How are architectural, structural, electrical and mechanical designs coordinated in one model?
Short answer: Architecture and engineering coordination is achieved by preparing the architectural, structural, electrical and mechanical models in Revit on the same grid and level system and combining them regularly in Navisworks. Clashes are reported, decided on in weekly meetings and fixed in the relevant model. Problems such as beam–duct, column–door or cable tray–sprinkler conflicts are solved before they reach the site.
Why is coordination part of design?
Architectural decisions in a building are not independent of engineering decisions. Ceiling height depends on beam depth and on the size of the duct running above the ceiling; the façade rhythm depends on column spacing; the location of wet rooms depends on service shafts. When these decisions are taken in separate offices at different times, conflicts surface on site. In a shared model, each discipline sees the others' decisions while the design is still evolving.
The most common clashes
| Clash | Consequence | Design solution |
|---|---|---|
| Beam – ventilation duct | Ceiling drops or duct is reduced | Beam depth, duct route and ceiling level are decided together |
| Column – door or window | Openings shrink, the façade suffers | Grid spacing is set together with the façade rhythm |
| Wet room – beam | Drain pipes cannot pass with the required slope | Wet rooms are stacked and shaft positions fixed early |
| Cable tray – sprinkler | Removal and reinstallation on site | Ceiling-void zones are allocated to each discipline |
How coordination works
- BIM Execution Plan: coordinate system, file structure, LOD targets and meeting frequency are agreed at the start.
- Discipline models: each team builds its own Revit model and sees the others as links.
- Federation: models are combined in Navisworks at regular intervals and clash-tested with rule sets.
- Meeting: clashes are prioritised; decisions and owners are recorded.
- Update: the relevant model is corrected and checked again in the next cycle.
Decisions for the architect
- Floor-to-floor height and ceiling level: set early, leaving room for service zones.
- Shafts and plant rooms: placed within the plan diagram rather than squeezed in later.
- Façade and grid: set up together with the structural system.
- Wet rooms: stacked vertically between floors wherever possible.
These decisions are even more critical in tall, crowded spaces; we give examples in our article on convention and conference center design.