What is BIM?

BIM (Building Information Modelling) is a process which creates and manages information on particular construction projects across its lifecycle. One of the main outputs of this method is the Building Information Model, which creates a digital description of every aspect of the built asset. The model gathers all the information assembled collaboratively and is updated and changed during key stages of the building project.

At studio.SPACE, we have decided to use Building Information Modelling from an early stage of the business’ development plan. There are many advantages to be had with introducing BIM at this stage that will help the practice over long projects. BIM can efficiently cycle through multiple work stages, making it an excellent tool for delivering fast and effective work. We as a collective appreciate the importance of BIM in detecting problems and produce effective communication between consultants, helping both us and the client to save money and aiding the project to be finished by its deadline. Implementation of BIM will help produce a modern image of our practice and would help spur on the use of BIM technology in building projects, which will inevitably become the future of architecture.

We believe that the integration of BIM produces long term financial benefits despite initial costings, and allows for a dynamic and collaborative practice, and thus BIM should be integrated wide scale within the office. We do not believe that sporadic use of BIM would provide efficient and cost worthy benefits towards our projects.

BIM Levels.

The practice will begin operating at BIM Level 1 in the first year of setting up. This will involve organisation of folders with BIM standard file naming. As the practice matures, ambition is to adopt BIM Level 2 using BIM authoring software and clash detection.

Staff Training.

In order to introduce BIM successfully within our practice, we have a member of staff who acts as a BIM manager. They oversee the use of BIM and provide their expertise throughout the office; effectively assisting members with BIM knowledge.

Studio recruitment strategy is to hire staff with existing BIM authoring software skills, however we also see the benefit in training (CPD) less confident members of staff to ensure consistent skill level throughout the practice.

Licenses & Equipment.

To enable BIM use, the investment of AutoCAD, Revit and 4P licenses will be essential (BIM Level 1). As we progress into BIM Level 2 we aim to use software such as Navisworks and Solibri. We are aware that software and hardware will need updating, allowing an efficient workflow (this will be reflected in our cost plan).

BIM Budget & Costing.

Within the first two years of BIM operation, we have budgeted for licensing fees (set by Autodesk) and training courses / CPD (provided by Autodesk).

Initially we purchased four Revit licenses, at £888 p/m, and three AutoCAD licenses, at £450 p/m. Whilst we consider this a large annual investment, it provides necessary software vital to produce efficient and effective project work. Employee training will cost £2000 for 3 days, additionally online training will be used throughout the year to ensure up to date knowledge.

Working with BIM / 4P / Solibri is an expensive investment; this expense will be offset by selling these as a service to clients.

Collaborators.

By adopting BIM we can collaborate with other members of the wider design team, such as civil and structural engineers etc. By utilising industry wide approach to construction information (through consistent file management) we will ensure successful cohesion through the project programme. A Common Data Environment will be used to allow for project team collaboration. The software 4P (For Projects) will be used, which is a central cloud based source for all drawings and specifications to be shared and accessed.

Quality Assurance.

Quality assurance is essential for a successful practice. Regular internal audits will ensure studio members are adhering to a consistent level. Within individual projects, the design team is trained to cross check all drawings before issue (BIM Level 1). As we progress to BIM Level 2, with more complicated projects, using software such as Navisworks and Solibri will provide clash detection. Thus, limiting on-site discrepancies - as mentioned previously, this expense will be offset by selling use of clash detection as a service to clients.

We must adhere to the Publicly Available Specification (PAS) and British Standards (BS). Whilst working towards BIM Level 2, there are many BS and PAS requirements that studio.Space have to meet, such as:

PAS 91:2012;
BS 1192:2007;
PAS 1192-2:2013;
PAS 1192-3:2014;
BS PAS 1192-4:2014;
PAS 1192-5:2015;
BS 7000-4:2013;
BS 8536-1:2015;
BS 8541-1:2012;
BS 8541-2:2011;
BS 8541-3:2012;
BS 8541-4:2012;
BS 8541-5:2015;
BS 8541-6:2015.

The NBS BIM toolkit (https://toolkit.thenbs.com/) will allow our staff to ensure efficient collaboration with contractors and consultants, by providing them with the necessary BS standard compliant information.

Organisation.

In order to maintain BIM level of project organisation within the office, the file structure shown below will be used.

Work In Progress;
Shared;
Published;
Archived;
Received;
Resources.

File naming will comply with BIM standard in order to ensure organised collaboration, for example:

19010-SS-ZZ-01-DR-A-2010-ProposedGroundFloorPlan-02

(Project-Originator-Volume-Level-Type-Role-Number-Description-Revision)