Crossing the Bridge between Architects and Designers

If you are an interior design consultant or an architect, you have likely experienced the disconnect between the two disciplines. There are definitely collaboration and technical workflow challenges in Revit and BIM 360 that interior design firms face when working with architects and owners. In an age when leisure trips into space are being planned, there must be ways for the two to better collaborate – maybe improve coordination between teams as well.

In the June 30 webinar, “Crossing the Bridge Between Architects and Interior Designers,” Gallun Snow representatives Brenda Chrisman, Senior Interior Designer, and Andrea Rector, Senior Associate, explained the Gallun Snow identity as a company: its BIM specialties and model setup, model changes during design, rendering, uses of Revit releases and updates, and the use of BIM 360.

“We’re hoping to share some of our tips and tricks for the architects on the call,” Rector began. “We’re hoping you’ll learn a little about how we work behind the scenes as interior designers and how we can partner successfully with you.”

Gallun Snow is an award-winning and nationally recognized interior design firm. “We specialize in interior design,” Rector explained. “We work with architects around the US … and we love Revit. We’ve been using Revit since 2009, and that’s allowed us to develop a robust template and workflow.” Gallun Snow adapts to its customers’ needs.

Specialties unique to Gallun Snow include parametric 3D furniture families, intelligent furniture specs, 3D wall protection families, and an extensive detail library. Rector explained that Gallun Snow works in its own separate project model, which provides “liability protection for both parties, elimination of concern about build updates, model efficiency, better organization, less confusion, and the use of proprietary built-in template tools.”

Chrisman explained what Gallun Snow needs from its clients to develop complementary plans. “We like to match you,” she began, explaining they prefer to match the customer’s sheet layouts. She described the desire for a uniform presentation, with Key Plans, Title Block, North Arrow, and other matching features – all of which can be shared in a folder inside BIM 360. Once the area of work, scope boxes and matchlines are set, Gallun Snow uses Transfer Project Standards to match them, as well as name, address, title mark, text, and dimensions.

Early in a project, Gallun Snow prefers to set up the model location/position, phasing, and levels and grids. The sheet index can be set up a couple of ways per the architect’s preference.

Rector and Chrisman both highlighted the importance of communication between company and client early and often, especially in the case of working in BIM 360. In the case of changes, notifications are essential to the success of a project, and communication between workers is just as important.

By working together towards a common goal and using every advantage that modern technology affords, architects and designers are able to create a seamless project.

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If you would like to know more about using Revit or BIM 360 on your projects, contact Applied Software today and talk to an industry-experienced specialist about your individualized needs.