AutoDesk Revit Architecture…for landscape architects ? ? ?

Great question Andres,

I share the same curiosity.  I currently work at a multidisciplinary firm and have been weighing the pros/cons of multiple platforms to create the best work flow with a revit model while also coordinating closely with the civil engineers as well. I feel like the biggest goal/challenge is creating an accurate 3D site “surface” for the revit model that allows for modeling and integration of site features (stairs, ramps, walls)

The reality is that as landscape architects we still work and document in planametric views and design fees and complicated sites do not always allow for sophisticated and cumbersome modeling. I dont feel that revit is there yet as it applies to site design and terrain modeling. There are some third-party softwares being developed but none that we have felt meet our work flow needs. We actually just took a workshop using civil 3D as an option. It allows for the creation of a site terrain model that can be referenced into Revit but allows us to still work in an AutoCAD, planametric world and coordinate more closely with the civil engineering consultant.

So to answer your question. We couldnt find any strong benifits to working in revit. 2D drafting in revit is fine but then why work in a 3D model. Good luck and let me know what you direction you decide to go in.

Hi Andres,

I also work for a multidisciplinary firm and having been leading our firm’s LA transition into Revit. I would have to disagree with Adam and agree with Jordan on almost everything. While LAs do work largely in plan, our firm has found that having LAs in Revit bridges that gap between the site and building. When the building changes, we can see that update right away, rather than working with a dated savedown. It is also valuable for certain coordination items, particularly finished grade at the building, so the architects and structural engineers can actually see where grade drops along a foundation.

Our civil engineers still use Civil 3D, so we are the coordination point for all export/savedowns into CAD. And we are currently working with civil consultants on a couple projects as well. Ideally, I would like to see Autodesk realize that they should have one BIM software that communicates across all disciplines.

Like Adam said, Revit’s scheduling ability makes planting schedules a breeze. We had used some third-party plugins, but they are not keeping up with 2014, so we don’t really rely on them. I would like to add that details are actually much easier to construct in Revit if you utilize detail components. Our architects have been in Revit for 5 years, so there is a certain amount that I have been able to learn from them.

I would be interested in having a discussion with you and any other LAs about your workflow in Revit. The site tools could certainly use some improvement, but there are certain things I have developed along the way (such as using Area Plans for planting areas). I would love to here other LAs’ thoughts on Revit.

Cheers,

Lauren

I wholeheartedly agree – there seems to be a disconnect at Autodesk around where Landscape Architects discipline lies. I am in the process of trying to integrate Revit into our practice as well as Civil3D. These two softwares lie at the proverbial ends of the spectrum when talking about rapid prototyping site design. Revit can do basic site work, limited by accuracy and compatibility with Civil 3D – and Civil3D is cumbersome and burdened by traffic engineering parameters (K distances, etc.) and specifications. Ideally a piece of software that could aid in rapid prototyping walkways, roads, parking lots, etc. that can integrate with both Civil3D so the traffic engineers can update to spec, and Revit so the architects can see whats happening outside their doors would be fantastic.

We need to be able to produce enough information so that a Civil can take our work and easily integrate SW practices, etc. and easy enough that the Architects can have updated site grading in their Revit models. Currently Revit has almost zero compatibility with Civil3D that an engineer would be comfortable working off of, and Civil3D creates a cumbersome Revit model.