3D HVAC

Put on your glasses as the world of 3D has arrived in HVAC industry.  With the recent advent of 3D building software such as Revit and Autodesk MEP, we now we have “modellers”.  Gone are the days of draftsmen (or the more politically correct...draftspersons).   We don’t create drawings anymore.  We build a model in three dimensions on computer, of which drawings just happen to be a by product.  The oil industry has been using this method for years, primarily because they could afford the hardware and software, but it is relatively new to the building consulting industry.

If your company is planning on making its way into the 3D HVAC world, heed this advice.  Start small.  Don’t cut your 3D teeth on a hospital or airport!  I speak from experience.  A 175,000 m2 expansion to an airport is not a welcoming experience into 3D building modeling.  Having said that, it is a wonderful co-ordination tool, but know that a lot of the on-site co-ordination tasks will be moved up into your design phase.  So plan your fees accordingly. 

Above is a 3D shot of the building with only mechanical infrastructure turned on.  No architectural and no structural.  Who needs structure anyway with that much mechanical!