LOD 100 – Concept Design

LOD 100 (Level of Development 100) represents the Concept Design stage in BIM (Building Information Modeling). At this level, the model contains generic, symbolic, and approximate information used for early-stage planning and feasibility studies.

Key Features of LOD 100

  • Overall building massing only – shapes, size, and basic volumes.
  • Indicative location of elements (walls, floors, roofs, major systems).
  • Approximate quantities such as area, volume, height, and orientation.
  • Concept-level analysis for initial cost estimation, zoning checks, and design options.

Purpose of LOD 100

LOD 100 helps stakeholders:

  • Visualize the project concept.
  • Evaluate multiple design alternatives.
  • Get preliminary cost estimates (conceptual).
  • Make early decisions before detailed design begins.

When LOD 100 Is Used

  • Pre-design
  • Feasibility studies
  • Early client presentations
  • Initial approval and planning discussions

OUTCOME

At the LOD 100 stage, the BIM model provides a high-level vision of the project, helping teams establish scope, scale, and direction before investing in detailed design.