SURVEY.REBUILD.
DOCUMENT.

Donovan Avenue. Existing-condition survey information transformed into an architectural BIM workflow: existing model, demolition, proposed model, and a full drawing package with ongoing coordination support across disciplines.

PROJECT: Donovan Avenue
MY ROLE: Project Assistant Architect + BIM Architect
LOCATION: Joe Mills Architects · UK project
DELIVERY: Existing model · Demolition · Proposed model · Full package

PROJECT COVER

Donovan Avenue as documented at survey stage. The project started from on-site information and photographic reference, which then guided the existing-condition model, demolition scope, and proposed architectural package.

EXISTING FRONT ELEVATION / PROJECT COVER

MODELING SNAPSHOTS

Early in the case study, these visuals show the architectural BIM work itself: the overall building model and a sample of detailed interior / bathroom modeling that later fed the coordinated package.

Donovan Avenue overall architectural BIM model — OVERALL ARCHITECTURAL BIM MODEL

Donovan Avenue bathroom modeling sample — DETAILED BATHROOM MODELING SAMPLE

PROJECT JOURNEY

The project moved through a complete architectural BIM workflow: survey information → existing model → demolition → proposed model → coordinated architectural package. The final package covered general arrangements, setting-out drawings, door and window schedules, bathrooms, kitchens, wardrobes, stair and dormer assemblies, balustrades, partitions and linings, wall and floor finishes, reflected ceiling plans, and external envelope details.

01 / DONOVAN AVENUE

Context

Donovan Avenue was handled as a model-led architectural package. The project started from survey drawings and survey imagery, then progressed through existing conditions, demolition planning and proposed design development. The BIM model became the base for package extraction and coordination follow-up.

Survey-based BIM rebuild: Existing model
Changed areas isolated and documented: Demolition scope
Design-ready architectural BIM: Proposed model
Drawings, schedules, assemblies and finishes: Full package

02 / DONOVAN AVENUE

My contribution

My role combined architectural BIM production with project support responsibilities.

01 · Survey intake

Received survey drawings and project imagery, reviewed the incoming information and organized it as the basis for the modeling workflow.

02 · Existing conditions model

Built the existing model to reflect the surveyed condition before intervention.

03 · Demolition definition

Identified and modeled the areas to be removed or changed as a clear demolition scope.

04 · Proposed architectural model

Developed the proposed model after the existing and demolition stages were established.

05 · Full package extraction

Extracted the main architectural package with representative outputs across GAs, schedules, finishes, assemblies and technical details.

06 · Issue tracking + coordination

Followed project issues, monitored coordination points and supported coordination with the other disciplines during delivery.

03 / DONOVAN AVENUE

Process

The project followed a clear sequence from capture to delivery.

Receive survey package

Survey drawings and survey imagery were reviewed as the starting point for the project model.
Build existing conditions

The surveyed building was translated into an existing-condition BIM model.
Model demolition scope

Areas to be altered were isolated and documented as demolition information.
Develop proposed model

The proposed design model was prepared on top of the verified existing base.
Extract package outputs

Drawings and schedules were extracted from the model as a coordinated architectural package.
Track issues and coordinate

Issues were monitored and coordination was followed continuously with the wider project team.

04 / DONOVAN AVENUE

Survey + existing

The project started from survey drawings and site photography. The photographs below are intentionally converted to black and white to keep this part of the case study documentary in tone and clearly tied to the survey stage. Together, these materials supported the build-up of the existing-condition model before demolition and proposed design development.

SURVEY DRAWINGS

EXISTING SITE PHOTOS — BLACK & WHITE

05 / DONOVAN AVENUE

Demolition + proposed

After establishing the existing conditions, I worked through the demolition scope for the changing areas, then developed the proposed architectural model that fed the later drawing package.

Existing conditions established as the verified base model.
Demolition zones clarified before proposed development.
Proposed model developed as the source for package issue.

06 / DONOVAN AVENUE

Package output

Instead of showing every sheet, the project is represented here with one sample from each major output stream that formed the full package.

General arrangements

Main floor-plan package and core architectural layout information.

Setting out basement sample — PROPOSED SETTING OUT BASEMENT SAMPLE

Schedules

Door and window schedules extracted as part of the coordinated package.

Window schedule sample — WINDOW SCHEDULE SAMPLE

Architectural interiors and assemblies

Representative interior and component packages across bathrooms, kitchens, wardrobes, dormers, balustrades and stair assembly.

Wardrobe sample — WARDROBES ASSEMBLY SAMPLE

Balustrade sample — BALUSTRADE ASSEMBLY SAMPLE

Technical details + finishes

Envelope details, partition details, wall finishes, floor finishes and RCPs formed the technical part of the package.

Envelope details sample — EXTERNAL ENVELOPE DETAILS SAMPLE

Partitions details sample — PARTITIONS & LININGS DETAILS SAMPLE

Partitions and linings sample — PARTITIONS & LININGS SAMPLE

Wall finishes sample — WALL FINISHES SAMPLE

Floor finishes sample — FLOOR FINISHES SAMPLE

07 / DONOVAN AVENUE

Coordination

Alongside BIM production, I was responsible for monitoring issues and following coordination with the other disciplines. That meant checking the developing package, flagging problems, and keeping the architectural information aligned with the broader project workflow.

Issue tracking

Problems were identified, recorded and followed through the production cycle.

Discipline coordination

Architectural outputs were reviewed in relation to the work of the other disciplines.

08 / DONOVAN AVENUE

Result

Donovan Avenue demonstrates a full architectural BIM workflow: start from survey information, build the existing condition accurately, define demolition clearly, develop the proposed model, and extract a broad, coordinated package of deliverables while actively tracking issues and supporting multidisciplinary coordination.

Existing condition based on real input: Survey-led start
Existing → demolition → proposed: Clear transition
Schedules, finishes, assemblies, details: Wide package range
Project support + BIM production: Dual role

TRACE.
BUILD.
DELIVER.

Ahmed Attia · Project Assistant Architect + BIM Architect

CONTINUE EXPLORING

AVENUE HEIGHTS · LOBBY & GYM More from Joe Mills