BIM Architects: How To Reduce Construction Costs in UK

Building Information Modelling was introduced in the late 70s, where a professor named Chuck Eastman prototyped a Building Description System where 3D graphics and building components were linked to data. This prototype germinated into what we now call BIM.

Today, BIM is a collaborative process where the entire building’s life cycle, including construction, materials, costs, timelines, and visuals are created as a single digital asset. This allows various contractors and consultants to work on a single drawing file together, as a streamlined process from concept throughout to construction phases.

Although using CAD over the last decade has dramatically improved how architects draft and model construction projects, there were flaws and frustrations with the software that we created work arounds for, so nobody questioned it.

For example, 3D models are just shapes and geometries, with no information regarding materials, specification apart from vague visual texturing and heavily relied on rendering for visual communication. This limitation required architects to employ presentations and sheets to label the components manually to supplement this lack of information, which adds another document (risk) to coordinate in case of any design changes.

Another issue lies in the duplication of drawing files, revisions and iterations. In reality we are building one project, whereas CAD draftsman files would suggest they are building multiple iterations. With a BIM architect, you can save previous iterations inside the main file, and also have live files that subcontractors can import .ifc files, so that everyone can be sure that they are working on the correct and most up to date files. Working on out of date drawings simply wastes time and energy that could otherwise be saved with the modern BIM technology.

Interestingly, BIM has more dimensions than three dimensions – and we are not talking about science fiction! In fact we can add up to seven layers of non-geometric data into the model to really add depth and quality to the project’s digital asset.

The fourth dimension is time and scheduling. This can be done by generating animated videos and even construction sequences that can be used to track building construction programmes and progress.

The fifth dimension is cost and budgeting. This takes things to an entirely new level of financial forecasting, as developers can take the existing asset from architects and input data for materials costs and quantity takeoffs.

The sixth dimension is energy and sustainability data. This is where an energy consultant can ensure compliance and energy performance can be analysed over the building’s life cycle, scanning for sustainable design problems.

The seventh dimension is asset management. When a project is nearing handover, the as-built model in digital format can include all the warranties, specification and asset tags to hold a record of the entire building. This ensures everything stays together in one place, and reduces the risk of information recall in the future if documentation is needed for proof.

One of the remarkable things about BIM technology in softwares such as Revit, is the ability to make revisions, say, on elevations for example, as it will automatically amend the other drawing. This is a fundamental difference from using traditional CAD drafting software like AutoCAD & BricsCAD where a change in one location needs to be amended in a dozen other locations to keep everything updated, manually.

In fact, the name Revit, is derived from the phrase ‘revise it easily’, so the entire software architecture is built from scratch to accommodate this concept. Which results in easier clash detection and resolution, and frees up the designers cognitive bandwidth for other more pressing issues. This time saving, translates to minutes, which converts into valuable money saved on design hours for the developer.

Another handy aspect that BIM architects can leverage is the ability to automate spreadsheets, for example, the quantities and sizes of doors or windows once placed into the model from the Revit libraries. These are automatically available as data on schedules! Again, a huge time saver; and where schedules are elements of architecture that often change over the project’s lifecycle, having a system that automatically keeps track and updates as window sizes change, dramatically reduces risk on construction sites.

Even if a contractor doesn’t use CAD, they can still intuitively understand how to view a 3D in its preview mode. This can be done either on a Cloud or web-based browser, if the software is not available to all parties, and all the BIM information will be available at ‘clicks’ notice – without the need to ask your BIM architect!

This transforms the way contractors and designers can operate, because BIM architects need to be cracking on with design work, contractors need the information immediately, so having one model, where you can get the information within the 3D model, is a much more efficient means of communication.

According to Arkance statistics, BIM architects see a 10-20% savings on construction costs for the property developer due to the superior capabilities that BIM software such as Revit can offer; and these savings translate to huge gains on larger projects. With clash detections prompting BIM architects to find conflicts months before the building starts, the property developers risk is dramatically reduced, facilitating their need to meet programme timelines; with 4D BIM cutting timeline delays by up to 30% – these are huge gains. Moreover, accuracy on initial budget estimation improves by 10-15% so property developers can have more faith in their appraisals than ever before. Additionally those frustration mid-project changes can be solved and amended 5-10% faster than would otherwise be achieved with a traditional CAD setup.

However, to caveat this, there is still a place used for 2D CAD drafting that must be recognised. Detail and drafting construction joints are still commonly done on traditional CAD, as it is quick and highly effective. Plus it is still very much the industry standard, and you’ll find a lot of suppliers and consultants still use this as their main form of producing information. So although CAD isn’t the main star of the show anymore, it still is a very useful and an effective tool in a BIM architects tool box.

In conclusion, BIM architects are a powerful asset to reduce construction costs throughout the lifecycle of a property development, and property developers must start to recognise that BIM is a risk mitigating tool that promotes the success of project delivery, especially in this high cost, high risk economic climate right now. Hiring a BIM architect such as PHD Associates is well worth the investment, because clashes are identified early, projects are kept on schedule, large time consuming portions of work are automated, and huge amounts of information can be at the disposal to everyone in your pipeline; all in one place.

If you would like to hire a BIM architect to work on your exciting next project; with a team that has over 40 years of expertise in architecture and design, then get in touch by filling out the contact form below. Whether you are a property developer or landowner, we are architects you can rely on!