About AEODC

AEODC is a promising player in the global AEC industry providing Virtual Design & Construction services to our clients worldwide using BIM technology. Our team of architects and engineers, with a combined experience of more than 2 decades, is well-versed with the global industry standards and deliver quality projects to our clients located across the world.

Our operations are spread over United States, Canada and India with an expansion into the European market in the works.

BIM Levels and LOD: The Differences You Should Know as a BIM Professional

The global construction market is set to grow up to 14.4 trillion by the year 2030 whereas, in 2020, the amount was 6.4 trillion. For such fast-paced development and in order to retain the accuracy and reliability of data, BIM with Revit Structure Modeling has come handy for various designers and engineers. While working on a BIM model, we all have come across the terms BIM LOD or levels. What are BIM Levels and LODs and what do they signify in a BIM project? Let’s find out.

What are BIM Levels?

Source: Service works global

There are more than three-quarters of AEC experts that have adopted BIM levels actively in their workflows. BIM maturity levels have been accepted as a basic criterion to step into the zone of BIM compliance.

The BIM Levels refers to the collaboration specifications that enable the AEC industry professionals to work with better clarity. Let’s learn about each of these levels in detail.

BIM Level 0: No Collaboration

Level 0 in BIM refers to just the set of computer-aided designing where 2D drawings are generated. With no collaboration, the files can be shared through papers and prints.

BIM Level 1: No Collaboration but a Clear Distribution of Roles and Scope

Level 1 comes into the picture as a 3D model. Although there is either no or low collaboration, in this case, sharing information is carried out through CDE (common data environment).

BIM Level 2: Distinguished Collaboration

Level 2 is about collaborating within different disciplines through IFC which enables access to everyone for working on the BIM model.

BIM Level 3: Full Collaboration and Open Source Data

Level 3 means complete collaboration on a shared project. It also involves 4D, 5D, and 6D in this step for each stakeholder to access and edit the data.

LOD: Level of Detail or Level of Development?

LOD is referred to the state of Revit modeling at that specific point of time in the entire process. It’s not just the graphical data but also information related to the objects. Let’s understand the differences between these two interchangeably used terms associated with LOD.

Level of Detail

BIM levels of detail refer to the outputs seen in a model which are a result of the inputs served.

Level of Development

In terms of development, BIM levels are the intensity of thought that has been fed into the model. It also means the reliability of a BIM model which is based on the details added.

LOD 100 to LOD 500: Explained

Source: BIM Lead

Revit modeling enables working with a level of development. Let’s understand the different BIM LOD offers.

LOD 100 (Conceptual Design)

This refers to the development of a conceptual model that demands basic parameters like height, area, volume, orientation, and location.

LOD 200 (Schematic Design with Geometrical Information)

It means modeling geometric elements along with adding non-geometric details for architectural or structural models.

LOD 300 (Detailed Design with Accurate Geometry)

It means accurate modeling and drawings in which the elements along with MEP details are added as per precise quantity, shape, size, and other modeling elements.

LOD 350 (Information for Construction)

With LOD 350 comes more enhanced details and elements. The information is a representation of building elements along with the incorporation of building systems.

LOD 400 (Good for Fabrication and Installation)

This level of development is about modeling the elements based on assemblies, fabrication, and detailed information for precision in the BIM model.

LOD 500 (As-Built)

The as-built BIM model in LOD 500 is the assemblies compiled for maintenance and operations with actual shapes and sizes.

Why is it Important for BIM Professionals to Know BIM Levels and LOD?

Source: AEODC

With the benefits of Revit modeling and BIM LOD’s associated with the models, it has become a vital element for any AEC project. BIM professionals need to have a clear understanding on the subjects and the different BIM maturity levels for accuracy in their designs, efficient handover, and ease of communication amongst teams.

FAQs: LOD

1.What is the use of LOD in a BIM project?

The purpose of LOD in BIM is to easily define standards for its users in order to carry out the execution. It simply makes communication convenient and efficient.

2. What are BIM LOD Standards and Specifications?

The Level of Detail or Level of Development is the reference used to specify the precision of a BIM model.

3. Is BIM Level 2 mandatory?

BIM Level 2 can be used to enhance the visibility of the entire process of design and construction.

4. Is there a BIM Level 4?

BIM Level 4 is all about the introduction of concepts of well-being and enhanced social outcomes in a project.

Author

Anjali K

About the Author

Design and Construction Technology Enthusiast, Anjali Kumari holds quality experience of demi-decade working in the AEC Industry. Spearheading the BIM Division, she strongly believes technology will change the course of construction in near future.

Since start of her career, Anjali has been advocate of bringing the much needed quality driven output in the BIM Industry and strongly believes knowing the Design and Construction aspect helps in implementing BIM technology with ease.

She completed her Bachelor of Architecture from NIT Hamirpur and aims to change the way BIM is implemented.

Date

March 1, 2023

The four pillars on which AEODC stands

Quality
- Client satisfaction is the topmost priority at AEODC.
- We have a rigorous quality control process throughout the project lifecycle with special attention to complete transparency.
- Our team goes above and beyond the client expectations as our end goal is not only to deliver quality but also to add value to the project by providing intelligent solutions.
Accuracy
- Our clients choose us for our knowledge – our team focuses on accuracy as much as it does on quality – after all what is quality without accuracy, right?
- Our submissions are detailed and aim to accurately capture the client requirements – the stated, the evident and the imperceptible.
- Our quality control process has built-in checks & balances to ensure overall accuracy of the project.
Commitment
- Our team adheres to a very high professional standard of excellence while staying committed to the core values of AEODC as well as our clients.
- Our commitment is not only to deliver a quality product but do it within the promised timeframe, every time – ‘consistency’ is key to commitment.
Communication
- The key to any successful relationship is effective communication and at AEODC, we do just that – staying connected with clients, providing accurate timely updates and actively listening to them throughout the project lifecycle.
- Communicating openly with our clients helps build trust and a deeper understanding of our clients’ requirements.
- Proactive communication not only assists us in delivering at par with our clients’ requirement but exceed their expectations time & again.

Quality
- Client satisfaction is the topmost priority at AEODC.
- We have a rigorous quality control process throughout the project lifecycle with special attention to complete transparency.
- Our team goes above and beyond the client expectations as our end goal is not only to deliver quality but also to add value to the project by providing intelligent solutions.
Accuracy
- Our clients choose us for our knowledge – our team focuses on accuracy as much as it does on quality – after all what is quality without accuracy, right?
- Our submissions are detailed and aim to accurately capture the client requirements – the stated, the evident and the imperceptible.
- Our quality control process has built-in checks & balances to ensure overall accuracy of the project.

Commitment
- Our team adheres to a very high professional standard of excellence while staying committed to the core values of AEODC as well as our clients.
- Our commitment is not only to deliver a quality product but do it within the promised timeframe, every time – ‘consistency’ is key to commitment.
Communication
- The key to any successful relationship is effective communication and at AEODC, we do just that – staying connected with clients, providing accurate timely updates and actively listening to them throughout the project lifecycle.
- Communicating openly with our clients helps build trust and a deeper understanding of our clients’ requirements.
- Proactive communication not only assists us in delivering at par with our clients’ requirement but exceed their expectations time & again.

Client satisfaction is the topmost priority at AEODC.
We have a rigorous quality control process throughout the project lifecycle with special attention to complete transparency.
Our team goes above and beyond the client expectations as our end goal is not only to deliver quality but also to add value to the project by providing intelligent solutions.