Revit Design Adventures: Adding the Skylights and Wells (7)

First Iteration: Adding the Skylights and Wells

Everything we are drawing will be drawn in views which have been set to Phase One, Show All.

Our client had provided some sketches which indicated that the skylights would be cut into the existing ceiling. Also, flared lightwells were requested.

The skylights are from the standard installed library. They are found in the Windows folder and are hosted to the roof; easy to install. The opening in the roof is automatically cut.

The openings in the ceiling is drawn using the By Face, Opening object. This will also be on Phase One.

Here's where things get 'squirrely', as they say. The flared lightwells will be drawn with an In-Place Mass object to provide the backing for the angled walls. You will need to make some Reference Planes to define the extents of the skylight wells. I recommend named Ref Planes (front and back) and an Extrusion. You can do this in a 3D view, right side. (On a side note, if there are any Revit developers or influencers reading this, please give us non-plumb walls.) Use Walls-By Face to add the walls to the edge of the skylight well. Pay attention to the location line of the wall as you add them.

You are able to group the first one you made, with one exception; the ceiling cut. For some reason Revit changes the Phasing of the cut when it's copied and it's not able to be adjusted in the Properties Palette. So, you can pick the skylight well walls as well as the skylight and group them. In this case it seems that the openings are better drawn separately. (If someone can 'shed some light' on this issue please comment.)

So far, we have spent about 3-4 hours setting up and drawing the first iteration. We just need to present this to client so that they can make some decisions. This first iteration was an exercise in reflecting back the sketch to the client. Now we, the designers, and the client can make some educated suggestions. So, let's take a look at how we do our rendering and presentation.

Next Post in Series: Presentation and Rendering

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Lego of the Day: In honour of Top Gear...Something to read, something to drive, something to smash...

Revit Design Adventures: Finishing the Shell (6)

First Iteration: Finishing the Shell with Roofs, Floors, Ceilings etc.



Drawing the rest of the shell means adding floors, roofs, ceilings and the skylights with openings. The shell is on the Existing Phase as this is mostly an interior renovation.


Levels should always be made to finished STRUCTURE. (As apposed to finishes like carpet, tile etc.)

The floor top is aligned to the Level. Any floor finishes need to be thin and on top of the structural floor. We'll put the finish floor on later.

The roof bottom is aligned with the Level. But it may not be where you think. The bottom, outer edge of the roof is aligned with the Level. So in the case of wood, stick framed roofs you will need to move the roof down to the proper springing point.

The ceiling is based on an offset from the floor level to the underside of the ceiling. The default way to make the ceiling is 'Automatic' but this is not usually the way to go. You're better to go with the Sketch Ceiling option. Constraining the model should always be avoided.

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