Randall-Paulson Architects has recently adopted several new technologies within the office, increasing our efficiency, productivity, and communication. We are excited to tell you more about these helpful innovations, which help us to help you!
RPA FTP Site
RPA would like to announce our new File Transfer Protocol site. The FTP site allows us to upload files that may be too large for e-mail transfer to a site that is guarded by a username and password that you may use at your convenience to retrieve files that you need to download. One folder exists for each project, and will be updated as needed, meaning less confusing, large e-mail transfers. You also have the option to upload files that you want to send to us within that same project folder. If you have questions, or would like to set up an FTP site for your project, please ask your RPA architect.
REVIT
Many people have heard of the “building information model” (BIM) program, REVIT. It is the new wave in architecture. The convenience that REVIT provides is just one of many attributes that the software has to offer.
RPA was an early adopter of REVIT, and has seen benefits for everyone: the architect, the engineers, the contractor, and the client. With BIM software, the design process begins with the user building a 3-dimensional space that represents the way it would look in reality with floors, walls, ceilings, roofs, windows, doors, etc. This is vastly different from the 2-dimensional drafting of AutoCAD. It is a step closer to returning to the architectural-thinking and planning of the Classical and Renaissance eras despite being computer-based. Brunelleschi’s Duomo in Florence was modeled in wood prior to construction. This methodology allows for a clearer visualization of potential problems or issues long before they come up in sectional detailing.
REVIT also allows for quicker and more precise coordination when issues do arise. “A change anywhere . . . a change everywhere,” says Rabi Sidawi, a local software trainer who spoke highly of REVIT’s parametric detailing capabilities at a recent RPA educational seminar. Simply put, once the 3-D model is created, floor plans, elevations, generic sections, and callouts are simply clicks away.
Communication is one of the best aspects of REVIT. Within the office, a file can be divided and shared among a few designers for quick and accurate coordination. REVIT makes it much easier than AutoCAD to determine which parts of the project are being defined by what user at each moment by working through a “central file.” This way nothing gets overwritten or deleted unnecessarily by working in conjunction with other people. Out-of-office communication with clients and consultants is also an essential, and with REVIT, a file can be exported or imported with great ease.
BIM has promised to revolutionize the construction industry. By using REVIT, RPA is striving to be more thorough and efficient for their clients. Additionally, the buildings that we produce today with REVIT (see some example of REVIT renderings on the right) are capable of providing the owner with “lifecycle management,” – when the original construction documents are made from a model, future renovations can be achieved much faster and more accurate to the original design.
Vision
This spring, RPA introduced Deltek Vision software to the office. It has greatly enhanced the inter-office communication and reduced the double data entry and information overload. Complimenting our open-book style of management, the information that is inserted into the database is also easily extracted by everyone in the office. We are only beginning to adjust and define what we need from Vision. It has already been helpful for marketing and in reducing double date-entry. In the near future we will look at new components of the program that allow us to more effectively serve our clients. In the end, Vision has provided a well-maintained, better managed office.
References
Rundell AIA, Rick. 14 October 2005. “1-2-3 Revit: BIM Goes to School.”
Sidawi AIA, Rabi. 18 May 2006. “Custom Revit Building 9.0 Training.”
Autodesk United States “Autodesk Delivers Complete Building Information Model.”
Nilsson, David. 6 July 2006. Interview by Lindsey Bland.
Khemlani, Lachmi. 21 March 2006. “Visual Estimating: Extending BIM to Construction.”