I know we’ve been talking a lot about the challenges of designing efficient and compliant spaces, especially on a large-scale project like a hospital. One area that always seems to cause a headache is the MEP layout in ADA bathrooms. Getting all the fixtures, piping, and conduit to fit within the strict accessibility guidelines while maintaining proper clearances for installation and maintenance can be a real puzzle.

But what if I told you there’s a better way? A way to leverage the power of computational design to explore thousands of possible layouts in the time it would take to manually create just a handful. That’s where Autodesk Revit Generative Design comes in. It’s a tool that can help us find the optimal layout for our MEP fixtures, ensuring we meet all the ADA requirements while also considering other factors like material cost, installation time, and even structural conflicts.

Here’s a breakdown of how we can use this powerful process to tackle our hospital project and then get it ready for fabrication with Trimble SysQue.

Step 1: Defining the Problem in Revit

 

The first step is to set up our “study” in Revit. This is where we tell Generative Design what we’re trying to achieve and what constraints we need to follow.

  1. Isolate the Design Space: We’ll start by creating a dedicated Revit view or model specifically for the ADA bathroom layouts. This helps Generative Design focus on a confined area. We need to make sure the walls, doors, and any other fixed elements are in place.
  2. Identify the “Elements to Change”: We need to select the MEP fixtures we want Generative Design to arrange. This would include things like sinks, toilets, urinals, grab bars, and any required plumbing fixtures. We’ll also need to identify the families for the pipe and conduit runs that will connect these fixtures.
  3. Define the Goals: What makes a “good” layout? We need to give Generative Design a way to measure success. For our ADA bathroom, our goals would likely include:
    • Minimizing Material: We want to find a layout that uses the least amount of pipe and conduit. This saves on material costs and installation time.
    • Maximizing Clearance: We need to ensure that the layout provides adequate clearance around all fixtures, as required by ADA standards. We can set up specific distance requirements between elements.
    • Minimizing Conflicts: We want to avoid clashes with structural elements or other MEP systems.
    • Meeting Specific Codes: We can even build in checks for specific code requirements, like minimum distances from a centerline to a wall.
  4. Set the Rules (Constraints): This is where we tell Generative Design what not to do. This is crucial for making sure the results are usable and compliant. Our constraints would include:
    • ADA Clearances: We’ll set up parameters that enforce the mandatory clear space around fixtures. For example, a 30” x 48” clear floor space in front of a lavatory.
    • Fixture Placement: We’ll define the acceptable zones where fixtures can be placed (e.g., a toilet must be located within a certain distance from the waste stack).
    • Rotation: We can allow fixtures to be rotated by 90, 180, or 270 degrees to find the best fit.

 

Step 2: Running the Study

 

With our goals and constraints defined, we can now “run the study.” Generative Design will take all of our inputs and start generating hundreds, or even thousands, of possible layouts. It will use algorithms to explore different combinations of fixture placement and orientation, evaluating each one against our goals.

The results will be presented in a visual dashboard, where we can see all the different options and how they rank based on our criteria. We can then filter and sort the results to find the layouts that best meet our needs. We might find a layout that scores exceptionally well on minimizing material but is only “good” at maximizing clearance. Or we might find a layout that has a great balance of both.

 

Step 3: Choosing the Best Option and Laying it Out for Fabrication

 

Once we’ve reviewed the options and selected the best-performing layout, we can bring it back into our main Revit model. This isn’t just a static image; it’s a real Revit layout that we can now work with.

This is where Trimble SysQue comes in to take us from design to fabrication.

  1. Leverage the Design: The Generative Design-approved layout gives us a fantastic starting point. We have the fixtures in the optimal positions, so we can now use SysQue to replace the generic Revit families with fabrication-ready content.
  2. Add Fabrication Content: SysQue’s content is more than just a 3D model; it contains real-world data like part numbers, lengths, and connections. We can swap out the generic pipe and fittings for the specific spools and fittings our fabricator will use. SysQue knows the rules for how these pieces connect, so it will automatically place the correct couplings, elbows, and tees.
  3. Refine and Optimize: Even though Generative Design gave us an optimized layout, we still need to fine-tune it for fabrication. SysQue allows us to:
    • Automatic Spooling: We can have SysQue automatically spool our piping runs into manageable sections for pre-fabrication.
    • Add Hangers and Supports: We can add hangers and supports using SysQue’s extensive library, ensuring the system is properly supported.
    • Generate Cut Lists and Bill of Materials (BOM): SysQue can instantly generate a detailed BOM and cut list directly from our model. This means our fabrication shop gets a precise list of every single component needed, eliminating guesswork and reducing waste.

By combining the computational power of Autodesk Revit Generative Design with the fabrication-level detail of Trimble SysQue, we can create a workflow that is not only faster and more efficient, but also leads to a more compliant, cost-effective, and constructible design. This is how we can truly embrace the future of building design, and make projects like our hospital a resounding success!

Let’s talk soon about how we can implement this on your next project. I’m excited to see what we can accomplish together!