BIM Relevance, Risks and Recommendations for Architects

The role of an architect particularly has changed. Architects now embrace a wider scope in terms of project management.

The AEC industry has witnessed many changes in the last few years. Construction teams are being challenged to design and build smarter buildings, more quickly and within tightly defined budgets. There are new and advanced processes, workflows, project delivery methods and tools and technology. The role of project stakeholders such as owners, architects, designers, engineers and contractors have also evolved.

The role of an architect particularly has changed. Architects now embrace a wider scope in terms of project management. Their role revolves around the interaction with clients to develop a detailed design brief, developing and presenting the proposed design to the client and ensuring that the design is created according to local regulations, specific requirements related to sustainability and safety and legal considerations.

With the adoption of new project delivery methods, architects assume a role that includes implementing the design vision and integrating teams and processes, while taking into consideration the competencies of resources, the scope of the project, the schedule with competing priorities and the budgetary requirements. To accomplish this broad role, architects are embracing new tools and technology such as BIM.

BIM Modeling - Relevance for Architects

To address design implementation challenges, BIM (Building Information Modeling) provides a perfect solution for architects. At the outset, BIM facilitates collaboration and the exchange of information between design teams, engineers and contractors. In the early stages of the design process, design teams create 3D architectural models as the first step. However, with BIM technology, instead of starting with modeling, the first stage in the building project lifecycle is to collaboratively discuss design critical features with different project stakeholders and design team members.

To support BIM workflow there are software applications such as Autodesk’s Revit BIM and AutoCAD BIM that enable design modeling from preconstruction concept review to construction completion. BIM is more than just design technology, it is a process. The relevance of the BIM process is more than just the creation of intelligent, 3D models, it also includes interoperability and an evolving workflow between project stakeholders, an ongoing design review process with critical changes on the go and new project delivery methods. So just how relevant is 3D BIM modeling for architects? A few perspectives are highlighted below:

  1. It expedites coordination and interoperability – Beyond the initial concept phase of the building design lifecycle, architects will align their detailed design concept with structural engineers and building services (MEP) engineers to develop a combined 3D model typically using Autodesk Revit that is forwarded to the construction team. Using Autodesk Navisworks, the construction team checks the combined model for inconsistencies to ensure clash-free implementation. BIM helps in coordination and interoperability between various project stakeholders to ensure workflows are streamlined. It helps in collaborative work, to review and edit design concepts in real-time using work-sharing tools on a single coordinated database.
  2. It facilitates 3D parametric modeling – Architects need to provide detailed level designs of building components, taking into consideration the requirements of the client. BIM modeling in architectural design is used as a conceptual design tool for modeling of building components including parametric elements. Parametric modeling through Revit Architecture enables definition and control of shape instances and properties based on parameters set at assembly and sub-assembly levels. By using BIM modeling tools, architects can create object-based parametric models that have predefined object families which can be applied to designs effortlessly and therefore represent the proposed/actual finishes and sizing of a project during the design development.
  3. It endorses complex and evolving design changes – As a part of the creative process and based on client feedback, architects invariably modify their design concept several times. The impact of design changes on structural, MEP (M&E) and construction teams is challenging as the project workflow is affected. BIM modeling helps to accommodate modifications of complex designs seamlessly, as architects can verify design assumptions in the initial phase of concept design. Moreover, BIM tools such as Revit provide bi-directional associativity benefits, which means design changes that are made to one part of the database are instantly and automatically applied to other areas such as tables, schedules, plans or sections.
  4. It helps for visualisation and communication – With the use of 3D BIM models, architects can create visualisation tools to convey building design concepts and communicate those designs to project stakeholders and clients. 3D BIM models also form the base on which virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) models are rendered. Immersive technology such as VR and AR provides an interactive experience and enables users to understand the design concept in real time. Moreover, other than architectural renders, 3D BIM also helps in highlighting non-visual data which provides project stakeholders and clients with actionable insights.
  5. It can transform the role of the architect – While architects contribute significantly during the concept design and development stages, their capabilities have broadened by using BIM models. 3D BIM models have additional information on building performance, maintenance, cost and quantity estimation using BIM-based BOQ architectural models and scheduling. With 3D BIM capabilities, the role of an architect has transformed from designer to an adviser by providing value-added information for projecting stakeholders and clients.

3D BIM modeling has widened the role of architects in concept design, design development and delivery, by facilitating an evolving workflow and interoperability. However, when collaboration happens at this scale through BIM coordination, there are associated technical and contractual risks that need to be considered.

License: You have permission to republish this article in any format, even commercially, but you must keep all links intact. Attribution required.