BIM in Design
Today’s construction projects
typically are on a compressed timeline with a limited budget. Competitive
companies have to utilize every tool available to gain an advantage, so by
being able to digitally design projects such as commercial, residential and
public buildings we are able to design more efficiently and effectively by
managing the data of the model.
Building Information Modeling helps
us to analyse the performance of a building, to make adjustments to the design
to create a more efficient building. It does not end there, by utilizing
technology after construction building owners and operators can manage the
building, servicing and maintenance digitally throughout the buildings life
span and beyond by allowing us to disseminate the buildings materials for
proper disposal and recycling during demolition at the end of a buildings life.
We utilize the Building Information Model as a source for information and data about the building beyond the sole purpose of design. At any stage during the design process a contractor is able to utilize the models information to help quantify materials and monitor project costs. By quantifying materials they are able to minimize waste as well as sequence construction and even site access for vehicles and staging.
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Interior Heart and Surgical Centre in Kelowna
Photo Credits: Sunny Jhooty Photography |
“BIM is more than just modeling the design, it's the
sharing of information for the benefit of the project”
Building operation
By utilizing the models data we are
able to manage the building assets down to the “micro” asset, such as
furnishings and equipment. Once the building is built and operating the
Building Information Model can be utilized for use as a Facilities Maintenance
or Management model. These models can be used in conjunction with Facilities Management
software allowing the building operator to maintain equipment such as HVAC and
Electrical equipment by scheduling maintenance and even replacement reducing
the need to repair and replace on demand.
The building operations can be
monitored to maximize building efficiency and performance, monitoring and
adjusting the heating and cooling loads according to the buildings occupancy
schedule.
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Interior Heart and Surgical Centre in Kelowna
Photo Credits: Sunny Jhooty Photography |
Modularization and pre-fabrication
Modularization and
pre-fabrication popular due to the benefits of reduced cost through
constructing building elements more efficiently. The benefits of prefabrication
on easily repeatable designs such as apartment building and healthcare are
huge. Building these type of design components such as bathrooms and kitchens in
a controlled environment, such as a in a factory setting, is far safer and more
cost effective.
Design validation
Utilization of the BIM continues on
to the client for design validation, by giving our clients the ability to see
and interact within a true digital representation of the design, allows them to
explore the building by means of virtual reality or augmented reality.
Digital design using BIM allows for
visualization and imagery, portraying design intent in a way that the public,
and our client, can easily recognize and conceive. Tools such as virtual
reality and augmented reality continue to evolve, providing designers tools to
visually integrate concepts into a real world settings, to explore how their
ideas and designs fit into their surroundings. For example nurses and doctors
are able to virtually explore a new surgical suite for efficiency and workability
while still at the design stage, giving their feedback and input to help refine
the layout long before construction begins.
With the use of Building
Information Technology we are able to fully coordinate a complex project such
as the Interior Heart and Surgical Centre or the Surrey Memorial Hospital resulting
in an effective design with an efficient construction process.
Scott Chatterton
Article originally published in the SICA Construction Revit Spring 2016
