| Les Morrison - - Architect |
BIM - - Building Information Modelling (Management). As implied by the sense of the acronym, BIM enables buildings to be analysed before they are constructed. The procedure is accomplished through software modelling of components and their arrangement within a building. This empowers identification of all component parts used in the construction process. BIM software provides the platform whereby, Structural, Service and Mechanical Engineers can develop their own information and insert it into the architectural model. In addition, sub-contractors engaged on a design and build basis are provided with a copy of the Architect's BIM to develop their own fabrication/construction information. Furthermore, BIM allows access to establishing: what, where and how materials are used, and, selection, scheduling and measurement, facilitating the creation of the project's Bill of Quantities. BIM is the future of all architectural drawing information as it identifies everything by way of materials used to construct a building. It also models: precise data as it effects, environment, climate and sun-path patterns related to any site orientated to the cardinal azimuth and surrounding buildings. BIM enables all members of the construction team to have both input and information specific to their relationship with the project, whether it is as a client, stakeholder or funding manager arranging finance on a timed expenditure basis. As the design develops all parties can relate as to how the design affects them and provide comment ‘before the event'. To implement BIM, drawings are drawn in 3-D and developed to a real-time scale as solid objects. The normal 2-D prints are readily taken-off the BIM model as they would normally be provided in the building industry. Once the solid objects have been constructed they are named and tagged according to their location within the building. Any alteration to the design is simple to make. Once made, all corrections, amendments or changes in the design development, are ‘populated' throughout the various aspects of the software. i.e. all plans, sections and elevations are updated immediately. A further benefit of BIM, is that an on-site laptop computer can recount to the workforce at Toolbox talks; via 3-D means, the scope of work and performance targets. Any anomaly bought-up at such meetings can be ratified through direct walk-throughs within the project model as BIM provides VRML data that permits a camera to be ‘pushed' through the building and stopped at any position to investigate a contentious condition. Implementation of BIM - - Once the DATUM model has been constructed by the Architect it can be ‘zipped' and circulated by e-mail to all consultants. BIM enables information to be shared in a manner not possible previously in the building construction industry. Once the DATUM model has been circulated, all design professionals and sub-contractors can work on their own BIM model. For example: - a services engineer can design ductwork and room input/extract arrangements as a services specific model which can then be inserted into the Architects BIM model and all other consultant/sub-contractor BIMs thereby permitting evaluation for any co-incidence with structure, cold bridging, crosstalk or adverse condition that could become prejudicial to the success of the project's intentions. In addition cost appraisal of alternatives is possible to account for at an early stage in the design development, permitting detailed analysis and selection of complex items in specific locations. Through this procedure, BIM enables every material and component item used in the building process to be scheduled and recorded. This facilitates not only ‘supply chain' procurement of every component part, it also evaluates every detail and monitors the useful life cycle of all scheduled materials used in the construction. In consequence, the scheduling of each material item has the capacity to be linked through the software and interface with such sustainable standards as: BREEAM Green Building Materials Guide, Ecotect and Green Building Studio. The possible 'credit' value of each guide being accorded against the tagged material on an international basis. Additionally, all information collated through material/component scheduling is used as data for the soft-landings stage after practical completion and built into the buildings' control/maintenance system.
All renders on this website have been constructed using BIM. If you look through the windows you will see ceilings and floors. These exist within the real-time world with each scene a framework formulated as a solid model. There are several BIM software applications on the market. The models on this website are constructed using Revit and transported through to 3-D Max and rendered in Brazil R/S. For the Technically minded: - - It should be noted that BIM software is computer processor hungry and that most general workstations will not have the computing capacity to handle either the ‘number crunching' or render processes. Laptops are dedicated to accommodate the software design with Nvidia Quadro mobile graphic cards. OS - 64bit Windows 7 Pro Ultimate. BIM is not a process of creating solid models through extruding primitive shapes as found in 3-D software such as MAX, Maya, et al. BIM formulates CAD through a form of ‘entasis'. That is, any line drawn is done providing it with a width and height. The length is directed using keyboard entry as the modelling statement. All hatch and material identification is loaded into the 3-D model at the drawing stage, thus, producing large files. All materials when selected and drawn as objects are tagged with graphic identification, materials, and colour and linked to a sustainable guide. |
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