Creating A Drawing Package Foundation. Why Use Revit?
If there was a way to save time and an accelerated route to market, based on thorough modelling of interior space, then embracing Revit has huge potential.
This is where it gets its name from: REVise InsTantly. Everything is centred within revision and speed aimed to guide design decisions at an early stage of a project.
Keeping the momentum with our monthly discussions, we wanted to look at the benefits to retailers when using focused software packages. The intention is to encourage fluidity of the retail interior design through to construction process.
Joining us this month is Olga Horwat (Technical Design Manager), Chris Glenister (Technical Designer), Tom Maunder (Technical Designer).
One Process, One Industry Standard
Let’s look into the future. It is the design team remit to present a vision, a perspective and also how a space functions.
Olga began her journey with Resolution Interiors as a Revit trainer in 2015. She has an impressive background within architecture and Revit, and now leads the technical team.
Olga identified the importance of using Revit. “A large area of responsibility is to convince someone else that a space works. Creating a space that someone sees as relevant and associates with is a huge reason why this works. For those who are less practiced at reading DWG/CAD drawings, this is the light bulb moment. If visuals need to be adapted they can be addressed quickly. With Revit software, architecture, design and draft are fast, highly accurate and efficient.”
“Speed is a huge area that addresses a number of problems,” highlighted Chris. “Everything is updated automatically, you don’t need to amend schedules, elevations and other architectural finer points. It provides the environment for a technical designer to create a sense of space, this is accentuated with the ability to add cameras within the layout to present.”
Chris continued, “Moving from 2D CAD plans to fully embracing Revit and the presentation of layouts and spaces that clients can easily interpret, has meant that sign off is quicker because there is a greater level of comprehension from the outset. Going backwards and forwards with updated layouts can become a time intensive process. For instance, if comments come back in, it is easier to address.”
The investment in Revit has also seen the flow of updates being quickly adhered to. “It is faster to amend drawings, than alternatives software packages I have worked with,” stated Tom. “When you move something on a plan, sometimes everything changes. Errors are omitted as any alterations happen throughout the full drawings within Revit, a huge benefit.”
What About The Client Process
Interpretation and ease of understanding is probably the most important area to consider for clients. But how does it work?
“The process is quite simple,” Olga added. “PDFs are sent as a 2D drawing pack. In the bottom corner of the screen there is a QR code to scan with a phone or tablet. The viewer can then see the 3D space and be taken on a visual tour of the proposed space. The QR code allows access and a different viewpoint from static imagery, this helps people significantly. Perception of space is clear as the 3D drawing is navigated.”
Whilst the virtues and benefits of Revit are seen within the business, there are occasions when it doesn’t work. “I guess my side is seen as the Revit evangelist,’ claimed Olga. “It doesn’t derive value if the implementation reverts to CAD. You can’t take a format something has been created in and squeeze it into a different platform expecting it to work.”
“For instance, Revit is rarely used with sub-contractors and engineers. It is far easier to stick with methods and processes that have been in place for years, rather than than investing in new software and training. We can however import data from CAD plans into the master model. The holy grail still exists for all parties to adopt Revit in true collaboration which the software was designed to facilitate.”
Is It Changing How People Work?
Adopting new ways of working means a change of process. For instance, one of our retailer clients employed an agency to create architectural environments.
Tom highlighted, “Rather than an agency creating the visuals for a new store, we can create the visuals, this cuts out the necessity for another outsourced supplier. This can speed up the whole process, from briefing in a third party to working in collaboration with a company who works on the entirety of a project.”
“Even small areas such as positioning visuals for point of sale, negates the need for design agency to layout visuals.” Chris furthered. “When you have 100% clarity on the whole project, it speeds everything up rather than to-ing and fro-ing from client to supplier, to agency and then back again. Less CAD more Revit has to be the aim.”
What Was The Decision To Invest In Revit?
Everything is centred on preparing the company to Level 2 BIM. This was introduced as a government requirement for all public sector construction projects from April 2016.
Olga highlighted, “It is our duty to detail the processes that meet requirements and adhere to industry standards.”
“Everything needs to be clear and if there are standards set, we need to ensure high standards are continually met.”
Let’s Round Up
The ultimate goal is centred on collaboration with retailers and the same vision coming from one master model. Not disparate drawings and a range of alternative software packages.
Revit represents the merging of design, construction and project management requirements in one cohesive space.
Having a skilled Revit team within the Resolution Interiors portfolio, brings in a variety of retail project disciplines where the jigsaw comes together. The overall picture is solving retail problems for today’s marketplace.
From a retailer perspective if there is one model where all the information and decisions are centralised it creates less waste – both in physical materials and also in time.. If this enables the route to market becomes quicker, this has to be a process and framework for retailers to seriously consider.
If you would like to have a conversation and how our Revit process can work for you, get in touch. Email [email protected] or call 01935 422700