In recent years, new technologies and a growing focus on sustainability have contributed to the revolution of the design and construction industry, fundamentally changing the way business is conducted. Building Information Modeling (BIM) has and continues to play a key role in this transformation, advancing better design and project delivery methods. Today, cross-functional project teams are able to collaborate on a building’s design, construction and life cycle management using shared, model-based technologies such as BIM as a platform. BIM provides a collaborative interchange in which ideas, procedures, costs and challenges can be evaluated early in the project lifecycle, ultimately resulting in enhanced organizational performance and faster, more efficient construction with less waste. BIM’s sophisticated approach to the design and construction process offers those on the leading edge of the technology a
chance to transform the very nature of the industry and innovate beyond their peers.

BIM improves integration among building professionals

BIM plays a particularly important role in promoting integration among building professionals and improving design and construction outcomes, as witnessed in Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), an emerging project delivery choice for many A/E/C stakeholders.

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) defines IPD as “a project delivery approach that integrates people, systems, business structures and practices into a process that collaboratively harnesses the talents and insights of all participants to optimize project results, increase value to the owner, reduce waste and maximize efficiency through all phases of design, fabrication and construction.” IPD requires
intrinsic collaboration among all project entities, of which BIM is a crucial element. As such, the high adoption rate of BIM in recent years is indicative of a change in preferred project delivery methods. BIM has quickly gained momentum, and much of the industry is adding it to their toolboxes. In its “2009
SmartMarket Report,” McGraw-Hill indicated that almost half of the respondents (49%) report using BIM or BIM-related tools, a 75% increase in use in the last two years BIM use by contractors surveyed has quadrupled in the last two years alone.

Sustainable design and construction accelerate BIM adoption

Many early advocates for green building were environmentally motivated practitioners, operating on the fringe of the industry as niche service providers. Today, changed industry regulations and recognition of the economic benefits of sustainable design and process have brought green strategies to the broader field. Increased building performance over an extended life cycle as well as cost-effective management of resources and waste, has boosted the interest in green processes and platforms. At the same time, legislation incentivizing and mandating green building standards has driven change at local, state and federal levels.

The ability of BIM to optimize energy consumption and reduce material waste has made it an emerging priority for green building projects. BIM applications can project the impact of design decisions upon building performance and assist building professionals in attaining more sustainable outcomes. As mentioned, BIM also encourages an integrated and holistic project delivery approach, which is a key component of sustainable design and construction projects.

This symbiotic convergence of opportunities brought about by technology and sustainable design and construction processes reflects the strong desire of the building industry to operate with more predictable, accurate and responsible outcomes. In its “2010 SmartMarket Report,” McGraw-Hill Construction noted that industry players are just beginning to tap the full potential of BIM to achieve their green objectives.

Consequently, many green building professionals anticipate harnessing BIM’s full potential to improve sustainable outcomes in the future. The use of green projects, combined with BIM technology (also referred to as “green BIM”), is expected to grow dramatically in the immediate years following. If BIM users are not using green BIM now, they soon will be. Of today’s BIM users who do not currently utilize it, almost 80% expect to within three years; 17% expect to begin using green BIM in the next year.

Given today’s competitive climate, it is all the more important to stay focused on innovative project delivery methods using multidisciplinary and integrated technology, combined with sustainable business practices. As the benefits of BIM become more widely accepted by owners and project participants, new business models will start to emerge. Owners who are already experiencing the value of BIM-driven projects will likely demand these types of collaborative projects on a regular basis to ensure more transparent processes and consistent results in the future (similar to what happened with CAD in the architecture domain in the 1970s). This collaborative approach, in which all design and
construction entities interact as partners and team players, will require a huge cultural and mental shift, but is likely to lift the industry to the next level.

Written by Sabine Hoover

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