For the Yangfangdian Hospital project in Beijing, designers utilized BIM software Revit to address four key areas: medical functions (space management), green environmental protection (energy management), humanization (facility management), and intelligence (operation services).
Medical Functions
Regarding medical functions, the Revit-based work included site analysis and integration with the surroundings, internal flow analysis and simulation, internal space usage analysis and simulation, as well as coordination with related disciplines.
Site Analysis and Integration with Surroundings
Yangfangdian Hospital is located at No. 1 Shuangbeizifen Road, Haidian District, near Beijing West Station. The project required building a 200-bed comprehensive hospital on a 6,000 m² site, with a height limit of 42 meters and a mandated 30% green coverage for new hospitals. The site faced significant land-use challenges.
In planning, the complex surrounding roads and environment were thoroughly considered. The design adopted a centralized layout combining high-rise and podium building forms, leaving a large outdoor courtyard on the southeast side. Activity areas and limited parking spaces were arranged alongside greenery. The underground parking entrance and exit were positioned at the site’s northwest corner to minimize noise pollution interference with the main building.
Internal Flow Analysis and Simulation
In medical building design, arranging internal and external flow paths is crucial. Ensuring that users—including patients, medical staff, and logistics personnel—have the shortest, most efficient routes while separating clean and dirty flows is a top priority.
Unlike earlier approaches that relied on CAD for 2D design followed by separate software to map flow lines, Revit, as a 3D information modeling tool, enables the entire streamline design process to be completed seamlessly. It also clearly displays color-coded flow paths and transparent 3D views familiar to designers.
Internal Space Usage Analysis and Simulation
Revit’s three key features—visualization, graphic output, and informatization—were fully demonstrated in this project.
Regarding drawing capabilities, a single detailed floor plan automatically generates corresponding elevations and sections. For example, by configuring window family parameters on the plan, designers can simultaneously adjust window width, height, and position on the facade. For glass curtain walls, loading and adjusting “Clan” information allows the entire curtain wall design to be completed in one step.
In terms of informatization, 3D models carrying extensive data differ fundamentally from traditional 2D graphics. They significantly improve architectural design control and ease future operations and maintenance.
Take the windows as an example: once facade window selections are finalized, the attached information includes not only standard dimensions (length, width, height) but also window frame materials, construction details, manufacturers and their contacts, and insulation coefficients of the spatial interfaces. After selecting cooling and insulation equipment and interior finishes, room temperature and humidity become controllable design factors from the outset.
This approach greatly reduces design uncertainties during construction and minimizes material waste. It also enhances building operation control across specialties like plumbing, heating, and electrical work, creating a streamlined installation and maintenance process from start to finish.
For budgeting, this data-rich model simplifies cost estimation. Parameters such as interior and exterior wall areas, cement usage, and protective door quantities become intuitive and visible.
Collaboration Among Disciplines
Regarding structural coordination and plumbing, heating, and electrical systems, collision detection tests were conducted to identify potential clashes between pipelines, beams, and columns. These conflicts could be fully visualized and resolved on the computer.
Green and Environmentally Friendly Design
In terms of green environmental protection and energy management, Revit can directly analyze sunlight and climate impacts on the building’s thermal performance. The software assists HVAC professionals by calculating optimal energy use based on parameters such as room material insulation, space dimensions, structural elements, and air permeability.
Moreover, combining Revit with Ecotect delivers excellent energy-saving results, including indoor sunlight analysis, artificial lighting assessment, and post-fire thermal airflow simulations.
Humanization and Intelligence
Information technology design extends beyond architectural informatization to encompass comprehensive project management. From project initiation through planning, design, energy analysis, quantitative engineering, material tracking, construction, and operation, every stage allows access to information from the original design.
For instance, the modulus, materials, and even manufacturer details of windows can be queried within the model. This not only offers design flexibility but also accelerates project progress and facilitates post-completion maintenance.
Particularly in mechanical and electrical engineering, hospital automation is critical due to the facility’s operational demands. Service interruptions can pose significant risks. Thanks to the information-rich model, hospitals can quickly identify repair methods when unexpected issues arise, ensuring uninterrupted facility services.
(Wang Qing, China Zhongyuan International Engineering Co., Ltd.)
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