Tag Archives: Building Information Model

Migrating to BIM is not just about installing new software

During our transition to BIM we came to realise that it is not enough to only install a new piece of software, but also acquire new work practices.

BIM, the Building Information Model, should be seen as a process, one essential part of which – besides the installation of a new software system (solution) – is a certain change in the work practices and habits. It is the implementation of new habits and processes that is very important and we can say it is even more complicated than the installation of new software. The reason is that the flow of information on a building is different in BIM compared with standard work in 2D. At the beginning of the project it is necessary to feed in a huge amount of information into the building model. The information is then utilised and supplemented in the subsequent design stages. For existing 2D projection it works the other way round: you start with simple drawings and feed in most information in the last design steps.

This has an impact on capacity planning, the detail level of the different design outputs and on the time and finances of the design stages. This means that one of the challenges which the design industry will soon face is the adoption of established practices to the new standard.

To successfully migrate to BIM, teamwork not only between the architect and the designer, but also between all stakeholders of the life cycle of the building is essential. Sometimes a parallel is made between the transition to BIM and the transition from the drawing board to the use of advanced graphic design programs.

The design principle in BIM has been increasingly promoted mainly because of the more efficient interpretation of data from the building information model. On top of that, the design in BIM allows for mutual communication between the building process participants and their BIM software tools, using the IFS (TheIndustryFoundationClasses) being developed by the international buildingSMART organisation. IFC is an open file format, independent of program developers, which not only conveys information on the spatial links (3D model) but also allows the user to assign to each building element other essential information such as the product type, producer and price, and/or other necessary and useful information.

As we have already mentioned, the biggest benefit of BIM is cooperation between all stakeholders. In this respect, we have been hampered by constant standardisation, i.e. a common data language for all partners in this process. This is also due to the fact that the standardisation process has only just been born in the Czech Republic and partners are often missing for this cooperation process. The maturity level of information modelling in the Czech Republic compared to the UK is also evident in the picture in the gallery.

Source: Bew and Richards.

Although the definition of BIM is relatively simple, it hides a sophisticated mechanism for changing the new requirements of established working methods and established procedures of all participants in the construction process.

For the successful implementation of BIM it is important to realise that BIM must apply to all participants in the construction domain!

 

What is BIM and what are its benefits not only for architects

BIM (Building Information Model) is a smart model-based design preparation and administration process

Building Information Modelling facilitates the exchange of information in the process of designing, building and using a building. It allows creating and managing civil construction and utilities projects faster, more economically and with less impact on the environment. Modern software tools help meet BIM processes and methodology. There is a wide range of solutions for the design, visualisation, simulation and collaboration on the market, all of which are based on detailed information collected from the intelligent model.

Thanks to the use of BIM, it is easy to share data between different design tools and access these data throughout the life cycle of a building.

Even in the design stage, BIM brings substantial benefits such as easier teamwork and project management. These benefits are especially important for medium and larger projects. BIM provides more detailed and more valuable output materials – not only the drawing documentation.

BIM is a challenge also for civil engineers in terms of established processes and design practices that need to be revised or changed and adapted to designing in BIM.

Main benefits of BIM:

  • increased labour productivity,
  • elimination of errors,
  • control over the whole project,
  • higher competitiveness.

The benefits of BIM for architects:

  • quick response to changes in the design,
  • elimination of errors in coordination between professions,
  • input for presentation of the whole project to the investor in higher quality,
  • possibility of using simulations and analyses of a comprehensive virtual building model,
  • seamless communication and coordination with all members of the design team.

Our company Arch.Design has been designing in Autodesk Revit since 2005. The main benefit of migrating to this new design system is, without a doubt, a fast and flexible response to changes in the design, which makes it possible to meet the requirements of investors and subsequently of the construction companies.

We are are currently working in Studio A1 on the Sports Hall project in Jeseník.