BIM technology in plain words

Many still think a designer's job is making flat drawings on paper or in two-dimensional software. But construction is changing, and working in a BIM environment is becoming the professional standard.

Many still think a designer's job is making flat drawings on paper or in two-dimensional software. But construction is changing, and working in a BIM environment is becoming the professional standard.

Building Information Modeling is the technology of information modelling of buildings. In essence it lets us create an exact virtual copy of the object, one that stays with it through its whole life cycle: from the architect's first sketches to a possible demolition decades, even centuries, later.

Building Information Modeling is the technology of information modelling of buildings. In essence it lets us create an exact virtual copy of the object, one that stays with it through its whole life cycle: from the architect's first sketches to a possible demolition decades, even centuries, later.

In a BIM model every element carries real properties. Clicking a window or a wall tells you instantly:

In a BIM model every element carries real properties. Clicking a window or a wall tells you instantly:

• exact physical dimensions and volume
• the concrete class, insulation thickness or rebar spacing
• the manufacturer of the material and its cost
• technical characteristics and installation requirements

1. exact physical dimensions and volume
2. the concrete class, insulation thickness or rebar spacing
3. the manufacturer of the material and its cost
4. technical characteristics and installation requirements

The builder, the engineer and the client are not looking at disconnected lines but at a detailed 3D model, where load-bearing structures, concealed services and even the position of every rebar inside the foundation are drawn to the millimetre.

The builder, the engineer and the client are not looking at disconnected lines but at a detailed 3D model, where load-bearing structures, concealed services and even the position of every rebar inside the foundation are drawn to the millimetre.

Why we deliver 100% of projects in BIM

Why we deliver 100% of projects in BIM

For us, designing in BIM is not an extra service but a basic internal standard. Here is why.

For us, designing in BIM is not an extra service but a basic internal standard. Here is why.

• In classic design, if the architect moves a window on the plan, the engineer redraws the elevations by hand, the structural engineer recalculates the loads and the estimator rewrites the material quantities. That is perfect ground for mistakes. In BIM everything is linked: moving a window in one place updates all related drawings, schedules and estimates instantly.
• The nightmare on site is discovering during installation that a large duct runs straight through a load-bearing concrete beam. On paper such clashes are hard to spot. A BIM system scans the model automatically and highlights every intersection of services and structure. We find and fix 100% of those in the office, not on site.
• Architects, structural engineers and services engineers work on one model at the same time. That makes it possible to check in real time how a complex structure fits the architectural intent and how the building systems will work together.

1. In classic design, if the architect moves a window on the plan, the engineer redraws the elevations by hand, the structural engineer recalculates the loads and the estimator rewrites the material quantities. That is perfect ground for mistakes. In BIM everything is linked: moving a window in one place updates all related drawings, schedules and estimates instantly.
2. The nightmare on site is discovering during installation that a large duct runs straight through a load-bearing concrete beam. On paper such clashes are hard to spot. A BIM system scans the model automatically and highlights every intersection of services and structure. We find and fix 100% of those in the office, not on site.
3. Architects, structural engineers and services engineers work on one model at the same time. That makes it possible to check in real time how a complex structure fits the architectural intent and how the building systems will work together.

What it gives

What it gives

• two to three times fewer errors on site, along with fewer reworks and less idle plant caused by clashes in the design
• 15—20% budget saving through accurate schedules: we order exactly as much material as the building needs
• in 99% of cases the object is handed over on time

1. two to three times fewer errors on site, along with fewer reworks and less idle plant caused by clashes in the design
2. 15—20% budget saving through accurate schedules: we order exactly as much material as the building needs
3. in 99% of cases the object is handed over on time