Building Information Modelling (BIM) brings increased understanding, communication, quality and safety to the Design and Construction process. Ultimately, BIM allows us to produce more efficient buildings by manipulating the BIM to accurately assess and test both the cost and environmental implications of design options. Being a single source of information, it can be shared throughout the design team leading to a more collaborative and constructive way of working.
BIM allows us to rapidly generate working drawings which when linked to embedded NBS specifications, further reinforce the "single source" of information concept. Each discipline is able to link into the model seeing the effects of their design on the virtual building as a whole.
Similarly, contractor’s information can be added to the BIM model throughout the construction phase to create an accurate “As-built” record that remains live throughout the buildings life. The resultant model can then be used by the occupiers as a source of information.
With high sustainability targets now a prerequisite on most projects, BIM’s built-in energy modelling software allows energy efficiencies to be considered as the design unfolds. This provides important feedback to the team so guiding the efficiency of the final solution. Such feedback can be shared with other design team members in relation to complex energy performance simulation and analysis.
The contractor also benefits from BIM during the construction phase. Scheduling and Sequencing of works can be extracted and used to understand the construction of the building, allowing efficient site planning, prefabrication, problem detection and logistics. It can also be used for explaining site safety to staff, site visitors and sub-contractors.
BIM simplifies the costing process by allowing instant assessment of building elements. By inputting the necessary data into the model, accurate quantity survey of materials and components, quantities linked directly to cost databases and the cost implications of design changes can be understood in real-time.
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