Why residential homeowners need to implement BIM

[edit] Introduction

Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology has revolutionised the way the architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry works.

The majority of BIM service requirements are for large-scale non-residential buildings like office spaces, stadiums, hospitals, and other large-scale commercial projects. But that doesn't mean that its scope is limited exclusively to them. Though not very common, BIM is also used for residential construction and there are huge benefits to doing so.

Tim Beckman, Partner at CG Visions says, “each building sector has its own complications of which BIM can successfully remedy”. This includes residential buildings too. This article will look at some of the reasons why BIM needs to be implemented for residential construction.

[edit] Increased productivity through coordination

BIM tools generate highly-structured information with multiple dimensions that can be easily accessed and understood by all the parties involved in a project. This ensures that every person should be doubt free as to his/her duties and responsibilities.

Time that might have been wasted can be saved and higher productivity can be achieved. The construction workers themselves will also be more motivated to work as they will be very clear regarding their tasks. The result of all this will be that you will be more likely to move into your new home at the agreed upon time, maybe even earlier.

[edit] Changes

Any architect will tell you just how burdensome it is to make changes to a design drawn on paper and even to a 2D CAD drawing. What makes it even more difficult is that an alteration in one element demands a series of changes to everything else that it is connected to.

Wouldn't it be more convenient if all the secondary changes could be automatically made? And all that in just a matter of seconds? BIM can do that through parametric modelling. Making use of this feature can help ensure you are completely satisfied with the design of before construction begins.

[edit] 3D views

In industry, 2D views are slowly becoming out-dated owing to a their limitations. Nobody looks at 2D images hoping to get a close-to-reality picture of their future home. Luckily, we now have a lot more easy-to-understand options such as ultra-realistic 3D visuals generated using BIM tools. These images are near-to-perfect depictions of the real thing right down to the smallest detail. And with increases in computer power, and immersive virtual reality (VR) now within reach, rendering is continually improving.

[edit] Save money

BIM can help save money. BIM can generate product schedules for windows, doors and other products so that you can make orders for the right amount and kind of resources. Also, its 3D ability brings into view possible conflicts that you might not notice on paper or 2D CAD representations.

[edit] Sustainability

The dream of having your own Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) or BREEAM certified green home can become a reality with the implementation of BIM. BIM allows engineers and architects working to access higher tech tools to carefully analyse factors like heat gain, ventilation, and energy efficiency.

For example, if you want to light your home using natural daylight, this can be tested using BIM tools. Also, efficiency and accuracy can be increased by combining BIM and energy analysis so that the most environment-friendly methods can be used right from the construction to the maintenance of the house.

[edit] Better maintenance

BIM can also be of use post-construction. Integrating BIM with other emerging technologies like drones can help with analysing the house for maintenance in the future. After the construction work is done, an aerial scan of the house can provide enough information so that a periodical comparison of the present and previous condition of the house can be made. Doing so will allow any maintenance work to be identified and completed on time with proper allocation of resources required.

It can also provide information about products and components maintenance requirements, instruction manuals, information about repairs and replacement and so on.

[edit] Find out more

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki

• BIM.
• BIM articles.
• BIM glossary of terms.
• BIM maturity levels.
• BIM resources.
• Building information modelling.