IntegratingBIMTechnologyintoLA (2014) PDF

LATIS
Landscape Architecture Technical Information Series
Integrating BIM Technology

into Landscape Architecture
2nd Edition
James L. Sipes, ASLA
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS
LATIS
Integrating BIM Technology into
Landscape Architecture
Copyright (c) 2008, 2014
by the American Society of Landscape Architects
636 Eye Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001-3736
202.898.2444
www.asla.org
First edition 2008
Second edition 2014
Library of Congress Catalog Card

Number 84-07-1877
ISSN: 0195-5764
LATIS is produced by ASLA as an education service to the profession of landscape architecture.
Cover Photos
Center/Upper left: MLK bridge/ ramp complex for the Westside Trail of the Atlanta BeltLine.
(Images courtesy Perkins + Will)
ii LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE TECHNICAL INFORMATION SERIES

Publisher’s Note
The American Society of Landscape Architects publishes the Landscape Architecture Technical
Information Series (LATIS) to encourage professionals to share specialized expertise relating
to landscape architecture. ASLA considers LATIS papers to be important contributions to a
necessary and ongoing dialogue within a large and diverse community of landscape architecture
researchers and practitioners. ASLA oversees a rigorous peer review process for all LATIS papers
to ensure accuracy of content. Each author offers a unique perspective on the practice area
covered, reflecting his or her portfolio of professional experiences.
This LATIS addresses Building Information Modeling (BIM). BIM provides a digital representation
of the physical and functional characteristics of a facility. It allows the creation of detailed 3D
models that can simplify the process of designing complex spaces. While BIM currently is used
primarily in the building industry, it can be employed in many other disciplines, including
landscape architecture.
The LATIS discusses how BIM works, current applications and projects, and how it can be adapted
to a variety of sites. It provides practical information on how landscape architects can adapt BIM
to fit their specific needs.
Feedback on this LATIS and on the series in general should be sent to LATIS@asla.org or send
comments to ASLA, c/o Professional Practice Manager, 636 Eye Street NW, Washington DC 20001.
ASLA welcomes suggestions for future LATIS topics that will broaden awareness of new and/or
rapidly evolving practice areas within landscape architecture and enhance technical proficiency
for practicing in these areas.
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Table of Contents
Copyright/Author’s Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . II
Publisher’s Note . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . III
Table of Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IV
List of Figures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VII
List of Acronymns and Abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . X
Section 1: Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
BIM Technology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Expanding Definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Section 2: BIM Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

What is BIM?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Levels of BIM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
The Need for BIM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Benefits of BIM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Potential Issues with BIM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Validation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Ownership and Liability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Mandates for BIM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Software and Hardware Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
BIM Cloud Technology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
National 3D-4D Program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Section 3: BIM Integration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

BIM Tools Integration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
BIM and CAD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
BIM and 3D Models. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
BIM and GIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Section 4: Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
The Need for Standards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
National BIM Standard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
IFC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
COBie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
PAS 1192-2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
OMNICLASS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
XML. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
LandXML. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Green Building XML. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
GML. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
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CityGML. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
ODBC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
BISDM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Section 5: Innovation, Metrics, Templates, and Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Innovation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Metrics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Templates and Objects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Project Templates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Model Templates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
3D BIM Objects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Section 6: Implementing BIM into the LA Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Establishing Goals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Changing Culture. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
BIM Workflow. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Training. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Hardware and Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Implementation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Section 7: BIM Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Site Design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Urban Design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Architectural Elements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Energy Efficiency and Simulations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Green Initiatives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Managed Landscapes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Ecological Systems and Natural Resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Spacial Validation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Campuses and Bases. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Construction Drawings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Section 8: BIM Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

National Route N3-New Van Reenen’s Pass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Command Center at Yerba Buena Island. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Freedom Tower. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
The Place. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
The Triangle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Walt Disney Concert Hall. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Master Plan of the Wenzhou Lingni Peninsula. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
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Gatwick Airport Limited. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Atlanta Beltline. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
ODOT Headquarters Renovation in Salem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Bim Bam Boom! 2013/11/08. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Camelview Village . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Interdisciplinary Collaborative BIM Studio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Iowa State Penitentiary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Alaskan Way Viaduct. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Higginson Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge Project. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
St Paul’s Square, Liverpool. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
San Ysidro Land Port of Entry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Section 9: Tools of the Trade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Autodesk Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Graphisoft ArchiCAD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Bentley System Tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Gehry Technologies Digital Project. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Vectorworks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Trimble SketchUp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Lumion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Graphisoft EcoDesigner STAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
RhinoBIM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Eagle Point LANDCADD for Revit, Siteworks for Revit, & Ideate BIMLink. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
ONUMA Tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Solibri Model Checker. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
BiMUp 5D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Tekla Structures & BIMsight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Section 10: Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

Section 11: References and Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Sources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
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List of Figures
Figure 1. 3D model of landcaped plaza . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Figure 2. Steel infrastructure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Figure 3. Integrated technologies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Figure 4. Modeling a structure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Figure 5. Developing a digital model of a building . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Figure 6. Cross-section from a 3D model created in Revit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Figure 7. Build London Live 2012. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Figure 8. 3D model for Atlanta Beltline. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Figure 9. 2D drawings created from 3D models. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Figure 10. 3D model of Schuylkill River Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Figure 11. 3D model using color for building heights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Figure 12. Massing models used to identify visual impacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Figure 13. Details of models from different angles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Figure 14. Model created using CityGML . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Figure 15. Aerial view of New York City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Figure 16. Project workflow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Figure 17. Creation of 3D templates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Figure 18. ArchVision 3D textured trees for Revit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Figure 19. Model showing nighttime activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Figure 20. Cross-section from 3D model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Figure 21. CloudWorx for Revit for as-build structural models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Figure 22. Infill Philadelphia: Soak It Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Figure 23. 3D model of an urban scene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Figure 24. Urban space for Colchester’s Cultural Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Figure 25. New urban space for Colchester . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Figure 26. Explode axon showing layers and materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Figure 27. Roof garden at the ASLA headquarters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Figure 28. How BIM can be used for LEED certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Figure 29. BIM generated streetscape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Figure 30. NASA’s Ames Sustainability Base . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
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Figure 31. CO2 levels along Riverdale Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Figure 32. Master Plan for King Saud University . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Figure 33. BIM model showing the infrastructure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Figure 34. Structural soil cells modeled with Revit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Figure 35. Water Runnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Figure 36. Model of roadway through Van Reenen Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Figure 37. Photo of Freedom Tower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Figure 38. Rendering of West Plaza for Freedom Tower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Figure 39. A BIM model of The Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Figure 40. BIM model showing steel fabrication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Figure 41. Work completed on the Triangle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Figure 42. Focus on place-making . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Figure 43. Walt Disney Concert Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Figure 44. Master Plan of the Wenzhou Lingni Peninsula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Figure 45. Final rendered of Wenzhou Lingni Peninsula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Figure 46. Perspective of Wenzhou Lingni Peninsula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Figure 47. BIM models of Gatwick’s North Terminal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Figure 48. Photograph of North Terminal at Gatwick Airport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Figure 49. Retaining walls for the MLK bridge/ramp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Figure 50. The final renderings for MLK bridge/ramp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Figure 51. BIM model for the ODOT Headquarters Renovation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Figure 52. BIM model of courtyard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Figure 53. 3D model of site area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Figure 54. Photograph of plaza area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Figure 55. Vectorworks solution for Bim Bam Boom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Figure 56. Elevation of Camelview Village . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Figure 57. Central courtyards serve as popular gathering spaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Figure 58. View of plaza from inside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Figure 59. BimSCORE used to evaluate effectiveness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Figure 60. Penn State Intramural Building Expansion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
viii LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE TECHNICAL INFORMATION SERIES

Figure 61. Nighttime rendering of building . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Figure 62. Plaza design for the Philadelphia Navy Yard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Figure 63. Visual studies of Iowa State Penitentiary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Figure 64. Rendered image of the Penitentiary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Figure 65. Alaskan Way Viaduct BIM model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Figure 66. BIM model showing southern end of SR 99 tunnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Figure 67. Construction on the SR 99 tunnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Figure 68. Higginson Park pavilion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Figure 69. Oakland Bay Bridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Figure 70. First phase of St. Paul’s Square . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Figure 71. 3D BIM models for St. Paul’s Square . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Figure 72. Completed construction for St. Paul’s Square . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Figure 73. Number of lanes entering San Ysidro Land Port of Entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Figure 74. BIM models of San Ysidro Land Port of Entry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Figure 75. Cross-section of building modeled with Revit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Figure 76. Landscape modeling with Revit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Figure 77. Autodesk Ecotect Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Figure 78. 3D slope analysis with Vectorworks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Figure 79. 3D model created with LANDCADD for Revit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Figure 80. Site plan created with Siteworks for Revit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Figure 81. BIMStorm Los Angeles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Figure 82. BIMStorm Washington, DC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Figure 83. Cross-section cut from Revit model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
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List of Acronyms and Abbreviations

• ADE—Application Domain Extension • LIM—Land Information Models
• AIA—American Institute of Architects • LOD—Level of Development
• ASLA—American Society of Landscape • NBIMS—National Building Information Model
Architects Standard
• BAA—British Airports Authority • NIBS—National Institute of Building Sciences

• BCA—Building and Construction Authority • NMBU—Norwegian University of Life Sciences
• BEM—Building Energy Models • OBDC—Open DataBase Connectivity
• BIM—Building Information Modeling • OCA—Office of Chief Architect, U.S. General
Services Administration
• BSI—British Standards Institution
• ODOT—Oregon Department of Transportation
• CAD—Computer-aided Design
• OGC—Open Geospatial Consortium
• CFM—Construction & Facilities Management
• OPS—ONUMA Planning System
• CIFE—Center for Integrated Facility
Engineering • PB—Parsons Brinckerhoff
• COBie—Construction Operations Building • PBS—Public Buildings Service
Information Exchange
• PIM—Program Information Management
• DI—Data Interoperability
• SaaS—Software as a Service
• DOE—U.S. Department of Energy
• SIM—Site Information Models
• ESRI—Designer and developer of Geographic
Information System (GIS) technology • SOM—Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
• GIS—Geographic Information System • TAP—Technology in Architectural Practice
• GML—Geographic Markup Language • TFC—Texas Facilities Commission
• GSA—U.S. General Services Administration • TIN—Triangulated Irregular Network
• IAI—International Alliance for Interoperability • TN OSA—Tennessee Office of the State

Architect
• IFC—Industry Foundation Classes
• USCG—U.S. Coast Guard
• IFG—Industry Foundation Classes for GIS
• USGBC—U.S. Green Building Council
• IPD—Integrated Project Delivery
• VA—U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
• ISO—International Standards Organization
• VDC—Virtual Design and Construction
• LAF—Landscape Architecture Foundation
• VR—Virtual Reality
• LEED—Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design: Green Building Rating • XML—eXtensible Markup Language
System
• LEED ND—LEED for Neighborhood

Development
x LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE TECHNICAL INFORMATION SERIES

Section 1: Introduction
The one given in the world of landscape architecture is that change is inevitable. We work with
a palette that is constantly evolving, and the issues that we are being asked to address are
becoming more complex and more intertwined. Different design, planning, and construction
disciplines are working together on many projects, and one tool that is being adopted to
address these issues is Building Information Modeling (BIM). The principles of BIM are simple:
• It is not a software solution; it is a process or workflow that requires the right software
and data exchange.
• All disciplines work in 2D & 3D models.
• All information uses a common format, so it can easily be exchanged and interconnected.
• 3D objects have intelligence to them.
• BIM information is used throughout the life cycle of a project.
These basic concepts have existed since the 1970s, but the term “Building Information Modeling”
and “BIM” was popularized via an Autodesk white paper entitled “Building Information Modeling”
produced in 1992.
One of the real keys for the effective use of BIM is the ability to share data. The ideal approach
is to have all members of a design team work on the same file since this ensures everyone is
working with the most up-to-date information.
Figure 1. This 3D model of a landscaped plaza area was created and rendered with Autodesk Revit. (Image courtesy of Revit
Blog.)
1 LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE TECHNICAL INFORMATION SERIES

On its website, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) talks about the need for architects to
take the lead in applying BIM technology. For buildings, it certainly makes sense for architects to
play that role, but when it comes to incorporating BIM on the building site, landscape architects
should be heavily involved in implementing a more comprehensive version of BIM.
BIM Technology
BIM technology is intended to help improve efficiency and reduce the cost of designing,
constructing, managing, and maintaining buildings and related site work. The basic concepts
behind BIM is not new—it has been around for decades—but advances in technology and
standards, a shift in thinking from the construction industry, increased demands from clients,
and the need to improve the design and construction process has spurred a dramatic increase
in interest the past few years.
Much of the pertinent site and building information used by landscape architects, architects,
and other design professionals is readily available, but the standards for how this information
should be formatted for exchange are still a work in progress. Crucial decision-making principles
exist, but too often they are not available to design disciplines when they are needed. As a
result, design decisions are too often fragmented, and the decisions of one discipline are not
integrated with those of another. BIM is intended to provide a consistent process for transferring
this knowledge to design tools that can be used by all disciplines involved in the design,
construction, and facilitation of the built environment.
Figure 2. This model shows the steel infrastructure of a structure prepared with Tekla Structures. (Image courtesy of the
Tekla Corporation.)

Expanding Definitions
Although most existing BIM projects have focused on buildings and structures, the same
approach can be applied to a project site, campus, military base, or neighborhood. A broader
definition of BIM emphasizes that the word “building” refers to a verb and not a noun, so we are
talking about the building process, not just an architectural building.
Many think the future of BIM modeling will focus on expanding the information model to include
life cycle phases, such as environmental simulation, real property commerce, and maintenance
and operations, just to name a few. Innovative approaches that create interactive, dynamic links
between all this information will enable users to tackle even the most complex projects. As the
definition of BIM starts to expand, some are exploring new terminology that is broader in scope.
The concept of BIM can be expanded beyond buildings to include Site Information Models
(SIM), Land Information Models (LIM), and even Program Information Management (PIM).
Currently, most major architecture, engineering, and construction projects require BIM at one
level or another. There will be opportunities for collaboration at a much higher level than ever
before, and landscape architects should play a major role in addressing even the most complex
design, planning, and construction projects.

Section 2: BIM Basics

What is BIM?
“What is BIM?” seems to be a fairly constant question among design and planning professionals.
BIM means a lot of things - it is a model, a process, a workflow, parametric modeling, or data
sharing.
According to the American Institute of Architects (AIA), BIM pertains to “an object-based model
of a particular project.” The National Building Information Model Standard (NBIMS) Project
Committee states, “Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a digital representation of physical
and functional characteristics of a facility. A BIM is a shared knowledge resource for information
about a facility forming a reliable basis for decisions during its life-cycle.”
Kimon Onuma, founder of Onuma , Inc. said, “Tools do not matter. BIM does not matter. Data
and knowledge are valuable and BIM is just a container for data. What does matter is how data
is exchanged and the process in which it is exchanged.”
Most landscape architects have heard of BIM, and many know the basic ideas behind BIM. It is
important to emphasize that the ‘B’ in BIM does not mean THE building but actually refers to
the PROCESS of building. So although BIM has been adopted by architects designing buildings,
the basic idea of BIM is much broader than that. Even the AIA definition of BIM mentions the
“characteristics of a facility,” not the characteristics of a building.
Figure 3. BIM can be Integrated with technologies such as GIS and 3D modeling to create digital representations of real
world projects. (Image courtesy of EDAW.)

“So far, BIM is focusing on buildings and building interiors,” notes Paul Cote, a geographic
information system (GIS) Specialist at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. “You have a
window that is manufactured by a specific vendor, and that window has characteristics attached
to it, such as price, energy efficiency, and other features. If you decide on a different window,
you can instantly know the change in cost, delivery time, energy rating, amount of natural light,
and other factors. This is a powerful way of modeling what architects need to know” (Cote 2007).
BIM is not quite set up to work with site elements the same way, but that is already changing.
Some manufacturers of site furnishings have already started making their products available in
BIM format. It is only a matter of time before site elements are modeled with the same level of
detail in BIM as are walls, windows, and other architectural elements.
The basic idea behind these definitions is that BIM is more about process than it is about software.
BIM’s aim is to provide coordinated, accessible, and quality information for a given project. In
BIM, objects are created as 3D representations of real-world components. BIM captures and
maintains relationships between spaces and surrounding building elements, such as walls,
spaces, doors, and windows. Because it is based on 3D models and 3D spaces, BIM can be
evaluated from many different points of view as required to optimize design, construction, and
operation of a building. The purpose of BIM is to make design information explicit, so that the
design intent and program can be immediately understood and evaluated. Construction cost
Figure 4. The ability to model a structure that includes all the various building elements helps ensure that
the design intent is easy to understand. (Image courtesy Autodesk.)

overruns can be reduced by improving the quality of the design product, decreasing material
costs, and streamlining the construction process.
What sets BIM apart from traditional 3D modeling applications is that the BIM data has an
intelligence attached to it. “Information is the most important part of BIM, because it is what drives
the 3D models,” says Dianne Davis, president of AEC Infosystems (Davis 2007). BIM integrates
information in a consistent, structured, and manageable way, and this data is accessible to all
disciplines involved in the design and construction of a project. The resulting data model can
be used not only to document a building design, but also to simulate the construction and
operation of a facility. Among other things, this means a shift in cost considerations, from initial
construction costs for a project to life cycle costs.
BIM is also part of the broader idea of Integrated Project Delivery (IPD). IPD is a delivery
methodology that fully integrates project teams in order to take advantage of the knowledge
of all team members to maximize the project outcome. A significant benefit of IPD is the
opportunity to more clearly and comprehensively define and measure project outcomes.
Levels of BIM
The Level of Development (LOD) describes the completeness to which a Model Element
is developed. A Model Element is a component, system, or assembly within a BIM program.
Landscape architecture components could be trees, benches, bollards, playground equipment,
signage, and other elements frequently used in a landscape design.
These LODs include the following:
• LOD: 100 Conceptual Geometry typically includes overall massing, height, volume,
location, and orientation, and is used for schematic design, early visualization, massing
studies, site analysis, and environmental impacts.
• LOD: 200 Approximate Geometry includes generalized systems assemblies and
components, quantities, size, shape, location, and orientation, and is used for design
development, visualization, and coordination with multiple disciplines.
• LOD: 300 Precise Geometry includes details such as specific assemblies, accurate sizes
and shapes, location, quantity, and orientation, and is used for construction documents.
• LOD: 400 Fabrication includes complete fabrication and is used for construction models,
detailed visualization, conflict reduction, fabrication of materials, and construction
scheduling.
• LOD: 500 As-Built is used to develop as-built models after a project has been constructed.
The Need for BIM

Owners, contractors, and designers all see a benefit in using BIM. In many ways, the move toward
BIM is an owner-driven change. Technological evolution coupled with owner demand for better,
faster, less costly construction projects and more effective practices are driving change in the

construction industry in general and architecture practice in particular (Strong 2005).
McGraw Hill Construction recently published its first SmartMarket Report on the adoption and
use of BIM for construction projects worldwide. The report analyzes significant amounts of data
on industry trends. McGraw Hill surveyed a total of 727 contractors across nine countries in
researching the report. The report states that from 2007 to 2012, BIM adoption in North America
jumped from 28 percent to 71 percent and contractors passed architects in adopting BIM (74
percent to 70 percent).
One problem is the complexity of large construction projects. Inaccurate as-built drawings,
miscommunication among stakeholders, conflicts in design decisions, inconsistent approaches,
and inefficient processes all result in cost overruns. A typical $100 million building project can
generate 150,000 separate documents, technical drawings, legal contracts, purchase orders,
requests for information, and schedules (McCarthy 2000).
A BIM-based approach supports “on demand” generation of documents from a consistent

building model. The entire chain of information from design and construction to operations,
maintenance, and disposition remains in a seamless digital format.
For the design team, this means that information flows from phase to phase and from discipline
to discipline without the need to reenter data. All aspects of building design, from geometry to
cost information to energy use, are computer-simulated before construction begins (GSA BIM
Guide Overview 2007).
Benefits of BIM
One of the reasons there has been such a buzz about BIM in recent years is that many different
industries and professions are starting to realize the potential benefits of implementing the
technology. Professions that could benefit from using BIM include city planners, civil engineers,
architects and builders, landscape architects, urban designers, realtors, appraisers, tax officers,
transportation officials, public safety officials, mortgage companies, environmental agencies,
and other professions that create and use information about the built environment. Many
professionals, including landscape architects, need to find a way to adapt BIM to fit their specific
needs. Landscape architects are still trying to figure out how best to make BIM a part of the
profession.
BIM can be a powerful tool during the earliest stages of a project. Information gathered from this
effort will be embedded within the model throughout all phases of the project. This will help
to ensure that all of the programmatic requirements have been met. Unlike most programs, the
parametric nature of BIM allows for the quick and accurate quantification of your conceptual
massing.

Figure 5. Developing a digital model of a building at the outset eliminates unwanted surprises during
the construction process, and this helps keep costs down. (Image courtesy Graphisoft.)
According to the National Building Information Model Standard (NBIMS), a committee of the
National Institute for Building Sciences, the typical benefits of BIM include:
• Better understanding of design concepts — shared understanding of issues

• More focus on value-added tasks
• Faster cycle times
• Reduced errors and omissions
• Increased site safety
• Less waste of materials and time; less reworking
• Fewer translation errors and losses
The NBIMS Committee is coordinating efforts by many organizations that are developing data
technology such as schema, standards, interfaces, and software applications in an effort to
ensure interoperability of data, processes, and standards. One of the major goals of the NBIMS
Committee is to ensure that the scope and planned products are practice-oriented rather than
data-centric.
One of the things that BIM does is allows us to create a virtual version of a building before it
has to be constructed physically. This helps identify potential issues that would normally arise

during the construction process. Identifying these problems early helps reduce costs, reduce
construction time, and results in a better quality product.
BIM also provides opportunities to explore a broader range of design alternatives and to analyze
life cycle costs for these alternatives. With a greater level of collaboration at the beginning of
the project, it is possible to make many critical decisions earlier during the design part of the
process.
The U.S. General Services Administration estimates that an integrated delivery can help reduce
waste in the construction industry by more than 30 percent (Cote 2008). “The increase in ability to
Figure 6. Cross-section from a 3D model created in Revit. (Image courtesy BIMMmaculate

Conception, Penn State University.)
analyze construction sequencing, means and methods, procurement evaluation, and schedule
analysis will lead to faster, more efficient fabrication and construction,” says Dan Kirby, director
of development services for Boyken International, Inc. (Kirby 2007). A big benefit is increased
productivity and efficiency.
“Any BIM package is going to give you a change in productivity,” says AEC Infosystem’s president,
Dianne Davis. “We have documented our change as being about a 40 percent increase in
productivity, and that is significant” (Davis 2007).
BIM helps address cost concerns for a project by simplifying the process of generating cost
estimates all through the design process. BIM is able to generate quantity takeoffs virtually on the
fly, and this data can be fed directly into cost-estimating programs. This means that, even as you
generate initial concepts, you can see what the cost implications would be. BIM solutions don’t

generate automatic cost estimates, but they are very effective at quantifying the information
needed to make accurate estimates. BIM offers significant advantages over traditional CAD-
based systems by eliminating the mistakes associated with manual takeoffs. Currently, an
estimator has to do quantity takeoffs from digital or paper drawings, and the process can be
time-consuming and vulnerable to miscalculations. With BIM, the link from design to quantity
takeoffs to cost estimate is an automated, seamless process. This allows landscape architects
and other professionals to explore costs earlier in the design process.
BIM can be used to calculate relevant space data, such as net area and efficiency ratio. Because
everything is created in 3D, it is also possible to calculate volumes. For example, engineers
can obtain volumetric calculations of room spaces and building components that are used for
designing HVAC systems. BIM is also beneficial throughout the life cycle of a project. Once a
building is constructed, BIM can be used to simplify facility management as well as operations-
maintenance.
Figure 7. 3D BIM concepts developed within Vectorworks Designer for Build London Live 2012. (Image
courtesy Nemetschek Vectorworks.)
Potential Issues with BIM

In terms of BIM, the profession of landscape architecture is caught between a rock and a hard
place. On one hand, BIM gurus say that if landscape architecture firms don’t embrace BIM they
will be left behind. On the other, the BIM programs that are available don’t have the tools needed
by landscape architects, and they can be very difficult to use for site work, planting design, and
environmental integration.

BIM standards such as IFC, COBie, and others don’t recognize landscape elements so there
isn’t an easy way for landscape architects or software developers to build the BIM tools or BIM
components needed for landscape design. In the UK, the Landscape Institute is involved with
adding landscape definitions to COBie, but in the U.S. there doesn’t seem to be an organization
taking the same level of responsibility for IFC or other BIM standards. The buildingSMART alliance
one organization that is taking a leadership role by creating tools and standards that allow
projects to be built electronically before they are built physically using Building Information
Modeling.
While many clients have embraced BIM for architectural projects, most don’t see landscape
architecture as a critical part of the BIM process. It is important for landscape architects to
not be excluded from these types of projects. Aside from our need to exchange files with BIM
clients, the need to incorporate landscape architecture as a critical is essential. A member of the
Landscape Institute stated, “There is major concern in the landscape industry regarding BIM use,
that lack of expertise in the use of Landscape information modelling could effectively remove
landscape architects from the supply chain.”
Validation
The intelligence of BIM is built upon the experiences of countless designers and engineers who
have had input in creating the software and defining the rules that govern BIM. It is critical that
more experienced designers, project managers, and principals be able and willing to validate,
check, and modify the data in BIM. One approach is to incorporate adequate verification points
and milestones during the design and construction process to keep a project on track and to
validate decisions.
Ownership and Liability

Who owns the data for a BIM project? Should the BIM data be owned by the prime consultant,
by the project client, or perhaps by individual project consultants? It is logical to assume that a
client that pays for a design project, including the generation of BIM data, owns all information
connected to that project. A problem with this approach is that data is still proprietary to
the design firm and is not necessarily available for other projects, such as a comprehensive
neighborhood plan or a future land use plan. For all GSA projects, for example, contracts clearly
stipulate that the Public Buildings Service (PBS) owns all data and models created as part of a
given project. Another approach is for consultants to forward all of their BIM data to the prime
consultant for a project; in this way, the prime is responsible for integrating all the data into one
file.
The increased level of integration and collaboration comes with a risk. The BIM approach is
collaborative, data is shared, and the design process is iterative. Because of this, liability and risks
are shared by the owner, the designer, the builder, and all other parties involved in a project. This
is one of the biggest issues being discussed about BIM in the design and planning world. In the
short term, this could cause some significant concerns because of the legal liabilities. Under the
existing contract structure, landscape architecture firms are simply not set up to accommodate
the shared risk that comes with BIM.

With all consultants using the same data, it can be difficult to determine who is responsible
for the data. Participants in a BIM project need to reach an agreement on how ownership and
liability are addressed. British Airports Authority (BAA), the owner of the Heathrow Airport
Terminal 5 project, absolved its contractors from all risk in order to eliminate potential obstacles
to the different firms working together.
At this point in time, however, most clients are not following the lead of BAA, so designers still
have to accept liability. Because BIM has been applied primarily to building projects, architects
typically have been the prime consultants and bear the lion’s share of responsibility.
Mandates for BIM

BIM is in different stages of adoption in different parts of the world. In the United States, large
architecture and multidisciplinary firms have been early adopters, while many construction
companies prefer to build their own 3-D models later in the process. The Scandinavian countries
have fully embraced BIM, while countries in the Middle East and Asia lag behind (Wilcox).
The main organization governing the construction industry in Singapore is the Building and
Construction Authority (BCA). Singapore was one of the earliest countries to realize the potential
of model-based design, and this was before the term BIM was even introduced. As early in the
1990s, Singapore had a CORENET project, which was a system for automatically code-checking
a design. To incentivize early BIM adopters, the BCA introduced a $6-million BIM Fund in June
2010 to cover costs on training, consultancy, software, and hardware. The BCA is also working
with Singapore’s public sector agencies to specify BIM requirements for all new public sector
building projects (Khemlani, 2012).
Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland were among the earliest countries to adopt model-
based design and to push for interoperability and open standards.
The United Kingdom has actually mandated the use of BIM. In May 2011, the UK Cabinet Office’s
“Government Construction Strategy” specified that a fully collaborative 3D BIM would be
required for all major projects by 2016. The government has focused on developing standards
that will enable all members of the supply chain to work collaboratively through BIM (Khemlani,
2012).
One question is how this mandate to use BIM in the UK will impact landscape architects. In
terms of BIM Level 2 compliance, the UK BIM Task Force stated that “A quick review shows little of
direct relevance to landscape yet.” But for landscape architects that do much of their work with
architects and engineers, it just makes sense to be able to meet Level 1 and Level 2.
In the U.S., the General Services Administration (GSA) has been a major supporter of BIM since
the early 2000s. GSA is responsible for the construction and operation of all federal facilities in
the U.S., and in 2003, it established a National 3D-4D-BIM program through the Office of the
Chief Architect of its Public Buildings Service. GSA requires the submission of a BIM Industry
Foundation Class (IFC) model as defined by the buildingSMART organization of the National
Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS).

GSA has mandated the use of BIM for spatial program validation prior to final concept
presentation on all its projects since 2007. The GSA owns and leases over 354 million square feet
of space in 9,600 buildings in more than 2,200 communities nationwide. In addition to office
buildings, GSA properties include land ports of entry, courthouses, laboratories, post offices,
and data processing centers (GSA).
One example of the push for BIM is a recent bill passed by the Council of the District of Columbia
that requires private developers in our nation’s capital to adhere to the standards of the U.S.
Green Building Council on major development projects, which started in 2012. Washington,
D.C. may be the first city where these types of standards will be required, but green building
legislation is spreading across the country. Dozens of states already require some type of green
building standard, and about a dozen federal agencies have followed suit.
Since July 1, 2010, the Wisconsin Division of State Facilities has required all state projects with a
budget of more than $5 million and all new construction with a budget of over $2.5 million be
developed with BIM.
As of early 2014, Kentucky had used BIM on several projects, but had not adopted a standard
policy. In 2013, the State of Tennessee Office of the State Architect (TN OSA) established BIM
Requirements for the consistent development and management of BIM on state building
projects. These BIM Requirements are voluntary for designers and contractors.
In October 2009, the Texas Facilities Commission (TFC), which is the agency that oversees the
state’s real estate development, adopted BIM for all state design and construction projects. TFC
set a goal of becoming a leader in BIM in order to become the most sophisticated real estate
management, design, and construction organization in the public sector.
Cohasset is a small town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with a population of less than
10,000, yet they have established their own BIM standards for design-build projects within
the town. These standards were established in 2009. The introduction states, “The Owner is
committed to utilizing the tools of Building Information Modeling (BIM) to execute the design,
construction and management of its new facilities, and the upgrade of its existing facilities
and infrastructure. The BIM Standards have been developed to define a process and establish
requirements, procedures and protocol for the utilization of BIM in the various stages of our
projects” (Cohasset).
Prior to the start of design, it is required that the Design Team establish a single shared project
server for the upload and exchange of digital models, and the collection of project deliverables at
pre-determined milestones. The project lead must also have a Lead BIM Facilitator to coordinate
BIM workflow. The BIM Facilitator is required to integrate the design discipline and trade specific
models into a consolidated 3D-model using coordination software (i.e. Navisworks, Bentley
Navigator). (Cohasset)
“Big customers like GSA are demanding BIM, so software companies are making it easier to
create these standardized models,” notes Paul Cote (Cote 2007). GSA has been working with

industry partners such as architects, engineers, contractors, federal owners, and private owners
in order to assess the potential application of BIM.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of Construction & Facilities Management
(CFM) is using BIM because it represents both an enhanced technology and a process change
for construction and facilities management. Starting in 2009, VA requires that IFC compliant BIM
authoring tools be used as the architectural/engineering software for all major construction
and renovation projects over $10M. This requirement applies to design and construction by
architects, engineers, other consultants, and contractors hired for VA projects (VA BIM Guide).
Software and Hardware Requirements

Working in the digital realm requires a massive amount of data. How do we store and organize
all this data in a meaningful way so that it can be accessed quickly and easily? The demands of
data-intensive applications such as BIM have been the impetus for the development of new
computing architectures and new ways to store data.
Most BIM applications take a centralized approach whereby all the components of an architectural
model are stored in one file. This approach simplifies the process of analyzing the structure as
a whole, but it can result in a large file that at times can be cumbersome. The demands of BIM
technology require sufficient processing power to handle the massive amounts of data needed
for a particular project. A high-end networking system is typically necessary to handle this kind
of throughput.
BIM requires significant stores of data in order to create a seamless model that meets the needs
of all disciplines in the design and construction of a building. In addition, some BIM-authoring
applications store all information about a building design in a single database, while others
save the information in multiple files. For BIM to be effective, data needs to be available to all
professions involved with a project.
Most BIM projects require submission of a single, compressed BIM file in an Industry Foundation
Classes (IFC) format as well as files in the native format for the BIM application used for a
particular project. The BIM file is typically purged of any irrelevant content that was generated
as part of the project, but the raw file used in the design and construction of a project includes
all data about a particular project (Cote 2008).
Because of the data needs for BIM, storage is a major issue. Digital storage capacity has expanded
to keep up with the most demanding computer applications. The capacity of hard drives has
doubled every year since the mid-1990s, and with the advent of new technologies, massive
storage options are available.
There are also limitations with the abilities of BIM programs to handle landscape and
environmental issues. BIM programs just don’t have the ability to model even a single tree, model
growth patterns and changes over four seasons, and then evaluate the impact of changes on
other elements in the 3D model. Energy analysis tools such as IES uses files containing building

massing (3D spaces) in conjunction with exterior objects, such as trees, a green façade, or other
structure, and can assess energy usage/savings on the space. This is done through exchanges
with GBXML or IFC files.
Figure 8. This 3D model for the Atlanta BeltLine project was created with Trimble SketchUp. (Image courtesy EDAW.)
BIM Cloud Technology

Cloud technology is an important part of BIM since exchanging data and working on common
files is an essential part of a project workflow. The shift from desktop to the cloud and mobile will
make it easier for firms to work together and share BIM information. Quicker access to the same
models and data for a project will make planning processes even more parallel. For example,
Vectorworks cloud services enables users to continue working in their file while processes like
rendering takes place in the cloud. Smartphones and tablet computers can be used to query
BIM models from any place with cloud access.
National 3D-4D-BIM Program

In 2003, GSA’s Office of the Chief Architect (OCA) initiated the National 3D-4D-BIM Program
to explore the use of BIM technology. It establishes policies for adopting the technology,
implements applications and incentives for current and future capital projects, and provides
support and assessment for ongoing federally-funded projects to incorporate 3D, 4D, and BIM
technologies.
Steps being taken by the National 3D-4D-BIM Program can be loosely categorized as follows:
1. Identify salient project area business needs within GSA

2. Identify potential pilot projects within GSA

3. Implement an interactive and collaborative process with the industry, vendors,
consultants, and academia to perform trials of technologies
4. Promote standardization and best practices
5. Work continually to advance the high level goal of the seamless exchange of information
among designers, vendors, and users (GSA BIM Guide Overview 2007)
OCA has been involved with several projects to date, including over 30 projects in its capital
program. OCA is also assessing and supporting three dimensional (3D), four-dimensional (4D),
and Building Information Modeling (BIM) applications in over 100 projects to date across the
nation (GSA, 2014).
For all major projects receiving design funding in Fiscal Year 2007 and beyond, GSA requires
spatial program BIMs be the minimum requirements for submission to OCA for Final Concept
approvals (GSA, 2014).
GSA is also exploring the use of BIM in energy modeling to strengthen the reliability, consistency,
and usability of predicted energy use and energy cost results. In general, advances from BIM
may increase the role of energy modeling both during design and occupation and, in turn, lead
to an overall reduction in energy consumption by GSA buildings. Specific benefits to a project
team may include more complete and accurate energy estimates earlier in the design process,
improved life cycle costing analysis, increased opportunities for measurement and verification
during building occupation, and improved processes to learn from high-performance building
(GSA, 2014).
GSA has developed a BIM Library that includes guides and documents related to BIM. The BIM
Guide Series includes documents that cover an Overview of BIM, Spatial Program Validation,
3D Laser Scanning, 4D Phasing, Energy Performance, and Facility Management. Although these
documents don’t directly relate to landscape architecture, they do provide a good overview of
BIM usage (GSA, 2014).

Section 3: BIM Integration

One of the strengths of landscape architecture is that the profession is so diverse and includes
everything from a stream restoration project to planning a new community for hundreds of
thousands of people. Because of this diversity, there is not one workflow that works for landscape
architects, and the profession has a tendency to work with a wide array of computer programs
because there is not any one program that meets all needs. The same is true of BIM. There are
many different workflows for BIM and many different tools to achieve success for a BIM project.
It is likely that landscape architects will explore ways that BIM tools can be integrated with CAD,
GIS, modeling, and paint programs.
BIM Tools Integration

Poor software interoperability has long been regarded as an obstacle to industry efficiency in
general and to BIM adoption in particular.
BIM and CAD

The transition from CAD to BIM is fundamentally the transition from 2D drawings to 3D,
intelligent models. CAD systems have been used for years to produce drawings and are an
essential part of every design and planning in the office. With BIM, instead of drawing 2D plans,
sections, and elevations, you build 3D virtual models that are then used to generate plans,
sections, elevations, and construction details.
CAD has been great as a production tool, but it is lacking as a design tool. It is no surprise that
the leading BIM platforms are offered by longtime CAD vendors.
Some BIM applications use layers similar to those used in a 2D CAD drawing, while others do
not use drawing layers at all because they use content filters to organize data. As a general rule,
though, organizing objects onto layers is recommended because it simplifies the process of
exporting data in a BIM format. Also, a good rule of thumb is to eliminate all non-BIM related–
layers, objects, text styles, hatch patterns, and other elements. It is critical that all elements in
BIM share a single spatial coordinate system. With CAD projects, this can be a problem because
most projects arbitrarily assign an origin point at the corner of a building, or property, in order
to simplify the process of dimensioning.
Most 2D and 3D CAD programs have either direct tools or plug-ins that allow models and
data to be imported from or exported to a BIM program. Importing a 3D architectural model
allows landscape architects to develop a site plan with the CAD program of their choice, and
then export that site plan for inclusion into a BIM model. This is an effective way for landscape
architects to incorporate designs into BIM.

Figure 9. With BIM, 2D drawings are created from 3D models. (Image courtesy Thompson Ventulett
Stainback & Associates.)
BIM and 3D Models

3D BIM and 3D models may appear to be similar, but the two are fundamentally different. 3D
modeling tools generate 3D representations of geometric data, but these objects have little if
any intelligence attached to them. A common 3D modeling technique uses geometric primitives
such as boxes, spheres, pyramids, meshes, and other simple shapes to create more complex
images, such as a building or a city.
3D models are used for a variety of different simulations and analyses, including environmental
impact assessments, shadow studies, flood and other hazard modeling, visual impact simulations,
and massing studies. Urban simulations combine 3D modeling, virtual reality (VR) techniques,
military flight simulation technology, and video gaming tools to create 3D environments that
can be used to answer “What if?” questions.
By combining 3D sketching tools with data analysis tools, we can clarify the relationship between
design concepts and natural processes. In the past, most popular CAD and GIS programs
provided the ability to create 3D models on top of geospatial data, but the complexity of the
technology limited their use to computer specialists.
Enter 3D sketching tools. The idea behind these tools is to simplify the process of creating models
and integrating them with geospatial information so that more users can take advantage of the

Figure 10. This 3D model of a Pedestrian Friendly Schuylkill River Community (Philadelphia, PA) was prepared by Anthony
Kostreski for the Ed Bacon Student Design Competition, sponsored by the Philadelphia Center for Architecture. (Image
courtesy Vectorworks.)
power of 3D. 3D sketching programs are typically very intuitive; yes, there is a learning curve,
but in general, they are easy to use, for the simple reason that they have a much smaller toolset
than other 3D modeling programs.
BIM goes far beyond simple 3D modeling to include information about time, such as scheduling
construction or planning for tenants to move in. A 3D model plus time data is a 4D model. Many
BIM programs allow you to import models created in SketchUp, Rhino, and other 3D modeling
programs. Many BIM users export files from Revit and other BIM tools for rendering in Autodesk
Studio Max because of the quality of the renderings.
BIM and GIS

There is a logical connection between BIM and GIS because all buildings are located within a
larger geographic context. Today the BIM and GIS worlds are operating in seemingly separate
spheres but each has value to the other if they could exchange data effectively. The two basic
options are (1) to integrate BIM data into the GIS world, or (2) to integrate GIS into the BIM world.
A potential problem is that option 1 is managed by GIS people while option 2 is conducted by
BIM people.
For landscape architects, the integration of BIM and GIS makes a lot of sense because GIS
provides the tools to analyze landscape and environmental characteristics of a site in a way that
BIM doesn’t do.

GIS users want to incorporate not just shells of buildings, but complete BIM models that are
intelligent, and they want to do this inside of their database for continuous and seamless data.
ESRI, one of the top firms in the GIS world, believes in building a GIS-based way to store and
integrate building information directly into the GIS, and then build interoperability procedures
that work with different proprietary systems as well as standard BIM models.
Jack Dangermond, founder of ESRI, believes that instead of one BIM model we will see a number
of different standards because there are different tools designed for specific uses.
The BuildingSMART Alliance established a BIM-GIS Committee Direction to seek ways to better
integrate BIM and GIS. This Committee identified a number of potential uses that may include
landscape architects. These include the following:
• Site Selection/Location planning

• Site Suitability/Alternatives analysis
• Site circulation/parking/vehicle routing
• Permitting/zoning review
• Visualization
• View Shed analysis
• Drainage analysis
• Height analysis
• Shadow analysis (solar potential)
• Transportation (Przybyla, 2010)
There is also a push to expand geodatabase models to accommodate standard BIM feature
geometries. This would allow you to import a building and all of its associated materials, spaces,
and components and link the data with GIS data. If a geodatabase model is able to import that
type of BIM data, it should also be possible to save GIS data in a compatible format and send the
information back to Revit or other BIM program.
In 2005, ESRI was still debating how to deal with BIM, but in recent years the company decided
to wholeheartedly support CAD/3D/BIM/GIS integration. ESRI’s Data Interoperability (DI)
Extension supports the IFCxml interchange format, allowing GIS users to import BIM data. ESRI
is also working on additional support for CityGML and CAD formats.
ESRI uses the term “geodesign” to refer to the integration of design and GIS oriented planning
and analysis. The concept is based in large part on GIS-BIM integration. One big limitation in
the past has been that most GIS data has been stored in a 2D or quasi-3D format, not in true 3D.
Both ESRI Geodatabase and Oracle Spatial now support 3D data, enabling them to directly store
BIM data.

Figure 11. This 3D model uses colors to show building heights. The model was prepared with Vectorworks
Landmark. (Image courtesy Morris & Vectorworks.)
Figure 12. Figure 12 - The massing models were used to identify potential visual impacts from surrounding
areas. (Image courtesy Morris & Vectorworks.)

Section 4: Standards
Digital data is the lifeblood of any BIM application, and standards help ensure that this
information is stored, accessed, and shared in a consistent way.
The Need for Standards

For BIM to be successful, we have to be able to exchange data between different programs, and
that involves the use of common standards. These standards ensure that all data is stored in the
same format and is processed the same way. When data is exchanged or translated, important
information can be lost or garbled during the process. In BIM, that can be disastrous. The use of
common standards minimizes translation problems by allowing different software programs to
store information in the same file format.
As noted in the IFC / COBie Report 2012, BIM’s success depends upon the ability to:
1. Create model data in a consistent format

2. Exchange that data in a common language
3. Interrogate the data intelligently
Mark Bew who chairs the HM Government BIM Task Group and led the creation of the British
Standards Institution (BIS) BIM report said: “Standards play an important role in ensuring the
wider adoption of BIM technologies, processes and collaboration by ensuring that the same
accurate data can be accessed throughout the supply chain. The standardization of Level 2 BIM
will help HM Government and industry alike save significant sums and enable significant future
industry growth.” (BSI)
In the past, many firms and organizations that used BIM used proprietary data formats, but that
has changed significantly in recent years with the introduction of national BIM standards. The
concentration of BIM standards so far has focused on buildings. BIM standards need to be made
even more robust and flexible, and they need to be expanded to include site, environmental,
and landscape features.
The Army Corps of Engineers, General Services Administration, Federal Geographic Data
Committee, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, and Department of Homeland Security
are just a few of the federal agencies involved in the development of BIM standards. Software
developers such as Autodesk, Graphisoft, Bentley Systems, and Nemetschek have all been
working with government agencies on these standards.
The OGC Technical Committee’s CAD-GIS Working Group, which includes firms like Autodesk,
Bentley Systems, Intergraph, and ESRI, is also focusing on standards that will impact BIM.
This means that the integration of GIS and BIM data will be smoother and easier. Data will
be interchangeable, and landscape architects will not have to worry about how these data
exchanges work.

Of course it would be too easy for all of the players in BIM to adopt one common standard
and work together to improve and refine that standard. There are numerous standards, each
developed with a specific purpose in mind. The idea is that they will eventually work themselves
out, and the standard (or standards) that are the most robust and have the most support will
eventually rise to the top.
National BIM Standard

The National BIM Standard Project Committee released the National BIM Standard - US (NBIMS)
at the end of 2006, and there have been efforts to improve and update this standard in
subsequent years. The committee included support from most of the professional associations,
consortia, and technical and associated services vendors involved with the building industry.
Industry and international standards development efforts such as the International Standards
Organization (ISO) are incorporated into the BIM standard.
One of the keys to the NBIMS is that it is based on open standards. BIM will provide a universal
format for incorporating all this information, but it has to be available to all. “Sharing information
rather than hoarding information is a good business model,” says Dianne Davis of AEC Infosystems
(Davis 2007).
NBIMS is intended to help solve problems associated with exchanging facility information. This
standard is only for the United States, so it uses nomenclature specifically related to this country.
One concern about NBIMS is that it may be slow to expand because building a consensus for
a standard can be a time-consuming process. It will be important to balance standards and
innovation. There will be growing pains because BIM technology has been developing rapidly,
and standards have been lagging way behind. That will be especially true for landscape
architects, since few if any standards exist for site and landscape work. Despite the lack of
standards, landscape architects do not need to worry about developing BIM standards for site
and landscape work. For the time being, the important thing is to focus on learning how to use
the software, and how to apply it to landscape architecture.
The third version of the NBIMS was released in the summer of 2014.
IFC
One of the most common standards associated with BIM is the IFC. IFCs have been developed
by buildingSMART (the former International Alliance for Interoperability), as a neutral, non-
proprietary or open standard for sharing BIM data among different software applications. IFCs
describe a building model, its components, and the relationships between them. Each data
model consists of around 900 entities that describe physical building objects, abstract concepts,
and elements related to the design, construction, and building processes.
“IFC has been driven by architects, so information such as soils, trees, streams, and other
landscape features have not been considered very important,” says Paul Cote. “An IFC is just not
capable of representing a tree or other landscape feature right now” (Cote 2007). IFC elements

that are beneficial to landscape architects include IFC Site, Stair, Slab, Wall, Roof, and Column.
IFC standards might include objects in the landscape, but they would be generic in nature,
having mass, for example, but not characteristics of trees, rocks, or other specific features. If
the classification information of an object is not available when the model is exported to IFC,
an element may be exported as an IFCProxy. An IFCProxy is a kind of container for wrapping
objects that are not defined in IFC, such as trees and other site elements.
Newer versions of IFC include tools for coordinate system mapping, element proximity, user
defined geographic elements, and geospatially based geometry, such as sight lines, contours,
surveying data, and GIS entities.
Some BIM experts believe that COBie is an interim position and the future of BIM will be the IFC
data model.
Figure 13. A major benefit of BIM is that once a 3D model is completed, details of the model can be
viewed from different angles. (Image courtesy Bentley Systems.)
Weaknesses in the IFC import /export processes exist in current software product implementation.
These weaknesses make manual checking necessary and reduce confidence. The IFC / COBie
Report 2012 pointed out that one pressing need was for enhanced IFC import/export routines
from BIM applications.
The IFC open standard schema is more complete than any other proprietary schema. It is
important to make sure that the latest versions of IFC are fully implemented and certified into
current proprietary software solutions.

Virtually all BIM programs are able to import/export data using the IFC format. In many ways,
it is similar to the DXF format that has been popular in the CAD world for decades. In addition,
most of the CAD and 3D modeling tools to date either have implemented IFC support or are in
the process of doing so.
For landscape architects that seek to develop site plans and export them to Revit, ArchiCAD, or
other BIM tool, working in a program that is fully BIM compatible is essential. IFC works just fine
for most BIM data transfers. Vectorworks Landmark or Designer is a good example of a project
that exchanges IFC files through import/export tools. For other programs that have trouble
transferring data, the problem has more to do with how software vendors are meeting these
standards.
COBie
The Construction Operations Building Information Exchange (COBie) is gaining a lot of attention
because it is the format that the UK government has decreed that it wants for the adoption of
BIM in its projects. It has said that all government-funded projects must be executed in Level 2
BIM by 2016. Level 2 essentially means that project participants can exchange information in an
approved format, and that format will be COBie (Slavid).
At present, the main focus is to produce templates for inclusion in the COBie spreadsheet. COBie
adds tabular Information to BIM, but it does not include spatial data.
The Landscape Institute’s (UK) BIM working group has been working hard to ensure that COBie
covers landscape architectural elements. The working group is developing landscape templates
for data to be included within COBie. If the Institute is successful in implementing these templates
into COBie it will be a ground-breaking step for landscape architects wanting to work in BIM.
PAS 1192-2
BSI (British Standards Institution) has developed PAS 1192-2, a new standard to encourage best
practice implementation of BIM. PAS 1192-2 has been designed with input from influential
industry experts. The consensus-based standard challenges project complacency and promotes
consistency and transparency of work processes between parties in order to realize or achieve
cost savings and efficiencies through waste reduction and improved productivity.
OMNICLASS
OmniClass is a classification system for the construction industry that is useful for applications
where organizing information is needed. This system is used frequently for construction
specifications, and it is being incorporated into the NBIMS standard for BIM.
OmniClass is designed to provide a standardized basis for classifying information created and
used by the North American architectural, engineering, and construction industry, throughout
the full facility life cycle from conception to demolition or reuse, and encompassing all of the
different types of construction that make up the built environment. It supports the demand

for highly articulated product information in BIM format, and can normalize and categorize
detailed attributes/properties and processes developed and supported by the National BIM
Standard and Integrated Project Delivery.
COBie uses OmniClass tables to organize information created by designers and product
manufacturers so that it can be submitted to facility managers efficiently.
XML
XML stands for “eXtensible Markup Language,” a text-based method for data exchange. XML
describes only how data is organized. It uses a nonproprietary, plain-text format that can be
read by many different applications. XML is considered “general purpose” because it enables
anyone to originate and use a markup language for many types of applications. There are
literally hundreds of different versions of XML. LandXML is just one example.
LandXML
LandXML is an open, XML-based data standard for civil engineering, land planning, surveying,
and transportation applications. A LandXML data file stores objects such as lot and parcel data;
node/point data typically used in surveying; alignments and roads; surface models; and surface
point data and triangle faces used to create triangulated irregular networks (TINs), which are
three-dimensional terrain models.
The LandXML standard has been endorsed by most software developers with CAD-based
applications that are used in surveying, engineering, or land planning. These include Autodesk,
Bentley Systems, Carlson, Geopak, Intergraph, and Trimble. Autodesk Civil 3D, for example,
provides the highest level of support for LandXML. Applications such as Autodesk Civil 3D are
able to import/export LandXML files. Eagle Point software includes definitions of watersheds
and other features into the LandXML schema. The Federal Highway Administration and most
state departments of transportation also utilize LandXML to exchange digital information.
The LandXML standard is supported by the LandXML.org Industry Consortium, an organization

committed to providing LandXML as a nonproprietary data standard. LandXML.org was initiated
by Autodesk and consists of more than 190 companies, government agencies, and universities.
Green Building XML

The Green Building XML schema, referred to as “gbXML,” was developed by U.S. Green Building
Council (USGBC) to facilitate the exchange of information for projects involving green initiatives.
gbXML is being integrated into a number of CAD and BIM programs. Autodesk, Graphisoft,
Vectorworks, and Bentley Systems are just a few of the software developers supporting gbXML,
and it has become a de facto industry standard schema. This interoperability standard reduces
the time to develop a building and also ensures that when the building is put into operation it
can meet the design intent.
gbXML allows for the development of intelligent solutions for the design, certification,

operation, maintenance, and recycling of buildings. gbXML also makes it possible to create a
detailed description of a single building or a set of buildings for the purpose of energy and
resource analysis. BIM data from a building can be imported into analysis programs that can
look at the energy efficiency of a building. Several BIM programs export data to a gbXML file
for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) analysis. It allows for data exchange
with sophisticated building analysis programs such as those used by the U.S. Department of
Energy (DOE).
GML
The Geographic Markup Language (GML) is a widely supported open specification for
representation of geospatial information. GML was developed by the Open Geospatial
Consortium (OGC) to help define geographical features. GML serves as a modeling language for
geographic systems as well as an open interchange format for geographic transactions on the
Internet. It enables Internet-connected devices to access geographical information, including,
for example, merchant locations and traffic conditions.
CityGML
GeoBIM is a CityGML Application Domain Extension (ADE) intended to extend CityGML to include
detailed, semantic information about the inside of buildings. In essence it adds BIM intelligence
to CityGML 3D models. CityGML is a common information model for representing 3D objects,
and it is being used a lot in modeling urban spaces, 3D cities, and landscapes. CityGML provides
a framework for the exchange of simple and complex 3D models, and it is gaining popularity in
large part because it is an open standard that is available at no charge.
“CityGML language is something like BIM for the landscape architecture world,” says Paul Cote.
“It may not have all the features that landscape architects need, but it is intended to take up
where BIM leaves off.” Cote says it is very likely that the IFC standards may simply stop at the
hardscape around a building, and CityGML would define everything that happens outside
a building. So far that looks to be the case since there are still few, if any, IFC standards for
landscape and site work. One thing CityGML does, for example, is define how the building or
other objects intersect with the ground plane.
“CityGML is two things,” says Cote. “It is an information model that precisely shows how
elements relate to each other, and it is also an exchange format written for XML.” These models
are intended to go beyond mere visualizations and also be used for analytical purposes. Several
companies are already using CityGML to incorporate BIM data into 3D models. “Bentley has
been working with the visualization of BIM data from within a CityGML context,” says Cote. 3D
models in CityGML format typically differentiate five consecutive levels of detail, where the level
of detail increases as you get closer to an object.
There are efforts to align the CityGML ADE GeoBIM standard and IFC BIM standards. This will
make it easier to import/export BIM data with CityGML.

Figure 14. This model was created using CityGML, a common information modeling format used in urban
design and planning projects. (Image courtesy CityGML.)
ODBC
The Open DataBase Connectivity (ODBC) standard is a database access method that provides
a straightforward way to exchange information between applications and databases. Data is
stored in relational tables of rows and columns, and this simple approach to storing information
makes ODBC a simple-to-use format. As long as the software programs on both sides of the
driver support ODBC, specialized programming or interfaces are not necessary.
ODBC has been around for more than a decade and is a proven format for exchanging data.
It is particularly well suited to an integrated approach to cost estimating, quantity surveying,
specification management, BIM, and other applications. Autodesk Revit e-SPECS, for example,
uses ODBC to extract product and material requirements directly from Autodesk Revit Architecture
software so the information can be used to generate and manage construction documents.
Vectorworks also uses ODBC although they don’t have site related examples. Their users have
been looking into ODBC for cost estimating and other external database applications.
BISDM
In 2008, ESRI introduced the building interior space data model (BISDM), which is a GIS based
format that allows companies to share facilities data. The BISDM provided a common database
that allowed facility and real property managers to query, analyze, and report information about
buildings and assets.

This is part of ESRI’s philosophy of managing, analyzing, and visualizing geospatial information
all the way from the global to building room detail. The basic approach is to integrate BIM data,
or similar data, into GIS applications.
Figure 15. Aerial view of New York City from the East River. (Image courtesy SOM.)

Section 5: Innovation, Metrics, Templates,

and Objects
A critical component of BIM is the ability for multiple disciplines to share data. For that to
happen, standards have to be in place that provide the consistency and continuity needed for
this data to be easily shared.
Innovation
Presently, there is not a concentrated effort to develop BIM standards for site and landscape
features. The lack of standards has been a major obstacle for landscape architects. Establishing
standards will greatly enhance opportunities for the profession.
Much of the time, innovation comes first and standards come second. One option is for
landscape architects to explore options on how to implement BIM into landscape architecture,
and this may involve being creative with using the tools in Revit or other BIM program, or it may
involve working with more traditional landscape design software that is able to import/export
IFC, COBie, or other BIM formats.
Landscape architects need to take innovative approaches to implementing BIM whether

standards are available or not. This starts with defining and prioritizing needs and identifying
opportunities. One of the strengths of landscape architects is the ability to “tweak” existing
software in order to meet our specific needs.
Because site and landscape design is not included very well in the BIM process, it is up to
landscape architects to define how this should be done. In many ways, this is a great opportunity
for landscape architects because there are no preconceived ideas about how landscape and
environmental elements should fit into BIM. If landscape architects are not involved with
developing this definition of Site Information Models (SIM) and Land Information Models (LIM),
then architects and engineers seeking to expand their role in a project will be the ones to do so.
If that happens, the results will be an engineer’s or architect’s version of landscape architecture,
or that of an architect.
Landscape architects need to be aggressive and think both in terms of how BIM can be used in
the short term, and how BIM can be developed and expanded down the road to take a more
holistic look at design and planning.
Metrics
During a project, it is important to evaluate progress with the metrics established for that
particular project. Metrics are specific measures used to indicate progress or success and are
an effective way to compare different processes or approaches. They are frequently used to
measure the success of a BIM application. For example, essential to an effective green building
policy that delivers energy efficiency is the use of simple, standardized energy performance
metrics throughout all phases of building design and operation.

Some of the metrics identified by the GSA to measure BIM include:
• Planning and design time

• Value-engineering magnitude
• Number of errors and omission
• Number of change-orders
• Construction duration
• Design costs
• Construction costs
• Operation costs
• Maintenance costs (GSA, 2014)
Metrics for landscape architecture still needs to be developed. For the most part, there are no
consistent standards that allow landscape components to be included in a BIM model in such a
way that these components interact with architectural and engineering components.
Templates and Objects

Landscape architects do not need BIM standards for site and landscape elements to utilize
BIM technology and workflow. Most BIM programs provide the option to customize existing
BIM tools to meet immediate needs. That means landscape architects can modify a BIM tool
for creating a concrete retaining wall in order to create raised planting beds, ha-ha walls, or
dry stack walls. With Autodesk Revit Architecture, for example, this customization can start by
creating 1) project templates; 2) model templates; and 3) 3D BIM objects.
Figure 16. Using preconfigured template files is vital to an efficient transition from schematic design to construction
documents, including BIM file exchanges, for landscape architecture. (Image courtesy McGregor Coxall.)

Project Templates
BIM project templates can be developed for every kind of landscape architecture project,
including site design, resort planning, land use plans, botanical gardens, and urban design.
These templates either have to be developed for a specific program such as Autodesk Revit, or
in an acceptable BIM exchange format such as BIM or COBie.
Each template would include appropriate symbols, definitions, attributes, objects, and other
project specific information. A template for land use planning, for example, would include spatial
definitions for different land use types, housing types, and typical transportation information. It
would also include formulas set up to calculate housing densities, percentage of infrastructure,
development costs, and other elements, and then compare these to local planning ordinances.
Once a template is established, it can be used for all similar projects. Some firms use template
files to help transition from SD, DD and into CD, making use of standards to lines, fills, viewports,
and other elements to maintain consistency from project to project.
Model Templates
Modifying model templates is the best way for landscape architects to customize BIM tools.
Model families use parametric components to generate the most elaborate forms and objects.
Instead of having to create a 3D model of a wall, for example, you simply draw a line and attach
a wall model to the line. The wall model includes all the components that make up a wall,
including stud spacing, materials, costs, and other elements.
Figure 17. The creation of 3D templates of common design

features helps simplify the process of creating detailed
buildings and sites. (Image courtesy Thompson Ventulett
Stainback & Associates.)

The best way to create new models for landscape elements is to start with an existing template,
then modify it to meet specific needs. For example, you can start with a standard retaining wall,
and then modify it to represent a dry stack limestone wall, or a wall with brick or stone veneer
and a marble cap. Because these models are based on BIM objects used to define building
elements, these site and landscape elements have the same level of intelligence as do building
elements (i.e., objects would know how to interact with other objects).
3D BIM Objects
One can create 3D BIM objects to represent typical landscape elements, such as plant material,
and to define attributes that help provide a level of intelligence. For example, some of the
attributes we might want to provide for a tree include genus, species, common name, size (based
on age of tree), caliper (based on age of tree), shape, plant density (based on branching), water
absorption capacity, shading density, heat absorption, and potential uses, just to name a few.
Unfortunately there is no industry standard for how to define a tree, and no software developer
or organization, such as the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) or Landscape
Architecture Foundation (LAF), has developed these landscape elements with BIM intelligence.
As a result, landscape architecture firms either have to develop their own elements or work
with simpler 3D models that lack any BIM characteristics. There are exceptions, though, as some
software companies have developed their own standard. For example, Vectorworks Landmark
generates 2D and 3D objects with intelligence. Plant objects have parametric control of their
height/spread and spacing, while holding all of the relevant plant data needed to populate
plant schedules. Existing tree objects has 2D/3D parametric control of height/canopy shaping,
critical root and protection zones, and multiple trunk control with caliper sizing on each trunk.
This can be useful for documentation and 3D analysis/visualization.
Years ago, building product manufacturers developed CAD details of their products and made
them available for free. The basic idea was that this would encourage architects, landscape
architects, and other designers to utilize their products. Today, many manufacturers are taking
the same approach with BIM elements.
The National BIM Library is a free database of BIM objects available in IFC data format and
formats compatible with most of the main BIM software packages (Revit, ArchiCAD, Vectorworks,
Tekla, Bentley). According to Stephen Hamil, NBS’ head of BIM, in 2013 there were more than
50,000 object downloads from the National BIM Library. (http://www.nationalbimlibrary.com/)
The library includes 66 categories of objects, but most appear to be for architects and structural
engineers. The categories that may be of interest to landscape architects includes the following:
fencing systems, geosynthetics, hard landscaping, signage, street and site furnishings, turf and
pre-planted substrates, and walls. (http://www.nationalbimlibrary.com/)
Autodesk Seek is an online source that includes 3D models, 2D drawings, visual images, and
product specification data. The site includes content from several external sources, including
McGraw-Hill Construction Sweets Network, Reed Construction Data, Architectural Data Systems,

and BIMWorld. There are also hundreds of manufacturers that provide BIM models for their
products. Autodesk Seek has a powerful parametric search engine that can be used to search
for products using detailed attributes, enabling a rich experience that returns highly relevant
and specific results from across multiple product categories, direct from building product
manufacturers or content publishers. According to the website, Autodesk Seek has more than
65,000 BIM models, and that number is growing daily. The Autodesk Seek service is available
for Autodesk Revit-based software applications as well as AutoCAD, AutoCAD Architecture and
AutoCAD MEP software.
Autodesk also formed an alliance with CADdetails.com to make information for more than 400
building product manufacturers available through Autodesk Seek. One result of this partnership
is that more BIM data will be available for the Revit suite of tools.
Revit Market at TurboSquid is a community marketplace designed specifically for Revit users to
buy and sell Revit families, scenes, and visualization content. Revit Market accepts only correctly
parameterized Revit families for its catalog, so all of the models have a level of ‘intelligence’ to
them. All the products in their catalog are published by Revit users and are downloadable for
a cost. The company encourages Revit users to sell the custom components and families they
make, and those who upload files get a 50 percent royalty of all sales.
Figure 18. Example of ArchVision 3D textured trees for Revit. (Image courtesy ArchVision.)

Vectorworks maintains a similar library of architecture and landscape elements as well as

Landscape Forms, Haddonstone, Greenscreen, and other manufacturers. The Vectorworks
library includes general items like VB Visual trees and textures.
The ArchVision RPC Content library currently includes the following: 3,500+ people, trees,
automobiles & objects, 1500+ RPC Stills (2D); and 180+ RPC Automobiles (3D). New content is
frequently being added to the library. ArchVision RPC requires specialized software plug-ins to
be used within an application. Some RPC Plug-ins require the purchase of a license, while others
are free of charge or included within the application itself. In particular, there are RPC Plug-ins for
Autodesk Revit, Adobe Photoshop, Autodesk 3ds Max / 3ds Max Design, and Autodesk AutoCAD.
ArchVision Software Licenses are charged on an annual basis. They are automatically renewed
to ensure license operability. A floating license for one year is around $500 for ArchVision.

Section 6: Implementing BIM into the

Landscape Architect’s Office
There are a number of issues that need to be addressed by a landscape architecture firm
thinking of making the leap to BIM. Implementing BIM involves a rather significant investment,
and landscape architecture firms should not make the commitment lightly. Sufficient planning
will be required to ensure that the introduction of BIM is successful.
In reality, it will take a significant commitment for landscape architecture firms to fully implement
BIM, and any time saved in efficiency and accuracy will likely be offset by the time needed to
learn the software and modify existing processes.
Establishing Goals
Each successful landscape architecture firm has clearly established goals and objectives, and it
is important that the implementation of BIM be consistent with the direction in which the firm
is heading. Thus, it would be a mistake to dramatically alter the philosophy and goals of a firm
in order to implement BIM. Currently, BIM is best applied primarily to architecture, engineering,
and complex multi discipline projects where 3D modeling and the integration of information is
important. Landscape architects interested in working on these types of projects either need to
learn BIM tools or concentrate on importing/exporting BIM data from other landscape design
software.
Landscape architecture firms need to develop both short-term and long-term strategies for
implementing BIM successfully. These strategies need to go beyond a simple training and
rollout schedule. They should address the workflow and organizational changes inherent to
BIM. The loss of billable hours during the transition process is always a concern. There are many
examples of architects, landscape architects, and engineers that start using BIM on a project,
but then abandon this approach because of the difficulties associated with BIM. Vectorworks
recommends users utilize the same smart objects with conceptual representations, and then
replace them with objects with full intelligence to make this transition from “sketch to BIM.” This
approach is easier to manage and less time is involved than redrawing objects just to create a
smarter file
There may be new opportunities that arise from using BIM, but it is important not to alienate
established clients during the transition process. For many landscape architecture firms,
existing clients may not be utilizing BIM extensively, and they most likely are not expecting their
landscape architects to provide BIM information for projects. Working with existing clients and
convincing them of the benefits of using BIM may be the easiest way for a firm to implement the
technology. Another approach is to pursue new projects where BIM is already a requirement,
but this requires landscape architects to be comfortable with BIM tools and BIM import/export
expectations.

Changing Culture
The implementation of BIM may require some significant changes in how landscape architecture
firms do business. BIM fundamentally may require a change not only in the digital tools we
use, but also in how we design, plan, and construct projects. There may be resistance to
change, especially from those who do not see an immediate benefit to making the transition
to BIM, or in importing/exporting BIM data. Many experienced CAD and GIS users have found
the transition to BIM a little discouraging because of the lack of standards and BIM tools for
landscape architects. One of the causes of frustration is that the BIM workflow has not always
included landscape architecture in the process.
It is critical that principals, project managers, and more experienced designers understand BIM
workflow and the capabilities of BIM tools in order to facilitate the effective and efficient transition
in the use of the technology. Because BIM technology is fairly new, it is not uncommon for
project managers to be unfamiliar with BIM tools being used. Either unfamiliar or experienced,
the PM does not need to know how to use the software in order to review drawings.
Landscape architecture firms may have to rethink the structure of their office in order to use
BIM extensively because of the potential change in project workflow. In a small firm, every team
member may need to be committed to learning and implementing BIM, or at least understanding
how to exchange information in a BIM format. In larger firms there is more flexibility, and it
may be appropriate to have some teams focus on BIM projects while others maintain a more
traditional approach. It is highly unlikely that a landscape architecture firm will abandon their
existing project tools and workflow in order to focus only on BIM.
Some major architectural firms are hiring BIM managers, but that will only happen in landscape
architecture if firms are heavily involved in major BIM projects. Larger firms with the luxury of
having a dedicated CAD manager or network administrator may eventually decide they need
BIM managers as well, or this may simply be a responsibility added to an existing position.
Smaller firms typically have to share BIM responsibilities among team members.
BIM Workflow
BIM is about workflow, integration, and shared data. Workflows vary because individual firms
have their own way of doing things, and projects vary in terms of scope and BIM requirements.
In an interview with Geospatial World, Shannon McElvaney, Global Industry Manager for
Community Development and Geodesign evangelist for ESRI, was asked how he envisioned the
geodesign process farther down the road. He said, “Do you remember in Star Trek when Captain
Kirk says, ‘Computer, are there carbon-based life forms on that planet?’ And the computer
answers him with relevant information. I envision a world of design like that. We should just
be able to say: ‘We have this many people; we need to build housing in an area that is not
susceptible to fire, flood, landslides; it should be located within 15 minutes of where people
work; and it should be south facing to maximize the potential for passive solar.’ You would say
what you want to the computer, and receive answers to your query plus any constraints and

opportunities.” This may be an ideal workflow for BIM and GIS, but it is not likely to happen
anytime soon.
Given the current state of technology, the optimum way to apply BIM is to have all disciplines
use the same software and work on the same file in order to create a seamless, integrated flow
of information. With this approach, workflow shifts from being sequential to parallel, leading
to a more integrated, holistic design solution that maximizes the potential of BIM. A parallel
workflow is the exception how firms currently work and require time before expected benefits
are achieved.
AEC firms in London such as HOK, SOM, Gensler, Foster and Partners, Zaha Hadid Architects,
BDP, and ArupSport, are all making extensive use of BIM, but each does it in their own way. Some
disciplines work together more on a single BIM model than others. For example, architects and
structural, mechanical, electrical, and HVAC engineers work together more than those involved
with the areas outside the building. Landscape architects have not been included in this type of
integrated workflow at this time.
Software developers also understand the different workflows of design and engineering
professions. “We are expanding the reach of BIM on multiple fronts -- into conceptual design
on one end of the spectrum and into construction on the other.” said Amar Hanspal, Autodesk
senior vice president of Information Modeling and Platform Products (Autodesk University
2013).
Landscape architects don’t have to use Revit, ArchiCAD, or one of the other BIM programs in
order to be involved with a BIM project. Many firms work in a program such as Vectorworks,
Autodesk Civil 3D, or SketchUp and then exporting files using an IFC or COBie format into a BIM
program.
Revit and ArchiCAD are being used today by landscape architects with some success. For the
most part, though, the 3D objects created by many landscape architects are primarily visual
representations of objects unless the add intelligence to the objects. If all landscape architects
are doing is exporting “dumb” data for use in a Revit or ArchiCAD model, and this data can’t
interact with BIM objects from other professions, we aren’t really bringing much to the table.
One common fallacy is that everything has to be done in 3D. Although many BIM projects -
especially those geared toward architecture - are 3D, some site plans are submitted in 2D since
there really isn’t IFC content that defines the details of landscape and site elements.
A study by McGraw-Hill found that builders use BIM more than architects. Research showed that
74 percent of contractors were using BIM as compared to architects at 70 percent (Sullivan). This
means for many projects, contractors are not depending upon an architectural team at all, but
are building their own BIM models because of the benefits of reducing cost and streamlining
the construction process.
In 2012, the Landscape Institute produced a guidance note that was posted on the web

Figure 19. This model shows nighttime activity data along Washington Avenue in Miami, Florida. (Image
courtesy DataAppeal.)
(http://bit.ly/VdFnuu) providing information for landscape architects wanting to participate

in the BIM revolution (Slavid). The advice from the Institute was (1) formulate a BIM Execution
Plan, (2) confirm the firm’s ability to deliver data which meet the requirements of the Plan, (3)
don’t purchase BIM software if you don’t already have it, and (4) don’t invest in a different BIM
program if you already have BIM software. The BIM Execution Plan addresses long-term goals
and objectives, strategies about training and marketing, implementation, and project workflow.
For most landscape architecture firms, BIM involves developing a site design in a CAD or 3D
modeling program and then exporting the data in an acceptable format so an architect or
engineer can import this information into a 3D model for a given project. For those landscape
architecture firms still generating hand-drawn site plan sketches they are less able to participate
in the BIM workflow with others firms on the project team.
For some, workflow is changing because of a shift in perception of means for delivering a final
product and for providing information that can be leveraged and updated over a long period
of time (Dowhower).
Olin Partnership has used BIM in all phases, from schematic design to construction documents.
They alternate between 2D and 3D and strive to keep both current all the time. Olin Partnership
is working with Autodesk Revit and associated plug-ins Siteworks and LANDCADD, which add
flexibility for landscape modeling. One thing they have found to be helpful with Siteworks is its
ability to import XML files into Revit, which allows them to use Civil 3D for topographic modeling
and then bring the TIN surfaces into Revit (Henson).

Cooper Cary, a multi-discipline firm based in Atlanta, Georgia, uses Land F/X SketchUp
Connection and SketchUp to evaluate designs before linking them into Revit Architecture.
The landscape architects at Cooper Cary on select projects import a 3D building from Revit
and bring it into SketchUp. Typically when you import a Revit model into SketchUp it comes
in all white, but there are plug-ins that allow materials from Revit to be imported as well. For
landscape architects, SketchUp is a much easier program for 3D modeling than Revit. Frequently
the landscape architects will ask a Revit modeler to export the files needed to use in SketchUp.
Cooper Cary uses SketchUp as the program to link the architecture plans and models with those
developed by landscape architects using Land F/X.
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) is one of the largest and most influential architecture,
interior design, engineering, and urban planning firms in the world. Founded in 1936, they
have completed more than 10,000 projects across 50-plus countries. SOM currently uses BIM for
about 85 percent of all their projects. They use Revit, Digital Project, Rhino 3D, Ecotech, and other
digital tools to complete their work.
The ability to model building processes has been extended to perform energy efficiency
simulations. This capability is essential, not merely for the improved performance of the resulting
structure, but because it has supported the proliferation of sustainability standards like LEED.
Holcombe Norton Partners out of Birmingham Alabama are using BIM via Vectorworks Landmark
to produce LEED documentation for projects. This involves more defining and reporting data on
smart objects than it does design or 3D modeling, though their use of its intelligent 2D/3D Site
Model enables them to document slopes for other sustainable design processes.
Training
Design firms that have been successful with BIM so far all agree that training is an essential
requirement. BIM is not something that simply “picks up” by spending a few hours learning the
basics. Training is a necessity because there is a fairly steep learning curve with BIM. Self-paced
training for BIM has not proven as effective as other training approaches, in large part because
of the complexity of BIM, which requires not only learning new software but also learning a new
workflow. It is a paradigm shift where design with other disciplines is parallel, not sequential.
BIM classes are fairly expensive, and there are very few being taught by landscape architects
for landscape architects. That is changing, though, as a number of universities are now offering
Geodesign and BIM classes that can lead to a degree.
LAD Courses is a blog for courses offered in computer aided design, digital presentation
techniques, 3D modeling, and visualizations at the Department of Landscape Architecture and
Spatial Planning (ILP) at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU). One of these courses
is LAD202 - BIM for landscape architecture using Revit. There are five lectures online that teach
the basics of using Revit for landscape architectural projects, and these can be downloaded
from the university’s web site.
In 2004, Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) offered a 1 credit BIM Seminar course with

Autodesk’s assistance. The following year Revit was integrated into the 2nd year Architecture
CAD course, and architecture students started using BIM in their projects. Penn State currently
uses BIM in the 2nd and 4th-year studios. In addition to structural design, BIM is used for
engineering and construction analysis.
In 2010, Penn State was awarded an Autodesk BIM Experience Award for incorporating BIM into
its architecture, landscape architecture, and architectural engineering curricula. The award also
recognized Penn State for promoting academic collaboration among the major building design
and construction disciplines. Much of this collaboration occurred in interactive BIM design
studios. The award also notes the school’s use of energy analysis software tools in its BIM classes
and studios to encourage sustainable design practices (Penn State). See Section 8 - BIM Projects
for information on one of Penn State’s interactive BIM design studios.
It is a good idea to have management involved in the training, to understand the day-to-day
scheduling of their team members, as well as the capabilities (and therefore the opportunities)
BIM brings to their business. When landscape architects began working with CAD back in the
early 1980s, there was a split between younger designers that knew the technology versus older
designers that had the experience and expertise, but didn’t know how to use CAD. With BIM, it is
important that senior management understand the workflow changes even if they don’t know
BIM software.
Figure 20. Cross-section from a 3D model created in Revit. (Image courtesy BIMMmaculate Conception, Penn State
University.)
Hardware and Software

BIM may require an investment in new hardware for many landscape architecture firms because
of the recommended specifications for BIM workstations and servers. Decisions will have
to be made about which BIM software to use. The reality, though, is that if you are working
with architects on a project, they may prefer you use the BIM software they do. This will allow
team members to work on the same BIM project file and then save the final model in an IFC
format when you are done. Most architects and engineers will use Revit Architecture, Graphisoft
ArchiCAD, or Bentley Architecture. If you do a lot of work for the U.S. Coast Guard or other federal
agencies, you may consider using ArchiCAD. If you work with engineers on transportation
projects, Bentley Architecture may be the best choice. Landscape architects who have been using
AutoCAD may be more comfortable with Revit Architecture, which is also an Autodesk product.
There will also be changes in the software that we use. Most landscape architecture firms have
become very adept at utilizing many different software programs to meet their needs. The basic

idea with BIM, though, is that plan drawings, construction drawings, 3D models, schedules, and
cost estimates, etc. are all integrated and done as part of an automated process in the same
project file.
One of the major benefits of BIM is that many non-BIM programs can save information in a
common format, such as IFC or COBie. Landscape architects may find it easier to work in a
landscape design program and import/export BIM models and data.
Figure 21. Leica CloudWorx for Revit lets BIM professionals directly create as-built structural models faster
from rich laser scan data. (Image courtesy Leica.)
Implementation
It is a bit of a catch 22 - if you don’t know how to use BIM you probably won’t be selected to
work on a major multidisciplinary project requiring BIM- but until you work on a couple of those
projects you really won’t understand how to use BIM. It can be rather daunting to commit to
using BIM on a major project. There is an old saying in the CAD world that 90 percent of users
only utilize about 10 percent of the available tools in a CAD program. That analogy can probably
be applied to landscape architects working in the BIM world as well. The problem is that there
aren’t the appropriate tools for landscape architects with most BIM programs, which makes it
even more difficult to effectively work on BIM projects.
The reality is that most individual landscape architecture firms will not be able to spend time
helping to develop BIM standards for IFC, COBie, or other forma because this task will take a great
deal of time and is not billable. Larger AEC firms often create their own BIM objects, but these
typically don’t apply to landscape architecture objects. Without standards, it will be difficult for
there to be a major effort to develop BIM objects for landscape architecture.

One approach is for landscape architects to establish templates and objects for specific projects
using their own internal standards. This approach is very similar to when landscape architects
started using CAD. The most important thing was to learn the technology and how to apply it
effectively on projects. CAD standards were developed later once a firm had a better idea how
to use the software. It is important to establish a schedule that indicates critical timelines, and
there should be criteria in place to help measure successes and failures. The commitment to BIM
is long term, but landscape architecture firms need to be able to make the technology pay for
itself as soon as possible.
For most landscape architects, the most logical approach given the current state of BIM is to
work with landscape design programs that allow the import/export of data to a BIM project via
IFC, COBie, or other appropriate BIM format.

Section 7: BIM Applications

There are a many types of landscape architecture projects that would benefit from the use of
BIM tools. Because BIM was not originally developed for landscape architects, many of the tools
in these programs don’t directly apply to landscape architecture. It is easy to say that landscape
architects need to “demand” BIM software better suited to our profession, but this is not likely to
develop in the near future. Landscape architecture is too small a profession, and the number of
firms using BIM is an even smaller subset to influence how software is developed.
Even if landscape architects had the right software, would it change the role the profession has
on BIM projects? Remember, BIM is more about workflow, data exchange, and the interaction of
multiple disciples than it is about software. BIM does not require the use of either 3D software
or of specific packages. Instead it is about sharing information, and the way that the information
is to be shared is through a format known as COBie, essentially an Excel spreadsheet into which
participants in a project will enter and share relevant data (Slavid).
Avi Srivastava, a landscape architect with AECOM’s Alexandria, Virginia office, talks about
the need to go beyond BIM for buildings and to develop tools for SIM and LIM. SIM would
address site-oriented applications, while LIM would be used for community or regional scale
applications. These would be integrated with BIM to create a more holistic design and planning
process (Srivastava 2007). Vectorworks has followed this approach and are marketing their
software as SIM instead of BIM.
Site Design
Site design around a building is commonplace in the BIM world since the focus is often on
architectural structures. Sometimes the site design is done with the same BIM software, but
other times the site design is developed in a CAD, illustration, or 3D modeling program and
imported into BIM via IFC or COBie.
There are few BIM standards for site elements, so the interaction between the site and building
are limited. This is unfortunate because it is important to include surrounding site characteristics
in order to determine the level of comfort, energy efficiency, and security of an architectural
building. For example, developing BIM standards that would enable the designer to analyze
trees in an urban plaza and determine how they impact wind and sun hitting a building would
greatly enhance the site/structure relationship.
If the site plan primarily involves hardscape and geometric shapes, such as a plaza, piazza,
or public square, then BIM tools may be a good option. Site plans that are more organic and
free flowing, or that include trees, running water, environmental resources, and other similar
elements may need to be done in another program and imported into Revit or another BIM
program. Hopefully BIM tools will be enhanced in order to be able to accomodate these types
of organic shapes. Revit add-ons such as LandCADD for Revit and Siteworks for Revit greatly
enhance the creation of landscape designs with changing terrain and curvilinear lines.

Figure 22. Carolina Garcia teamed with architects and engineers to develop a design for the Infill
Philadelphia: Soak It Up competition. (Image courtesy Vectorworks.)
One benefit of BIM for site design is that the 3D models typically developed during the process
are very effective for communicating design concepts to both clients and other team members.
Being able to use one main 3D model to generate different perspectives and create elevations
and cross-sections in a matter of minutes helps communicate design intent. These 3D models
do not have the level of intelligence of BIM building components if used purely for visualization.
If 3D models included BIM intelligence, though, and had the capability to interact, then it would
be possible to analyze the relationship between a site and building at a much greater level
of detail. Once we are able to create 3D models of site designs that meet IFC and other BIM
standards, these models can be incorporated into architectural BIM models for a more complete
and integrated approach to a project.
Urban Design
Urban design involves the design of buildings, groups of buildings, spaces, and landscapes
that are combined to define cities. In particular, landscape architects frequently focus on the
design and planning of public and private spaces. These spaces are used on a day-to-day basis
by building employees, visitors, and the general public and include streets, parks, and public
infrastructure.
Urban design is a key to making cities that are successful socially, aesthetically, environmentally,
and economically. Because most new buildings associated with urban design projects are being
created with BIM, it makes sense that site work also be modeled in BIM because the two are so
closely connected. The BIM spatial standards that apply to buildings are very similar to the types
of standards needed to define urban spaces in cities.

Figure 23. 3D model of an urban scene. (Image courtesy EDAW.)
Figure 24. Kinnear Landscape Architects Limited helped develop

the first new urban space for Colchester’s Cultural Quarter. (Image
courtesy KLA.)
Figure 25. A new urban space for Colchester’s Cultural Quarter. (Image
courtesy KLA.)
Architectural Elements
Being able to work with the same BIM programs used by architects can be a huge advantage for
subconsultants wanting to work on architecture oriented projects. For all site design projects
that have a major architectural component, there is a benefit to using BIM to create site plans
even if standards are not available for these site elements. Landscape architects can use the
BIM tools to create 3D models of design features associated with structures such as terraces,
courtyards, walkways, green roofs, and roof gardens.
Roof gardens and green roofs have an impact on microclimates by reducing urban temperature,
providing insulation value, reducing water runoff, and providing habitat for plants, insects, birds,

and animals. There is a lack of BIM standards for roof gardens, but being able to see the layout
of structural beams, utilities, and spaces below a roof garden can help reduce potential conflicts
that arise during construction. For example, trees that are part of a roof garden have to have an
adequately sized planting well to accommodate root balls for the trees. The roof wells have to
be integrated with the structural, electrical, and mechanical structures of the building.
Figure 26. This exploded axon shows the layers and Figure 27. The roof garden at the ASLA headquarters
materials used that make up ASLA’s green roof. (Image is a perfect example of how landscape features can
courtesy Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc.) be integrated into green architecture design. (Images
courtesy Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc.)
Energy Efficiency and Simulations

BIM-based energy simulations can be used to generate more complete and accurate energy
estimates of buildings during the conceptual design process. Using BIM, it is also possible to
increase the level of automation and computability in energy analysis and other sustainability-
related analyses such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). “LEED is the
next piece of the puzzle,” says Dianne Davis of AEC Infosystems. “It crosses over so many different
disciplines and so many different scales. It is a critical area of concern for many of our clients”
(Davis 2007). Landscape architects should have a prominent role to play in this type of analysis.
For projects pursuing the LEED certification, many LEED credits require drawings to be
submitted in support of the application. These drawings can be produced very efficiently with
BIM programs, and will greatly reduce the time and expense involved with submitting a LEED
application. In addition, BIM programs can also generate valuable supporting data needed for
an application. The program can also be used to calculate volumes, areas, and costs of building
materials. Calculations for LEED credits can be embedded in a BIM schedule and maintained
dynamically throughout the life of a project. If you make changes to an area, or use a different

material, the BIM software will recalculate everything and adjust your LEED application.
According to the USGBC there were 44,998 LEED projects in the U.S. as of April 2013.
Improving energy efficiency has been a major focus in the building industry for years. BIM based
energy simulations can be used to generate more complete and accurate energy estimates
early in the design process. Programs like EnergyPlus and ENERGY STAR use BIM data to simulate
energy use and to run energy analysis throughout each phase of the design process. What is
interesting, though, is that these energy analysis programs do not take into account site features
such as vegetation, topography, orientation, and microclimatic conditions. Landscape architects
have an opportunity to incorporate site features into energy analysis simulations.
Figure 28. Example of how BIM can be used for LEED certification. (Image courtesy of Autodesk.)
Planning
BIM is typically not included for planning projects unless we are talking about an urban setting
where modeling the size, location, and form of buildings is beneficial. The information provided
by BIM for buildings can be useful to planners trying to make decisions about a city or region.
Likewise, one of the real strengths of GIS technology is that it allows you to visualize complex
information, such as population trends in an area with a growing school population, traffic
patterns, economic trends, energy consumption, and housing needs. Combining BIM and GIS
to make the calculations make sense from a planning perspective.
GIS has long been the digital tool of choice for planners, landscape architects, urban planners,
and other professionals who work with geospatial data. This data contains the location of and
relationships among geographical features on the earth’s surface, along with data about those
features. The capability to link these two types of data together is the foundation for GIS.
In the land planning process, a wide array of digital data is required to select an appropriate
site or find a suitable use for an existing site. Many land planning projects are done with GIS
software. Data is readily available to understand details about the people who inhabit a place
by looking at demographics and other geospatial information. The data generated from BIM for
specific buildings could help planners have a much better understanding of existing and future
trends for a community. The likely flow of information is from BIM to GIS.

Figure 29. Image of a BIM generated streetscape. (Image courtesy Revit Blog.)
Traditional planning and design techniques are not as robust as planning that uses GIS tools
for addressing many changes that occur in a community; thus, many planning efforts wind up
being reactive rather than proactive. Fortunately for designers and planners, integrated GIS
and visualization tools are available that help predict and visualize the impacts of design and
planning alternatives. Landscape architects utilize GIS for large site design projects, sometimes
encompassing thousands of acres, and they use GIS to help analyze the sites and to develop an
understanding of surrounding conditions. For example, being able to link this information with
BIM data for existing and proposed buildings will enable planners to make better decisions.
Green Initiatives
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the millions of buildings in the United States consume
more energy than any other segment of the economy, including industry and transportation. As
the demand for “green” buildings increases, so too does the need for interoperability between
BIM and programs used for analyzing energy efficiency and environmental impacts.
Figure 30. NASA’s Ames Sustainability Base was designed in-part using Autodesk software for BIM (Image
courtesy William McDonough and Partners/NASA.)

For landscape architects, one potential benefit of using BIM technology is the opportunity
to help monitor compliance with green initiatives, such as the LEED for Neighborhood
Development (LEED-ND) Rating System, EarthCraft Communities, National Association of Home
Builders’ Model Green Home Building Guidelines, the Green Building Initiatives, Green Globes,
EPA ENERGY STAR, ASLA Sustainable Sites Initiative, and Whole Building Design Guide.
The LEED-ND system integrates the principles of smart growth, urbanism, and green building
into the first national standard for neighborhood design. Landscape architects can play a major
role in promoting LEED-ND, and in using BIM and other digital technologies needed to integrate
with LEED-ND.
Managed Landscapes
One potential application of BIM by landscape architects is highly managed landscapes such as
botanical gardens, arboretums, historic monuments, cemeteries, outdoor plant nurseries, and
other similar sites. These types of projects require the collection, organization, and management
of massive amounts of data using in a geospatial format. Currently, most types of managed
landscapes either use GIS or a custom database system.
For example, the Arnold Arboretum is a 265-acre park owned by the City of Boston and is on
long-term lease to Harvard University. The Arnold Arboretum is the oldest in the country, and
it is home to a world-renowned collection of shrubs and trees for education and research. It
contains some 14,000 woody plants, representing nearly 5,000 botanical classifications, and
4.8 million dried specimens from tropical rain forests. The Arnold Arboretum’s living collections
database, BG-BASE, has a similar structure to that of BIM databases, so modifying BG-BASE or a
similar system to meet BIM standards is quite feasible.
Dumbarton Oaks is the former estate of Mildred and Robert Bliss. It was bequeathed to Harvard
University in 1920, and is now home to a research facility, library, and museum. The gardens are
carefully maintained to honor the vision of Mildred Bliss. Much work was done to take several
complete CAD databases and Adobe PDF documents representing different aspects of the
garden at different time periods, and to cull out the best parts from each into a single plan.
Much of the pre-existing data resources of Dumbarton Oaks exist as AutoCAD drawing files.
ArcGIS will open these directly and provides an interface for georeferencing them so that they
align with other data (GSD).
Ecological Systems and Natural Resources

Opportunities can be available for incorporating ecological systems and natural resources as
part of a BIM model. The problem is that current BIM standards don’t provide for including this
type of data. One approach would be to redefine BIM standards to allow for ecological and
natural resource data. Another is to use GIS and ecological/environmental programs for this
type of analysis. BIM data can be imported into a GIS application, or the results of an ecological
program can be imported into BIM.

Software programs such as GoldSim, a premier Monte Carlo simulation software solution
for dynamically modeling complex systems, can be used for ecological and natural resource
modeling. GoldSim supports decision and risk analysis by simulating future performance while
quantitatively representing the uncertainty and risks inherent in all complex systems. You can
use these models to gain a diagnostic understanding of the system, ask “what if” questions
about it, and evaluate alternative designs, policies, and plans. GoldSim’s unique environmental
modeling capabilities can be utilized to address issues related to ecological and natural resource
management, pollution prevention, hazardous waste management, and environmental
restoration. Organizations worldwide use GoldSim simulation software to evaluate and compare
alternative designs, plans and policies (GoldSim).
Many of the processes in a natural system are already being modeled, and these models could
be translated into BIM or GIS as long as standards exist.
Figure 31. 3D model showing CO2 levels along Riverdale Park in

Toronto. (Image courtesy DataAppeal.)
The benefit of this approach would be a better understanding of the interaction between built
environments and natural systems. For example, potential design concepts for an urban village
could be linked to a watershed management plan, and the impacts of each design scenario
could be evaluated. ArcHydro is a GIS application used for hydrological modeling developed
by the Center for Research in Water Resources of the University of Texas at Austin. It consists of
watershed definition, stream networks, channels, structures, measurement stations, land surface
properties, and time series data on water resources. “The Arc Hydro data model, which includes
templates for modeling stream networks, stream conditions, and other water resource features,
would be fairly easy to adapt to BIM standards,” says Paul Cote (Cote 2007). That adaption still
has not happened, and may not since it is probably easier to import a BIM model and data into
GIS than the other way around.

Spatial Validation
One major use of BIM is for spatial validation, especially in buildings. The “connected” relationship
among walls, doors, and windows in BIM results in the definition of 3D spaces, such as the rooms
of buildings. Net area, usable area, rentable area, design gross area, building common area, and
space volumes can all be automatically calculated with BIM. Spaces are defined by function;
they can be grouped into different zones for analysis and organizational purposes. Balconies
and terraces are typically modeled as spaces, but other outdoor areas are usually not modeled
in current BIM projects. The process of defining spaces and zones within buildings has the
potential of being adapted to exterior spaces.
There are many potential benefits to defining outdoor spaces in BIM and including them as
part of the BIM process. On a U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) base, for example, all the spaces within
buildings are defined. When USCG is developing master plans for its bases, the logical thing is
to include all the BIM data for the buildings in the decision-making process. The master plan for
the base should be taken into consideration when planning the uses of each building. A base
plan, with spatial definition, could be generated by a CAD program and imported into a BIM
model or a GIS plan.
Campuses and Bases

Campuses, military bases, and corporate headquarters are all project types where landscape
architects could be using BIM, GIS, or a combination of both. These types of projects all involve
the integration of buildings with a large site, and the link between interior and exterior spaces
is important. For example, one big issue with both campuses and military bases is security.
Pedestrian and vehicular circulation, sight lines, and accessibility are just a few of the factors
that impact security, and these involve an understanding of how interior and exterior spaces
interact.
This type of planning helps guide the physical development of a campus or base and assists in
strategic development and improvements of buildings and space. The master planning process
for a university campus typically involves developing an understanding of the condition and
capacity of academic and residential facilities and infrastructure; open spaces and landscape
features; pedestrian, vehicular, and parking networks; academic needs; and the interface
between a university and the larger community. So far, BIM has not been used for this level of
planning, but the possibilities are there.
For some military bases, master planning means developing the most efficient master plan for
current and future military uses. For others, it involves exploring options for adaptive reuse.
Most major new buildings on campuses and bases are being developed with BIM, so there is
already a significant amount of BIM data being generated. But while USCG, for example, has
developed some level of BIM for all the buildings on its bases, there has been no effort to model
the areas between buildings. Again, this could be done by importing base plans into BIM, or
importing a base plan and BIM buildings into GIS.

Figure 32. Master Plan for King Saud University for Health Sciences. (Image courtesy KSU.)
Construction Drawings
Traditionally, landscape architects develop conceptual plans for a project, analyze these initial
concepts, develop a final plan, and then prepare construction documents that are intended to
show a contractor how to build the project. In traditional landscape architecture, the design
process was separate from creating detailed construction drawings and specifications. It was a
linear process, so the design was completed and then construction drawings were started. With
BIM, the process is much more integrated.
A major benefit of BIM is that developing plans and preparing construction drawings is more
closely linked. With BIM, one can shorten design cycles and produce construction drawings
much quicker than by using CAD. BIM allows for automatic generation of drawings and reports,
design analysis, schedule simulation, facilities management, and more. The key is that the BIM
models must be developed with BIM components that are created within a specific program.
For example, that means sidewalks, retaining walls, and topography has to be developed within
a BIM program in order to automatically create construction details.
With BIM, landscape architects can develop detailed 3D models to visualize and analyze different
alternatives for a project. Several BIM programs go beyond 2D/3D symbols and provide the
ability to create hybrid objects that can have both 2D and 3D representations. During the
construction document phase, a 3D or hybrid model for a project can be used to generate
details. For example, cross-sections for retaining walls are generated by adding a cut line and
viewing the results. Other variations would be a section or detail viewport. This allows for the
callout for detail or section to be linked to a viewport on a specific page. If that viewport moves
to another page, the callout is updated. If dimensions in a viewport are constrained to objects
in the viewport, they would change if the object is changed too. Changes to the original model

will result in changes to the construction detail. This link from model to detail helps ensure that
there is a consistency between the two, so that any changes to the design are automatically
reflected in the construction drawings.
Another benefit of using BIM is that the 3D model and construction details can be used by
manufacturers to create the individual components for a project. This is particularly effective for
wood and metal fabrication. BIM can also be used to plan and build temporary structures such
as scaffold systems, access equipment, and hoisting equipment.
Figure 33. BIM model showing the infrastructure for the Tesco Stores Ltd Supermarket design in
Sheringham, Norfolk. (Image courtesy Tekla.)
Figure 34. These structural soil cells were modeled with Figure 35. This water runnel connects from the green
Revit. The cells can hold up to 92 percent of soil while wall moving water from the interior of the building to
structural soils hold around 20 percent. The cells allow the patio. It allows the geometry of the building to be
for root systems to grow larger, are sometimes cheaper expressed in the landscape. (Image courtesy Magnum
than structural soils, and also help control moisture Vis Group, Penn State University.)
loss.(Image courtesy Magnum Vis Group, Penn State
University.)

Section 8: BIM Projects

There are a number of projects that exemplify how BIM can be implemented into the design and
construction process. Many of these projects were led by architects or engineers, but they are
similar to the kinds of projects that landscape architects could be involved with.
NATIONAL ROUTE N3 – NEW VAN REENEN’S PASS

Van Reenen’s Pass is part of the N3 National route across the Drakensberg Mountains between
Johannesburg and Durban, which is the busiest transport corridor in South Africa. BIM was
used for the design of Van Reenen’s Pass through the Drakensberg Mountains in South Africa
to enable engineers to visualize the complex design elements of the project such as terraced
slopes, deep cuts, and high-fill embankments. The engineers for the project were WSP and Flack
+ Kurtz (Wilcox).
Figure 36. 3D model of an alternative roadway through Van Reenen Pass. (Image courtesy of WSP.)
Van Reenen’s Pass is renowned both for its spectacular views, but also for its precarious road
conditions. The project explored the possibility of alternative routes across the mountain that
would protect the existing character of the pass while improving transportation services.
A number of route options were explored, and a feasibility study of these routes was completed
in 2009. Trimble Quantm software was used to map the route alternatives. Quantm enables a
holistic approach that integrates design standards, terrain, geological, and hydrological data,
environmental areas, property ownership, and cost information in a simultaneous optimization
process. This delivers a range of optimal alignment alternatives that can be analyzed quickly to
determine best alternative and identify potential concerns.
The project was then transferred into Civil 3D for visualization. Because of the size of the study

area and the amount of detail needed to accurately convey alternatives, the resulting 3D model
was massive with more than 5 million data points. The design corridor was rendered in greater
detail than adjacent areas. The advanced capabilities of Civil 3D enabled complex design criteria
such as benched (terraced) slopes for deep cuttings and high-fill embankments to be modeled
(WSP).
Road-works and drainage quantities were extracted from the BIM software and a bill of quantities
was compiled for cost estimates. The use of BIM helped streamline the design to drawing process
by automating the drawing production process.
Command Center at Yerba Buena Island

The USCG has been one of the biggest advocates of BIM. In the late 1980s, the USCG made the
decision to use BIM tools to support its decision-making process.
With the adoption of BIM, the USCG has achieved a significant time savings in the early planning
stages of a project, and the acquisition process has been reduced from ten months to one
month. All 8,000 USCG facilities are using BIM at one level or another. The USCG’s entire 33
million square feet of facility portfolio were created using the ONUMA Planning System (OPS)
to automate the creation of BIM at a low level of detail. Approximately 3 million square feet of
facilities was rendered in high detail using Graphisoft ArchiCAD.
In its Command Center project at Yerba Buena Island, California, the USCG sought to develop a
BIM application that would allow it to focus on the big picture. This complex project included
developing a 1,200-square-foot sector command center, renovating 6,000 square feet of existing
office space, and converting 11,000 square feet of barracks into new office space. One of the first
steps for USCG was to prepare a Shore Facility Capital Asset Management “Road Map” to define
the overarching vision for the project.
AEC Infosystems developed web-enabled charrette tools for the USCG in order to streamline
the decision-making process. “We developed a stamp within Graphisoft ArchiCAD for the Coast
Guard that carries space utilization, occupancy, and other information,” notes Dianne Davis
(Davis 2007). The web tools also allowed online collaboration so that team members could have
access to the most current information. With BIM, USCG finalized conception designs for 38
new Sector Command Centers across the country in three months, a significant time savings as
compared to a more traditional planning process.
A month-long study process resulted in a construction package that provided enough detail
for bidding. Once a contractor was selected, more detailed decisions would occur during the
construction process. This type of design/build approach streamlined the process and helped
USCG complete the project in a timely manner.
The USCG primarily uses Graphisoft’s ArchiCAD and ESRI’s GIS products for its design and planning
activities. The USCG requires that all BIM applications support IAI-IFC/IFG, NCS, Uniformat I, and
other common BIM standards.

Freedom Tower
One World Trade Center, which was dubbed the Freedom Tower during initial conceptualization,
is the name of the primary building of the new World Trade Center complex that was developed
in Manhattan, New York. The Freedom Tower includes more than 2.6 million square feet of office
space as well as restaurants, parking, observation decks, storage, and telecommunications
facilities. The complex itself covers approximately 16 acres, and several other structures are also
planned for the site.
Designs for Freedom Tower went through numerous iterations before the final design was
agreed upon. Refinements for the final concept provide a much greater level of detail for critical
design elements such as the prismatic glass cladding for the tower’s reinforced base, a white
glass curtain wall, and the public spaces around the building.
Construction on below-grade utility relocations, footings, and foundations for the Freedom
Tower started in April 2006. The steel for the building was visible above grade in 2008, and was
topped out in 2010. The building was originally projected to be ready for occupancy in 2012.
Figure 37. SOM used Gehry Technology’s Digital Project

to create the BIM drawings that led to the construction of
Freedom Tower. (Image courtesy Wikipedia Commons.)

Figure 38. This rendering shows the West Plaza for Freedom Tower. (Image courtesy SPI and SOM.)
The architect of record for the building is Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) LLP. In December
2006, SOM announced that it was going to start using Digital Project in its offices for a variety
of design projects. SOM purchased one hundred seats of Digital Project, and had plans to
implement them over a three-year period. Gehry Technologies, the creators of Digital Project,
also provided support and services such as training, implementation, and advanced modeling
to SOM for three years.
The Place
The Place is an innovative building located in the heart of London Bridge Quarter in London. The
building has direct access to a new piazza and the extensive transport connections at London
Bridge Station. WSP was the project coordinator and BIM consultant, and they also provided
multidisciplinary engineering consultancy for the project. WSP is one of the world’s leading
professional services firms, working with governments, businesses, architects and planners and
providing integrated solutions across many disciplines. They have offices all over the world. The
architect for the project was the Renzo Piano Building Workshop, which has offices in Genova,
Paris, and New York (WSP).
The Place provides 40,000 sq m (428,000 sq ft) of office space in the new seventeen-story
building, which features outstanding views throughout, naturally-ventilated winter gardens on
floors 3-12, and a landscaped roof terrace (WSP).
The BIM model is a virtual model of the building’s architectural, structural and MEP systems,

and includes a database of asset properties. This model was used to assess clash detection,
coordination of tasks, cost estimation, and construction sequencing. The model was also
updated throughout the construction process in order to provide “as-built” information, and
will ultimately be used for asset and facilities management (WSP).
The Architectural and MEP models were created using AutoCAD Architecture and AutoCAD
MEP, and the structural model was created using Revit Structures. All models were imported
into a composite model using Navisworks Manage. Model elements from Revit Structures were
exported to steel construction models in Tekla Structures. Steel fabricators used the detailed
renderings of the Tekla models to simplify construction (WSP)..
Figure 39. A BIM model of The Place. (Image courtesy Sellar Group.)
Figure 40. This BIM model shows an example of the steel fabrication
for The Place. (Image courtesy of WSP, and Flack + Kurtz.)

The model was utilized for global collaboration with architects in Paris, Toronto, the U.S., and
London. This is also one of the first times that BIM has been used throughout a project from the
first design stages, through construction and on into the operational stage.
The Triangle
The Triangle project is a development project of 42 social homes in Swindon, Wiltshire. The
project takes its name from a triangular open space near the center of the site. At the corners of
the triangle are two community gardens and a car park. The car park helps reduce the amount
of parking dispersed throughout the rest of the site. A community trust gave every resident an
ownership stake in the public realm, and residences are responsible for maintenance of the area
(Hartman).
The public open space also greatly enhances the property values of the homes in the
development. A recent assessment indicated that the public space added nearly half a million
pounds to the value of the project (Hartman).
Client Hab Oakus, a joint venture between Kevin McCloud’s development company Hab and
West Country housing agency GreenSquare, set out to prove that eco-housing can be both
attractive and affordable, and can create a desirable place to live. The landscape architect was
Studio Engleback. They used Vectorworks for the project because it enabled them to do develop
the landscape plans and share these with project architects Glenn Howells and consulting
engineers Curtins via IFC for use as part of a more integrated BIM collaboration.
This space is supplemented by two kitchen gardens, one with polytunnels irrigated by water
harvested from roofs. With Vectorworks containing an 8,000+ plant database, creation of plans
for green roofs and living walls is designed to be straightforward and calculation of water runoff
made easy by the embedded worksheets. In addition, when looking at the swales created to
accept rain and prevent flooding, its terrain modeling capabilities can be employed, as the
software can automatically create a 3D terrain model of any site using survey or collected 3D
spot-height data (Hartman).
Figure 41. Work is complete for the Triangle and residents have moved
into their new homes. (Image courtesy Glenn Howells.)

Figure 42. The project focused on place-making and building a community, not just building structures.
(Image courtesy Glenn Howells.)
Walt Disney Concert Hall

Walt Disney Concert Hall is the fourth addition to the Music Center of Los Angeles County. It
encompasses two outdoor amphitheaters as well as space for pre-concert events. The 293,000-
square-foot Concert Hall is designed by architect Frank Gehry of Gehry Technologies. In keeping
with the signature forms of Gehry, the concert hall features a wavy, steel exterior that is intended
to look like a ship’s sail at full mast.
One of the reasons BIM was used was the complexity of the design. The exterior consists of 22
million pounds of primary steel joined out of 12,500 individual pieces, with no two pieces being
the same. The auditorium, in contrast, includes a curved wood ceiling that was designed to
achieve outstanding acoustical characteristics of a traditional concert hall.
Figure 43. Frank Gehry used his company’s Digital Project software to help design the complex forms of
the Walt Disney Concert Hall. (Image courtesy J. Sipes.)

Gehry said BIM created a “culture of collaboration” among all the consultants involved with the
project (Hall 2006). Tekla Corporation was just one of the many consultants that played a key role
in supporting the design and construction of the concert hall. Tekla’s Xsteel software allowed the
architect, detailers, and fabricator to all work with the same model, which ensured that the final
product turned out as expected.
Mortenson Construction, Minneapolis, was in charge of constructing the concert hall. Mortenson
received 3D drawings from the architects, and the 3D models functioned as shop drawings for
construction. Mortenson collaborated with Stanford’s Center for Integrated Facility Engineering
(CIFE) and Walt Disney Imagineering to create a 4D model that allowed for the management
and scheduling of the project.
Master Plan of the Wenzhou Lingni Peninsula

The Wenzhou Lingni Peninsula is a 130 sq. km. (50.2 sq. miles) reclaimed site on the Pacific coast
of China. The Master Plan for the peninsula development by HOK provides the framework for a
sustainable city woven into the natural systems of a sensitive site. The objective is to synthesize
human need, environmental stewardship, and economic viability (HOK).
For the project, HOK used Revit Architecture for developing initial and final concepts for the
master plan as well as drafting, documenting the master plan framework, and generating
planning diagrams. Plans from Revit Architecture were imported into Rhinoceros via .dwg format
for conceptual architectural design. Physical models were developed from both the Revit and
Rhinoceros virtual models (Khemlani).
The Wenzhou master plan weaves together natural elements and infrastructure to produce
a high performance, sustainable city. A mixed-use strategy integrates dense urban fabric,
productive landscape and vibrant communities into catalysts that activate the site.
Figure 44. Revit model of the conceptual design of the Master Plan of the Wenzhou Lingni Peninsula.
(Image courtesy HOK.)

Figure 45. The final rendered image of the plan for the Wenzhou Lingni
Peninsula. (Image courtesy HOK.)
Figure 46. Perspective rendering of the Wenzhou Lingni Peninsula

Master Plan. (Image courtesy HOK.)
The master plan accommodates seasonal and climatic adaptations to the coastal river delta
environment. This flexibility gives the city resilience to adapt to tidal and technological changes.
The plan addresses market demands while respecting environmental resources. The integration
of landscape and urban density creates a model of sustainable development. Expectations are
that this approach to sustainability will attract investors who will help promote a high quality
of life (HOK).
Gatwick Airport Limited

Gatwick Airport is the second largest airport in the UK and the ninth-largest in Europe. The
airport handles about 35 million passengers from its single runway, serving more than 200
destinations in 90 countries (http://global-infra.com/gatwickairport.php). There is a North and
a South terminal, both of which have a comprehensive selection of shops, currency exchange
outlets, help desks, and baggage storage facilities.
In 2010, Gatwick made the decision to invest £1 billion ($1.68 billion) over a three year period
to modernize airport facilities and improve passenger experiences. HOK, Atkins and Pascal &
Watson are among firms that were selected to update the airport, with HOK’s London office
being appointed the Master Architect for the project. The companies were selected for a three
to four-year framework to carry out projects (Khemlani).

Raymond Melee, director of capital projects at Gatwick commented, “HOK was chosen as Master
Architect for their considerable experience in airport planning and design, and expertise in
delivering projects of this scale and complexity. Their team showed a real understanding of goals
behind the project and we are delighted to have them on board as we take another exciting
step forward towards transforming Gatwick into London’s airport of choice for the future” (HOK).
Gatwick Airport Limited (GAL) recognized the value of BIM, and one of HOK’s key tasks was to
come up with BIM-based tools and processes to assist in the design, construction, and operations
of the airport. The downstream benefits of BIM means the data can be used for a multitude
of purposes. The basic idea was to be able to reuse data for visualizations, walkthroughs,
3D coordination, 4D phasing and planning, 5D cost analysis, sustainability analysis, asset
management, and facilities management (Khemlani).
Figure 47. Examples of the BIM models of Gatwick’s North Terminal development. (Image courtesy HOK.)
Figure 48. Photograph of the completed North Terminal at Gatwick

Airport. (Image courtesy GAL.)

HOK produced documents and templates to help Gatwick Airport Limited prepare for receiving
BIM deliverables. These materials were shared with design team members to help provide
consistency and continuity throughout the BIM workflow. These documents and templates are
also expected to be used on all Gatwick Airport projects in the future, allowing the continued
development and expansion of BIM applications. HOK also developed a planning information
model for the airport, which is an estate wide model with over 120 linked models (Khemlani).
Atlanta Beltline
The Atlanta BeltLine Redevelopment Plan is a redevelopment project that integrates land use,
transportation, green space, and sustainable development. The BeltLine is made up of a network
of parks, trails, and light-rail that follow a historic twenty-two-mile railroad corridor circling
downtown Atlanta. The project was actually the brainchild of Ryan Gravel, who came up with
the idea of the BeltLine as his joint master’s thesis in architecture and city planning from Georgia
Tech in 1999. The idea gained momentum, and the basic plans for the BeltLine were approved
by the Atlanta City Council in 2005. Sections of the BeltLine are currently under construction.
A series of urban development nodes is planned for key intersections where major roads cross
the BeltLine. These nodes will be mixed-use urban centers that include commercial, retail,
residential, and entertainment sites. Eventually each node is intended to be connected by
light-rail that follows the old railroad line, but this will take years to complete. Over the next
twenty-five years, the BeltLine is expected to result in nearly thirteen hundred acres of new
parks that will almost double the amount of green space within the city. These new parks will be
connected with approximately seven hundred acres of existing parks, including Piedmont Park,
which is Atlanta’s signature park.
Perkins + Will has been doing a lot of the work on the BeltLine. One of these projects is the
Martin Luther King (MLK) bridge/ramp complex for the Westside Trail of the BeltLine. The firm
has made extensive use of BIM and BIM compatible software for this project.
Perkins + Will started with a Civil 3D file showing the trail vertical alignment, and this information
was integrated into Revit along with AutoCAD information from the survey. The bridge and walls
were modeled in Revit, and this data was exported to AutoCAD for use by other team members
(Structural, Civil, and Electrical). Working in Revit was very useful for showing the client 3D views
of the various alternatives that were being explored. This approach also enabled Perkins + Will
to have design control on the appearance of the elements. They were able to dictate the layout
and height of the walls to the rest of the team based on design parameters such as the veneer
sizes and safety rail stanchion post layout.
As the design advanced, Perkins + Will were able to understand the complex relationships
between the safety rails, granite veneer, and structural elements. Four years ago, in an earlier
phase of the project, they used SketchUp for 3D modeling this, but this was not time efficient
since we had to document everything in AutoCAD. With Revit it was possible to quickly generate
sections, elevations, and 3D-views.

Perkins + Will still use SketchUp for final renderings. The person doing the final computer-
generated renderings also preferred to work with SketchUp files as they produced the final
images in Adobe Photoshop.
Figure 49. Retaining walls for the MLK bridge/ramp were modeling in Revit. (Image courtesy Perkins +
Will.)
Figure 50. The final renderings were exported from Revit into SketchUp, and then completed in Photoshop.
(Image courtesy of Perkins + Will.)
ODOT Headquarters Renovation in Salem

Greenworks, a landscape architect firm out of Portland, Oregon, started using Revit Architecture at
the end of 2009 and started using the software the following year on the Oregon Department of
Transportation (ODOT) Headquarters Renovation in Salem, Oregon. For the project, Greenworks
teamed with SERA Architects out of Portland, Oregon.

The design team’s renovation of the Transportation Building included preserving its marble
and bronze historic exterior while completely modernizing all systems in the aging building,
which was originally constructed in 1950. ODOT also used the renovation as an opportunity
to consolidate their leased properties and pilot a new way to organize their workforce around
increased collaboration areas (SERA).
The total renovation took two years to complete and costs $69.4 million, which was less than it
would have cost to raze the building and start over.
One reason Greenworks decided to make the move to BIM was because it allowed them to
work directly with AEC partners without the need for file translations. This greatly simplified
the process of exchanging data on a given project. To expand BIM capabilities, Greenworks has
added LANDCADD and Siteworks for Revit to their studio. These additions allow them to become
more involved in the early phases of multidisciplinary projects (GreenWorks).
Figure 51. Bird’s eye view of the BIM model for the ODOT Figure 52. BIM model of the courtyard. (Image courtesy
Headquarters Renovation in Salem. (Image courtesy Revit Blog)
SERA Architects.)
Figure 53. A 3D model of one of the site areas for the ODOT Headquarters Renovation from a 5th floor elevation. (Image
courtesy SERA Architects.)

Figure 54. Photograph of the plaza area after implementation. (Image courtesy SERA Architects.)
BIM BAM BOOM! 2013/11/08

Nemetschek Vectorworks competed in a charrette style shoot-out at BIM BAM BOOM!, an
event that was held November 8, 2013 in Orlando, Florida to celebrate Architecture Month
in October. The intention of the charrette was to showcase what could be done with BIM in
a very short period of time. The three teams participating in the charrette were Nemetschek
Vectorworks, Autodesk Revit, and Graphisoft ArchiCAD. The Nemetschek Vectorworks, Inc. team
was represented by Architectural Industry Specialists Wes Gardner, Luis Ruiz, and Lead Trainer
Don Ward. Teams from Revit and ArchiCAD also participated (Vectorworks).
Each team was given two hours to design a contemporary version of a Frank Lloyd Wright
Usonian house using BIM. The teams developed solutions independently and then presented
Figure 55. 3D model of Vectorworks solution for Bim Bam Boom. (Image courtesy Vectorworks.)

their rendered models, complete with a floor plan, building sections, elevations, and data for
HVAC and other systems (Vectorworks).
The Vectorworks team broke the project into three parts: site, walls and slabs, and roof, with
each team member being responsible for a particular task. Vectorworks Designer software was
used to explore design requirements using simple massing model tools, and the team then
proceeded to develop both the site and building into a fully integrated BIM model.
Camelview Village
Camelview Village is a 700-unit mixed-use condominium development in downtown Scottsdale,
Arizona, consisting of nine seven-story and two six-story buildings, each featuring landscaped
terraces. The many terraces allow the creation of 23 acres of landscaping on the 13-acre site. 17
of the 23 acres were via the roof gardens.
Camelview Village was developed by Optima, an architectural based firm that handles all aspects
of development, design, construction, sales/leasing, and property management in-house. The
firm, which was founded by architect David C. Hovey, includes AIA and LEED-certified architects,
expert construction managers, sophisticated real estate brokers, experienced accountants, and
financial analysts. For Camelview, Optima was able to use the same BIM models for architectural
and landscape architectural design, energy modeling, cost estimating, construction, and
scheduling. A detailed solar analysis enabled the team to design the landscape based upon a
virtual model of the buildings.
Optima worked with Stanford University and Arizona State University to test plants under
different light and soil conditions in order to find the appropriate mix for the terraces. Their project
won a 2012 Technology in Architectural Practice (TAP) award and was cited for its outstanding
sustainability. The environmental benefits of Camelview Village seamlessly integrate into the
benchmark aesthetic and achieve a 20 percent reduction in energy cost. One-third of the
Figure 56. Elevation of Camelview Village showing the use of plants and terraces. (Image courtesy Optima.)

construction materials included recycled content; and one-third of the materials were acquired
from local and regional resources. The project is positioned for LEED Silver certification.
Camelview Village received the 2012 AIA Housing Awards for Architecture that emphasizes
the importance of good housing as a necessity of life, a sanctuary for the human spirit, and a
valuable national resource. One of the jury comments was, “It’s going to endure because it relies
so heavily on landscaping. The materials and colors fit in well with the vegetation and desert
surrounding it. Everything is designated towards keeping the building eco and energy friendly
so it’s nice to see that this serves multipurpose.”
Optima is committed to promoting advances in sustainable building design and construction by

integrating innovative selections, finishes, and solutions into the master planning; and creative
development, including LEED, BIM, and Virtual Building Technologies.
Optima is a partner member with Stanford University’s Center for Integrated Facility Engineering
(CIFE), one of the top research centers for Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) and BIM.
Calvin Kam, Director of Industry Programs at CIFe, is also the founder and CEO of bimSCORE,
Figure 57. The central courtyards serve as popular Figure 58. This view of the plaza is from inside one of the
gathering spaces for residents. (Image courtesy Optima.) buildings. (Image courtesy Optima.)
Figure 59. BimSCORE is used to evaluate the effectiveness of each alternative. (Image courtesy Optima.)

an interactive and scalable decision dashboard that integrates BIM technologies with Optima’s
business planning, objectives, organization, and processes. In essence, bimSCORE evaluates
planning, technology, performance, and adoption. Metrics and benchmarks are displayed
graphically, allowing the comparison of different scenarios based upon specific evaluation
criteria.
Interdisciplinary Collaborative BIM Studio

The Penn State Stuckeman School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture along with the
Department of Architectural Engineering have offered an Interdisciplinary Collaborative BIM
Studio since 2009. This multidisciplinary studio involves students from all six of the major
building design and construction disciplines (architecture and landscape architecture as well as
construction, structural, mechanical, and lighting / electrical engineering).
The studio is taught by the following: Robert Holland, Associate Professor of Architecture and
Architectural Engineering; Scott Wing, Associate Professor of Architecture; and David Goldberg,
Practitioner Instructor of Landscape Architecture.
In the BIM Studio students are divided into six person multi-disciplinary teams to design a
project based on a real site and program. Projects are selected to facilitate interface between
the student teams and the actual project design and client team. Students use not only BIM
technology for design integration and analysis but also Integrated Project Delivery (IPD)
processes for collaboration.
Figure 60. This board illustrated design concepts prepared by a Penn State design team for the Penn State
Intramural Building Expansion. (Image courtesy ESSEo Design Team, Penn State University.)

This innovative studio has been the recipient of four major awards including two American
Institute of Architects Technology in Practice Awards (2010, 2012).
Although BIM plays a smaller role for integrating geometry for the landscape architecture
students, they gain a great deal from the integrated approach to design.
Beyond BIM, the real gem for the students in the ICBIMS is developing well-informed designs
through the IPD approach. In this approach students learn how to respond to and guide another
discipline’s design. Landscape architecture students learn the importance of daylighting in
a building; the heating and cooling loads required for a space with glass curtain walls; the
accessibility needs of a mechanical space; and the costs of the structure for a cantilevered steel
roof.
Iowa State Penitentiary

The new Iowa State Penitentiary, developed by HOK, is an eight building campus with an 800
bed maximum security prison located on a 130-acre site in Fort Madison, Iowa. Calls for a new
prison started in 2005 when two inmates escaped from the existing maximum security prison.
Some of the early massing on this project was done in Rhino, but Revit was used exclusively
for design and documentation beyond these initial studies. HOK has used BIM tools on other
similar projects around the country.
Figure 61. This nighttime rendering shows the final design of building 7R and League Island Park, which
resulted from a holistic integration of all design disciplines working on the project. (Image courtesy
Magnum Vis Group, Penn State University.)
Figure 62. Plaza design for the Philadelphia Navy Yard, PA. (Image courtesty BIMMmaculate Conception,
Penn State University.)

Because of the level of security required for these types of project, HOK did extensive visual
assessment studies for the Iowa State Penitentiary. These assessments were used to determine
sightlines in order to make sure that all sections of the Penitentiary’s interior and exterior was
visible, and that there were no blind spots. This was done by exporting the Revit Architecture
model into Ecotect for modeling. Input from the Ecotect evaluation was incorporated into the
final design (Khemlani).
Construction on the Iowa State Penitentiary began in 2009 and was completed in 2013, costing
around $130 million to construct. The project achieved a GOLD LEED Certification because of
the efficiency of the plan.
Figure 63. Visual studies of the design for the Iowa State Penitentiary using Ecotect. (Image courtesy
HOK.)
Figure 64. Rendered image of the Penitentiary. (Image courtesy HOK.)

Alaskan Way Viaduct

Citizens of Seattle, Washington, have debated replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct since a 6.8
magnitude earthquake struck Seattle in 2001. As a result, the Viaduct was damaged to the point
where it needed to be replaced. Over the next decade more than 90 alternatives were explored,
with each exploring tunnels, surface streets, bridges, public open space, and trails. In 2007, city
leaders began a separate project to replace about half the viaduct on the south end of Seattle.
Parsons Brinckerhoff (PB), one of the oldest continually operating consulting engineering firms
in the United States, has been involved with the Alaskan Way Viaduct project since the early
discussions. PB has been working with the Washington State Department of Transportation to
develop alternatives for the proposed Alaskan Way Viaduct and the Seawall Replacement project
in Seattle, Washington. They use Autodesk Revit Architecture on most of its design projects,
including the Viaduct. Instead of using the term BIM, though, PB refers to the technology as
Program Information Management (PIM).
One alternative for the three-mile-long viaduct, which runs parallel to Puget Sound, was to
replace the viaduct with an aboveground replacement, and the other would take the traffic
underground through a tunnel. The final decision by the City of Seattle was to build a new SR 99
corridor that includes the followings:
• A two-mile-long tunnel beneath downtown Seattle.

• A mile-long stretch of new highway that connects to the south entrance of the tunnel,
near Seattle’s stadiums.
• A new overpass at the south end of downtown providing access to the port terminal.
• Demolition of the viaduct’s downtown waterfront section.
• A new Alaskan Way surface street along the waterfront (WSDOT, 2014).
PB developed a virtual model of the project and linked all of the data via an Oracle Spatial
Database accessible to all disciplines involved in the project. All the data for the Viaduct project
was stored in one central file. Products of the 3D model were two 4.5-minute videos that
illustrated the two alternatives. The animated fly-throughs were based on the city’s GIS data,
which was integrated into the 3D models.
For the south end of Seattle, the decision was made to use a side-by-side road instead of the
stacked viaduct that existed before. Beneath downtown Seattle, plans were to install the world’s
largest-diameter bored tunnel that would extend a new road under the existing infrastructure
and connect it back at great on the north part of the city. The city has started building the
underground walls for the tunnels (WSDOT, 2014).
As part of the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program, King County, City of Seattle and the
Port of Seattle are planning street, transit and waterfront improvements.

Figure 65. For the Alaskan Way Viaduct, BIM was used to explore
options for repairing or replacing the 3-mile-long viaduct, which
was damaged during an earthquake. (Image courtesy Wikipedia
Commons.)
Figure 66. This BIM model shows the southern end of the SR 99 tunnel
looking north. (Image courtesy WADOT.)
Figure 67. This photograph shows construction on the SR 99 tunnel

during October of 2013. (Image courtesy WADOT.)

Higginson Park
Higginson Park is a major public open space in Marlow, United Kingdom. It is a traditional urban
park approximately 23 acres in size, and has been a public park since 1926. The gardens in the
park date back to 1758. The park includes a playground, swimming pool, gym, tennis facilities,
theater, indoor and outdoor catering, public toilets, putting green, cricket pitch run, a wetland
area that is home to wildlife, and lots of open space for fairs and festivals.
In 2005, a limited design competition was held for a new modern pavilion in the park. The
scheme selected was developed by the firm of Markland Klaschka Ltd. with landscape architect
Whitelaw Turkington. The winning proposal set the pavilion on a grand sweep pointing the
way to the river and countryside beyond. Facilities are located at the east end of the park, and
it provides for refreshments and hospitalities as well as a new display area and bandstand. The
pavilion, which envelops a new playground, also serves as a focal point for the park.
Figure 68. This photograph shows the completed Higginson Park pavilion. (Image courtesy Wikipedia
Commons.)
The project was conceived and developed using Bentley Architecture. According to Markland
Klaschka, the primary reason for using a BIM workflow was to achieve the design flexibility
it delivers. “We had to produce production information to prove the scheme buildable,” says
Robert Klaschka (Klaschka, 2006). The visual images were important, in part because this was a
design competition, but also to help communicate the impact the pavilion would have on the
park. According to Robert Klaschka, “We knew that if we just went with the visuals, although
they are really juicy, that wasn’t going to be the only thing to win the competition. BIM really
allows us to push the model hard: It gives us the ability to do more than one thing” (Klaschka,
2006).
San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge Project

The seismic retrofit project for the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge is intended to strengthen
the bridge as part of one of the most ambitious public works projects in the history of California.
The existing Bay Bridge, which was completed in 1936, spans the San Francisco Bay, connecting

the cities of San Francisco and Oakland.
In 1989, a section of the upper deck of the east span collapsed during an earthquake, and the
bridge was closed temporarily. A seismic study of the bridge was conducted, and extensive
studies were undertaken to determine whether the bridge was safe.
The studies determined that the entire bridge required seismic safety improvements that would
be performed through a series of complex projects. The innovative solutions consist of two
spans—an east span and a west span—connected by the world’s largest tunnel at Yerba Buena
Island. Each span features a variety of unique design elements. “From a structural standpoint it
was a unique project because we are dealing with an asymmetrical bridge and we have towers
that go as high as 500 feet,” says California Department of Transportation’s Kourosh Langari, “so
it is a challenge from an engineering standpoint” (Klaschka, 2006).
Projects of this magnitude require the involvement of numerous federal, state, and regional
agencies, as well as neighborhood and community groups and individuals. One major concern
for a project of this scale is the impact it will have on the environment. “This project was unique
in the way we have to deal with a lot of environmental issues because we are dealing with
the San Francisco Bay,” says Kourosh Langari. “There are a lot of sensitive areas, so construction
method and constructability was an issue from the beginning “(Klaschka, 2006).
Another issue was that the bridge had to accommodate 280,000 vehicles a day, even during
construction. Major construction was conducted during off hours, and temporary structures
were built to accommodate traffic.
Figure 69. Photograph of San Francisco’s Oakland Bay Bridge. (Image courtesy Wikipedia Commons.)

California Department of Transportation planners generated 3D models of the Bay Area and
used BIM to help engineer the structures and manage the complexities of the project. The
planners essentially “built” a virtual model of the project before any real construction took place.
Several of these projects have already been completed, including the seismic retrofit of the
bridge’s west span, between San Francisco and Yerba Buena Island. The cost of the entire project
is approximately $6.4 billion and the majority was completed in 2014.
St Paul’s Square, Liverpool

St Paul’s Square, being developed by Renton Howard Wood Levin Partnership, constitutes the
first three of potentially 12 buildings in the development of Liverpool’s new central business
district. The first phase will provide 150,000 square feet of office space over eight floors with
retail at the ground floor, a 10-story residential block offering 50 apartments, and a 400-space
multistory car park.
True urban regeneration is hard, but the challenge can be met by genuine collaboration and
stakeholder consultation. The power of Bentley’s BIM solutions and their interoperability
with other CAD products enabled the design firm to work seamlessly and efficiently with all
members of the team. The 3D functionality created an interactive process in which aesthetic
and material concerns could be presented simultaneously to external parties and evaluated
using the comprehensive set of visualization tools.
Figure 70. The first phase of St. Paul’s Square consisted of office space, retail space, a 10-story residential
block, and a large parking garage. (Image courtesy Renton Howard Wood Levin Partnership.)

Figure 71. This 3D BIM model for St. Paul’s Square was Figure 72. This photograph shows the completed
used as the basis for visual simulations to show how construction for St. Paul’s Square, (Image courtesy
the final design would appear. (Image courtesy Renton Wikipedia Commons.)
Howard Wood Levin Partnership.)
San Ysidro Land Port of Entry

At the San Ysidro Land Port of Entry, in San Ysidro, California, approximately 102,000 people
cross the border between Mexico and the United States daily. The redesign of the Port of Entry
addresses not only the operations of the site, but also the energy performance of the buildings.
The site is designed for the safety, security, and comfort of all the people who cross the border at
this point, and all the people working here. This is a bi-national effort between the United States
and Mexican governments (Miller Hull).
The architect for the project was Miller Hull Partnership in Seattle, Washington. The firm was
started in 1977, and their design reputation is based on simple, innovative and authentic designs.
The project will accommodate 34 lanes of traffic, each with two stacked inspection booths. It
also includes a 200,000-square foot administrative and operations facility, 110,000 square feet
of primary and secondary vehicle inspection canopy, a new northbound and southbound
connection to a planned point of entry in Mexico, and support buildings for the Department of
Homeland Security (Miller Hull).
A BIM model enabled a seamless workflow between the architects and subconsultants to
produce the final solution. The team used Revit as their primary BIM platform, and also used
other programs such as Grasshopper, Ecotect, Vasari, and Sefaira for parametric performance

simulations. When combined with Ecotect, Grasshopper provided quick analysis of daylighting
impacts (Miller Hull).
During the Preliminary Concept phase, rough BIM models were developed to efficiently describe
massing options. The BIM models continued to advance through Design Development and were
shared with the Owner for their required Spatial Program Validation analysis. Due to the size of
the project, each project component became an individual model that linked to a “Master Site”
model via shared coordinate points (Miller Hull).
The project is being carried out in three phases at a total cost of $625 million:
• Phase I - expansion of northbound lanes, implementation of dual inspection booths,

and construction of a secondary inspection facility.
• Phase II - demolition of the current administrative building and construction of a new
admin building, employee parking structure, and pedestrian processing building.
• Phase III - relocation of southbound lanes and construction of new buildings, parking
structure, and extra northbound lanes.
All three phases of the project are targeted to achieve LEED Platinum certification due to energy
efficiency, water conservation strategies, and an integrated design process. Most notably is the
potential of achieving net zero energy for all occupied spaces (Miller Hull).
Figure 73. This rendering from a BIM model shows the number of lanes entering the San Ysidro Land Port of Entry. (Image
courtesy Miller Hull.)

Figure 74. These BIM models show the various components of the San Ysidro Land Port of Entry. (Image courtesy Miller
Hull.)

Section 9: Tools of the Trade

There is a wide variety of BIM-oriented tools currently available on the market. As a general rule,
BIM tools can be used to create 3D models, define spaces, extract material lists, exchange data,
and link with other programs that address specific topic areas in design and construction.
The BIM software that landscape architects should learn and purchase depends upon context.
Those who work primarily with architects should probably learn Autodesk Revit, since the
program has about 90 percent of the current market. Landscape architects who work primarily
with engineers should consider either Bentley Architecture or AutoCAD Civil 3D, whereas
ArchiCAD is the BIM program of choice for many federal projects. The downside is that none of
these BIM programs offers the tools needed for landscape design. All of those programs have
a proprietary format that offers full BIM capacity, but they also use formats such as IFC (Sipes
2012).
There are four BIM programs that have been around the longest and are the most common
for different professions disciplines working together in the same 3D BIM model. These core
programs are considered to be the industry standards when it comes to BIM.
These are as follows:
• Autodesk Revit Architecture

• Bentley Systems Bentley Architecture
• Gehry Technology Digital Project
• Graphisoft ArchiCAD
There is also a new generation of BIM software that emphasizes the integration of data via the
use of import/export tools. This software from Vectorworks has a full range of BIM tools, but also
includes drawing, modeling, geospatial, and data management tools.
• Vectorworks Architect
• Vectorworks Designer
Some BIM software provides specific tasks such as structural analysis, clash detection, solar
analysis, project integration, construction implementation, and visualization. These include the
following:
• AECOsim Building Designer V8i

• Autodesk BIM 360
• Autodesk Dynamo
• Autodesk Ecotect Analysis
• Autodesk FormIt
• Autodesk Green Building Studio

• Autodesk Navisworks
• Autodesk Revit MEP
• Autodesk Revit Structure
• Autodesk Siteworks for Revit
• Bentley Map V8i
• Bentley Systems InRoads Suite V8i
• Bentley Systems MicroStation V8i
• Bentley Systems Power GEOPAK
• Bentley Systems RAM Structural System V8i
• Bentley Systems Structural Modeler V8i
• BiMUp 5D
• Eagle Point LANDCADD for Revit
• Gehry Technologies GTeam
• Graphisoft’s EcoDesigner STAR
• Ideate BIMLink
• Nemetschek Scia
• ONUMA Planning System (OPS)
• RhinoBIM
• Solibri Model Checker
• Syncro Professional
• Tekla BIMsight
• Tekla Structures
• Vectorworks Landmark
Other programs aren’t really BIM programs, but are effective for importing/exporting BIM
models and data.
• AutoCAD Civil 3D 2010

• Autodesk 3ds Max Design
• Lumion Architectural Visualization
• Trimble Sketchup
Autodesk Tools
Autodesk has established itself as a leader in the CAD and BIM industry within the United
States. Revit’s strong market share is due in large part to Autodesk’s AutoCAD being the industry
standard in CAD.
The Autodesk suite of BIM tools includes Revit Architecture; Revit Structure; and Revit MEP. Revit

Figure 75. Cross-section of building modeled with Revit. (Image courtesty BIMMmaculate Conception, Penn State
University.)
was first introduced in 1997 by Charles River Software; the company’s name was changed to
Revit Technology Corporation around 2000. The company was purchased by Autodesk in 2002.
Revit Architecture is the dominant BIM program in the world in terms of market share, and it is
the BIM tool most used by landscape architects.
Revit Architecture is a discipline-specific building design and documentation system that

supports all phases of design and construction documentation. At the heart of the Revit
Architecture platform is the Revit parametric change engine, which automatically coordinates
changes made anywhere within a model. Parametric components, also known as “families,” are
the basis for all building components designed in Revit Architecture. A room, for example, is
defined as a space within three or more room-bounding walls.
Revit Architecture’s area analysis module is used to create area boundaries and define usable
space in buildings. You can define boundaries of a space by drawing them or by picking walls,
and then apply rules to them based on an area type. At the heart of the Revit platform is the Revit
parametric change engine, which automatically coordinates changes made in any view.
The Revit Architecture suite of tools includes Revit Architect, Revit Structure, and Revit MEP.
Revit Architect is a complete, discipline-specific building design and documentation system
supporting all phases of design and construction documentation. Revit Structure is a fully
integrated modeling, design, and documentation software program for structural engineering.
Revit MEP software is the BIM design and documentation software for mechanical, electrical,
and plumbing (MEP) engineering. Work sharing is an integral part of all the Revit Architecture
products, which enables many people to work on the same project file at the same time.
Revit Architecture works well for structures, but does not integrate landscape elements and site
design very well yet. The topography tools are improving, but it is still much harder to generate
sophisticated terrain models than it is with landscape design programs. There is also a real
shortage of 3D landscape elements with real BIM intelligence that can interact with other BIM

elements. The addition of programs like LandCADD for Revit and Siteworks for Revit has greatly
enhanced Revit as a BIM tool for landscape architects.
Many landscape architects use Revit Architecture because they work with architects that use
Revit Architecture, and using the same program simplifies the collaboration process.
Some Revit users export final models into a program like 3d Max to create final renderings. The
latest versions of Revit Architecture supports FBX file format, which allows you to export a Revit
Model to 3D Studio Max. This format includes the ability to transfer all geometry and material
properties, materials, lights, viewpoint camera from Revit so they models can be rendered
quickly and accurately.
Figure 76. FigLandscape modeling with Revit. (Image courtesy of

The Beck Group.)
The newest versions of Revit Architecture use Mental Ray instead of Accurender to produce
higher quality renderings.
One big advantage of using Revit Architecture is that it is part of the larger suite of Autodesk
tools, so it is relatively easy to exchange data from one program to another. Some of the other
products from Autodesk that can be added to expand uses of Revit Architecture include Autodesk
Dynamo, FormIt, BIM 360, Navisworks, and Autodesk 3ds Max Design.
Autodesk Dynamo is an open source visual programming environment for BIM. It can be used
stand-alone, or allows users to extend the parametric capabilities of Autodesk Revit software
products. It also includes Autodesk DesignScript, a programming language intended to help
designers build and analyze complex geometric models that would be difficult to model with
interactive techniques.
Autodesk FormIt is a web-based application that gives designers easy-to-use tools to create,
collaborate and share early-stage design ideas, and these ideas can easily be converted into
models for use with Autodesk Revit.
Autodesk BIM 360 provides cloud-based mobile-accessible tools for pre-construction

coordination through field execution. With BIM 360 running on iPads and other tablets, it

simplifies the process of precisely locating BIM coordinates on a construction site. There are
two version of BIM 360 - BIM 360 Field, a cloud-based construction field management software
(formerly Vela Systems), and BIM 360 Glue, an online BIM coordination and management service.
Autodesk Navisworks is intended to create a single 3D model by combining design data created
by applications such as Revit, AutoCAD, and Civil3D with other 3D geometry and information. The
strength of Navisworks is that it works with a wide variety of file formats and is not restricted by
file size. Autodesk is advertising Navisworks as “the heart of your building information modeling
(BIM) workflow.”
The Autodesk Navisworks software family consists of four individual products: Autodesk
Navisworks Manage is a comprehensive design review solution that includes the functionality
of Navisworks Simulate and Navisworks Review, and includes clash detection capabilities;
Navisworks Simulate provides replication of design intent and modeling of 4D construction
schedules; Autodesk® Navisworks® Review software is used for real-time visualization; and
Navisworks Freedom is a free viewer. Like many BIM applications, Autodesk Navisworks is geared
primarily for buildings.
Autodesk 3ds Max Design is a comprehensive 3D design, modeling, animation, and rendering
solution for architects, designers, civil engineers, and visualization specialists. Evaluate and
sell designs before they are built, with rapid iterations, accurate daylight analysis, and high-
impact visuals and animations. 3ds Max Design software is a customized version of Autodesk
3ds Max software. It has the same functionality as 3ds Max, but it also includes a lighting analysis
technology called Exposure. It also has a menu structure and commands that are optimized
specifically for architects, landscape architects, designers, engineers and visualization
specialists. 3ds Max is not a BIM tool, but it is used frequently to render BIM models. The FBX-
based Recognize scene loading technology that makes it easier to import lights, materials, and
cameras from Revit 2010 scenes into 3ds Max Design.
Autodesk Green Building Studio is web-based energy analysis service that can be used to
perform whole building analysis, optimize energy efficiency, and carbon neutrality. Autodesk
Green Building Studio can be accessed at gbs.autodesk.com or through the Autodesk Green
Building Studio desktop client.
Autodesk Ecotect Analysis is a sustainable design analysis software program that provides a
comprehensive concept-to-detail sustainable building design tool. Ecotect Analysis conducts
a range of different simulation and energy analysis for improving the functionality of new or
existing buildings. These include whole-building energy analysis, thermal performance, water
usage and cost evaluation, solar radiation, daylighting, and shadows and reflections. It has built-
in connections with more sophisticated tools like RADIANCE and DAYSIM.
AutoCAD Civil 3D 2010 is not really a BIM program, but is used frequently by landscape architects
and civil engineers to generate plans that are imported into a BIM program. The latest version
of Civil 3D is able to directly import Revit Architecture files without having to first translate it to
a DWG or a DXF file, which are the standards used by AutoCAD. The latest version of Civil 3D

Figure 77. Examples of how Autodesk Ecotect Analysis can be used for BIM applications. (Image courtesy
Autodesk.)
has improved Revit interoperability functionality which enables users to directly import Revit
Architecture building shells. Autodesk actually markets the AutoCAD Civil 3D 2010 software as
“the building information modeling (BIM) solution for civil engineering.” AutoCAD users will find
the graphic interface of Civil 3D to be very familiar, so there is not a steep learning curve.
Graphisoft ArchiCAD
Graphisoft’s ArchiCAD was one of the first CAD programs to offer BIM capabilities. ArchiCAD was
introduced in 1982 for the Apple Macintosh, and it is now one of the most popular programs for
BIM applications. ArchiCAD is used extensively on GSA projects.
At the foundation of all Graphisoft products is the “Virtual Building,” which is a 3D digital database
that tracks all the individual elements that make up a building. ArchiCAD uses the terms “virtual
building” and “virtual construction” instead of BIM, but the basic concepts are the same. The
“Virtual Building” model is used to administer and manage a building throughout its entire life
cycle. ArchiCAD creates a central database of 3D model data at the same time you are creating
walls, doors, windows, stairs, and roofs.
ArchiCAD stores all the information about a building in a central database. Because of this
approach, changes made in one view are updated in all other views. Design (3D), schedule (4D)
and cost (5D) are all interconnected, so if you make a change in one, it is automatically updated
in the other two. ArchiCAD is creating all project documentation while you are designing. From
the 3D models, you can extract plans, sections and elevations, construction details, bills of

quantities, window/door/finish schedules, renderings, animations, and virtual reality scenes.
One of the real strengths of ArchiCAD is that it is based on open standards, and was one of the
first BIM programs to embrace IFC file transfer.
ArchiCAD is not the only BIM application from Graphisoft. GRAPHISOFT’s upcoming BIMcloud
Solution will leverage online services such as data storage, software virtualization, and
Software as a Service (SaaS). This will allow firms of any size to implement fully-integrated BIM
collaboration workflows both in public and private cloud environments. “BIMx Hyper-model”
brings the full scope of BIM into the touchscreen environment of mobile devices. It integrates
context-sensitive 2D & 3D viewing and navigation. BIMx Docs function set, providing access to
the full 2D project documentation within the 3D model context. ArchiCAD Connection is a free
Add-In for Autodesk Revit software.
ArchiCAD can integrate with software from third-party companies, including Google SketchUp
for 3D conceptual design; programs like Tekla Structures, Computers and Structures Inc.’s ETABS
and SAP2000, and Robobat CBS Pro for structural solutions; and major energy analysis solutions
from companies such as Energy+, Green Building Studio, and ArchiPhysik that help ensure “green”
solutions. ArchiCad can also be used with VIPWEB CAD, an energy analysis program from the
Strusoft AB Company in Sweden, and Riuska, a tool for the dynamic simulation of comfort and
energy consumption from the Olof Granlund Oy Company in Finland.
The integration of CineRender, MAXON’s world-class CINEMA 4D rendering engine provides

the ability to create photo-realistic renders straight from ArchiCAD. CineRender integrates with
ArchiCAD’s Building Materials, updating them as needed and renders in the background while
you keep working on your design.
ArchiCAD is excellent BIM software, but it is not really geared for landscape architects.
Bentley Systems Tools

Bentley Systems has been producing BIM and CAD products for decades. Today Bentley Systems
has well over a hundred programs listed on their website. These products include the following:
• AECOsim Building Designer V8i - Multi-discipline BIM Software

• Bentley Architecture V8i - BIM for Architectural Design and Documentation
• Bentley Map V8i - Powerful, Extensible 3D GIS and Mapping Software for the World’s
Infrastructure
• InRoads Suite V8i - Civil Engineering Road and Transportation Infrastructure Design
Software
• MicroStation V8i - 3D CAD Design and Modeling Software for Architecture, Engineering,
Construction and Operations
• Power GEOPAK - Civil Engineering Road Design and Transportation Infrastructure
Design Software
• RAM Structural System V8i - The Only Software Created Specifically for the Analysis and

Design of Buildings
• Structural Modeler V8i - BIM for Design and Documentation of Structural Systems
Some of these programs are oriented toward BIM while others are more 2D and 3D CAD.
MicroStation is the world’s leading information modeling environment explicitly for the
architecture, engineering, construction, and operation of infrastructure. MicroStation and
InRoads are two standards required by many state transportation departments across the
country. For landscape architects involved with transportation projects, Bentley’s BIM software
may be a good choice because MicroStation is such a standard in the transportation engineering
world.
Bentley Architecture provides a complete set of BIM tools to create, edit, label, and manage
information related to spaces. It has an extended toolset for modeling the site as well as different
building components, and contains solid and surface modeling. Because Bentley Architecture is
built on top of the company’s MicroStation platform, one has access to all the tools available in
MicroStation.
Bentley Systems is one of the founding members of the International Alliance for Interoperability
(IAI), and the company continues to be actively involved with IFC data formats and interfaces.
Bentley provides step-by-step instructions for meeting GSA BIM standards. Bentley is also
actively involved in the GSA’s initiatives to adopt BIM methods and technologies for its capital
construction programs.
Gehry Technologies Digital Project

Digital Project from Gehry Technologies is one of the most advanced BIM and construction
management software tools available. It is built on the CATIA geometry and information
management engine developed by Dassault Systèmes. CATIA is the leading design software
utilized in the aerospace and automotive industries, and it provides access to over 300 products
developed by Dassault Systèmes and third party partners. Digital Project is intended for
distributed project teams where collaboration is needed for building design and construction
projects.
Gehry Technologies is a spin-off of Frank Gehry’s Gehry Partners, which uses Digital Project
extensively throughout the design, bidding, fabrication, and construction processes. Gehry
Partners is known for its innovative use of digital technology to create dramatic academic,
commercial, museum, performance, and residential projects. Every project undertaken by
Gehry Partners is designed personally and directly by Frank Gehry, and virtually all the firm’s
architectural designs are developed with Digital Project.
Gehry Technologies provides Web-based 3D project collaboration and building information

modeling (BIM) technology as well as advanced project delivery services to leading owners,
architects, engineers, builders, fabricators and industry professionals worldwide. There are three
versions of Digital Project: Designer, Manager, and Extensions.

Digital Project: Designer is a high-performance 3D modeling tool for architectural design,

engineering, and construction. Designer provides an extensive set of tools for creating and
managing building information throughout the building lifecycle. It is particularly effective for
parametric 3D surfaces, free-style surface modeling (NURBS), design to fabrication, dynamic
sectioning, advanced solids modeling, and integration with Microsoft Project.
Digital Project: Manager is a light-weight, easy-to-use review and information management

interface for project managers, estimators, and construction personnel. Manager supports full
project attribute editing and provides essential tools for performing quality control checks, such
as clash detection.
Digital Project: Extensions is used to maximize the value of Digital Project with extensions that
provide greater functionality to users. Choose from various add-on capabilities that enable
building projects to take advantage of the latest technology and system integrations.
GTeam is the easiest platform for project teams to collaborate and share documents, files and
3D building information online. Architects, designers, engineers, contractors, consultants, and
owners use this centralized web-based platform to reach consensus faster, reduce change
orders, save time, get more work and reduce project costs. Unlike other file-sharing solutions,
GTeam is purpose-built for the AEC industry. GTeam is built from the ground up to support BIM
collaboration and doesn’t require expensive or complex software.
Vectorworks
The Vectorworks Architecture mantra is “BIM software for the smart-sized firm.” Although
Vectorworks is not like Autodesk Revit or Graphisoft ArchiCAD, but the software provides a full
set of BIM tools and is very effective at importing, exporting, and working with BIM data.
There are actually three major Vectorworks products - Designer, Architect, and Landmark.
• Vectorworks Designer is a collection of all the Vectorworks products delivered in a single

interface: Vectoworks Architect, Landmark, and Spotlight.
• Vectorworks Architect is an internationally recognized BIM authoring tool that allows
architects to create intelligent, 3D building models.
• Vectorworks Landmark is a powerful design, modeling, documentation, and presentation
solution for landscape architecture, landscape design, landscape design/build and land
planning professionals. Although not marketed as a BIM tool like Architect, Landmark
can exchange BIM and site model data successfully using our IFC 2x3 and Shapefile
support.
Vectorworks Architect provides parametrically defined building objects that can be viewed and
edited in either 2D or 3D views and automatically generates detailed reports about building
materials. The software has been tested by the National 3D-4D-BIM Program with the GSA
and it complies with the requirements of the BIM Guide Series 02, Spatial Program Validation.
Vectorworks Designer exchanges BIM information by importing and exporting IFC 2x3 files—
the Open BIM standard.

Some believe that Vectorworks Architect and Landmark may be more appropriate for site
modeling for landscape architects. The benefit of using Vectorworks is that you can create
landscape and site information models without changing your design process.
Figure 78. 3D slope analysis with Vectorworks. (Image courtesy Vectorworks.)
Vectorworks software also integrates smoothly with other disciplinary applications, including
GIS, civil engineering, and building performance simulation and analysis. This includes the
import/export of .shp (ESRI Shapefiles) files to streamline urban planning, landscape architecture,
and GIS analysis.
Vectorworks Architect software includes a fairly large collection of BIM content. It has a large
variety of ready-made BIM objects that feature embedded IFC data to ensure competent export
to open standards-based BIM applications.
If you want to create a custom 3D landscape element, you can use one of the 2D and 3D free-
form, parametric tools. Simply create a coordinated 2D/3D symbol, and add IFC data to that
symbol definition to create a BIM component. This is an effective approach at the project level,
but the component doesn’t have a comparable BIM, IFC, or COBie standard that would allow
it to be circulated easily. Importing an IFC modeled object from a BIM tool into Vectorworks
maintains the data in the IFC model.
For landscape architects who would like to be able to import/export BIM data using the IFC
format, Vectorworks may be the answer. When an IFC file is imported into a Vectorworks file, the
objects are translated into corresponding Vectorworks objects when possible. Most landscape
elements are not recognized as IFC objects, so there is an IFC Data command that attaches IFC
data to custom 3D elements so that they will be recognized as IFC objects. The geometry of

IFC entities can be edited and then exported for use in a BIM program. Vectorworks provides
guidelines on how to prepare Vectorworks Landmark building models for exporting to IFC
(Sipes, 2012).
Individual architecture and landscape architecture firms are developing their own BIM
components in Vectorworks. Vectorworks is one of the few programs that has fully embraced
BIM and has actually taken steps toward making it more appropriate for landscape architecture.
In its promotional material, Vectorworks uses the term ‘Site Information Modeling’ instead of
BIM when referring to the site-specific capabilities of Vectorworks software.
Trimble SketchUp
Many landscape architecture firms have embraced SketchUp because it is affordable, easy-
to-use, and provides many of the tools needed for 3D site design. In many ways the software
introduced 3D sketching and modeling to landscape architecture. Trimble now advertises that
‘the democratization of BIM has begun’ with the announcement that SketchUp now supports
and exports to IFC. Components in a SketchUp model can be classified with IFC types, edited or
expanded, and then exported via the IFC format for use in other BIM tools. With this approach,
landscape architects can create models in SketchUp and then export the models to be used in
Revit, ArchiCAD, or other BIM tool. Along with your model geometry, you can share metadata
added in SketchUp Pro.
The latest version of SketchUp also can publish schema to classify components in models
using the official COBie schema from BuildingSmart, gbxml for green building, applications, or
CityGML for urban simulations.
Lumion
Lumion is an essential tool for everyone who wants to visualize their building designs. It produces
impressive, high quality videos very quickly and is extremely easy to master. Lumion has
customers in over 60 countries around the world. They include architects, designers, engineers,
BIM modelers and universities. Lumion is now seen as the leading software in its class because
it has redefined the process of making 3D visualizations. It has also become an essential part of
the BIM toolkit for many AEC professionals because it inputs 3D models from Autodesk Revit,
Graphisoft ArchiCAD, Trimble SketchUp, and other 3D programs.
Graphisoft EcoDesigner STAR

EcoDesigner STAR is used to model the energy use of buildings. It provides a workflow that
fulfills the most rigorous energy standards, delivering multiple thermal block based, accurate,
and standard compliant dynamic energy analysis. EcoDesigner STAR takes ArchiCAD BIM and
generates multiple thermal zone Building Energy Models (BEM).
EcoDesigner STAR enables architects to use ArchiCAD BIM directly as a building energy model, and
it produces performance reports that can be used for LEED and other green building systems.

The program is used for standard compliant energy simulation engine, advanced energy model
visualization, and documentation. The EcoDesigner STAR building energy model can incorporate
environmentally friendly local renewable energy solutions such as photovoltaic systems and
wind turbines.
RhinoBIM
RhinoBIM is a suite of a number of plug-ins to enhance Rhino 5.0, a 3D modeling program. Rhino
was specifically developed for NURBS modeling, which is well suited for 3D organic shapes. The
first module of the RhinoBIM series is RhinoBIM Structure, which is for 3D structure modeling,
clash & clear analysis, and structural analysis. The Clash & Clear analysis finds errors within
seconds and there is no need to export the model to another program to perform the analysis.
Rhino 3D gained its popularity in architectural design in part because of the Grasshopper 3D
plug-in for computational design that allows for parametric modeling.
Eagle Point LANDCADD for Revit, Siteworks for Revit,

& Ideate BIMLink
Eagle Point’s LANDCADD for Revit provides landscape architects, architects, and other designers
with landscape design tools for use in Autodesk Revit Architecture. The software allows for a
workflow that more closely matches that of traditional landscape architecture LANDCADD
provides plant materials, or you can create your own. The plant mix families can be used to
define ground cover, flowerbeds, turf areas, and green roofs. LANDCADD for Revit also offers
site and hardscape components as well as a parking lot layout tool. It also includes tools that
enhance Revit topography so that it is easier to create 3D landforms.
Siteworks for Revit enables architects, designers and planners to shape the terrain for their
building sites using grading tools to model pads, parking lots, streets, sidewalks and retaining
walls – all within Revit Architecture. Siteworks is intended to help these professionals convey
preliminary design intent about the building site within the Revit model to help facilitate their
collaboration with civil engineers. And because Siteworks runs inside of Revit and uses native
Figure 79. 3D model created with LANDCADD for Revit. (Image

courtesy Autodesk Revit.)

families, components and toposurfaces, designs become part of the overall BIM and help with
visualizing your conceptual building plans.
Eagle Point Software’s Ideate BIMLink is used to pull data from Autodesk Revit into Microsoft
Excel, and vice versa. This Revit add-on was developed specifically for the Revit community and
works to complement the features in Revit Architecture, Revit Structure, and Revit MEP.
Figure 80. Site plan created with Siteworks for Revit. (Image courtesy
Autodesk Revit.)
ONUMA Tools
ONUMA Planning System (OPS) from ONUMA, Inc. takes available project data and produces an
integrated BIM model. Some firms use OPS to develop initial concepts and program requirements,
and then export BIM files to Graphisoft ArchiCAD, Autodesk Revit, or other BIM programs for final
design and construction documents. Documents can be cross-referenced with OPS to make
sure the final design meets the original programming requirements.
Other products from ONUMA include BIMXML, Model Server, BIMBomb, and VRIS. The ONUMA
BIMXML Converter is a Java based application that imports BIM IFC files to ONUMA. Model Server
provides web enabled multi user access to BIM. BIMBomb is used to simulate explosions and
help determine security protection solutions. VRIS is a real-time BIM and energy management
platform.
OPS is used to develop the award-winning BIMStorm. BIMStorm is a learn-by-doing workshop

featuring web-based data sharing through Building Information Models and Geographic
Information Systems. BIMStorm has been used for a number of community oriented projects
in Los Angeles, Washington DC, Alexandria, VA, San Diego, Oklahoma City, and London, just to
name a few.

Figure 81. The 50-million-square-foot area east of Dodger Stadium

was the focus of BIMStorm Los Angeles. (Image courtesy ONUMA
Systems.)
Figure 82. This is a screen image from BIMStorm Washington, DC,

which was conducted in 2011. (Image courtesy ONUMA Systems.)
Solibri Model Checker

Solibri Model Checker analyzes BIM applications for integrity, quality, and physical security. It
x-rays and analyzes the building model, and determines potential flaws in the building design.
It also highlights conflicts and checks that the model complies with the building codes and best
practices. Solibri Model Checker also conducts a comparison of different versions of the same
design.
BiMUp 5D
BiMUp 5D, developed by BiMUp Ltd, enables quantities to be taken off a SketchUp model. The
folks at BiMUp refer to this as “day to day” BIM because this approach is a quick, cost-effective
way to generate 3D models that are BIM Compliant. It is much easier to create a 3D model in
SketchUp than in Revit or ArchiCAD, so landscape architects may find this an effective way to get
involved with BIM to some degree. In this case, “doing BIM” means being able to generate BIM

compatible spreadsheets that are updated automatically when the SketchUp 3D model changes
and this spreadsheet can be exported for use by other BIM programs.
Tekla Structures & BIMsight

Tekla produces BIM software for engineering, fabrication, and construction. Tekla Structures is
used to model the infrastructure of stadiums, offshore structures, plants and factories, residential
buildings, bridges, and skyscrapers. The software has 30 localized environments and 14 user
interface languages to make using and implementing the software easy worldwide (Tekla).
With Tekla Structures, you can model any type of structure of any material, or include several
materials to one model. Tekla integrates with the most of major advanced production or
resource planning and machine automation systems that fabricators of steel structures, precast
concrete elements and rebar use. The software also links to project management applications
for scheduling, office work, and communications (Tekla).
BIMsight is another Tekla product, and it is used to combine BIM models associated with the
construction workflow, check for clashes, and share information. Tekla BIMsight enables project
participants to identify and solve issues already in the design phase before construction. The
program is a free professional tool for construction project collaboration (Tekla).
Landscape architects may not be using Tekla software, but there is a good chance that those
using BIM will interface with engineers that do.
Tekla was established already in 1966, and today it has customers in 100 countries, offices in 15
countries, and a global partner network. The company was acquired by Trimble Navigation Ltd.
in 2011.

Section 10: Conclusion

Over the next few years, the impact that BIM will have on the design and construction industries
will continue to grow. Architects, engineers, and the construction industry are using BIM
processes and tools because this approach improves the quality of finished projects, reduces
costs, and reduces the time it takes to implement a project. It also allows continuous flow from
schematic design, design development, and construction documentation.
The real question for landscape architects is how the profession will be involved with BIM. It is
still unclear what level of environment landscape architects will have in the process. In many
ways, BIM is a tough “fit’ for landscape architects.
One of the biggest reasons that landscape architects have not fully embraced BIM is that the
technology is not geared specifically for landscape design. That is changing, though, as programs
like Revit are including new tools, and add-on programs like LANDCADD for Revit and Siteworks
for Revit have greatly improved the functionality of BIM for landscape architects. In addition,
programs like SketchUp and Vectorworks are quite adept at importing and exporting BIM data.
There are many ways for landscape architects to “do BIM,” but it seems to break down into three
basic approaches.
1. Don’t use BIM

2. Do Small BIM, which primarily means using more traditional landscape design programs
and importing/exporting BIM data via IFC, COBie, and other standards
3. Do BIG BIM, which means making the leap and working in Autodesk Revit, Graphisoft
Archicad, Vectorworks or other BIM programs in order to better integrate with other
disciplines.
Figure 83. This cross-section was cut from a Revit model and rendered in Photoshop. (Image courtesy
Magnum Vis Group, Penn State University.)

Those who have successfully adopted BIM talk about creating a “BIM culture,” which is a new way
of thinking about design based on performance, not just form. BIM is a process, and landscape
architects need to “think BIM” in order to integrate this approach into design, planning, and
implementation.
Within the profession of landscape architecture, there is interest in new, more expansive
terminology for BIM and GIS that integrate sites with structures in order to develop a more
holistic, inclusive design and planning approach. “When BIM really reaches its potential, we are
going to see smart models that are going to be powerful,” notes Paul Cote (Cote 2007). There
will be opportunities for collaborating at a much higher level than ever before, and landscape
architects should play a major role in these types of projects.

Section 11: References and Resources Books,

Articles, Guides, Transcripts and Interviews
SOURCES
Ahmad, A. M. & Aliyu, A. A. (2012), The Need for Landscape Information Modelling (LIM) in
Landscape Architecture. In: DLA 2012, Proc. of Digital Landscape Architecture Conference
2012, Bernberg, Germany. Hochschule Anhalt (Web), 13 Jan. 2013.
Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement Project. www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/Viaduct.
Alcorn, Terence. Survey: How BIM Is Being Used And Where It Will Go In The Future. Facilitiesnet.
September 2013. http://www.facilitiesnet.com/green/article/Survey-How-BIM-Is-Being-
Used-And-Where-It-Will-Go-In-The-Future--14299#
Autodesk University 2013. www.autodesk.com
BIS (2012), Report to the Government Construction Clients Board on Building Information Modelling
and Management. Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, UK. http://www.bis.gov.
uk/policies/business-sectors/construction/research-and-innovation/ working-group-on-
bimm.
Blacklock, Stephen. BIM and Landscape Architecture - Impact and Issues. Woodhouse. July 12,
2013. http://www.woodhouse.co.uk/knowledge/bim-and-landscape-architecture-impact-
and-issues/
Bottari, Tod. The Global State of BIM: Current Market. January 23, 2014. http://www.aconex.com/
blogs/2014/01/global-state-of-bim-construction-market-data.html
BSI. New standard for BIM to help meet 2016 Government savings target. http://www.bsigroup.
com/en-GB/about-bsi/media-centre/press-releases/2013/3/new-standard-for-bim-to-help-
meet-2016-government-savings-targ
Buczynski, Beth. Featured, Green Building, Green Living, Smart Grid January 23, 2013
Buhmann, E., Ervin, S. M. & Pietsch, M. (Eds.) (2013): Peer Review Proceedings of Digital Landscape
Architecture 2013 at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences. © Herbert Wichmann Verlag,
VDE VERLAG GMBH, Berlin/Offenbach. ISBN 978-3-87907-527-0.
Center for Integrated Facility Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California. http://cife.
stanford.edu.
Center for Research in Water Resources of the University of Texas at Austin Arc Hydro. www.crwr.
utexas.edu/giswr/hydro/ArcHOSS/model/index.cfm.

Cohasset. http://www.cohassetmass.org/rfp/BIM_STANDARDS_v2.pdf.
Cote, Paul. 2007. Phone interview. March 2007.
Cote, Paul. 2008. Phone interview. April 2008.
Davis, Dianne. 2007. Presentation/discussion of BIM at EDAW, Alexandria, Virginia. January 25,
2007.
Dowhower, Justin Firuz. Utilizing BIM for Sustainable Architecture. http://jdowhower.wordpress.

com/
Freedom Tower. www.renewnyc.com.
Galles, Jacob. Revving up for Revit, Building Information Modeling for Landscape Architecture.
Kudela & Weinheimer Landscape Architects, December 20, 2012.
Geography Markup Language. www.opengis.net/gml.
Goldberg, H. Edward. 2006. “AEC from the Ground Up—State of the AEC Industry 2006.”
Goldman, M. (2011), Landscape Information Modeling. http://www.di.net/articles/archive/

landscape_information_modeling/ (accessed on: 4th April, 2012).
Green Building XML Schema. www.gbxml.org.
GreenWorks. GreenWorks completes first BIM (Building information Modeling) project, using
Autodesk’s Revit® Architecture. http://greenworkspc.com/2010/12/07/greenworks-
completes-first-bim-building-information-modeling-project-using-autodesks-revit-
architecture
GSA 3D-4D Building Information Modeling. 2014. http://www.gsa.gov/portal/

content/105075?utm_source=PBS&utm_medium=print-radio&utm_term=bim&utm_
campaign=shortcuts
GSA BIM Guide for 3D Imaging—GSA BIM Guide Series 03. Version 0.20—May 2007. http://www.
gsa.gov/gsa/cm_attachments/GSA_DOCUMENT/GSA_BIM_Guide_Series_03_v 02_R2C-a3-
l_0Z5RDZ-i34K-pR.pdf
GSA BIM Guide Series 01—Overview. Version 0.60—May 2007. www.gsa.gov/gsa/cm_

attachments/GSA_DOCUMENT/GSA_BIM_Guide_v0_60- _Series01_Overview_05-14-07_
R2C-a3-l_0Z5RDZ-i34K-pR.pdf.
GSA. www.gsa.com

GSD. Data Model for a Managed Landscape. Harvard. http://www.gsd.harvard.edu/gis/manual/

arboretum
Hall, Dennis. 2006. “4D Modeling: Is ‘Virtual Building’ in Your Future?” Nations Building News.
Hartman, Hattie. The Triangle, Swindon, Wiltshire, by Glenn Howells Architects. November, 2011.
http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/aj-building-studies/the-triangle-swindon-wiltshire-by-
glenn-howells-architects/8622284.article
Hatch, George. Infraworks for Architects and Landscape Architects. Northeast ENI Territory
Senior Technical Specialist, Autodesk, Inc. Presentation at CTC Software Developers.
Henson, Jessica. OLIN + BIM. http://www.theolinstudio.com/blog/olin-bim/
Higginson Park Project. www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/bemagazine/beawards06.
HOK. www.hok.com
IFC_COBie-Report-2012 http://buildinginformationmanagement.wordpress.com/2013/02/18/
open-bim-standards-cobie-omniclass-ifc-cobie-report-2012/
Industry Foundation Classes. www.aecbytes.com/feature/IFCmodel.htm.
Integration of BIM & GIS is essential’ Geospatial World. Geospatial World. http://www.
geospatialworld.net/Interview/ViewInterview.aspx?id=30645
International Alliance for Interoperability. www.iai-na.org.
Jander, Mary, Managing Editor, Future Cities. Why BIM Won’t Get Simpler. UBM’s Future Cites -
The Global Community for 21st Century City Decision Makers. June 26, 2013. http://www.
ubmfuturecities.com/author.asp?section_id=234&doc_id=525290
Khemlani, Lachmi. Around the World with BIM. AECbytes. May 9, 2012. http://www.aecbytes.
com/feature/2012/HOK_BIM_Awards.html
Kirby, Dan. 2007. “Building Information Modeling (BIM).” Boyken International Newsletter. Winter
2007.
www.boyken.com/pressroom/newsletterarticle.asp?NewsID=60&Month=&Year=2007.
Klaschka, Markland. 2006. Video interview. www.bentley.com/bentleywebsite/files/be/2006/

Awards/Markland_Klaschka.asx.
LAD Courses. http://ladcourses.blogsport.com
London Heathrow Airport Terminal 5. www.heathrow-airport-guide.co.uk/terminal-5.html.

McCarthy, F.T. 2000. “New wiring: Construction and the Internet: Builders go online.”
The Economist, cited from World Reporter. January 15, 2000.
Miller, Bill. 2007. Presentation/discussion of BIM at EDAW. Alexandria, Virginia. January 25, 2007.
National BIM Standards. www.facilityinformationcouncil.org/bim.
NBS National BIM Library http://www.nationalbimlibrary.com/
Nessel, Andrew. The Place for Information Models in Landscape Architecture, or a Place for
Landscape Architects in Information Models. http://gispoint.de/fileadmin/user_upload/
paper_gis_open/537527023
Onuma, Kimon G., and Dianne Davis. 2006. “Integrated Facility Planning using BIM Web Portals.”
Government / Industry Forum, Federal Facilities Council of the National Academies.
Washington D.C. October 31, 2006.
Open BIM Standards – COBie, OMNICLASS – IFC / COBie Report 2012. February 18, 2013. http://
buildinginformationmanagement.wordpress.com/2013/02/18/open-bim-standards-cobie-
omniclass-ifc-cobie-report-2012/
Optima ... http://www.optimaweb.com/index.html
Przybyla, John, PE, GISP, Woolpert, Inc.. Session S101, Introduction to BIM – GIS Integration.
Ecobuild America 2010.
SERA. Oregon Department of Transportation Headquarters. http://serapdx.com/projects/

oregon-department-of-transportation-headquarters
Sipes, J. L. (2008), Integrating BIM Technology Into Landscape Architecture. LATIS 2008, Technical
Paper, American Society of Landscape Architects, Washington D.C.
Sipes, James L. “BIM Capabilities,” Landscape Architecture Magazine, Feb 2012, VOL102, NO2.
Sipes, James L. “Vectorworks Gets It.” Landscape Architecture Magazine. Feb. 2012,
Vol. 102, No. 2.
Slavid, Ruth. BIM for Landscape. Landscape - The Journal of the Landscape Institute.
Spring 2013.
Smith, Dana K. 2006. Building Information Models (BIM). July 19, 2006. www.wbdg.org/resources/
bim.php.
Srivastava, Avi. 2007. Presentation/discussion of BIM at EDAW, Alexandria, Virginia.

January 25, 2007.

St Paul’s Square, Liverpool, PR announcement, 2007 BE Awards. www.be.org/awards.
Strong, Norman. 2005. “Change is Now.” AIArchitect. September, 2005. www.aia.org/aiarchitect/

thisweek05/tw0909/tw0909bp_bim.cfm.
Sullivan, C.C. The future of construction: Meet BIM (or else). SmartPlanet, Issue 17, 2014. http://
www.smartplanet.com/blog/the-take/the-future-of-construction-meet-bim-or-else/
Tekla - www.tekla.com
U.S. Coast Guard Command Center at Yerba Buena Island Project. www.onuma.com/services/
FederalFacilitiesCouncil.php.
U.S. Coast Guard. www.uscg.mil.
U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies
Program: Research and Development for Buildings. August 30, 2006. http://www.eere.
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U.S. Green Building Council. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. www.usgbc.org/
LEED.
VA BIM Guide. http://www.cfm.va.gov/til/bim/BIMGuide
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Walt Disney Imagineering. http://corporate.disney.go.com/careers/who_imagineering.html.
Washington State Department of Transportation. Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program.

May 13, 2014. http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/Viaduct/
Whiteoak, Scott. 10 predictions for the future of Building Information Modelling (BIM).
TheUrbanDeveloper.com. http://www.theurbandeveloper.com/10-predictions-for-the-
future-of-building-information-modelling-bim/
Wilcox, Kevin. Report Reveals BIM’s Future. Civil Engineering - The Magazine for the American
Society of Civil Engineers. December 6, 2011
Winston, Anna. Which BIM is the Most Popular? bdonline.co.uk. February 5, 2013) http://www.
bdonline.co.uk/which-bim-software-is-the-most-popular?/5049817.blog
WSP. www.wspgroup.com/en/BIM/Case-studies/Case-Studies/The-Place-London-Bridge-
Quarter
Yori, Robert. The Cost of Not Doing BIM: Education and Professional Development. SOM, April,
2011.

SOFTWARE
ArchiPhysik. www.archiphysik.com.
ArchVision https://www.archvision.com
Autodesk products. http://usa.autodesk.com
Autodesk Seek. http://seek.autodesk.com
Bentley Systems. www.bentley.com/en-
BG-BASE, Inc., BG-BASE. http://rbg-web2.rbge.org.uk/bg-base
BiMUP 5D. http://www.bimup.co.uk/
CityGML. www.citygml.org
Dassault Systèmes CATIA. www.3ds.com/products-solutions/plm-solutions/catia/catiadiscovery.
Eagle Point LANDCADD. http://www.eaglepoint.com
Gehry Technologies Digital Project. www.gehrytechnologies.com/products.html.
GoldSim. http://www.goldsim.com/Web/Solutions/EnvironmentalSystems
Graphisoft ArchiCAD. www.graphisoft.com/products/archicad.
Graphisoft. www.graphisoftus.com/register.php?id=306&from=gsus_customer_stories.
Green Building Studio. www.greenbuildingstudio.com.
LandXML. www.landxml.org
Lumion. lumion3d.com
ONUMA. http://www.onuma.com/products
RhinoBIM. rhinobim.com
Robobat CBS Pro. www.robobat.com/n/en/267.
Solibri Model Checker. www.solibri.com/solibri-model-checker.html.
Telka Structures. - http://www.tekla.com

Trimble SketchUp. www.sketchup.com.
TurboSquid. www.turbosquid.com
VectorWorks Architect. www.nemetschek.net/architect/inde

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LATIS

Landscape Architecture Technical Information Series

Integrating BIM Technology

Library of Congress Catalog Card

LATIS is produced by ASLA as an education service to the profession of landscape architecture.

ii LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE TECHNICAL INFORMATION SERIES

iii LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE TECHNICAL INFORMATION SERIES

Section 2: BIM Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Section 3: BIM Integration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

iv LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE TECHNICAL INFORMATION SERIES

Section 5: Innovation, Metrics, Templates, and Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Section 6: Implementing BIM into the LA Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Section 7: BIM Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Section 8: BIM Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

v LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE TECHNICAL INFORMATION SERIES

Gatwick Airport Limited. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Section 9: Tools of the Trade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Section 10: Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

vi LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE TECHNICAL INFORMATION SERIES

Figure 2. Steel infrastructure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Figure 3. Integrated technologies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Figure 4. Modeling a structure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Figure 5. Developing a digital model of a building . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Figure 6. Cross-section from a 3D model created in Revit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Figure 7. Build London Live 2012. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Figure 8. 3D model for Atlanta Beltline. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Figure 9. 2D drawings created from 3D models. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Figure 10. 3D model of Schuylkill River Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Figure 11. 3D model using color for building heights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Figure 12. Massing models used to identify visual impacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Figure 13. Details of models from different angles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Figure 14. Model created using CityGML . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Figure 15. Aerial view of New York City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Figure 16. Project workflow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Figure 17. Creation of 3D templates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Figure 18. ArchVision 3D textured trees for Revit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Figure 19. Model showing nighttime activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Figure 20. Cross-section from 3D model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Figure 21. CloudWorx for Revit for as-build structural models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Figure 22. Infill Philadelphia: Soak It Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Figure 23. 3D model of an urban scene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Figure 24. Urban space for Colchester’s Cultural Quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Figure 25. New urban space for Colchester . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Figure 26. Explode axon showing layers and materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Figure 27. Roof garden at the ASLA headquarters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Figure 28. How BIM can be used for LEED certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Figure 29. BIM generated streetscape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Figure 30. NASA’s Ames Sustainability Base . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

vii LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE TECHNICAL INFORMATION SERIES

Figure 31. CO2 levels along Riverdale Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Figure 32. Master Plan for King Saud University . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Figure 33. BIM model showing the infrastructure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Figure 34. Structural soil cells modeled with Revit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Figure 35. Water Runnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Figure 36. Model of roadway through Van Reenen Pass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Figure 37. Photo of Freedom Tower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Figure 38. Rendering of West Plaza for Freedom Tower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Figure 39. A BIM model of The Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Figure 40. BIM model showing steel fabrication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Figure 41. Work completed on the Triangle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Figure 42. Focus on place-making . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Figure 43. Walt Disney Concert Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Figure 44. Master Plan of the Wenzhou Lingni Peninsula . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62