Project phases in Revit: Organize renovation and demolition views

Autodesk’s Revit 2012 user documentation explains how project phases and phase filters are used in renovation work. This documentation for Revit Architecture and Revit MEP describes phases as project stages extending from existing conditions through subsequent work periods; filters control how elements appear in views and schedules. The steps below turn this approach into a workflow. The stated version scope is the 2012 documentation; no unverified menu paths or settings for current versions have been added.

1. Divide the project timeline into phases

Start by identifying the different time periods in the project. Autodesk’s examples include “existing,” “phase 1” and “phase 2.” These names do not mean every project must use the same sequence or number of phases; the documentation presents them as examples of possible project periods. The key point is that phases represent distinct periods of time.

In a renovation project, separating documentation of the existing building from subsequent intervention periods helps the model and documentation read according to the project timeline. When defining phases, make sure the team has a shared understanding of what each period represents. This makes it easier to base phase selections in plans and schedules on a consistent workflow.

In addition to describing how to define phases, Revit documentation lists merging existing phases among its related topics. However, the source does not explain the conditions under which this operation should be performed. For this reason, establishing a clear phase structure from the outset is a cautious way to avoid unnecessary changes.

2. Create a working view for existing conditions

According to the documentation, every view has its own phase. Elements created in a view also inherit that view’s phase. Autodesk recommends using a working plan with its phase set to “existing” to make it easier to create elements in the correct phase.

In practice, this can help prevent newly drawn elements from accidentally belonging to a different period while you work on the existing building. Use a plan suited to the work when documenting existing conditions, and assess views showing later project periods according to the phase they represent. Since the source does not provide a specific menu path for this setting, no interface steps are given here.

A view’s phase is not the same thing as simply naming the view: the documentation explicitly states that elements created in that view inherit its phase. That is why it is important to check which period the view represents before using it as a working plan.

3. Organize views for their purpose with phase filters

Phase filters are used to control the graphic display of existing, demolished and new elements. This allows the presentation of the model in different views to be organized according to the project period being documented. Filters also help control how elements appear in schedules.

When preparing a view, first identify the project period it is intended to show; then check whether the view’s phase and phase filter align with that purpose. The source does not specify particular filter names, colors, line types or default values. This guide therefore makes no recommendations about those settings.

A separate phase for demolition is not required. Autodesk’s documentation states that demolished elements are treated as “new construction” in the phase they belong to. This removes the need to define demolition as a new phase; however, the phase an element belongs to and what the view filter displays still matter.

4. Separate schedules by project period

Phases can also be applied to schedules. Autodesk’s example concerns a door schedule for a major renovation project: listing every door created in the project in one schedule can cause doors to be demolished to appear alongside post-renovation doors, making the schedule harder to manage.

Instead, the documentation describes creating separate door schedules for before demolition and after renovation, and applying the appropriate phase to each. This approach helps a schedule represent a particular project period. The same logic could be applied to other schedules, but the door schedule is the example explicitly given in the source. Therefore, check the project data and intended output before assuming the same result for other schedule types.

Before issuing a schedule, check which period it covers, whether the phase has been applied correctly and whether demolished elements should be included. This helps identify mismatches between the schedule’s purpose and its contents early.

Impact on architecture, interiors and visualization workflows

Phasing provides a documentation framework for architecture and interior design teams that need to distinguish parts of an existing building that will be retained, demolished or addressed in a later period. Using views and schedules according to project period can help teams read different stages from the same model. Visualization teams can also make use of views and element information organized by phase; however, the source does not describe a specific rendering or export workflow.

The explanations in this guide are based on 2012 documentation published for Revit Architecture and Revit MEP. Features and the behavior of views and schedules should be verified in the version used in the current installation. The documentation also provides no information about licensing, hardware requirements or compatibility with newer versions; no assumptions outside the source should be made on these topics.

Common mistakes

• Working in an existing-conditions plan without checking the view’s phase, which can cause new elements to be assigned to the wrong period.

• Assuming a separate phase is always required for demolished elements; according to Autodesk’s documentation, demolished elements are treated as new construction in the phase they belong to.

• Combining all periods in one schedule and allowing information from before demolition and after renovation to get mixed together.

• Treating filter colors, values or menu steps not specified in the source as definitive Revit instructions.

The safest review sequence is: identify the period represented by the view, check the view’s phase, confirm that the phase filter displays the expected elements, and verify the schedule’s scope. This sequence follows the relationship between phases, views, filters and schedules described by Autodesk.