B2: Group C - Alexis

Like Professor Mitchell wrote in his post on intelligent building, the term intelligence refers to adaptive computer technologies used to enhance any system or process throughout the building life cycle. These adaptive technologies have been applied to every phase of the industry, from coordination in design to facilities management. Applying 3D modeling to building design has streamlined aspects of the construction and maintenance phases through 3D visualization. BIM provides coordination models for clash detection, scheduling, quantity takeoffs, and estimating. Projects modeled with BIM software can be adapted throughout the construction phase to provide the owner and facilities maintenance with an As-Built model. Many owners now require this deliverable for more efficient and cost-effective building operation. Pumps, fans, and valves can be tagged with specific parameters such as material, size, and location for future maintenance.

BIM reduces the number of iterations throughout the design development phase. The use of adaptive computer technologies minimizes clashes between systems and the need for major rework late into the design of the project. There are significant cost benefits for owners on projects using BIM processes, since the software streamlines collaboration between designers of different disciplines. BIM is used to design high performance buildings with accurate cost estimates from the 3D model throughout the design. This gives owners more feedback early on in the project when client criteria has the greatest impact. Facility managers see reduced operational costs from as-built equipment specifications used for testing and balancing. Facility managers are given a say in the design of building systems through an integrated design method and shared perspective.

BIM can be used to provide the owner with energy analysis, building system simulation, and cost estimation at every stage of the design configuration. This helps the owner, developer, and building operators meet their goals of increased efficiency and sustainability for complex spaces and building systems [Table 4-1]. BIM may be most advantageous as a modeling tool for owners to visualize plans and ensure project parameters are met.

Another advantage is integrated project delivery (IPD) through building information modeling. Designers from multiple disciplines can work in the model at the same time, which increases the value of the project information in each phase for each member of the design team. The central model is a tool that supports collaboration instead of a piece-by-piece approach to design development [153]. Since the BIM-based integrated design process also allows more designers and engineers to refer to the same model throughout the project development, errors are resolved quickly and more reliable estimates are provided to the owner early on in the design development phase.

1. Hardin, Brad and Dave McCool. BIM and Construction Management: Proven Tools, Methods, and Workflows, 2nd edition. Indianapolis: Wiley, 2015. Print.

2. Chapter 4, BIM for Owners and Facility Managers - http://web.b.ebscohost.com.ezproxy2.library.drexel.edu/ehost/ebookviewer/ebook/bmxlYmtfXzM2NDIzOV9fQU41?sid=765df376-0982-4740-ab82-fefeb0ac7526@sessionmgr120&vid=0&format=EB&lpid=lp_151&rid=0

Comments:

Danielle,
I agree that the most valuable applications of building information modeling are the conceptual design and analysis phases of the project. Revit and other BIM software are most useful for 3D visualization of complex coordination between systems. Like you said in your post, this software can be used for system integration and analysis. Having a simulation and 3D model leads to increased energy efficiency, reduced costs, and better design practice. It especially improves collaboration between architects and engineers, since each designer has a better understanding of the other’s building system from a central 3D model.

Alex,
Your post did a great job of explaining ProjectWise and its benefits to the building design industry. I used Revit MEP during my past co-op and one of the most useful features is the central model that everyone can access. Each designer works in a local copy of the file but can sync their changes to the central model throughout the day, similar to GoogleDocs. I agree that a key component is file format, since design firms so often transfer models between software to analyze different aspects of the project. If the model is unreadable to common CAD programs, it cannot be imported and adds time to the overall design process.