Creating a Revit Mass Model for the Marilyn Building Form
1. Start by selecting Adaptive Metric Conventional Model. Create an adaptive component family using a family template. Draw two reference points, select both, and click Make Adaptive to convert them into adaptive points.
2. Note that the angle values in the adaptive point instance properties are grayed out, so angle parameter control cannot be added directly. To address this, place a reference point at the location of adaptive point 1 (which can be controlled by angle parameters). Set the horizontal plane of this reference point as the work plane, then draw an ellipse. Add dimension parameters to control the ellipse’s long and short radii.
3. Set the horizontal plane of adaptive point 2 as the work plane. Use the alignment command in the Create tab to add dimension annotations for the distance between the two points, then add labels for control.
Note: The parameters added here should be set as instance parameters, with the report parameter option enabled.
4. Select the reference point at the center of the ellipse and locate the rotation angle property in the instance properties panel on the left. Add a rotation angle label to this reference point and set it as an instance parameter.
5. The goal is to make the ellipse’s angle change as the number of layers increases. To achieve this, add a formula controlling the relationship between layer height and rotation angle. The distance between the two adaptive points represents the layer height. Define the angle value as: (distance between adaptive points ÷ layer height) × rotation angle value per additional layer.
6. Save the adaptive elliptical shape you created. Then, select the metric mass family template to create a new mass model.
7. Set the vertical plane as the work plane and draw a vertical model line. Select the bottom elevation as the base, then enter elevation values for each layer to copy multiple elevation planes.
8. Select the vertical model line and click Split Path to mark intersection points. Select the elevation planes you just created and cancel their layout temporarily to locate points where the model line intersects each elevation. These points will be used to place elliptical adaptive components.
9. Load the previously created elliptical adaptive component into the mass environment. In the Create tab, select Place to insert it.
10. Place the ellipse on the intersection points along the model line. Start by selecting the second intersection point at the bottom as the first placement point, followed by the first intersection point as the second. For the second ellipse, select three intersection points on the ground, then choose the bottommost point to place it.
Note: If the ellipse is not horizontal after placement, return to the ellipse’s family editing environment, select the adaptive point at the center of the ellipse, and under its instance properties, change the orientation setting to Global XYZ.
11. After placing elliptical shapes on all floors, select all ellipses and click Create Form to generate the initial solid shape. Once the form is created, it can be used for further operations. Use the VV shortcut to hide reference lines, planes, and other auxiliary elements.
This simple mass form of the Marilyn Monroe Building has now been created. The instructions are straightforward, but some steps require hands-on practice. Feel free to reach out to the editor if you encounter any issues.
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