Strategy to design MEP in Revit while architects refuse to use Revit

[HVAC-Novice]

I usually design my entire project (Mechanical, Plumbing, Electrical) inc. architectural design fully in Revit and can figure everything out. But now I'm designing a remodel project where architects in our office are supposed to design architecture in Revit. The problem is, they don't use Revit (and the main person openly said will never use it). One of them maybe wants to learn Revit, but doesn't have time. They also don't have much design experience (they usually manage consultant-lead designs). 

So to get this project started I just took it on to start the existing model and start the architectural design base don what they started in CAD. My plan was to assist with all BIM issues (creating schedules, walls, parameters, modeling complex things and so on) and have the architects move walls around and ease them into Revit. However, they still use their own AutoCAD design. They plan to at some point maybe implement that design in Revit. This creates the problem I can't start much of my MEP design since their iteration of walls etc. won't be in Revit. And I also have the suspicion I will end up having to do everything architectural in Revit (just based on the fact the lead architect refuses to even install Revit). It probably is better if I do everything, but I also will not have all information and someone has to coordinate architectural specifications, annotations and so on. This really should be done by the person doing the architectural design. It is a big mess... I don't see this refusal to use Revit to go away. I set that up as a central model hoping this is the best way to help them. This creates issues as well since someone not knowing Revit can mess things up. It also is hard to do their architectural design in Revit since it is hard to get clear answers about specifics I need to know for that. 

I had worked with them on past projects. For those they did everything in AutoCAD and I just built my own model and gave them my PDF of sheets and specifications. That was wasteful since I had to build my own architectural part of the model. But after my above experience, this doesn't look like a bad option anymore.....

How would I complete a project like this and future ones in the least painful manner? I know in the real World I would use the Architect's Revit model and link it in my model. But this isn't going to happen here. Should I just let them do everything in AutoCAD and do my own model (like on past projects)? This still leaves me modeling much of the architecture, but leaves the responsibility for all details and annotations etc. with the architects. 

[Simon_Weel]

Looks like a case where the mountain won't come to Mohammed, so Mohammed has to go to the mountain. I think I would settle for creating the installations in AutoCAD as well. Or maybe use the DWG's as underlay for the installations without modelling architectural stuff. But that's my two cents...

[blank...]

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@Simon_Weel wrote:

use the DWG's as underlay for the installations without modelling architectural stuff.

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@HVAC-NoviceThis, why do you have to model the building? Why not linking dwg drawings, adding needed levels and model your stuff on top of them?

[HVAC-Novice]

Simon_Weel: I had used their dwg for what I had done so far. it was a bit messy dwg (had multiple of the same floorplan otpion in one dwg etc.) and it turned out they hadn't done any field-survey. After I surveyed the spaces I had to correct the existing  model again. my hope was after I get that started, they continue on in Revit. 

After seeing the dwg, I may be better off to just use their actual PDF of the sheets since then not everything is messed up (hopefully). And they provide zero information for the z-axis. Their design is 100% 2D only and I have to guess how high things are. 

blank...: I need walls, floors, ceilings, doors etc. in the model. so I have to create all that if I don't get a useful rvt file to link in. I also need good information about the structure above the ceiling to not create conflicts between ducts and structural elements. For my own projects (without "help"  from architects) I do a good job modeling a good representation of the existing building so that the MEP design is accurate and doesn't have conflicts. It turns out, the architects have a different understanding about the need for 3D being true to real life. there also are architectural features needing power (hand dryer etc.). so there is quite a bit I need in my model.