Building Information Modelling (BIM) is the collaborative process of creating a digital, 3D representation of a project containing information on all of its physical and functional characteristics and those of its components, thus forming a reliable basis for decisions during its life-cycle; from initial concept through to demolition.
Lower Carbon Drive 3D Model Courtesy of Steve Bigg, architecture*fab
BIM has been around for a considerable time, but it has gained significant momentum in the UK since the announcement in May 2011, by the Government Chief Construction Advisor Paul Morrell, that collaborative BIM will be required on all Government construction projects of £5 million and over by 2016 – telling construction professionals to adopt BIM or be “Betamaxed out”.
As a result, building professionals are looking to adopt this new technology now more than ever – and they are increasingly expecting to see components from building product manufacturers to use in their modelling.
Responding to this demand, The Building Centre can now provide specifiers with a new free way to access the latest BIM content through specifinder.com as well as offer building product manufacturers the opportunity to have their components modelled through our partnerships with BIM developers.
By providing BIM components, building product manufacturers can increase their chances of being specified – because a specifier would rather drop a specific, detailed component into their model than a generic one. This, in turn, will result in an increased likelihood of future re-specification. Because BIM is a collaborative process, spanning the project’s entire life-cycle, if your products and their specifications are contained within the model you are much more likely to be the first point of contact when future repairs or replacements are required.
A comprehensive research report by our friends at Competitive Advantage was published in April 2012 and is now available to order through specifinder.com. Interviews were conducted with 80 architects practices, 50 engineers practices and 20 main contractors, all of which are in the top 100 for their category.
Of those companies surveyed, two thirds already use BIM. Of those still to implement BIM, more than 60% will do so in the next 2 years.
When asked how manufacturers could help with BIM there was a very clear message from Architects, Engineers and Contractors that they wanted BIM compatible product information available on manufacturer websites.
BIM Components from Kalzip are now available to download from specifinder.com
Kevin Turton, Design Manager at Kalzip, an early adoptor of BIM, told us why they’ve embraced the technology…
“Kalzip is widely recognised within the construction industry for its ability to pioneer, develop, design, manufacture and install some of the world’s most complex and challenging of building shapes forming today’s architectural landscapes.
“Over several years Kalzip has established a solid background of technical expertise and design solutions that has naturally progressed our development in the collaborative methods of working synonymous with BIM techniques.
“The adoption of such techniques has ultimately provided us with access to many complex projects and the advanced ability to share this complex data with project teams. The beauty of BIM is that it provides greater efficiency into every aspect of the design process and with this in mind is sure set to become the new method of specification. The industry must adopt it or be left behind.”
For 80 years now, the ways in which we have provided professional specifiers with building product information have constantly evolved – through physical exhibits at the centre, literature distribution and more recently through our online product directory – specifinder.com and our mobile app. By embracing BIM, and partnering with developers to promote BIM content for manufacturers, we continue to evolve our services in keeping with what the industry demands.
BIM components are now available to download through specifinder.com, with more coming soon. If you are a building product manufacturer and would like to learn more about getting your products BIM ready, email bim@specifinder.com
