The conceptual design stage typically starts with a program statement that enumerates the requirements that must be fulfilled by the design. Using this program statement as a guide, the design team typically develops and evaluates several rough concepts for the overall shape, massing, orientation, and positioning of the building on the project site. In developing these design concepts, many constraints must be considered that bound the potential building envelope. These often include site setbacks, floor area or building footprint limitations, daylight plane and shading restrictions, and other requirements imposed by local authorities and approval agencies.

Balancing the client requests and requirements and the site constraints can be a tricky task. Abstract concepts of the overall building shape and placement will be developed and evaluated, often with little detail about the precise features of the building envelope or the configuration of the rooms inside. In order to keep the design problem manageable, this top-down approach focuses on making the big decisions first, saving more detailed design decisions for a later phase.

Using the power of BIM tools, many aspects of these conceptual designs can be evaluated at even this earliest stage. For example, building performance analysis can be performed to evaluate the potential energy use of various building shapes and orientations. Design teams can use this early feedback to help guide their recommendations about the best alternative to choose.

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