As a member of the Board of Directors for AIA Delaware, I have the opportunity to communicate with other architects about issues impacting our profession in the future. We all know that evolving technologies have radically impacted the practices that real estate, consulting architectural, design and construction professionals utilize in daily practice. Keeping up with the latest capabilities of software is nearly a full-time job in itself. For older professionals, the change is formidable. For younger and more technically savvy older professionals, the changes are both welcome and exciting.
One of the most significant technical developments for our industry lies in the growing popularity and influence of BIM, Building Information Modeling. Many architectural, engineering and construction firms are familiar with software that creates a building model that is documented in 2D and 3D, based upon specific criteria for the building, such as the actual wall construction, the specific doors and windows, the costs of the components and the interrelationship of the specific components to all of the building trades.
The appropriate use of BIM will revolutionize the methodologies and processes that are used in the architectural and engineering design practices, because the ‘design’ of the building is determined at the very beginnings of the concept. According to Autodesk, “BIM software facilitates an improved way of working collaboratively, using a model created from coordinated, and consistent design information. This process enables earlier decision-making, better documentation, and the evaluation of alternatives for sustainable design or improvements using analysis before construction begins.”
As many know, once a major software producer such as AutoDesk backs a package, in this case the “Revit” bundle, the acceptance of the industry usually follows. Our office invested in Revit to augment our AutoCAD capabilities with Revit packages two years ago, with the intent to gradually roll it into our design process. Although acceptance from other owners, engineers and contractors has been slow, the momentum is gaining force. We believe that BIM is the future of design process management and document delivery.
For those of us who seek better methods of delivering sustainable buildings, and actually seeing them built, BIM is the future because of the necessary engagement of the construction professional in the early processes of design. With BIM, architects and engineers can integrate systems, in 3-dimensional documents that will theoretically avoid the field changes, confusion and errors that can result from documents that are not well-coordinated.
For Owners, BIM potentially represents more success for project delivery; with project strategies well-thought out before permit documents are issued. In particular, the integrated teams that are the foundation of good sustainability practices, are a mandate for process management with BIM. All parties must be at the table, make prudent decisions and then review and discuss the building models well in advance of finalization. What better way to integrate LEED certification requirements into a building than to model them via BIM software.
A knowledgeable design team will integrate planning strategies, material specifications, and construction considerations, as well as future material removal and repurposing into sustainability considerations for building projects. With BIM, the work is heavy once the commitment to the new software is made. However, we know that many forward-thinking clients are currently calling for BIM methodology on their project work.
There are still many hurdles to vault. One of our AIA Board members asked the simple, but highly significant question, “Who owns the building model?” If the team is integrated, the documents are integrated and the construction is integrated, with the common vehicle being the 3-D model built within the BIM software, ownership is a significant question that must be answered.
In this author’s mind, however, the upsides with the technical capabilities of BIM software, such as Revit, far outweigh the downsides. Although I am a ‘seasoned’ professional who still knows how to draw by hand, I welcome the opportunity to fully integrate our sustainable designs and specifications into a package that is fully coordinated with our engineers, our owners and our construction managers. Welcome to the new world of Building Information Modeling.