BIM and the Ever Changing Building Process

Many think that Building Information Modeling (BIM) is the next generation/ standard for how buildings will be built.  BIM is best thought of as “a digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility.”  Simply put BIM is comparable to the transformation that occurred in the aircraft, microprocessor and automotive industries.  Early on BIM was thought to be simple a 3D model of a facility, but the truth is that does not adequately communicate the potential of digital, object-based, interoperable building information modeling processes and the tools and modern communications methods.  If BIM becomes the standard procedure for how buildings are built, almost all pieces of information that an owner needs about a facility throughout its life can be made available electronically.  The real challenge is creating the infrastructure to capture, organize and distribute the information.  As discussed in the following paragraphs I will outline the architectural value of using BIM and how it relates to the project as a whole. 

 

Many people argue that BIM is the end of architectural creativity and that it forces us to assume the role of a technician.  I look at BIM as another tool that architects use to achieve a final product.  By tool I am referring to software that allows planners, designers, manufactures and owners to work under the same object-related database. For example every material or object has its specifications (ordering, delivery, instillation and maintenance information) attached to it and exists on the drawing whenever that material or object is inserted, hence the “Information” aspect of BIM.  This coupling of material/ object and specification is called integrated 3D.  The “Modeling” portion of the BIM means that we can periodically run testing sequences against the whole building.  By this I mean that we can test its performance, constructability, cost, environmental impact and perform many other studies.  This system can be looked as a form of virtual building where objects can be placed in the model, tested, moved or replaced until we find the best solution, from an architectural, environments, construction, time and budget perspective.  If this system is managed correctly it will alleviate a majority of the unknowns we experience in the building process.

 

Another challenge BIM poses is the way in which Architects, Designers, Engineers, Contractors and Owners collaborate at the early stages of a project.  BIM forces all parties to take a more active and responsible role in the project.  This collaboration of responsibility has been a point of contention for all parties.  In response to this AIA has recently created practical tools for managing the use if BIM across the entire project.  The new AIA tools effectively allow users to work in partnership and assign responsibilities to successfully manage a BIM model.  All parties can specify and understand each other’s level of development within the model and reference it with confidence at any time.  AIA is also releasing “agreements” that would be used between the Architect, Contractor, Consultants, Engineers and Owners to clarify the relationship between all parties in reference to the BIM process.  These agreements will include respective rights and responsibilities, roles, communications, compensation, dispute resolution and payment. 

 

The potential for BIM information sharing is enormous and the beneficiaries of this information extend far beyond the Architect, Owner and Contractor. Planners, realtors, appraisers, mortgage bankers, designers, engineers, prototypes, estimators, specifiers, safety, occupational health, environmentalists, lawyers, contract offices, sub-contractors, fabricators, code officials, operators, risk management, renovators, first responders and demolition each has their own view of the information.  Many participants share the same information but some have unique uses.  Some supply information, some use information some do both. The real challenge is creating the infrastructure to capture, organize, distribute and mine the information.  The challenge BIM is currently facing is developing a standard method/system to share this information.  If the industry can continue to successfully formulate this modeling and informational data base I think that the future of BIM is very promising.