Knowledge practices for Revit and Rhino: Manual schematic modeling of existing buildings

This paper examines knowledge implications of digitally modeling existing buildings through a comparative analysis of modeling practices in Revit and Rhino. The paper introduces the concept of Manual Schematic Modeling (MSM), an approach distinct from conventional highly-detailed, semantically-enriched parametric modeling. Through an MSM case study, software-specific decisions are shown to uniquely inform architectural knowledge production. Results suggest that the use of multiple epistemological frameworks, i. e., digital modeling software platforms, can inform architectural knowledge production even if these frameworks appear to be mutually incommensurable. This work challenges the presumed value of a single, comprehensive digital model and argues for the value of diverse modeling approaches for existing buildings.