Why Landscape Architecture Firms Are Dumping 2D CAD

The noticeable shift from 2D CAD in landscape architecture is in part due to external pressures. The UK’s requirement for BIM level 2 framework on all government-procured projects is the most notable. Even in places where there is no BIM mandate, there is some inherent pressure to deliver BIM files when working with consultants who have matured their workflows with BIM.

Hanging on to 2D tools like AutoCAD for information modeling leaves landscape architecture firms in a dilemma. And it’s a dilemma more practitioners need to solve.

To properly incorporate 3D modeling with embedded data, 2D-focused firms have to use separate software programs (note: “programs” is plural!). It is not uncommon for these firms to use 3 or 4 separate applications to put together a concept, which inevitably leads to multiple payments that cost a bundle over time. That’s not to mention the cost of staffing when considering the large amounts of time spent working in multiple applications. This is all sounding painfully familiar, right?

: Nottingham City Hub. Rendering courtesy of Ares Landscape Architects Ltd.

Ares Landscape Architects found themselves in that predicament under the BIM level 2 mandate. After years of an AutoCAD-based workflow, the firm started looking for a BIM-ready application. Vectorworks Landmark became their choice for its cohesion between design and documentation, a huge draw as they became more and more ingrained in the BIM process.

There is a lot to learn from Ares’ Nottingham City Hub project, whose delivery required BIM level 2 framework. Ares senior landscape architect Sam Bailey says that the project involved collaboration with architects using ArchiCAD and engineers using Revit, and it was crucial that the teams establish expectations for file transfers — this is where the standard IFC came in handy.

“It just helps to make sure everyone is on the same page going forward, and it speeds up the coordination process,” Bailey said.

After establishing such standards in their BIM Execution Plan, Ares modeled the site in 3D, using the architects’ building model for context. The 3D model automatically generated 2D plans, not unlike the ones they used to produce in AutoCAD. Bailey said they worked in 3D from the very start of the project because they knew they would need to deliver 3D models.

With the model in place, Ares used Vectorworks’ built-in IFC specifications to tag geometry for export. The architects then pulled all models together in Solibri to check for clashes. The information manager on the project used Ares’ model to generate COBie (Construction Operations Building Information Exchange) data, another requirement for the project.

In the end, Ares’ 3D model became the source for a variety of outputs — 2D plans, plant and material schedules, IFC specifications, cost estimates, the list goes on — all without having to leave the Vectorworks design space. With an integrated process, you can imagine the time savings landscape architecture firms like Ares capture by moving to BIM.

See for yourself — fill out the form below for a full walkthrough of Ares’ Nottingham City Hub project with commentary by senior landscape architect Sam Bailey.

Vectorworks 2

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Select Country *

State *

Terms and Conditions

Landezine Media d.o.o. Terms of Service

Terms
By accessing the website at https://landezine.com/, you are agreeing to be bound by these terms of service, all applicable laws and regulations, and agree that you are responsible for compliance with any applicable local laws. If you do not agree with any of these terms, you are prohibited from using or accessing this site. The materials contained in this website are protected by applicable copyright and trademark law.

Use Licence
Permission is granted to temporarily download one copy of the materials (information or software) on Landezine Media d.o.o.’s website for personal, non-commercial transitory viewing only. This is the grant of a licence, not a transfer of title, and under this licence you may not:

modify or copy the materials;
use the materials for any commercial purpose, or for any public display (commercial or non-commercial);
attempt to decompile or reverse engineer any software contained on Landezine Media d.o.o.’s website;
remove any copyright or other proprietary notations from the materials; or
transfer the materials to another person or “mirror” the materials on any other server.
This licence shall automatically terminate if you violate any of these restrictions and may be terminated by Landezine Media d.o.o. at any time. Upon terminating your viewing of these materials or upon the termination of this licence, you must destroy any downloaded materials in your possession whether in electronic or printed format.

Disclaimer
The materials on Landezine Media d.o.o.’s website are provided on an ‘as is’ basis. Landezine Media d.o.o. makes no warranties, expressed or implied, and hereby disclaims and negates all other warranties including, without limitation, implied warranties or conditions of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement of intellectual property or other violation of rights.

Further, Landezine Media d.o.o. does not warrant or make any representations concerning the accuracy, likely results, or reliability of the use of the materials on its website or otherwise relating to such materials or on any sites linked to this site.

Limitations
In no event shall Landezine Media d.o.o. or its suppliers be liable for any damages (including, without limitation, damages for loss of data or profit, or due to business interruption) arising out of the use or inability to use the materials on Landezine Media d.o.o.’s website, even if Landezine Media d.o.o. or a Landezine Media d.o.o. authorised representative has been notified orally or in writing of the possibility of such damage. Because some jurisdictions do not allow limitations on implied warranties, or limitations of liability for consequential or incidental damages, these limitations may not apply to you.

Accuracy of materials
The materials appearing on Landezine Media d.o.o.’s website could include technical, typographical, or photographic errors. Landezine Media d.o.o. does not warrant that any of the materials on its website are accurate, complete or current. Landezine Media d.o.o. may make changes to the materials contained on its website at any time without notice. However Landezine Media d.o.o. does not make any commitment to update the materials.

Links
Landezine Media d.o.o. has not reviewed all of the sites linked to its website and is not responsible for the contents of any such linked site. The inclusion of any link does not imply endorsement by Landezine Media d.o.o. of the site. Use of any such linked website is at the user’s own risk.

Project and Office Profiles
All projects and office profiles are subject to Landezine’s evaluation process and are not necessarily automatically published. The publication fee covers the technical expenses of composing the presentation of the submitted material and uploading it on Landezine homepage. Offices are responsible for the content of their material. The submitted material must comply with all applicable laws, regulations and guidelines and must not be false or misleading. If any dispute regarding the submitted digital material or credits of the project should happen, Landezine reserves the right to remove such post without refund.

Products in Product Library
Products in the Product Library are published for the period of one year. All products are subject to Landezine’s evaluation process and are not necessarily automatically published. The publication fee covers the technical expenses of composing the presentation of the submitted material and uploading it on Landezine homepage. Manufacturers that submit the material to Landezine to be published are responsible for the truthfulness of the provided credits and the digital material submitted. If any dispute regarding the submitted digital material or credits of the project should happen, Landezine reserves the right to remove such post without refund.

The Right to Remove Published Materials
Landezine reserves the right to remove without a refund or reject any material if in Landezine’s opinion the content is inaccurate, misleading, untruthful or could harm Landezine’s reputation.

Modifications
Landezine Media d.o.o. may revise these terms of service for its website at any time without notice. By using this website you are agreeing to be bound by the then current version of these terms of service.

Governing Law
These terms and conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Slovenia and you irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in that State or location.

Comments are closed.

————————-

Your privacy is important to us. It is Landezine Media d.o.o.’s policy to respect your privacy regarding any information we may collect from you across our website, https://landezine.com/, and other sites we own and operate.

We only ask for personal information when we truly need it to provide a service to you. We collect it by fair and lawful means, with your knowledge and consent. We also let you know why we’re collecting it and how it will be used.

We only retain collected information for as long as necessary to provide you with your requested service. What data we store, we’ll protect within commercially acceptable means to prevent loss and theft, as well as unauthorised access, disclosure, copying, use or modification.

Our website may link to external sites that are not operated by us. Please be aware that we have no control over the content and practices of these sites, and cannot accept responsibility or liability for their respective privacy policies.

You are free to refuse our request for your personal information, with the understanding that we may be unable to provide you with some of your desired services.

We do not share your personal data to third parties unless required by law. This provision does not include the sharing of personal data to third parties:

a) for the legal protection of users of the website;
b) to defend and protect the rights of the Landezine Media d.o.o.;
c) to comply with data protection legislation;
d) to process your enquiries, subscriptions or orders via a form on our website, which requires the transmission of your data to process the enquiry, subscription or order. In these cases, the transmission of the data is limited to the necessary minimum (such as name, family name, company name and email address).
Your continued use of our website will be regarded as acceptance of our practices around privacy and personal information. If you have any questions about how we handle user data and personal information, feel free to contact us.

This policy is effective as of March 1st 2021.

Comments are closed.

Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy *

I agree to the Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy.