These recommendations come directly from our Pirros Specialists, who work with thousands of architecture and engineering firms every day to help them set up, organize, and optimize their detail libraries for long-term success.
If you’re a new admin setting up your firm’s Pirros workspace, this guide will help you do it the right way — quickly, clearly, and confidently.
Step 1: Create Your “Typical Details” Container Model
What It Is
Your Typical Details Container Model is a single Revit model that houses all your firm’s standard details.
Think of it as your master working model — where your admin or BIM team manages and edits details before syncing them to Pirros.
Where It Should Live
We recommend storing this model in your ACC/BIM360 Cloud environment.
Access should be limited to your detail management or standards team only.
Why It’s Important
Keeps all typical details consistent and centralized
Simplifies updates and ensures quality control
Guarantees that everyone in your firm accesses the most current versions in Pirros
Step 2: Organize Your Typical Details
Each view in your container model should include a project parameter that categorizes the detail.
These parameters can then be imported into Pirros as tags, which make searching and filtering faster and more intuitive.
For Architects & Designers
Organize details by Uniformat code — for example:
Roof Details
Door Details
Exterior Walls
Stairs
You can add a second parameter for subcategories, but most firms find it unnecessary thanks to Pirros’ powerful search capabilities.
Ask your Customer Success Manager (CSM) to help import your parameters as Pirros tags.
Your CSM can also share a quick help article explaining the deliverable required for this process.
For Engineers
Organize details by material type, such as:
Concrete
Steel
Wood
You can add a second parameter for subcategories, but most firms find it unnecessary thanks to Pirros’ powerful search capabilities.
Ask your Customer Success Manager (CSM) to help import your parameters as Pirros tags.
Your CSM can also share a quick help article explaining the deliverable required for this process.
Step 3: Add Your Project Details
What Are Project Details?
Project details are views pulled from past or current project models. They capture unique, real-world conditions that can help your team find inspiration or reference examples for new projects.
Why Upload Them?
The Pirros AI Suggestions Tab gets smarter with every project you upload
Staff can find past conditions instantly — no need to open or upgrade old models
Your team can identify great candidates for your typical detail library
🧠 Note: Pirros does not use your project data to train its AI. It only analyzes your details internally to make recommendations within your workspace.
Best Practice
Project details are for reference only — not for copy-and-paste use.
Encourage your staff to:
Use project details as a starting point
Adjust them to match the project’s unique requirements
Step 4: Deleting Details — What Not to Do
We don’t recommend deleting project details from Pirros.
Your project uploads serve as an archive, showing exactly what was done on each project.
Only delete details if:
They caused construction errors, or
They are incorrectly drawn and could mislead future users
Otherwise, leave them intact.
Pirros automatically groups duplicates under your typical detail versions, ensuring staff always see the latest and most accurate version first.
Step 5: Prioritize Typical Details in Search
Make your typical details the default search view in Pirros so your team always starts with the most reliable content.
How to Do It
Go to Workspace Settings → Saved Views
Drag your Typical Details View above the All Details View
This ensures:
Staff search Typical Details first
They only need to switch to All Details when no typical match exists
Step 6: Use Project Filters to Stay Organized
Project filters make it easy for staff to locate relevant project details quickly.
Here’s what our specialists recommend by discipline:
For Architects/Designers
Filter | Type |
Client | Fill in The Blank |
Market Section | Multiple Values From Dropdown |
Office Location | Multiple Values From Dropdown |
Project Location | Fill in The Blank |
Project Architect | Single Value From Dropdown |
Project Manager | Single Value From Dropdown |
Exterior Building Material | Multiple Values From Dropdown |
Code Cycle | Single Value From Dropdown |
For Engineers
Filter | Type |
Architect | Fill in The Blank |
Market Section | Multiple Values From Dropdown |
Office Location | Multiple Values From Dropdown |
Project Location | Fill in The Blank |
Project Engineer | Single Value From Dropdown |
Building Material | Multiple Values From Dropdown |
Foundation Type | Multiple Values From Dropdown |
Primary Lateral System | Single Value From Dropdown |
Step 7: Build “Firm Stashes” (Grab-and-Go Detail Sets)
Firm Stashes are curated, reusable collections of details — perfect for specific project types or client standards.
Think of them as “mini templates” that help new team members start projects consistently and confidently.
Best Practices
Keep each stash focused and minimal
Include only the details that appear in every project of that type
Avoid adding optional or situational details
Example:
Fire Station Starter Pack — includes all details that appear in every fire station project, ensuring staff always begin with the correct, most up-to-date set.
This helps eliminate the old habit of “copying details from the last project” and promotes consistency across your firm’s work.
Quick Setup Checklist
Step | Action |
1 | Create your Typical Details Container Model |
2 | Add parameters for organization (Uniformat or material-based) |
3 | |
4 | Upload multiple project models |
5 | Avoid deleting project details |
6 | Set Typical Details as your default view |
7 | Add project filters to organize your projects |
8 | Build Firm Stashes for project types |
Need Help?
Your Pirros Customer Success Manager can:
Review your Revit setup
Assist with importing parameters and tags
Recommend filters, stash structures, and best practices tailored to your firm’s workflow