IT & Software Modelling
to maximise the reuse of information. Intelligent
Opportunity to drive change
object information can be about size, other connected
objects, construction sequence, cost, construction time,
operating information, maintenance information,
safety information, replacement strategy, or even the
decommissioning of the building. This means that, in
effect, the Building Information Model is a collection of
models, with a digital library of product information.
Cost of
In this way, the Building Information Model helps
change
us to manage building information; it is an approach
Design COnstruCtiOn
to project management. We are not even talking
Figure 1: The decreasing opportunity to gain value from decisions as the building project proceeds
about any one particular software package, as usually
a number of interoperable software packages can all
contribute to a BIM.
The BIM is a collection of models which contain
all information for a project from inception to
decommissioning. It offers the opportunity to
manage the flow of project information between all
stakeholders in a construction project, saving time,
money, increasing accuracy and driving down risk.
Achieving the ultimate use of building information
models requires the commitment and will of clients,
design teams, contracting teams, operating teams
and end users to improve the flow of information
throughout the lifetime of a project from earliest
conception to demolition.
Client expectations of BIM are that all information is
Figure 2: Communicating design intent
shared, reused and developed throughout the design;
construction and operation of the building giving to be considered from inception so that collaborative
better informed decision making, greater clarity of working is enabled and expected.
deliverables, cost and time frame (see Figure 1).
BIM is an
The full, powerful realisation of Building Information empowering Design stages
Model potential takes effort, and the united driving
tool, allowing
BIM is an empowering tool, allowing strategic thinking
forces of government procurement teams, private to deliver efficiency. At conceptual design stage, a visual
clients, design teams and contractors.
strategic
three-dimensional BIM representation of design ideas
Factors such as working processes, software thinking to can be produced and shared. This is indeed a powerful
adequacy, and speed of access must be reviewed in
deliver
tool.
detail, in order to set up the BIM to best effect. All stakeholders, client, designers, contractors,
Design team expectations of BIM include working
efficiency
occupiers and operators can have a view of the final
with one set of data which is interoperable with concept, giving them the opportunity to contribute with
multiple analysis tools for iterative design. Information ideas and opinions during the design, construction and
can be reused in the construction phase if required in operating process. Being able to see design proposals
either a BIM environment or just as 3D geometry (see gives improved understanding for all stakeholders
Figure 2). and informs better decisions about design options.
For some team members, the concept of sharing As if these benefits were not enough, the overall
thinking at an early stage in the project can present sustainability of the building becomes easier to assess
a barrier that needs to be overcome. A change of in environmental, social and economic terms.
working mentality is required for most of the design If the BIM is used with planning and logistics
stakeholders, the experts charged with producing and models there is opportunity to look at the building’s
communicating ideas and three-dimensional sketches performance in its site context before construction:
at the very start of the design process. In order to do • Community involvement, presence and identity –
this successfully, the team has to be clear about what ‘sense of place’;
it wishes to achieve by using a Building Information • Green travel plan and integrated transport links;
Model. Establish these parameters from the outset, • Creating spaces – social, reflective, multi use;
through shared discussions with the whole team about • Landscaping – relationship to environment;
what the team want to do with project information. • Efficient easily understood circulation and building
Clients and procurement advisers are key management;
contributors to the successful implementation of • Integrated environments that support the building
a BIM approach. Procurement decisions, Terms of purpose;
Appointment for designers and Forms of Contract need • Safety and security; >
www.cibsejournal.com January 2010 CIBSE Journal 49
CIBSEjan10 pp48-50,52 Software.indd 49 17/12/09 16:08:28
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