To set up your firm's detail library for long-term success, follow these recommendations from Pirros specialists who work with thousands of architecture and engineering firms.
Step 1: Create Your Container Model
Your Typical Details Container Model is a single Revit model that houses all your firm's standard details — the master working file where your admin or BIM team manages and edits details before syncing them to Pirros.
Where to store it: In your ACC/BIM 360 cloud environment, with access limited to your detail management or standards team
Why it matters: Centralizes all typical details, ensures quality control, and guarantees your firm always accesses the most current versions
For the full setup workflow, see Understanding the Container Model.
Step 2: Organize Your Typical Details with Tags
Add a project parameter to each view in your container model that categorizes the detail. These parameters can be imported into Pirros as tags.
For architects and designers — organize by Uniformat code:
Roof Details
Door Details
Exterior Walls
Stairs
For engineers — organize by material type:
Concrete
Steel
Wood
Most firms find a single level of categorization sufficient — Pirros's search handles granular queries without needing deep tag hierarchies.
Ask your Customer Success Manager to help import your Revit parameters as Pirros tags. See Import Detail Tags from an Excel File for the full process.
Step 3: Upload Project Details
Upload past project models so your team can search and reference real-world conditions. Each uploaded project adds to the collective knowledge base.
The Pirros Suggestions feature gets smarter with every project you upload
Staff can find past conditions instantly — no opening or upgrading old models
Your team can identify strong candidates for the typical library
Pirros does not use your project data to train external AI. Analysis stays within your workspace.
Encourage staff to treat project details as reference material — a starting point to adapt for the current project, not a copy-paste source.
Step 4: Don't Delete Project Details
Project uploads serve as an archive of what was done on each project. Avoid deleting them unless they contain construction errors or are drawn incorrectly.
Pirros automatically groups duplicates under your typical detail versions, ensuring staff always see the latest and most accurate version first.
Step 5: Set Typical Details as the Default Search View
Ensure your team starts every search with the most reliable content:
Go to Workspace Settings → Saved Views
Drag the Typical Details View above the All Details View
This way, staff search vetted content first and only switch to All Details when no typical match exists.
Step 6: Configure Project Filters
Project filters help staff narrow searches by project attributes. Recommended filters by discipline:
For Architects/Designers:
Filter | Type |
Client | Fill in The Blank |
Market Sector | 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 Sector | 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
Firm Stashes are curated, reusable detail sets for specific project types — think of them as starter packs that help new team members begin projects with the correct, up-to-date details.
Keep each stash focused — include only details that appear in every project of that type
Avoid optional or situational details
Example: A "Fire Station Starter Pack" with the universal details every fire station project needs
This eliminates the old habit of copying details from the last similar project.
Quick Setup Checklist
Step | Action |
1 | Create your Typical Details Container Model |
2 | Add parameters for organization (Uniformat or material-based) |
3 | |
4 | Upload 5-10 past project models |
5 | Keep project details as archives — avoid deleting |
6 | Set Typical Details as the default search view |
7 | Add project filters |
8 | Build Firm Stashes for common project types |
Need Help?
Your Pirros Customer Success Manager can:
Review your Revit setup and recommend a container model strategy
Import your parameters and tags
Recommend filters, stash structures, and best practices tailored to your firm's workflow
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many projects should I upload before training my team?
A: 5-10 recent projects provides enough content for meaningful searches. You can train your team once this initial set is loaded — you don't need to wait for a complete library.
Q: Should I tag every detail, or let search handle it?
A: Start with broad category tags (10-15 top-level categories). Pirros's keyword search handles granular queries without requiring hundreds of specific tags. See Tags and Metadata Management for strategy guidance.
Q: What if we don't have a standard detail library yet?
A: Upload past project models and start searching immediately. Over time, Pirros analytics will show which details your team downloads most — those are your natural candidates for a typical library. See You Don't Need a Library to Start.
Q: How often should we update our typical library?
A: Review flagged details and analytics monthly, audit firm stashes quarterly, and review the full library against current codes annually. See Managing Your Detail Library Over Time.