Abstract: This paper presents the BIM design practice of the Caesar Palace Octopus Hotel project in Longmu Bay, summarizing the implementation and collaboration experiences within the design institute. It explores practical challenges faced in parametric design, green building design, BIM structural design and analysis, construction drawing production, and project personnel coordination during BIM application.
Keywords: Super Five-Star Coastal Resort Hotel, BIM Parametric Design, Green Building Structural Calculation
1. Project Introduction
The project is a super five-star hotel with a total built-up area of 268,000 square meters. The tower comprises 17 floors above ground and 2 basement levels, including 9 floors dedicated to guest rooms, reaching a total height of 85.7 meters and offering 1,000 guest rooms. Hong Kong Huayi Design Consultant (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. acts as the general design contractor, while Australian firm PTW oversees planning and design. The hotel will be operated by the Caesar Palace Hotel Management Company based in the United States. Its facilities include guest rooms, dining areas, commercial spaces, banquet halls, a theater, and a yacht marina.
Aerial View of the Seven Star Octopus Hotel
The Octopus Center lobby design draws inspiration from indigenous fishing baskets. The upper and lower sections house the apron, nightclub, bar, restaurant, underwater restaurant, and honeymoon suite. The water lobby allows yachts to enter and exit freely, resembling bubbles exhaled by an octopus. The octopus’s eight arms extend in various viewing directions, accommodating diverse vacation functions such as public spaces, guest rooms, conference rooms, and theaters.
Night Scene Rendering of Octopus Hotel
Typical Applications and Reflections of BIM in Design
2.1 Parametric Design Data Transfer on BIM Platform
To address difficulties in accurately representing irregular components and curved elements during detailed design, and to enable real-time parameter adjustments within BIM models, the team developed an integrated workflow platform.
Parametric Modeling on BIM Platform
For example, the auditorium dome was modeled using Rhino & Grasshopper parametric design software to handle irregular shapes and analyze volumetric schemes. The form and panel data were exported to Excel for conversion. Autodesk Revit then imported this data via custom development, automatically generating panels and translating complex visual forms into parameter-based BIM components. This created a dynamic link between visual models and digital data, allowing Excel parameters to update in real time as the design evolves, synchronizing changes within Revit and establishing a two-way workflow.
Real-Time Parameter Transmission on BIM Platform
Rhino, Grasshopper, and Revit maintain the model’s fundamental topology while driving modifications through BIM parameter adjustments. Changing expression parameters enables model reconstruction, effectively transforming conceptual irregular forms into practical BIM models. This bidirectional real-time correction expands the collaborative potential of BIM technology.
Based on the author’s experience in parametric and BIM design, although both revolve around parameter-driven architecture and emphasize the inherent logic and rich data extraction, parametric design methods typically focus on early-stage conceptual design. Tools like Grasshopper and Rhinoscript generate design data that is challenging to transmit in real-time without deviation into BIM software optimized for later-stage construction. Integrating Grasshopper with Revit via Excel and plugins meets basic real-time modification needs but remains cumbersome and compromises Revit’s family-based information modeling approach. Therefore, this method should be temporary.
The Huayi BIM team also extensively tested Revit’s parametric module Dynamo. Despite its ability to control and link component families, Dynamo lacks sufficient calculation and parametric design features, leading to its abandonment in this project. The author believes that as tools like Dynamo mature, Revit-based parametric design holds great potential. Through secondary development focusing on data extractability within BIM and parametric outcomes, the information content of the BIM model can be significantly enhanced. The practical goal is to use BIM parametric software to control complex component families, facilitating the transfer of intricate facade data from early design stages into BIM software and ultimately supporting construction execution.
2.2 Innovations in BIM Green Design
2.2.1 Application of BIM Energy Model
During the early design phase, Huayi Design utilized the BIM energy model to optimize the building form and guide design decisions. BIM data analysis assessed how varying window-to-wall ratios and placements affected energy consumption and daylighting. Adjustments to the octopus arms’ swing angles and guest room layouts were made to select the optimal solution based on energy model feedback.
BIM Energy Model
In controlling guest room window ratios and slab insulation levels, the skylight system was re-optimized within the BIM platform using detailed energy calculations, considering local climate and lighting conditions. By comparing different skylight window ratios and opening configurations, the team established design principles for skylights.
Simultaneously, conceptual insulated floor slabs and roof structures were modeled within BIM, accounting for how different roof shapes, openings, and spaces affect occupant comfort.
At the outset, architects used BIM to determine the glass coverage ratio of public spaces, balancing sea views, air conditioning load, and architectural form. This informed facade design principles and improved overall architectural quality by leveraging BIM’s data strengths early in the design process.
This project demonstrates that BIM energy models provide rich data interfaces, serving as a unified platform for green design. Energy-focused green design and analysis will increasingly be integrated into early project stages, becoming essential to schematic design.
2.2.2 BIM Noise Analysis to Meet Design Requirements
The hotel site is adjacent to a high-end villa area with “Urban Area Environmental Noise Standards” requiring maximum noise levels of 55dB during the day and 45dB at night. Modern high-end civilian helicopters have a lift-to-drag ratio of 6.6, vibration levels reduced to 0.05g, noise below 95dB, and maximum speeds up to 350 km/h. Helicopter noise from hotel tourism posed a significant disturbance risk for residents.
Using BIM, Huayi Design determined helicopter flight paths to mitigate noise impacts. Calculations showed that to maintain acceptable sound levels, helicopters must maintain a straight-line distance of 200 meters during the day and 300 meters at night from the villas.
Helicopter Noise Calculation
Helicopter Noise Analysis
The villa area’s Autodesk Revit model was exported to a DXF file, imported into noise simulation software, and analyzed using designated no-fly zones as linear noise corridors. Simulations confirmed compliance with “Urban Area Environmental Noise Standards,” establishing no-fly zones and recommended helicopter parking paths.
2.3 Application of BIM in Structural Design
2.3.1 Integrated Design Approach: Drawing, Physical, and Computational Models
BIM represents a revolutionary design method distinct from traditional AutoCAD workflows, where drawings and computational models lack integration and require manual consistency checks. Revit consolidates physical models, computational models, views, and drawings into a single information system—modifications to the model automatically update all associated drawings.
Huayi Design replaced traditional PKPM calculations with European and American structural analysis software recognized by Chinese authorities and compliant with national codes. Structural components and loads are input into Revit, which then exports integrated drawing, physical, and computational models to structural software for analysis. Modifications made to comply with the Chinese Structural Design Code are imported back into Revit, ensuring consistent models and eliminating manual rework, significantly improving design efficiency.
The Application of BIM in Structural Design
2.3.2 Phased Design Implementation Using BIM
Traditional design methods struggle to clearly represent different design stages, often resulting in confusing drawings. Huayi Design utilizes BIM’s stage design parameterization and view templates to produce distinct drawings for each phase, simplifying understanding across disciplines, enhancing design quality, and saving time.
Generation of BIM Structural Design
2.3.3 Comparative Analysis of Design Solutions with BIM
Architects and structural engineers often have differing design concepts for certain building parts, which are difficult to present on the same drawing. Huayi Design uses BIM models to display multiple design options within a single model, enabling architects, engineers, and clients to easily compare schemes and select the optimal one. This BIM-based approach improves communication, especially during early design stages.
Structural Selection Analysis
2.3.4 Concrete Horizontal Construction Drawings in Revit
Unlike Western concrete beam and column representations, China employs a unique flat representation for concrete structures. Due to inherent Revit software limitations, flat representation has been challenging. Huayi structural engineers overcame this by sharing parameters and exploiting built-in component features to achieve flat annotations in Revit construction drawings, broadening BIM’s applicability in structural documentation.
Process Diagram of Reinforcement for Structural Concrete Slab
Process Diagram of Reinforcement for Structural Concrete Beams
2.3.5 Establishing Specialized BIM Component and Complex Node Libraries
Many engineering components—such as composite columns and irregular beams—are not included in Revit’s standard library. Huayi Design created specialized parameterized beam and column families integrated with calculation software to resolve modeling, drawing, and structural calculation challenges of these components, laying the groundwork for more complex future projects.
Traditionally, detailed steel structure nodes were represented in 2D, limiting intuitive understanding for clients and constructors. By leveraging Revit’s 3D parametric family creation, complex steel nodes are realistically visualized, allowing stakeholders to view nodes from multiple angles, grasp spatial forms and assembly methods, and provide construction teams with clear 3D references.
Consolidation Node 3D Detail
Overlapping and Opening of Primary and Secondary Beams
2.4 Exploration and Reflection on Mechanical and Electrical BIM Design
2.4.1 Challenges with Traditional Electromechanical Representations
During the Octopus project design, the greatest resistance to BIM adoption came from mechanical and electrical disciplines, mainly due to significant differences in design and drawing workflows. This has caused many new BIM users to feel that BIM software reduces efficiency, leading some to revert to traditional methods. While BIM software still requires improvements in functionality, usability, and localization, the issue also lies in design approaches—not just software changes.
Recent BIM software developments have increased modeling efficiency, but the main bottleneck remains converting models into drawings (e.g., modifying line types, adding annotations, setting layers). For example, pipeline integration typically requires converting double-line pipes into single-line displays, adjusting line types, spacing, annotations, and layers, which is labor-intensive and poorly supported by current BIM tools, ultimately reducing drafting productivity.
BIM Mechanical and Electrical Foundation Plan
However, many of these traditional drafting requirements are no longer necessary. Single-line pipeline display originated from difficulties in drawing double lines based on pipe diameters; beautification addressed spatial relationship challenges in complex plans; layer management compensated for the lack of inherent object attributes. BIM inherently stores pipe diameters and supports dual-line views, while profiles and 3D views clarify spatial overlaps. Layer management becomes obsolete unless exporting to CAD formats. Simple annotations combined with BIM’s comprehensive pipeline diagrams reduce workload and enhance constructability understanding.
Exploration of BIM Mechanical and Electrical Plane Expression
In conclusion, BIM adoption requires not only software changes but also shifts in design philosophy, standards, and regulations. While the Octopus project ultimately accommodated traditional drawing requirements through client collaboration, this exploration highlights BIM’s transformative potential for industry design practices.
2.4.2 Practical Insights on BIM Pipeline Integration
Theoretically, BIM can resolve all pipeline collisions, but in large projects like Octopus, thousands of clashes occur per level, making exhaustive corrections impractical. Communication with construction teams revealed that many minor clashes can be resolved on-site without drawing revisions.
This insight informs design practices: soft clashes may be tolerated in drawings, while hard clashes require experienced designers’ judgment. Even comprehensive clash resolution may be unnecessary, as construction teams optimize based on experience, balancing labor and materials. Excessive BIM detailing of pipeline conflicts under tight schedules may reduce efficiency. Additionally, BIM designers often lack construction-phase experience, limiting consideration of maintenance, workspace, or structural errors.
Therefore, grasping the overall design intent and addressing critical, irreversible errors is the best strategy for smooth BIM pipeline integration.
Huayi’s approach prioritizes main pipeline collisions (especially gravity flow) and selectively addresses adjustable branch pipe clashes. Continuous communication with construction personnel leverages their practical expertise, improving pipeline integration efficiency and maximizing BIM designers’ productivity.
2.5 Reflections and Strategies from the Octopus Project Implementation
2.5.1 Building and Enhancing a Standard Family Library
A standard family library functions similarly to CAD block libraries, enabling data extraction, insertion, and modification to improve drawing expression and save time. Families’ parameterized nature allows accurate plan, elevation, and section representation through simple parameter changes, greatly accelerating modeling. Creating families requires significant time and cannot occur during active projects, necessitating continuous accumulation and updating for usability.
2.5.2 Reflections on BIM Drawing Delivery and Review
As 3D model approvals are not yet accepted in China, BIM deliverables face awkward submission processes, causing unease. Huayi Design, leading BIM committees in Shenzhen’s design industry, actively promotes administrative acceptance of BIM at the government level to streamline approval procedures.
2.5.3 Interim Measures for BIM Drawing Delivery
Clients and construction units lack BIM capabilities and require traditional drawing formats. Revit demands custom navigation layer templates for design firms, and drawings often require additional line adjustments to meet domestic standards, complicating direct Revit output.
2.5.4 Importance of BIM Collaboration Standards
Collaboration, both inter- and intra-disciplinary, creates numerous intersections. Without unified, detailed standards, workload increases and design progress slows—unacceptable to design teams. Developing and implementing comprehensive collaboration protocols improves drafting quality and lifecycle control, making standards critical for successful BIM projects.
2.5.5 Managing Design Modifications in BIM
Modifications in Revit differ greatly from traditional CAD, with 3D model changes affecting the entire system, potentially overwhelming designers. While Revit’s linkage reduces omissions, it demands strict drafting standards from design teams. Poor BIM modeling habits cause unforeseen workload during revisions. Effective early communication with clients, anticipating scenarios, maintaining principles, and enhancing design quality help minimize modifications.
3. Summary
The BIM exploration on the Octopus Hotel project elevated Huayi Design’s capabilities in parametric integrated design, BIM standardization, project collaboration, and construction application. It serves as an exemplary case for wider BIM adoption in design. Leveraging BIM’s rigor and usability, the project ensured smooth design progress with continuous interdisciplinary communication and feedback. BIM not only benefits Huayi Design but also drives innovation and breakthroughs in design and management.
Note: This project received the 4th “Innovation Cup,” winning first prize for Best BIM Green Analysis Application and third prize for Best BIM Building Design in the Building Information Modeling (BIM) Application Design Competition.
Author’s Profile
Guo Wenbo is the Design Director of Hong Kong Huayi Design Consultant (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Head of Huayi Hong Kong Branch, Deputy Director of the Information Construction Committee, and a National First-Class Registered Architect. He graduated from Xiamen University in 1995 with a major in architecture. He has led numerous large-scale public, residential, and planning design projects, with extensive experience in architectural and BIM design based on Revit. Representative works include Nanjing Zhongjian Building and Jinan Zhonghai Plaza – Universal City.
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