In the end, digital information must be turned into a physical building: the design has to be communicated to the construction team. There must be a simple but complete explanation of how the building goes together, so the contractor can understand the project’s complexities and not escalate costs from fear of the unknown.
2D drawings and 3D digital models complement one another. The drawings are a road map for the model, explaining the components and their arrangement, while the model is the source of geometry and dimensional control. Good drawings, however, should support a discussion of the project on their own without resorting to the computer model.
Some parts of production may be fully automated, with digital files controlling fabrication. Because this process can be somewhat opaque, accurate and complete data, along with clearly defined legal responsibilities, are especially critical.
We have documented dozens of complex projects, with contractors large and small, sophisticated and not. We know how to produce complete, clear documents for a range of project scales and construction methods, from individual craftsmanship to highly automated production lines.
Gateway Station Pittsburgh Light Motion Collaborative