B.I.M. Description

Building Information Modeling, or B.I.M., represents a major paradigm shift in the manner architects deliver their services. Until recently the method of producing building plans has been largely based upon the definition of 3-dimensional construction geometry utilizing 2-dimensional line drawings. Whether this was done with a quill and ink on parchment or computer software and an inkjet plotter, the principle was not dramatically different. Lines and dimensions were used to describe the boundaries of construction and materials with text instructions and a set of construction specifications. While this method has worked effectively for hundreds of years, it does not take full advantage of recent advances in computing power and programming.

Recent advances allow new software programs to not only define building components by their geometry 3-dimensionally, but create a single integrated virtual building model that also utilizes geographical positioning, seasonal solar orientation, material definitions, manufacturer information, specification information, colors and patterns, material strength and weight, flow capacities, lighting coefficients, construction sequencing, and a whole host of of other real-world construction related concerns. Instead of a series of separate 2-dimensional drawings being stitched together to define the single building project, a single virtual building is first constructed in the computer and 2-dimensional drawings are extracted from that model. The reason this should be of concern to building owners is that adoption of this new approach dramatically limits errors during construction by eliminating many coordination issues and detecting conflicts between the various disciplines as well as allowing affordable pre-visualization of the project through computer graphics. Owners should also be aware that these comprehensive models can later be used for facility management and tracking equipment maintenance schedules in the future.

A Building Information Model may be used to accurately predict day-lighting and effects of the sun on a building during different times of day and seasons of the year. This ability saved Appalachian Wireless more than $200,000 in HVAC equipment cost when it was used to prove to the mechanical engineer that large expanses of South facing glass would be completely shaded in summer by sun screens that had been carefully positioned utilizing BIM. The software may be used for energy usage predictions as well. See comparative images above and our Sustainability page for more on this.

Mark Siever has been recognized as one of the earliest adopters of Building Information Modeling in the region, beginning his use in 1994. He is a paid consultant to other firms adopting B.I.M. in their offices. He is also teaching ARC 405, a B.I.M. course at the U.K. College of Design. While an architect with Summit Engineering he oversaw the architectural division’s conversion from AutoCAD to Revit in 2003. All S+A ARCHITECTURE design and production staff use Revit, the Autodesk Building Information Modeler. We also maintaining AutoCAD compatibility.