Design Authoring
Lập mô hình thiết kế
Create architecture, structure, and MEP BIM models — the foundational mandatory use, prerequisite for all other BIM uses. Models contain geometry and properties per LOIN.
Common tools
Revit (most common in Vietnam), Civil 3D (infrastructure), Advance Steel
Value delivered
The sole foundation enabling all other BIM uses — without Design Authoring there is no BIM
Adoption in Vietnam
Most widespread use in Vietnam, especially with Revit. Mandatory per Decree 217 from feasibility stage.
Level of Information Need (LOIN)
G = Geometry · A = Alphanumeric · D = Documentation (ISO 7817-1:2024 method). A blank cell means this use sets no specific requirement for that discipline/stage.
| Discipline | Concept | Schematic | Developed | Technical | As-built / Operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture | G2·A1·D0 | G2·A1·D1 | G3·A2·D1 | G3·A2·D2 | — |
| Structure | — | G2·A1·D1 | G3·A2·D1 | G3·A2·D2 | — |
| Mechanical | — | G2·A1·D0 | G3·A2·D1 | G3·A2·D2 | — |
| Electrical | — | G2·A1·D0 | G3·A2·D1 | G3·A2·D2 | — |
| Plumbing | — | G2·A1·D0 | G3·A2·D1 | G3·A2·D2 | — |
Critical stages: Concept · Schematic · Developed · Technical
Rationale: The universal baseline — without it no other use can function. Set at every active stage. Mirrors the canonical LOD progression: concept G1/G2 → schematic G2 → detailed G3/A2 → construction G3/A2/D2. ARCH ST1=G2 enforces the Decree 217 khoản 3(c) minimum deliverable (3D location, principal dimensions of main components, infrastructure connections). D2 at ST4 provides the regulatory documentation layer required for permit/appraisal.
What it really is
Design Authoring is the use of BIM software to create a parametric building information model in which every object (wall, beam, duct, equipment) carries both 3D geometry and non-geometric data: materials, specifications, classification. Unlike ordinary "3D modelling" — which only produces shapes to look at — authoring produces a building database: edit one object and every drawing, section and schedule derived from it updates automatically. The model becomes the single source of truth for extracting drawings, quantities and data feeding other BIM Uses. Each object is assigned a Level of Information Need (LOIN) per ISO 7817-1:2024, defining the right amount of information per stage — no more, no less.
When to use
From the feasibility-study stage for every new-build work at Grade II or above — mandatory under Decree 217/2026/NĐ-CP, Art. 8(1)(a). Especially worthwhile for multidisciplinary projects, complex geometry, precise quantity take-off, or where operational handover data is required.
Prerequisites
- •EIR and BEP defining LOIN, a shared coordinate origin and naming convention per ISO 19650-2
- •Existing-conditions data: topographic survey, site boundary, point cloud for refurbishment projects
- •Standard object libraries and per-discipline templates
- •Trained authoring staff and a coordinating BIM Manager
- •Contract stating BIM data rights and ownership (Art. 8(6))
Inputs
Appointing party · .pdf / .docx
Lead appointed party · .pdf / .docx
Appointing party · .pdf / .xlsx
Appointing party · .pdf
Lead appointed party · .rvt / .pln / .ifc
Survey task team · .rcp / .e57 / .las
Other task team · IFC
Outputs
Discipline model (architecture / structure / MEP)
gốc (.rvt / .pln / .dgn) + IFC → Lead appointed party · published to CDE
Accepted when: Meets the specified LOIN; passes model health check — no critical geometry errors, properties complete
2D drawing set extracted from the model
.pdf / .dwg → Appointing party
Accepted when: Consistent with the model, compliant with drawing presentation standards
Quantity and space schedules
.xlsx / .ifc → Cost task team
Accepted when: Traceable to model objects
Model submitted for appraisal
IFC hoặc định dạng mở khác → Competent construction authority
Accepted when: Shows location, 3D spatial form, principal dimensions of main components and utility connection scheme (Art. 8(3))
General workflow
Set up environment and templates
Establish the shared coordinate origin, units, templates and object libraries per the BEP. Ensure every discipline uses the same origin — skip this and models will not align at coordination.
BIM Manager · Revit · Civil 3D (hạ tầng) · Advance Steel (kết cấu thép) → Standardised project template
Build concept massing
Create preliminary massing and check planning metrics: site coverage, floor area ratio, height, setbacks.
Architect · Forma for concept massing, then hand over to Revit → Concept model
Develop discipline models
Each task team builds parametric objects with information deepening per stage. Do not model beyond the agreed LOIN.
Discipline task team · Revit (architecture, structure, MEP) · Civil 3D (infrastructure) · Advance Steel (steelwork) → Work-in-progress discipline model
Assign data and classification
Assign properties and classification codes, then verify LOIN compliance using an IDS (Information Delivery Specification).
Task team + BIM Coordinator · Revit (thuộc tính & phân loại) · Solibri (kiểm tra IDS) → Data-rich model meeting LOIN
Run model health checks
Run automated checks: duplicate objects, missing properties, wrong classification, open geometry. This is the quality gate before publishing.
BIM Coordinator · Navisworks Manage · Solibri → Quality-check report
Extract drawings and schedules
Extract drawings, sections and quantity schedules directly from the model — never redraw manually, which breaks consistency.
Task team · Revit → Drawing set and schedules
Export IFC and publish to the CDE
Export IFC, name per convention, publish at Shared or Published status. The model accepted by the appointing party and published on the CDE is the reference of record (Art. 8(4)).
BIM Coordinator · Forma Data Management · Forma Design Collaboration (CDE) → Published information container
Diagram
↻ Edit once → everything updates
Common pitfalls
The model looks good but yields no correct quantities or drawings
Cause: Only geometry was built; properties and classification were never assigned
Fix: Require an IDS check against LOIN before publishing
Discipline models do not align during coordination
Cause: Each discipline used a different origin or coordinate system
Fix: Set the shared origin and survey point in the template from day one
Over-modelling: heavy files, schedule slips
Cause: LOIN ignored; everything modelled at maximum detail
Fix: Apply the just-enough LOIN per ISO 7817-1 for each stage
Changing software or partners loses the data
Cause: Only native formats were kept; no open-format export
Fix: Standardise IFC export alongside the native format per Art. 8(3)
Measuring effectiveness
Objects passing divided by total, measured by IDS check
Benchmark: no independent benchmark — set an internal target
Count errors from the Solibri or WebChecker report
Benchmark: no independent benchmark — set an internal target
Person-hours from model to issued drawing set
Benchmark: no independent benchmark — set an internal target
Legal basis
Mandatory for new-build works Grade II and above, from the feasibility study or economic–technical report stage (Art. 8(1)(a)). At appraisal, BIM data is provided in the open IFC standard or another open format suited to the project's nature; the competent authority may additionally request the native format for cross-checking (Decree 217/2026/NĐ-CP, Art. 8(3)(a) and (b)). The minimum content must show location, 3D spatial form, principal dimensions of main components and the utility connection scheme.
Sources
Only official sources (legislation, standards) and peer-reviewed academic work are cited. No vendor marketing figures or press sources. Reference only — does not replace legal advice.