Technology is changing rapidly, and what was state-of-the-art a decade ago is now outdated. When it comes to design and construction, these changes are slower yet still quick enough to render old practices obsolete.
For instance, software such as BIM replaced pen and paper designs in no time. And while BIM is currently everyone’s favorite program, will it still be that in ten years? If so, how will it change and adapt to the new design and construction needs? We have a few ideas, so let’s take a look.
What is BIM?
BIM, short for Building Information Modeling, usually refers to modern design software used mainly by architects. This software creates a virtual 3D model of a building and incorporates all aspects necessary for its construction and maintenance. Aside from geometry and spatial relationships, that includes building materials, cost estimates, sustainability, and more.
But despite its numerous advanced features, BIM wouldn’t be nearly as interesting if it weren’t for its collaborative features. All the necessary documents, blueprints, and schedules can be integrated into the program and shared with the whole team. And whenever anyone makes any changes to the model, everyone who has access to it will receive an update.
In broader terms, BIM isn’t just software but also a new movement in construction. Gone are the days of physical documentation and long discussions about every aspect of the project. Now, the whole team is expected to work as one, contributing to the project seamlessly and increasing efficiency. The lines that once separated designers, builders, and contractors are melting away, and hopefully, they will disappear entirely.
Also Read: BIM series – Implementation strategy & value proposition of BIM in Indian building construction
What awaits BIM in the future
BIM is already the tool of choice for countless architects, engineers, and builders across the world. But considering how fast technology is developing, who knows if it will still be in a few years?
While it’s hard to tell exactly, we can make a few guesses based on current trends. So, let’s see what the future may hold for BIM!
BIM will be used after the design stage
As we said before, BIM is more than just a design program. This software can also find its application in various stages of construction and building maintenance. In fact, thanks to the large amounts of project info BIM contains, it can prove incredibly useful during the whole building lifecycle.
At this stage, though, we still use BIM for design and not much else. In fact, only 14% of owners feel that BIM is useful for maintenance and regular building operations. The situation isn’t much better during the construction stage either — only about 41% of building companies use BIM to speed up the project completion.
But as more people learn about BIM’s capabilities, they will surely start using it in different ways. Thus, we can expect that, in the future, BIM won’t dominate only design and architecture but also construction, facility management, and other building lifecycle phases.
BIM will integrate with other software
One of the most tedious and time-consuming aspects of design and construction is translating information from one software to another. If two programs are incompatible, you can lose important data, so the whole process can take up to a few months. And imagine how much work you could do in all that time!
Luckily, future technology will put compatibility and collaboration at the forefront. BIM is no exception — one day, it should easily integrate with AR/VR, 3D printing, the Internet of Things, and even AI. Then, everything from design to maintenance will function smoothly and be almost entirely automated!
For instance, let’s say we integrate BIM with AI. You’d just need to feed it a basic set of rules, and the program would perform all sorts of tasks automatically. Forget about printing, exporting, and updating files and models manually. Your BIM program will do all that for you and even recognize when those actions are necessary on its own. So instead of wasting time on minor tasks, put your energy toward more important aspects of the project.
And integrating BIM with AR or VR will change the industry completely. Imagine if you could actually experience your creation in a real environment, not just view it on screen. That would make it so much easier to spot issues and find new and better solutions for your designs!
Also Read: BIM series #2 – Challenges in CAD to BIM transition in India
Sustainable building will become the norm
Environmental protection is a hot topic right now, and so, trends in construction are moving toward sustainability. Architects now work to integrate their designs with nature and create buildings that use as little energy as possible.
But it’s not just the final product that’s supposed to be sustainable. The very construction process should be too. And there is no better tool for increasing sustainability than BIM.
BIM can help in many ways. During the design phase, it allows various experts, such as engineers, contractors, and suppliers, to review the project and give their advice. By doing so, they can increase sustainability before the project’s even begun.
Then, once the construction starts, BIM can help streamline collaboration. Thanks to that, the overall efficiency will increase, which falls in line with sustainable building.
So, the more modern architecture and construction lean towards sustainability, the bigger the role BIM plays. In the future, any sort of building project will be impossible to complete without BIM. And that’s exactly why it’s so important for everyone in this field to learn at least its basics.
In conclusion
BIM may already be popular in the world of design, but it still hasn’t reached its full potential. Its time is yet to come, and when it does, the construction process will change entirely. For now, it’s hard to predict exactly how, though we can imagine a few paths it could take. Still, one thing is certain — BIM is here to stay.
Also Read: BIM Series #3 – Value proposition of BIM and role of BIM mandates
