The construction industry in the UK has always been very focused on ensuring that there is a strong opportunity for growth and one key growth area is digitalisation. In a recent conversation with BIM Today Magazine, Corstorphine & Wright’s Head of Digital, Neil Carter talks about why digital is having such a transformational effect on project management and what building information modelling (BIM) is doing for the digital culture of architecture.
The need to digitalise the way we design and build is now stronger than ever with the up surge of modern methods of construction (MMC) and the increasing adoption levels of BIM.
The international ISO 19650 suite of standards, developed in the UK to support BIM, have been exemplar when it comes to providing a framework for the construction industry to work to, both domestically and globally. Without strict standards and governance, it is impossible to work collectively and consistently across an industry. Prior to the use of standards there was a very ad hoc approach toward BIM implementation and information management.
From a design perspective, BIM starts from the very concept stage of a project, and for an architect this is a very welcomed opportunity to showcase our designs in a digital format. BIM and the development of advanced technology, and the creation of new software allows our designs to come to life in a virtual environment. But before we get carried away with the visuals, BIM is more than aesthetics. BIM is about managing our information better, managing our data better and ultimately managing our project better.
BIM allows us to speed up the design phase. Traditionally the production of working drawings was a time consuming – although enjoyable – task. However in the past decade, with the increased use of BIM, this has allowed the enhancement of the design process, facilitating the ability for architects to produce intricate 3D models quickly and expertly. And just as importantly, allowing designers to share models easily and quickly via the newly created common data environment.
Implementing BIM at the design phase allows us to better understand and implement client requirements. With increased demand from clients for BIM-led projects, BIM is fast becoming a non-negotiable in client briefs. Already mandated in the UK on government projects, private clients are also placing strict conditions on the use of BIM on their assets. This means that architecture practices in the UK and indeed worldwide are increasingly replacing CAD drawings with BIM files and looking to recruit digitally skilled architects who can both lead and contribute to this digital transformation of the construction industry.
Read the full conversation here and understand the benefits of BIM in practice and how it enables us to think digital-first. At Corstorphine & Wright we go beyond basic design principles and look deeply into the future of the operational needs of our buildings. We believe that every building should be the best it can be and continues to meet the needs of its owners, occupiers and users for many decades to come.
Neil Carter, Head of Digital and BIM Today Magazine: BIM in architecture for better project management (pbctoday.co.uk)
