11/11/2016

TheSpacePlanningDataCyclewithDynamo|DynamoBIM

The Space Planning Data Cycle with Dynamo

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October 1, 2015 (http://dynamobim.org/space-planning-data-cycle/)

KYLE MARTIN (HTTP://DYNAMOBIM.ORG/AUTHOR/KMARTINSHEPLEYBULFINCH-COM/)

Programming is an essential part of the early design process in architecture. The size, shape, purpose, and adjacency between each space play a crucial role in determining the
overall form and function of a building. Building Information Modeling (BIM) provides an ideal platform for programming because of its ability to organize and position spaces
full of embedded information.

Departure from the Traditional Process

The challenge with the traditional programming process is that valuable time is spent translating successful room layouts from other physical and digital formats into a
preliminary Revit model. The following provides a glimpse into how Dynamo can utilize requisite room and area information to automate the creation of space planning objects
in Revit.

Prepare
The rst step is to prepare an Excel spreadsheet with detailed characteristics of each individual space. Since most architects and planners use Excel or database management
systems to organize data and calculate program, the transition to a simplied spreadsheet is relatively eortless. The name, department, quantity, and dimension values can all
be used to set parameters in Revit.

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Populate
Using Dynamo, massing families are populated in Revit from the Excel spreadsheet. In this case, the denition organizes the massing blocks according to their department and
color-codes for visual clarity based on information in Excel. The objects are evenly spaced and multiple quantities are accounted for.

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Arrange
Once the objects are in Revit, users can re-position, stack, and overlay on top of a linked site plan to create programming diagrams and adjacency studies.

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Document & Iterate

Favorable program layouts can be documented in plan, elevation, or perspective for presentations. It is even possible to export the individual space objects to CAD for laser
cutting or as an STL for 3D printing.

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At Shepley Bulnch, physical programming chips are instrumental in hands-on client workshops to help clearly explain program congurations and elicit feedback.

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A great feature of the space planning families is that grips can be used to alter the size of each massing. If objects are manipulated during programming process, the new
information can easily be exported back to Excel for documentation using Dynamo. This completes the full cycle of iteration from a theoretic collection of spaces to delivering a
report of vetted spatial mixture and associated areas.

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