It is way past time to talk about LOD...

One of the things that you understand when you build models is that they can always be better. There's always something to fix, modify, extend, and maybe the only thing worse than figuring out how far to go is figuring out where the last person to work on the model decided to stop. With most work still being delivered from team to team during the design and construction process, how do we determine that we're giving the next team the best chance at success? With the ability to add thousands of parameters to our BIM, how do we decide which of those adds value?

I've struggled for years with the fact that most of the time, the model elements I receive just get erased. There is often not so much of an evolution of design as a complete redesign using better components and an understanding of the true means and methods of construction or even manufacturing that will be used to build. The model doesn't so much progress as it is replaced by one that more closely matches the reality of what will be built. As an MEP contractor, finding even a single object within the final design that was present during level 100, 200, or even 300 is a rare thing. This is why the move from LOD 300 to 400 or to the infamous 500 often takes longer than all the other levels combined.

Worse than that, often the previous design team has spent a large amount of extra time on achieving their LOD that may be of limited or even zero value. I've gotten to hear people stand up, take a bow for a level 300 model that is "clash-free" after months, or even a year of intense work. The problem is that this model cannot be used to build the final product. Their objects will need to be replaced with actual objects of the right size and type to support the actual means and methods, and thousands of clashes will result from these necessary changes. Did having Clash detection at that level 300 really help? I would say that most of the time, the answer is a resounding No!

In this podcast, we will take a deep dive into what LOD is and how it might be improved to make it valuable to all the stakeholders. Join us as we talk to people throughout the AEC process about LOD the realities, the successes, and the struggles.

Join Jonathan, Trent, Myles, and Cliff as they breakdown this topic. Remember, the live episode is interactive so be prepared to bring your opinions as well as your favorite beverage.