How to model a building facade with a BIM software: the Cuboid House

How to model architectural elements characterizing a building facade with a BIM software. Here is an example designed with Edificius and inspired by the Cuboid House project

The façade is the external envelope and most visible part of a building, being outlined by perimeter walls.

The façade represents a building's external appearance, therefore its design, materials choice and implementation are to be selected with particular attention. The choice of the architectural elements clearly defines the designer's unique and personal style.

It is essential that during the definition stage of the project, each element is carefully selected to meet specific environmental and aesthetical requirements.

This is the case of architect Amit Khanna making of environmental sustainability an essential principle, best expressed with the Cuboid House project example.

Cuboid House: the façade project

The Cuboid House was designed in New Delhi in 2012.

The structure is characterized by the presence of many aggregated cubes (hence the name "Cuboid House").

In the evening, the cubes illuminated by artificial light provide a breathtaking effect.

Cuboid house view by night

The building with its grey and sand colours has been built with local types of stones  (cudappah and jaisalmer teak) particolarly suitable to the climate of New Delhi.

The façade presents architectural elements which have been studied and adapted to the surrounding environment and to the climatic conditions of the territory as well.

Additionally black-coloured sunshades have been used to protect from sunrays and arranged along the windows of the building in perfect harmony with the architectural project lines confering a modern design.

Sunshades render - Cuboid House

In order to ensure maximum natural lighting, the external walls of the stairwell top level have been designed with a transparent curtain wall.

Glass curtain wall

Wood parapets have been placed all along the balconies recalling the modern design of the sunshades.

Each one of these architectural elements making up the facade of the building is in perfect harmony and creates a balance of colours and shapes.

Let's see how to model and integrate these three elements characterizing the Cuboid House facade with Edificius, the architectural BIM design software.

Modelling Sunshades  with a BIM software

Let's select the Sunshades object in the architectural menu and from the property toolbox choose the preferred model within the  General– BIM Objects Library.

We can proceed inserting the sunshades in  3D View and use the grips to adapt them to the facade.

Next, from the property toolbox we can access the sunshades editor to customize them.

We then set up the slats' geometrical characteristics and, more specifically, their widht,  thickness, spacing and opening angle.

Modelling a glass curtain wall with a BIM software

Let's select the Curtain wall object  and choose a model with square modules.

Once the curtain wall has been inserted, we can proceed applying the proper materials.

Modelling a wood railing with a BIM software

We can model the balconies parapet  of the facade using the  Panel object. From the General BIM Object Library  we can select the type of wood panel.  Furthermore, we can edit its characteristics directly from the property toolbox.

We eventually move on setting up the dimensions and divide the panel in horizontal sections to alternately assign an internal wood panel and an empty panel, so to create the wood parapet rafters.

Below the summary video reviewing the modelling procedure and some photorealistic renders with the final result.

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