency determines the functionality and overall aesthetics of a building structure. Architects are actively involved in all projects, right from conceptualization of the design till the building is completed.

Today Architectural CAD Drafting and BIM services play an important role in the construction of any building infrastructure.  These services have made the pre and post construction process cost-effective and quick. The way digitization has evolved, it has come easier to implement every phase of BIM seamlessly.  We can use BIM Modeling in the conceptual design stage to the facility management stage. The best part is that the same conceptual model can be developed into a detailed and design development model which can be later transformed into a model that can be used for facility management. All designs can be developed and presented in 3D geometry with the advent of BIM Modelling services.

Conceptual Architectural Design

Architectural Design services usually consist of creating a basic design of a building. This design would have the basic site plan, the building exterior and interior with roof/ceiling. This design will only display the area, planning, layouts and give a basic idea of how a building or infrastructure would appear when constructed. This design can be created in 2D and 3D format. Architects can use AutoCAD for a 2D conceptual design. However post the introduction of BIM Modelling, the conceptual design can be presented with virtually with landscape, textures, photorealism and detailing of all sides of building. Before Revit or AutoCAD came into existence, conceptual designs were sketched on sheets or papers and later drafted. Now, with number of software available today conceptual designing has become much easier.

Design and development

Once the conceptual design is finalized, we can develop these designs a bit more in detail for presentation, sales and marketing purposes etc. Construction Drawing Services, Architectural3D Modeling and Rendering services etc. fall under the design and development stage. This stage focusses mainly on detailing the concept from a design approval and construction perspective. We can visually enhance an image by adding details to the elevation etc. Architects mainly work on developing a BIM Model and extract dimensioned, annotated Construction Drawings that can be used to review the constructability of the design. In case of any design issues the design changes can be made much before the construction begins resulting in cost effective construction and reduction in turnaround time.   These models can also be rendered and used for marketing purposes. One can visually enhance Interior and exterior, Sites, Landscape, Water bodies, sky and light, furniture, products etc. 3D Modeling and Rendering services are extensively by architectural firm, interior designing companies, construction companies etc.

With high level of completion building up with a pressure to save cost, utilization of Architectural CAD and BIM Services are widely used these days across the construction industry.

Architectural Construction Drawings consists of complete set of drawings that is used for building construction. It consists of Roof Plan, Reflected Ceiling Plan, Sections, Elevations, Electrical Plan, Mechanical Plans, Layouts, Site Plan etc. These drawings can either be created using AutoCAD or Revit.

Construction Stage

During the construction stages, we can work on 4D Construction simulation, 5D BIM (Costing and Budgeting) etc. These processes will help in reviewing the construction process in detail before the on-site construction begins and make necessary changes where required on site. Post the construction simulation we can also calculate the amount of resources required onsite, material costs, quantity take offs etc. BIM Modelling Services virtually gives a feel of how a building will look aesthetically and how it will function post construction. Based on the BIM Model on construction stage, we can estimate the overall construction time line and cost overall.

As Built Stage

As-built modelling stage comes in play after the construction is completed. Architectural BIM Services ends with the As-built stage. Architects can survey or scan the actual building location post construction to update the BIM Model according to onsite building changes made. Such models can be used for renovation, retrofit purposes. 2D As-built drawings will also be provided from the BIM model. An As-built model can be developed years after actual construction took place or immediately. Also such a model can be useful for facility management too.