Multi building models with different levels

[Siberian]

I'm on a project involving four buildings all connected by a parking garage. The buildings all have different levels, and I'm wondering how to best deal with that. I would prefer to have all buildings in one model, even though I know most people advice against it. This is because the architect has already started out in this manner, and the project leader has made out like he wants the other participants to follow suit.

 

• I could give all the buildings their own levels with names that relate to the building. It works, but creates lots of levels that will need to be filtered out in other views.
• The architect has all the buildings in one model, and so seems to have solved it for himself somehow. However, when I open his model, it only has a single set of levels that fit one of the buildings.

 

Any ideas on the best approach here?

[tzframpton]

Are you absolutely sure the levels are only for one building? Levels can be tied to Scope Boxes which aren't visible outside of the scope box so you'll have to look at the list of levels which is easy to do if you try and create a new Floor Plan view to see them all (pay attention to the check box that hides used views though). 

 

I mean, at the end of the day you can absolutely do it both ways and it work out fine. There are tradeoffs though. I usually make this call depending on other project specifics such as sequencing of the design or construction process, revision control based on buildings, size of buildings, etc. It would be easier to manage having them separate ultimately just because each Revit project file is contained to that particular building, but this doesn't mean it's necessarily better. With managing a few things up front the combined buildings approach can be easier to manage in other regards, such as revision control, View Template consistency, etc. 

 

So, choose your poison, haha. If it were me, I'd do it all in one model unless I have good reason to break them out. 

Edited October 22 by tzframpton

[nod684]

Since your Level name also incorporates the building name, it can easily be filtered out if that's your concern.