Information Modeling & Technology

3 units

This foundation-level course will introduce students to the digital tools of Geographic Information System (GIS), Building Information Modeling (BIM), and Building Performance Analysis (BPA). Its goal is to equip the student with the ability to gather information, analyze it, and make decisions within the information-rich environment of architectural design and construction. Students will develop an understanding of these three seemingly distinct approaches and their role in preserving the quality and quantity of accumulated information for 'upstream' use. The topics addressed in the course will be further developed in more advanced courses during subsequent semesters. The introduction of information-gathering principles within GIS will expose students ot the wealth of information, such as maps and census data, that is already available, as well as methods of turning raw data into analytical material for use in their design work. This segment of the course not only provides a foundation to ArcGIS, but also leads toward use of this information within applications like Revit Architecture. Creating and managing an information pool of digital GIS and design and construction data and making it available throughout the lifecycle of a project is commonly referred to as BIM. In the second part of this course, we will explore how BIM is being utilized today and learn the basics of one of the leading BIM compliant applications, Autodesk Revit Architecture 2010. During the third part of this course, students will be introduced to BPA, a process that embodies a holistic approach toward the integration of sustainability and design. By understanding when and how to apply sets of analytical exercises via applications like Ecotact Analysis within the context of Information Modeling, students will develop an understanding of how design decisions have a profound and lasting impact on the overall building sustainability and performance.