Building Information Modeling – Benefits for Owners and Engineers

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is one of the most transformative disciplines and in process of designing and engineering commercial buildings. Beyond changes in technology and revolutionary software design advances such as Revit, BIM is driving fundamental change in how architects and, engineers, and clients collaborate – shifting energies towards greater focus and collaboration early in the schematic design process. Architects and engineers can more effectively evaluate the performance and functional characteristics of different materials and systems and then quickly review the impact of different design scenarios. For the owner or developer, this process provides numerous benefits.

BIM Benefits for the Owner and Developer:

1. Improved building design: the development of drawings and changes are administratively time-consuming and costly. BIM helps integrate the full documentation of the project as it will be constructed making changes more efficient and minimizing omissions.
2. Information streamlining and integrated workflow: Transparent digital formatting of the information so that it’s shareable and updateable. Optimization of the information management process and coordination between design, engineering and systems providers.
3. Building performance and sustainability:  Engineers can evaluate a building’s carbon footprint and consider the impact of new, green technologies compared to the resource demands of the facility, including; climate, solar and wind effects. Actual materials, vendor products, energy and lighting systems can be evaluated for optimal performance and comfort.
4. Accurate cost estimates: better decision-making and budgeting up-front through more accurate assessments of systems, estimated operational costs, accurate drawings and fewer change orders.
5. Compliance: As the building is designed, it can be checked to ensure that the structure conforms to any code requirements instead and make changes to correct problems while they can still be corrected inexpensively.
6. Enhanced branding:  improved visualization and early conceptualization of the entire concept and experience for users and for adherence to corporate standards.
7. Better maintenance: BIM helps provide scenarios and schedules for maintenance and scalability of a building so that optimal performance can be maintained and so that new systems can be evaluated in the future.

BIM Benefits for Engineers

1. Building Green: BIM helps engineers cut project time and energy use, as well as cost. Being able to maximize time use BIM allows engineers to reduce waste of materials during construction and building management. Energy modeling is also able to minimize energy use over a building’s lifespan.
2. Pushing the Boundaries  BIM gives greater access to technological developments by pushing the boundaries for new designs. BIM’s ability to handle sophistical calculations will allow engineers to create new, innovative designs.
3. BIM Reduces Rework: With Building Information Model, engineers are able to be more precise in their calculations which reduce the numbers of errors and rework.
4. Modeling Larger Elements: BIM allows MEP engineers to model larger elements such as duct systems and air handlers.
5. Increased Workload: As BIM becomes more popular adding it to your portfolio allows companies to see how much more advanced you are in the technology space against your competitors.

The process of building information modeling provides the client and design team with information that guides decision-making for the immediate project and far into the future.