BIM vs Traditional Methods

BIM (short for building information modeling) has become a buzzword, often thrown around with little understanding of its full potential. Firing up a new technology and not investing in getting the maximum benefit is not unique to architecture, engineering, construction & supply chain (AECS) but, many architects and builders are quick to say they "do BIM," but what does that really mean? The truth is, there’s BIM, and then there’s BIM. The distinction lies in how the technology is applied and whether it’s used to merely reproduce traditional CAD processes or to unlock the transformative possibilities that true BIM and Virtual Design Construction (VDC) offer.

The Early Pitfalls of Inefficient BIM Usage

My 6-year old niece plays the piano, and while I delight in her enthusiasm and absorbtion of music, I don’t experience it, or expect to experience it like I do Mozart. In other words, the instrument does not make music without its mucisian. Just like in music, tool itself is less important that the people using it. There are so many inefficiencies in custom residential projects begin early in the design phase, and could be resolved with a more accute understanding of what BIM can achieve, with the right practitioners involved. Just like my niece playing chopsticks at a perfectly tuned, baby grand Steinway piano, architects who have transitioned from CAD to BIM tools like Revit, only to use them as they used CAD, essentially creating 2D drawings from a generic 3D model, which misses the point of BIM and fails to leverage its full capabilities.

Some firms further compound this gap in understanding further by outsourcing their BIM work to overseas teams, resulting in Revit models built with generic families that are "good enough" for producing construction drawings but lack the detailed information necessary for more advanced functions, and are only permit ready after a lot of intervention from the onshore architects. While using a Revit model offers clear advantages over a series of 2D CAD sheets, the term ‘using a bazooka to kill a mouse’ comes to mind.

Masters of BIM: Going Beyond the Basics

True BIM mastery involves much more than simply using the software to produce construction drawings. At its best, BIM allows for the accurate modeling of what are known as "families" or assemblies of construction materials. This is analogous to assembling a construction detail in CAD, but with a crucial difference: the accuracy and richness of the data in BIM allow for detailed quantification and analysis.

For instance, using well-built families in a BIM model enables precise material takeoffs—a significant improvement over traditional surface material takeoffs. But it doesn’t stop there. Advanced users might model the engineering aspects of the project as well.

Civil Engineering: Optimizing Earthworks and Beyond

Incorporating civil engineering into the BIM model allows for optimization of earthworks, calculating the amount of dirt import or export required to bring the planned construction to the finished floor grade. This level of detail can significantly impact cost estimation and construction logistics, leading to more informed decision-making early in the project.

MEP & Structural Modeling: Early Detection and Value Engineering

Systems modeling—encompassing Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing (MEP), and Structural components—opens the door to early value engineering. By accurately modeling these systems, potential issues can be detected and addressed long before they become costly problems on the job site. Moreover, this approach enables precise quantification of materials such as lumber, HVAC components, electrical wiring, and plumbing fixtures.

Structural engineering detailing within BIM can even extend to hardware and steel fabrication needs, allowing for prescriptive testing of constructability, clash and conflict analysis, and more. This level of detail ensures that the project is not only feasible but optimized for efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Interior Design & Landscape Modeling: Enhancing Client Experience

Perhaps the most significant advantage of a fully realized BIM process is its impact on the client experience. By incorporating interior design and landscape modeling into the BIM environment, all potential conflicts between these elements and the architecture or engineering can be resolved early on. Clients can visualize their spaces in a way that was previously impossible, helping to address any sensitivities or preferences before construction begins.

This holistic approach not only enhances the client’s understanding and satisfaction but also helps control costs and timelines by reducing the likelihood of changes during construction.

BIM That Delivers Outcomes

In the end, the difference between "doing BIM" and truly mastering BIM can be the difference between a successful project and one riddled with inefficiencies and unexpected costs. By fully embracing the capabilities of BIM and VDC, architects and builders can optimize every aspect of the design-build process, from earthworks to interior design, ensuring a smoother, more predictable path to completion. There’s BIM, and then there’s BIM. The choice is yours.