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Building Information Modelling and the Future Event: 29th June, Bristol

Posted by Surabhi Srivastava

Greeting BIM at the Zoo

This was not the arrival of 'BIM' Bristol Zoo's new elephant.  BIM stands for Building Information Modelling and was the subject of a successful conference on 29th June held at the Bristol Zoo Gardens in partnership with ARCOM, EIBA, CIOB, ICE and the University of the West of England.

But will BIM actually be a white elephant for construction? Well the Government's Construction Strategy thinks not and the government’s chief construction adviser Paul Morrell has indicated that BIM will become a key part of the government’s procurement of public buildings and that bidders and contractors on future public building projects would be expected to implement it. In fact, according to the Strategy, the current target is that fully collaborative BIM level 2 will be required as a minimum by 2016. Please click here for the strategy.

So what is it?

In a nutshell BIM is simply a tool to generate and manage building data during its life cycle. It uses three-dimensional, real time, dynamic building modelling solutions, to increase productivity in building design and construction. More importantly, Building Information Models can take various forms including design, construction and facilities models. Therefore, they can incorporate further aspects such as time (4D modelling), cost (5D modelling) and life-cycle facility management (6D modelling) parameters offering a complete process support system from building development to delivery and management.

The event provided public and private clients, contractors, designers and academics with an up-date on current progress and good practice.

The Seminar covered:

  • How BIM is being supported and encouraged by the Government
  • An explanation of the different levels of BIM – demystifying the half truths
  • Why clients want it
  • The advantages and opportunities presented by BIM
  • Challenges and benefits in the adoption of BIM
  • Overcoming (or at least recognising) the contractual barriers.

Speakers included:

Professor Andrew Thomas: Andrew is a board member of Constructing Excellence and sits on a government BIM advisory committee Andrew has toured the UK giving up-dates on BIM and the forthcoming government requirements affecting clients and the supply chain.

Professor Richard Laing: Richard is Professor of Built Environment Visualisation at the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment. Richard represents the RICS on the European Construction Technology Platform, with a particular emphasis on energy efficiency in Buildings, and current research interests focus on the impact of IT within construction and architectural design.

Nahim Iqbal, Ryder Architecture: Nahim has spoken at conferences around the UK about BIM from a designer’s perspective, the challenges and the opportunities.

Adopting an industry-wide BIM process is likely to reveal a significant learning gap in many companies with people left wondering how to implement this into their own practice. The seminar was designed to promote a deeper understanding of the impacts of BIM on businesses and supply chain organisations.  Further information on BIM events and information will be published on our Website under a special BIM page as this agenda develops. Watch this space!