How to design using a BIM software for architectural design: the ML HOUSE case study

How to to use a BIM software for architectural design: all the operational steps with photo and video illustrations to re-create the ML HOUSE project, a fantastic, modern style residence

This week we'll be analyzing the various steps to model this modern residence using BIM. This case study is based on an expressively modern house called "ML House" and designed by Atelier Jps.

How to use BIM software: project description

A beautiful residence designed for a young couple and their two children. Located in Caxias, Portugal it perfectly stands out in its context for its contemporary personality. A strong particularity of this building, extending across 2 floor levels, is given by its volumetric contrast and color of the facade elements.

Figure 1: ML-House - Elevation view

Figure 2: ML-House - cross-section view

Figure 3: ML-House - another cross-section view

The street facing façade is designed with large windows and sun shielded by shading elements that also allow to maintain a comfortable level of privacy for the interior spaces.
The front side onlooks towards the street and is characterized by large windows, with sunshading elements that provide a great sensation of privacy for the occupants of the interior spaces.
The rear side facing the pool is covered with white plaster and expressive thick brown frames that include the openings; the prospect facing the staircase, leading from the pool at ground floor, is covered with the same material as the opening frames. The outer perimeter of the house has a wooden path that leads to the rear where the pool and the relax area determine the living spaces and facilities.
The interiors are characterized by large windows and a relaxation area with a hot tub that defines a rest and recreation area. A lightweight stair construction seems almost suspended in the air and separates the living area from the bedroom.

Figure 4: real time rendering view of the staircase inside ML-House

The interior colours recall those used outside. The floor has a dark grey contrast while the walls are completely white occasionally combined with wooden texture materials.

Figure 5: a real time rendering view of the characteristic flooring element created with Edificius

How to design with BIM: using Edificius to re-create the ML House project

ML HOUSE has been completely remodelled using Edificius, the architectural BIM software for architectural design.

How to model using BIM: terrain modelling

The design process in Edificius starts off by first defining the external areas using the land modelling and management tools. Among various modelling tools, we have:

• contour lines
• contour plan definition
• earthworks

The following video shows how to proceed with defining the surrounding areas.

We then move on to defining the building's outer walls suported by an extraordinary DXF/DWF CAD drawing entity recognition tool that allows the user to import a 2D CAD drawing of the floor plans and therefore automatically insert the typical BIM objects provided by Edificius such as:

• columns
• beams
• perimeter walls
• partition walls
• floor slabs
• doors
• windows
• stairs
• furniture
• various other elements

How to use BIM software: defining materials

In this part of the modelling process, use of materials is addressed by downloading these elements from the Edificius online Catalogue. These elements are already set up and ready to use in order to obtain very realistic representations. In the forthcoming articles, we'll be taking a closer look at how to define materials and increase the realism and quality of project presentations.

How to use BIM software: modelling and importing 3D Models using the Sketchup integration

Thanks to the seamless interaction with SketchUp, once again, you can create or customize even the most particular of objects.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Up_0WkoPvbI

How to use BIM software: producing photorealistic renderings

With the model now complete, you can see how straightforward and easy it is to define the observation point and generate wonderful photo-realistic renderings at the click of a button.
No need to specify complex parameters; the default settings already allow the user to quickly obtain highly professional results. The final stages of the video shows the entire building simulated using the real-time rendering technology that allows you to instantly see the results of the modeling process and the effects of the material choices. Thanks to the animation, derived directly from the 3D model, we can appreciate the architecture of this project with a spectacular game of lights and shadows all produced dynamically in the Edificius real time rendering engine. It took just 12 minutes to render the scenes at a screen resolution of 1920×1080 in full HD video.

Figure 6: external render of ML-House produced with Edificius

Figure 7: external render of ML-House produced with Edificius

Figure 8: detail of external facade of ML House produced with Edificius

Figure 9: one of the window details of ML-House produced with Edificius

How to use BIM software: preparing the working drawings

After modeling the project using BIM technology, you can see how easy it is to lay out detailed construction drawings without any particular effort.
In fact, all of the working drawings are generated automatically from the BIM model, such as:

• floor plans
• elevation views
• cross-sections
• isometric views
• perspective views
• renderings

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWsCbrsXhbU

Click here to download Edificius, the architectural BIM design software.