In the AEC industry, effective delivery of large-scale projects often hinges on the strategic use of Building Information Modeling (BIM). A key element of BIM is the concept of Level of Development (LOD), which defines the depth of information and accuracy represented in a model as a project moves from conception to completion.
So, what exactly is LOD in BIM? Let’s find out!
What to expect in this article?
- What is LOD in BIM?
- Understanding BIM in different project stages — SD, DD, and CDs
- What we at SPA do — an example of a project we have worked on
- How to choose the right LOD for your BIM project?
- Benefits of using LOD framework in BIM
What is Level of Development (LOD) in BIM?
Introduced by the American Institute of Architecture in 2008, the LOD framework defines five numerical stages — LOD 100, LOD 200, LOD 300, LOD 350, and LOD 500 that represent a project’s progression from conceptual design to construction and operational readiness. In 2013, the framework was updated to refine the completeness and detail of model elements and their associated information.
Simply put, LOD in BIM is a standardized framework that defines both the geometric and the non-geometric aspects of the building elements throughout the project lifecycle.
Example – Architecture
Geometric detail:
At LOD 100, a wall might be represented by a simple line or block indicating its location and orientation.
At LOD 300, the same wall would show precise dimensions, height, thickness, and openings for doors or windows in correct positions.
Non-geometric details:
This can include material type, fire rating, insulation properties, and acoustic performance.
At LOD 300, the wall could be tagged with product codes, installation guidelines, and maintenance schedules.
Example – Mechanical Engineering (HVAC duct)
Geometric detail:
At a lower LOD, it might be a simple line showing the duct route.
At a higher LOD, it would include exact dimensions, bend angles, connection details, and system interactions.
Non-geometric details:
This could include material type, insulation, airflow capacity, manufacturer details, and installation dates.
By standardizing these details, LOD helps every stakeholder — architects, engineers, contractors, or facility managers — know exactly what to expect from the model at each stage, reducing errors and supporting everything from design to maintenance.
Understanding LOD in different project stages — SD, DD, and CD
Table: Mapping LOD to Project Stages
| Project Stage | Typical LOD Range | Focus / Characteristics |
| Schematic Design (SD) | LOD 100 – LOD 200 | • Conceptual massing and form • Basic spatial organization • Minimal details; elements may be represented by placeholders or generic symbols |
| Design Development (DD) | LOD 200 – LOD 300 | • Refinement of geometry and spatial relationships • Introduction of key systems (structural, MEP) • More detailed sizing and placement information |
| Construction Documents (CD) | LOD 300 – LOD 500 | • Fully detailed elements required for fabrication and construction • Precise dimensions, materials, and installation details • High coordination across disciplines |
What we do at SPA
At SPA, we deliver high-quality BIM models ranging from LOD 100 to LOD 500 across Architecture, Structure, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, and Fire Protection trades.
Example Project
- Type: Mixed-use (Hotel + Residential)
- Structure: 22 levels
- Total Area: 600,000 sq. ft.
- Timeline: May 2021 – Present
- Discipline: Architecture
LOD Mapping Across Project Stages
| Project Stage | LOD Level | Key Activities |
| Existing Conditions | LOD 200 | • Developing a model for the existing buildings around the site, including topography. • Modeling the existing condition of Building (office tower) with a scope that covers the garage level and glazing/facade. • Adding elements into worksets. |
| Schematic Designs / Initial Design Development | LOD 200 | • Defining spaces, area, and program. This phase also involved creating RSF (Rentable Square Footage) plans, floor height changes, elevation development, demolition plans for the garage floor, window family creation, modeling stairs, and setting up a complete set of sheets/views for the schematic design package. • Applying basic annotations for the views; all drawings are shown in course detail. • Representing walls and doors with only thickness and size defined. • Excluding furniture and including only plumbing fixtures. • Adding room tags along with basic keyed elevation notes. • Creating an elevation key for all floors, which also includes a parking legend. • Developing elevations/partial elevations with window tags, a material legend, key elevation notes, and a window size schedule. • Producing axonometric views for all four corners, offering overall perspective views with topography and exterior entourage. |
| Design Development (DD) | LOD 300 | • Preparing sections that label the interior program and include details on exterior spaces (cars and people). • Enlarging plans for amenity areas. • Creating unit sheets that comprise plans, elevations, a unit flooring key, a unit matrix, room tags, and dimensions. • Incorporating a few miscellaneous details. • Creating a new file for DD and CD that includes changes from initial design development, such as swapping amenity floor levels and modifying programs for cost-cutting. • Generating general details and site/topography models with nearly accurate dimensions. • Including typical building details (A6 details) such as planter box, head/jamb/sill details, soffit details, deck, balcony railings, and pilaster. • Including typical interior details such as perimeter ceiling details, shaft wall slab-edge, and fitness mirror. • Modeling the site by creating topography using civil files and GIS lines online, establishing slopes to match building floor heights, and modeling roads, and sidewalks around the building footprint, and the Tower entrances. • Creating area plans for updated designs. • Modeling stairs to match new floor heights and placing core doors for elevator openings. |
| Design Development (DD) / Initial Construction Development (CD) | LOD 350 | • Updating all elevation key plans, unit key plans, and annotations on all drawings. • Compiling a sheet list that includes the code sheet, code review plans, floor plans, RCPs, finish plans, exterior wall and roof assemblies, door frame types and schedule, frame, and window types, building perspectives, wall sections, enlarged plans for amenities, unit plans, and interior elevations. • At this stage, the drawings include detailed information, with changes after value-engineering updated in coordination with all disciplines (Architectural, Structural, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC, Landscape). • Detailing is performed based on code-driven divisions, such as concrete, masonry, metals, wood/plastics/composites, thermal and moisture protection, openings, finishes, specialties, equipment, furnishings, special construction, conveying equipment, fire suppression, plumbing, heating ventilation and air-conditioning, electrical, communications, electronic safety and security, earthwork, exterior improvements, and utilities. • The architectural discipline sheets/views list for all levels include: Key activities for later stages: – Interior Elevations: Hotel BOH, corridors, apartment lobby, condo lobby, apartment clubroom/fitness, and elevator lobbies. – Plans: Code review plan, occupancy plan, garage code plans, plumbing code plans, overall site egress plan, demolition plans, elevations and axons, overall floor plans, overall slab edge plans, partial floor plans, partial RCPs, partial RCPs for lighting, and partial finish plans. – Typical Assemblies: Interior partition types, door and window types, and door and room finish schedules. – Building Elevations: Overall plans, partial plans, and RTU screen elevations. – Building Sections: Exterior wall assemblies, wall sections, and overall building sections. – Enlarged Plans: Stairs/elevators, restrooms, amenity decks, trash chutes, mezzanines, and residential/hotel/condos units’ plans, elevations, and schedules. – Building Details: Wall joins, corner details, balcony plans, railing elevations, and soffit plans with details. – Interior Details: Furring wall for column plan details, interior sectional details for special ceilings, overhead door head, ornamental moldings, wood casing (trim) for door/window frames, and operable partition details. |
Benefits of Using LOD in AEC
- Enhanced communication
- Improved coordination
- Precision in design and documentation
- Accurate cost estimation and quantity take-off
- Support for prefabrication and modularization
- Effective facility management
Choosing the Right LOD for Your BIM Project
Depends on:
- Project Scope – Smaller projects: LOD 100–200; Complex projects: LOD 300–400.
- Stakeholder Needs – Owners/FM: LOD 500; Contractors: LOD 350–400; Designers: LOD 200–300.
- Regulatory Requirements – Codes and standards like ISO 19650, IBC, NFPA, ADA, IECC, LEED, GSA dictate minimums.
Conclusion
LOD is essential for consistency and clarity across all trades and project stages, ensuring smoother project delivery from concept to maintenance.
📌 Authored by Jarrold Jainth, Vaibhavi Sejpal & Aishwarya D S | Edited by Anuj Victor