BIM Projects

The Vectorworks BIM in Practice Series is an ongoing collection of projects that provide users with practical, pragmatic guidance and discussions about how to implement projects in Vectorworks using BIM methods. This collection contains a variety of project types, sizes, style and complexities. Each project is meant to highlight a particular method, workflow or set of tools and vary from project to project to cover a variety of strategies. At Nemetschek North America, we hope the lessons they provide will address the widely varying needs of our customers.

We encourage you to explore these files, deconstruct them and share your thoughts and questions with us and the rest of the Vectorworks community in the Vectorworks Architect Forum of the Vectorworks Techboard.

D.C.Riverside Office Building
An Urban Commercial Development Proposal 29,350 gross square meters (316,000 gross square feet).  The D.C. Riverside Office Building is a low-rise commercial building design.  In addition to demonstrating Vectorworks Architect's BIM best practices, the project explores the use of the Level of Development (LOD) modelling guidelines and the use of open BIM technology workflows for interoperability between architectural, structural and HVAC design and modelling applications. 

Part 1 - LOD 100

The DCR-LOD.zip file contains all the LOD 100 project files (including - an IFC file, a KML (Google Earth) file, a VWX building mode file, a VWX site model file, and a folder of referenced images.)

The DC_Riverside_Bldg-LOD_100.pdf is the LOD 100 presentation set
The DC_Riverside_Interoperability_Story_1.pdf is a description of the project workflow focusing on interoperability using IFC

Part 2 - LOD 200
The DCR-LOD_200.zip file contains all the LOD 200 project files (including - architectural, structural, and HVAC IFC files for collaborative referencing, a VWX building model file, a VWX site model file, a VWX structural model (IFC import) file, and a VWX HVAC model (IFC import) file.

The DC_Riverside_Bldg-LOD_200.pdf is the LOD 200 presentation set.

Part 3 - LOD 300
The DCR-LOD_300.zip file contains all the LOD 300 project files (including - architectural, structural, and HVAC IFC files for collaborative referencing, a VWX building model file, a VWX site model file, a VWX structural model (IFC import) file, and a VWX HVAC model (IFC import) file.

The DC_Riverside_Bldg-LOD_300.pdf is the LOD 300 presentation set.

Part 4 - Structural Engineering Supplement
The Scia_Engineer-LODs_200-300.zip file contains the LOD 200 and 300 files from Scia Engineer 2010 (.esa).

Kingsway Primary School
Quattro Design Architects - www.quattrodesign.co.uk

Jonathan Reeves Architecture - www.jr-architecture.co.uk

Read this case study detailing the creation of a village format school using sustainable methods that also encourages learning.

Download the full case study (548 KB)

Modern Home Prototype
A Suburban Living Unit Proposal
2,770 gross square feet HVAC area

 The Modern Home Prototype is a residential design based on the "Modern Modular" work of Resolution: 4 Architecture <re4a.com>. The  project focuses on demonstrating Vectorworks BIM "best practices" through (1)extensive use of Vectorworks plug-in objects to "virtually construct" the project, (2)extensive use of Vectorworks Database Worksheets for various schedule types, (3) sharing of model information via IFC export and (4) exploring alternative presentation views of the model.

The zip file also contains the "Prefs_MHP" folder, containing the Room Finish Library for the project. Users should verify that the menu command "VA Set Project Prefs" points to this folder.

Download the project files (93 MB)

Ellicott Heights
Suburban, Dense Mixed-Use (Residential, Retail/Office
and Structured Parking) Development
1.25 million gross square feet

Ellicott Heights is a design proposal for a mixed-use, medium-high density, urban context redevelopment of an existing suburban, under-utilized area of Ellicott City, Maryland. This design proposal is a purely speculative and theoretical undertaking. The primary purpose of the project is to explore the best method of using Vectorworks Architect in a [strict] BIM workflow, on an architectural design of significant size/scope, in a collaborative team environment.

This design proposal is presented in both Schematic Design and Design Development formats. The intent is to examine the use of tools and workflows used earlier in the design process, prior to construction documentation.

Download the Ellicott Heights project folder (192 MB zip)
Download the Ellicott Heights Schematic Design drawing set (13 MB pdf)
Download the Ellicott Heights Design Development drawing set (100 MB pdf)
Download the Ellicott Heights 'BIM in Practice' white paper (4 MB pdf)

Alexandria Laundry Lofts
Urban, Mixed-Used (Residential and Retail/Office),
Historic Structure Conversion
10,630 gross square feet

Alexandria Laundry Lofts is a moderate-sized project, demonstrating a single-file, single-user workflow. The design is based on a project from one of our users, Stephen DuPont, Jr., AIA, an architect in Washington D.C. It is a renovation/reuse of an existing building in a historically sensitive neighbourhood in Alexandria, VA. Some additional design elements were incorporated to help show a variety of features and tools included in Vectorworks Architect.

While not exhaustively comprehensive, the construction drawing set contains enough examples of drawings – demolition and floor plans, an enlarged plan, exterior elevations, building sections, wall sections, interior elevations, integrated schedules and rendered perspectives of various types – to give users clues to the uses of many objects and tools in Vectorworks Architect.

Download the Alexandria_Laundry_Lofts.vwx file (29 MB zip)
Download the Alexandria_Laundry_Lofts.pdf drawing set (22 MB pdf)

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These projects and supporting materials, such as white papers, are intended to serve as references for the implementation of BIM practices, where our users may find themselves unfamiliar with the full extent of Vectorworks BIM functionality. The creation of an 'intelligent model' has been within the scope of Vectorworks capabilities for some time, but many users are struggling to transform their practices and their working methods, to use the program to its fullest extent.

These projects assume there is already a familiarity and expertise with a broad range of functionality in Vectorworks. Thus, the intent is to expand on the user's knowledge and illustrate at least one method of implementing various tools and functionality, with further exposition, or sidebars, of possible alternatives, in appropriate topics. Many of the best practices described in these projects strictly follow the intended functionality of particular tools. However, some recommendations are based on negotiating between the 'ideal' functionality and the pragmatic concerns of the user putting the tools into practice.