Revit Phasing and Design Options: A Complete BIM Workflow
Organize renovation projects, distinguish existing and proposed construction, and evaluate alternative design solutions using Revit phases, phase filters and design option sets.
Renovation and redevelopment projects require more than a single representation of a building. A BIM model may need to describe the existing condition, demolition scope, temporary construction stages and final proposed design. Revit provides phase parameters and phase filters to organize these conditions without maintaining completely separate models.
1. Understanding Revit Phases
A phase represents a project period or construction state. Typical renovation projects may use phases such as Existing, Demolition and New Construction. These names are configurable; the important part is establishing a consistent sequence that matches the project delivery strategy.
Each model element has a Phase Created value. Elements that are removed from the project can also have a Phase Demolished value. These parameters allow Revit to determine how an element should appear when a view is associated with a particular phase.
2. Phase Created and Phase Demolished
Consider an existing masonry wall that must be removed during renovation. Its Phase Created value is set to Existing and its Phase Demolished value is set to Demolition. A replacement wall can be created in the New Construction phase.
This distinction is important: demolition is not simply a visibility toggle. It records a change in the element's project lifecycle. A wall demolished in one phase can still appear in views representing an earlier project condition.
3. Configuring Phase Filters
Phase filters control how elements from different project periods are displayed. Depending on the filter, elements may be shown as existing, demolished, temporary, or newly constructed. Graphic overrides can then distinguish these states using line patterns, colors and transparency.
A practical renovation drawing set often includes separate views for existing conditions, demolition plans and proposed construction. Each view should use an intentional Phase and Phase Filter combination rather than relying on manual hiding.
4. Design Options and Option Sets
Design Options solve a different problem. They allow teams to develop alternative solutions for a portion of the model, such as competing lobby layouts, façade arrangements or apartment configurations.
An option set groups alternatives that represent mutually exclusive design decisions. For example, a project might contain a Lobby Layout option set with Option A and Option B. The primary option is the default alternative used by views unless another option is explicitly selected.
5. Combining Phases with Design Options
Phases describe when construction elements exist or change. Design Options describe which alternative design is being evaluated. They should not be treated as interchangeable mechanisms.
For example, a renovation project can use phases to represent the existing building and the proposed works, while design options compare two alternative extensions. This separation keeps the model's timeline independent from design decisions.
6. View Templates and Documentation
View templates help standardize phase filters, visibility settings, graphic overrides and annotation styles. Create dedicated templates for existing-condition plans, demolition plans and proposed plans. This reduces accidental differences between drawings.
Before issuing a drawing set, verify that each view references the intended phase and filter. Also check that dependent views, schedules and sheets communicate the same project state.
7. Common Revit Phasing Problems
- An element appears in the wrong view because its Phase Created parameter is incorrect.
- Demolished elements remain visible because the view uses an unsuitable phase filter.
- New construction is hidden because the view phase precedes the element's creation phase.
- Design alternatives appear together because the view is not configured to display the intended option.
- Inconsistent view templates create different graphic results across sheets.
8. Recommended Project Workflow
- Define project phases before extensive modeling begins.
- Assign existing elements to the correct creation phase.
- Set demolition phases for elements scheduled for removal.
- Create new elements in the appropriate construction phase.
- Configure phase filters and graphic overrides.
- Create design option sets only for genuine alternatives.
- Build view templates for consistent documentation.
- Review views and sheets before issuing deliverables.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Revit phases and design options?
Phases represent project time and construction states. Design Options represent alternative solutions that can be compared within the same project.
Can a demolished element appear in an existing-condition view?
Yes. A view representing a phase before demolition can show the element as existing, provided its phase parameters and view settings are configured correctly.
Should every design alternative use a separate phase?
No. Alternatives are generally better managed with Design Options. Phases should represent meaningful project periods or construction states.
Do phase filters change the model geometry?
No. Phase filters control graphical representation in views; they do not independently modify the underlying geometry.