Abstract: A computer-implemented building design and modeling system and method are provided. In one embodiment, the system comprises a spatial database; means for defining a plurality of parametric objects, each of the parametric objects representing a construction component of at least a portion of a building being modeled and including an interface through which the parametric object communicates information with other ones of the parametric objects; a cost database containing, for each of parametric objects, cost information associated with the parametric object; means for assembling a model of the building utilizing the parametric objects, wherein each of the parametric objects is created in the spatial database; and means for generating in real-time a cost-estimate for the building model based on the cost information associated with the parametric objects as the parametric objects are created in the spatial database.

Abstract: A computer-implemented building design and modeling system, method, and computer program product are provided. In one example, the computer program product includes computer executable instructions for processing by a computer system. The instructions include instructions for creating instances of parametric objects in a spatial database, where each of the parametric objects represents a construction component of a structure to be modeled and includes a user interface for enabling a user to input design data for the parametric object. The instructions also include instructions for initiating assembly of the parametric objects to create a partial building model. The parametric objects include ordinary elements and massing elements, the massing elements being capable of placing instances of other objects into the spatial database and subsequently passing data to and receiving data from the placed objects.

Abstract: A computer-implemented automated building design and modeling and construction project cost estimating and scheduling system (“DMES system”) is described. The DMES system provides a central source for all of the design and construction information for a construction project in a coordinated two-dimensional and three-dimensional spatial database that is freely accessible by all of the members of an interdisciplinary construction project team as a means to produce automatically coordinated design development and construction document information. The DMES system acquires and stores all of the appropriate design, engineering, and construction expertise and information available for any building type for use in automatically assembling and coordinating the design, cost-estimating, and scheduling for a construction project. In one embodiment, the DMES system consists of a plurality of objects, comprising elements and massing elements arranged in an assembly hierarchy.