Quick Hybrid Design Sketch Options with Revit - China Competition

[Brian Lin]

This blog highlights using Revit Architecture and hand drawing as a hybrid approach to create quick concept drawings. I am finding this process more and more efficient in utilizing both digital and hand techniques as I work through various kinds of projects that range from large planning and landscape efforts to building architecture projects. Below I will outline my process for this competition for a high-tech company campus in China.

 

Step 1: (Above) Revit Model. The building massing and site plan were created in Revit Architecture. The BIM model is a working tool that will constantly change as the design process moves forward. This model formed the foundation in which I was able to test out ideas quickly by sketching over this model by creating separate Revit views.

 

Step 2: (Above) Charette ideas over Revit Model Views. By formatting the views onto hardcopies, I was then able to explore site programming ideas quickly and reviewing them with the design team.

 

Step 3: (Above) Overlay. Once a series of conceptual ideas have been vetted with the team, I quickly threw sheets of trace over the redline sketches and applied ink and colored pencil. Trees were simple vertical strokes for urban plaza type trees while natural 45 degree stroke trees conveyed buffer windrows against the existing train/rail corridor to the north of the site.

 

(Above) Final for Pin Up. After a couple of hours, I was able to throw together a few different concepts for each building massing study. (There were a total of six concept approaches). After the pin up review and minor comments, the final drawings were inserted into InDesign, formatted, and then sent to the Client for final approval.

I hope you found this blog helpful and informational. If you have specific questions about any particular parts of this process, just send me a message.

[LORI PULLMAN]

Thank you for sharing this technique Brian. It can be hard to get students to use the tools in the most optimum way. As well, as they struggle to mix the two analog and digital together. I still see them trying to put a door knob on a digital model when they could have drawn it in 2 seconds.

[M S Woodruff]

I have used this same digital / analog approach while using sketchup. I am getting into Revit because the office is requiring it, but I still prefer Sketchup anyday. The reason I do the combination is that I find the digital world is very efficient at setting up the 3-d base, but then the hand sketch over a print out can be edited, augmented and finished much faster than it would be to model all the detail.

[jane berry]

Appropriation blending and layering of graphics, like music so many notes and so many ways to play them, great melody...

[Brian Lin]

Thanks Marcel. I am always trying to find ways to make Revit more fun! Hi to Devin....Brian

[Marcel Uttech]

This seems so easy, yet I am sure it takes awhile to become quick at it...thank you so much for sharing! I have really enjoyed learning your marker techniques under the guidance of Devin Rains in Design Communications lately- very good stuff. This will be fun to try out this weekend as I am an avid Revit user!