08 September | The RDS, Dublin, Ireland + VIRTUAL

THE DIGITAL
bimcoordinatorsummit.net

TRANSITION
Productivity
Resilience
Agility
Safety
Sustainability

Where Minds Meet

& Information Matters
Celebrating the Heroes of AEC
Architecture | Engineering | Construction

in association with
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BIM COORDINATORS SUMMIT 2022 | Where Minds Meet & Information Matters

Table of Contents

Welcome Message 4-5 Tools for AEC teams 36

Ralph Montague Jean-Marc Couffin

Agenda + Floor Plan 6-7 The Path To Bim Automation 37

Jamie Alonso Candau
How to Maximize VDC
in Design-Build 8 Next step in the construction 38
Brian Skripac Jero Juujarvi

Information Modelling and Retail 9 BIM Management Demystified 39

Jonathan Ingram Kimberly Fuhrman

Change We Must, Is BIM Only for Mega Projects?? 40

and Change We Will 10-11 Kaustubh Pandey
Dana Kennish ‘Deke’ Smith
Digital Solutions for Construction 41
BIM Coordinators Summit Team
BIMin’ Guide to the Galaxy 12-13 John Hunt
Kimon Onuma Ralph Montague: Director
Eco-Digital Design 42-43 Patrick Slattery: Director
BIM in the Metaverse Mais Taha Ken Montague: Head of Technology
of Madness 14-15 Audrey Montague: Event Coordinator
Paul Doherty Why do we need Reality Capture? 43 Emma Montague: Community
Mahmoud Charif Development
Breaking the Logjam 16-17
Nick Hayler You’re not doing what
you think you are 44-45
Interoperability within AECO Michael Freiert
BIM Coordinators Summit magazine
information systems 18-19
is published by
Richard Scott The Four Pillars of N&I Publications Ltd,
Immersive Technology at Arup 46 1 Windsor Mews, Summerhill Parade,
Building Digital Competency: Michael Galbraith Sandycove, Co. Dublin, A96 D6Y6.
Why and How 23
Sonali Dhopte Things NOT TO DO Managing Editor: Colin Walsh
in BIM implementation 47 Media Manager: Claire Baronetti
Take Care of Your Revit Models 24-25 Mohamed Fawzy Administration: Noelette Walsh
Steve Deadman
The Mystery of Construction
Did you know that 5D Scheduling: Would Automation All Enquiries: T: 01 442 9264
comes before 3D? 26-27 unfold the Complexity? 48-49
Elia Gonzalez Dr. Mohammad Mayouf & Rana Al-Tibi The contents of this publication
are subject to copyright laws and
Is BIM going to help make Making information management may not be reproduced in any form
2050 possible? 28-29 business as usual with databases 49 without the prior written consent of
the publishers. The views expressed
Roger Barkley & Elia Gonzalez Mo Shana’a
in articles do not necessarily
represent those of the publishers.
Experience the Power of BIM Part 1: What is Digital Waste? *(Part 2:
throughout the whole value chain 30 How to Get Rid of Digital Waste) 50-51
Harri Majala Nathan Wood Find us on:
Is Digital Transition cost Info Management 52
effective for small business Pedro Pascual Ezama
in M&E construction sector? 31
Ivana Simic Trending Topics 53
Narciso Guerrero
How Integrated Project
Delivery (IPD) embraces digital Successful Digital Delivery
ways of working to support at Mott MacDonald 54
project execution 32-33 Neil O’Reilly Visit: bimcoordinatorsummit.net
Ian Harding for information and web-exclusive
A Solution looking If BIM is the answer, content.
for a Problem 34-35 what is the question? 55
James Harty Nicholas Nisbet
contd...

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High-Quality
Solutions
for BIM Professionals
Our plugins for
Autodesk® Revit®
software address
specific Revit data
management
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These tools give BIM
Coordinators and
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Revit data.

“We’ve noticed a huge difference since using

Ideate [Software] tools over the past year.
We’re only going to get more efficient.”
Michael Hartley, Technical BIM Manager, Ramboll UK

www.ideatesoftware.com
Autodesk and Revit are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., in the USA and other countries.
BIM COORDINATORS SUMMIT 2022 | Where Minds Meet & Information Matters

Table of Contents (Cont’d)

The strategic role of Barriers to 5D BIM Adoption 80-81 Standards do not provide
international standards Ana María Walter De Rossi immediate value in themselves 104
in BIM: ISO 19650 series 56-57 Peter Bo Olsen
Panagiotidou Nicoleta Yes, we are all Innovators 82-83
Anand Stephen The Metaverse of BIMness 104-105
Construction Intelligence - Pritymoy Ganguly
Let the data tell the story 58-59 Moving from disconnected
Omar Habib documents and spreadsheets Integrating GIS and BIM
to dynamic online resources 84 galvanizes the move towards
How to BIM Start in 5 Steps 60-61 Andy Boutle digital transformation 106-107
Omar Nour Marc Goldman
Critical Success Factors (CSF)
An introduction to creating and Challenges of BIM adoption/ Transforming Society Together
a plugin for Revit in C# 62-63 implementation 85 Through True Information
Paolo Modenese Atila Vidra Management 108-110
Megha Nagendra Wells
Can we help AEC Industry thrive Building Industry Reform 86-87
in a world we do not control? 65 Brian Guinan What is it that we cannot see? 111
Mostafa Elashmawy Paul McCormack
Why openBIM? 89
The importance of data quality Carl Storms The benefits of applying a
within the AEC industry 66-67 client-oriented approach
Paul Varghese Less Is More: The Importance when delivering BIM 112
of Usable Information 91 David Delgado Vendrell
The lifecycle value of Gary Sprague
construction information 68-69 How a Culture of Learning Can
Ryan Tennyson 14 Bad BIM Habits That BIM Drive Success at Your
Managers Must Help Prevent! 92-93 Organization 113
In Standards we trust… 70 Clive Jordan Steve Biver
Ulrich Hartmann
State of BIM and what BIM Coordination
The BIM model has Web3.0 brings for the What’s THAT all about? 114
a new lease on life 71 construction industry? 94-95 Rina Sahay
Vladimir Gutesa Dainius Gudavičius
Agenda continued 115-130
Cost Managers Contribution Let’s get back to the
towards achievement of basics of BIM 96-97
Sustainable Development David Shepherd
through BIM 72
Tanaka Tande Building People: How to join
the dots between diversity,
SRC and Generative Design 73 skills and social impact 98
Peter Monaghan Rebecca Lovelace

What the future of work Revizto Enhances its Project

may look like 74-75 Visualization Solution for
Rebecca De Cicco Better Constructability and
Risk Management 99
The Owner Platform: Cody Whitelock
Organized, Accessible,
Flexible on Day One 76-77 Think of engagement,
Alice C Santman and forms of engagement 100-101
Rob Snyder
An intuitive & multi-player ACB Group captures the
approach to BIM 78 decarbonisation opportunity
Altaf Gunihar in construction using MMC 102
Georgina Quigley
Demystifying ‘Digital Twins’ 79
Anand Mecheri Aec + tech 103
Navroj Ravi

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BIM COORDINATORS SUMMIT 2022 | Where Minds Meet & Information Matters

Pay Attention to
What’s Important
A Welcome Message from the Conference Chair,
Ralph Montague.
At a practical level, what could be more important to humanity than the built
environment? Buildings and infrastructure are involved in almost every aspect of life,
delivering almost everything we need as human beings, from clean drinking water, food,
clothing, goods, energy, transport, communications, and shelter. Places and spaces to
live, love, laugh, cry, eat, sleep, learn, trade, play and pray. What we do, is important. How
we do it, is also important.

T hroughout history, the ‘heroes’

of Architecture, Engineering and
Construction, have provided the buildings
deep down in their ‘psyche’, that they are
doing something important. That they
are contributing to making the world a
that recognises, appreciates, and celebrates
the ‘sovereign individual’, and their valued
contribution to the whole.
and infrastructure that supports almost better place, for themselves, their families,
everything that we do as a society. And we their friends, and their communities. The Importance of Making things
have achieved this because of our ability That they are forming good relationships Better
to communicate, collaborate, and share with like-minded people, who share these
information. The knowledge we share, common values, and who collectively can ‘Why’ we do, what we do, is important.
through communities and events like this, make a significant difference or impact. But ‘how’ we do it, is also important.
and our ability to create together, connects That their life, and the time and effort they Constructing and operating the physical
past, present and future. It has fuelled are investing, is accomplishing something world, uses scarce resources of time,
human progress. Since the beginning of worthwhile. And that they are being money, lives, energy, and materials. Our
time those who produce, manage and recognised, appreciated, and valued. What industry is struggling to deliver and meet
exchange information, have literally helped could be more important to humanity than the needs of our communities and societies
shape the environment for humankind to contributing to the built environment? around the world. Many still live without
flourish.  And even if you think your contribution the basic necessities that others have
only plays a small part in a bigger picture, come to enjoy. Building is slow, expensive,
The Importance of the Individual it is still a vital and necessary part, and if dangerous, wasteful, and environmentally
you didn’t play your part, or make your impactful. Quality is often poor and
Everyone participating in this community, contribution, the world would be worse compromised. Corruption is rife. We need
and attending this event, wants to know, off or poorer for it. This is a community to do ‘better’. We can do ‘better’.

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BIM COORDINATORS SUMMIT 2022 | Where Minds Meet & Information Matters

We all know we can. We could make (DAO), or smart contract governed in

endless excuses, or blame others, as to why an open and transparent way on the
we aren’t doing better, but we all know, ‘blockchain’ (an undisputable digital
deep down, even at a personal level, that record), where the community members
making excuses or blaming others doesn’t will have the ability to engage in open
help, and that we could do ‘better’. We discussion, make proposals, and vote on
need to stop being victims, or villains, those proposals, to self-determine the
perpetuating poor practice or contributing direction we take. Those who participate
to the problems our industry faces, and and contribute more to the community,
take up the challenge to act as ‘heroes’ – will be rewarded with higher levels of
those who bring solutions to the problems recognition and reputation, and also the
the world faces. ability to have more votes. In this way, Ralph Montague is an architect and director
we continue to recognise, appreciate, and at ArcDox BIM Consultants, member of
The Importance of Truthful celebrate the ‘sovereign individuals’, and the National BIM Council of Ireland, board
Communication their valued contribution to the whole member of CITA (Construction IT Alliance),
community. and current chair of the National Standards
Since ‘communication’, or the transfer Authority of Ireland (NSAI) Technical Mirror
of information or knowledge, and The Importance of Summit Committee for BIM Standards. He is also the
collaboration, is what ultimately brings past chair of the Royal Institute of Architects
physical reality into being, we can start by A ‘summit’ is not just an event. It is ‘... the of Ireland (RIAI) BIM Committee, and RIAI
improving our communications, and the highest point or peak …’ - a meeting or representative to the Architects Council of
information we produce and exchange. coming together of leaders in a domain Europe (ACE) BIM Working Group. He is
‘Truthful’ information, that is correct, of expertise for the purpose of sharing co-founder of the aecHive ‘Community of
accurate, resolved, on-time and accessible, information, developing expertise, Innovators’ platform, coordinator of the Revit
is what brings positive change. Information understanding and wisdom, to advance and Dynamo Users of Ireland Groups, and
Communication Technology (ICT) is here the objectives of the community. It brings co-founder of the recently established BIM
to help us. The ‘digital transition’ of the together ongoing activities that occur Coordinators Summit community.
AEC sector, is improving the way we deliver during the year. It is a time to reflect
and operate buildings and infrastructure, on, recognize, appreciate and celebrate
and is not just a ‘nice’ thing to do – it is those activities - both the ‘wins’, and the
one of the most important things any of ‘challenges’. It is a time to take stock, and
us can be involved in. We have an ethical recalibrate. It is a time to also look ahead,
obligation to act in a way that brings about and plan going forward, to determine
better outcomes for ourselves, and for what activities should occur in the next
others. Better information supports better year. It is also a time to share knowledge
performance, productivity, safety and and lessons learned with others, across the
sustainability. It is what our world needs. broader community, who may not have
We are the present-day ‘BIM Heroes’ tasked been intimately involved in those specific
with making this happen. We have learned activities, and the opportunity to foster
from the past, and we are shaping the future. relationships and cross-pollination of
This is Our Time! ideas/knowledge. It is also a time to meet
new people, make new friends, or revive
The Importance of Community and develop previous acquaintances. To
grow your network. We believe everyone
‘Community’ is a group of people who should leave each ‘summit’ richer and more
share ‘common’ interests and values informed, than when they arrived.
(the things we see as important). Our
aspiration for this community, is that it will Today we recognise, appreciate, and
continue to grow, and share it’s knowledge celebrate all those who have made
and influence all around the world, to significant contributions to make this day
encourage others to act as ‘heroes’, to possible, from those attending, to those
transform the built environment, and willing to share their knowledge and
the world we live in, by delivering better expertise, to those supporting, sponsoring,
information. We are excited to announce or exhibiting, and of course those working
that we will structure this community in tirelessly in the background to make this
such a way, that gives each individual a say all happen. It is a great pleasure to be
in what the community does, or how the associated with each one of you. You are all
community is governed, and which will ‘BIM Heroes’, and I thank you, on behalf of
reward and recognise the contributions this community, for what you do.
and participation of its members. The
BIM Coordinators Community will be a
‘Decentralized Autonomous Organization’

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BIM COORDINATORS SUMMIT 2022 | Where Minds Meet & Information Matters

Where Minds Meet

&Information Matters
AGENDA
A detailed schedule of all the Topics and Speakers is provided on the Conference App.

Wednesday 7th September 2022

Venue: 1WML “Town Hall”, Windmill Lane, Dublin, D02 F206, Ireland

6pm-9pm Welcome Party (for Speakers and Sponsor only)

Thursday 8th September 2022

Venue: THE RDS (Industries Hall 4), Anglesea Rd, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, D04 AK83, Ireland

8am-9am Registrations & Networking

9am-11am STAGE 1 STAGE 2 STAGE 3 STAGE 4 LOUNGE TRAINING VIRTUAL

PLANNING CLIENTS DESIGN CONSTRUCTION STAGE ROOM STAGES

AEC+TECH A-D
11am-11:30am Tea / Coffee Break
11:30am-1pm STAGE 1 STAGE 2 STAGE 3 STAGE 4 LOUNGE TRAINING VIRTUAL
STAGE ROOM STAGES
PLANNING CLIENTS DESIGN CONSTRUCTION
AEC+TECH A-D
1pm-2pm Lunch Break
2pm-3:30pm STAGE 5 STAGE 6 STAGE 7 STAGE 8 LOUNGE TRAINING VIRTUAL
STAGE ROOM STAGES
OPERATIONS TECHNOLOGY DATA EDUCATION
GOVERNANCE Professional A-D
Practice
3:30pm-4pm Tea / Coffee Break
4pm-6pm STAGE 5 STAGE 6 STAGE 7 STAGE 8 LOUNGE TRAINING VIRTUAL
STAGE ROOM STAGES
OPERATIONS TECHNOLOGY DATA EDUCATION
GOVERNANCE Professional A-D
Practice

7pm-11pm Conference Dinner

Note: this is limited to those who have purchased a separate dinner ticket.

BIM
COORDINATORS Get the Conference App
SUMMIT 2022
Celebrating the Heroes of AEC
Architecture | Engineering | Construction
8th September | Live in Dublin + Virtual

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BIM COORDINATORS SUMMIT 2022 | Where Minds Meet & Information Matters

Where Minds Meet

&Information Matters
AEC+TECHNOLGY LOUNGE PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE LOUNGE
1. AEC+TECH 1. Construction IT Alliance (CITA)
2. The FIFTH Dimension 2. Technological University Dublin
3. LIMSEN 3. Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI)
4. Engineering Documentation 4. Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)
5. BIMLauncher 5. National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI)
6. ARUP 6. Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland (RIAI)
7. DFM Systems 7. Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT)
8. Snaptrude 8. Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland (ACEI)
9. VU.City 9. Innovation Value Institute (IVI)
10. NuVa Enterprises 10. Women in BIM

9am-1pm LOUNGE STAGE 9am-1pm

STAGE 1 – PLANNING 9am-1pm AEC+Tech STAGE 3 – DESIGN
2pm-6pm 2pm-6pm Professional Practice 2pm-6pm
STAGE 5 - OPERATIONS AEC+TECH PROFESSIONAL STAGE 7 – DATA GOVERNANCE
TECHNOLOGY PRACTICE
LOUNGE LOUNGE

5 6 7 8 9 10 10 9 8 7 6 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
9 10 11 1 1 12 13 14

TRAINING
ENTRANCE

ROOM
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Reception

21 20 19 18 17 16 15
Catering

9am-1pm Emergency Exits ENTERPRISE 9am-1pm

STAGE 2 – CLIENT IRELAND STAGE 4 – CONSTRUCTION
2pm-6pm BUSINESS 2pm-6pm
LOUNGE
STAGE 6 - TECHNOLOGY STAGE 8 – EDUCATION

SPONSORS / EXHIBITORS VIRTUAL SPONSORS BUSINESS LOUNGE

1. Eaglepoint Software 1. Bird Tools 1. Enterprise Ireland
2. Invicara 2. Graphisoft 2. Evercam
3. Revizto 3. Arch-Intelligence 3. Fexillon
4. Archdesk 4. GBuilder 4. FlowForma
5. Pinnacle Infotech 5. Global eTraining 5. OBI
6. Sweco 6. Morta 6. Strata Project Solution
7. Esri Ireland 7. Unifi Labs
8. TBC
9. ArcDox
10. KOSMOS EVENT ORGANISERS
11. Asite BIM Coordinators Summit
12.
13.
14.
TBC
Catenda AS
Xinaps
Eventpro
Conference Services
W Display
BIM
15. Plannerly Innovative Solutions COORDINATORS
16.
17.
Murphy Geospatial
TBC
Airmeet
Bright Promotions
SUMMIT 2022
18. Ideate Royal Dublin Society
19. Ardmac Celebrating the Heroes of AEC
20. Sterling / Rapid DCS MEDIA PARTNERS Architecture | Engineering | Construction
21. BIM Track Irish Building Magazine 8th September | Live in Dublin + Virtual

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BIM COORDINATORS SUMMIT 2022 | Where Minds Meet & Information Matters

How to Maximize VDC

in Design-Build
Hint: Stop Chasing the Shiny New Thing

Every day we’re seeing significant When citing VDC as the fusion of people,
advancements in how technology is process, and technology, it’s very deliberate
impacting our personal lives as well as that we follow this order. Technology first
the entire AEC industry. With so many approaches (chasing the shiny new object)
new technologies constantly evolving, it’s are difficult to successfully implement if you
Brian Skripac, DBIA, CM-BIM, CDT, LEED
important not to get caught chasing the don’t know your staff ’s challenges. So first,
AP BD+C DBIA Director of Virtual Design &
newest and shiniest tech tools available. it’s important to understand the challenges,
Construction
Instead, design-build teams should focus define a process and then identify the
on applying these tools to new processes to appropriate technology to fit your specific
solve the challenges ahead while also hiring needs. scarcely imagine today. The design-build
the right people to do the job. History industry is uniquely positioned to define
has shown that embracing technology for While it is important the AEC industry has project success for future generations of
technology’s sake won’t deliver the project digitized its process, being selective about AEC professionals by focusing on our
success we desire. the technologies in your toolbox is just as fundamental belief in the importance of
important. At the same time, understanding people and process to maximize project

C ompanies are digitizing their process

across the design and construction
landscape; however, simply changing from
how people and processes fit together is
how successful digitalization can truly be
realized. After all, if you digitize a broken
collaboration. In other words, let’s stop
chasing that shiny new thing.

analog to digital, like the past migration process, you’re left with a digitized broken As DBIA’s Director of Virtual Design &
from hand drawing to computer-aided process. Construction, Brian Skripac, is helping
drafting (CAD), is not enough. The real design-build teams maximize the power
power of new technologies occurs when Even though we’re more than 20 years into of digital transformation by embracing
design-builders embrace the idea of the adoption of BIM-based technologies, innovation and technology to super-power
digitalization. The use of digital technologies two-dimensional paper documents are still project collaboration. Find out more on
should unlock new thinking and approaches the contractual deliverable and primary DBIA’s website.
that evolve business models. At the same mode of formal communication for
time, we must realize that digitalization is project teams, agencies, and Owners. Our
not simply a matter of more technology. technological goal should be using models
Technology is not an end in itself. as contractual deliverables, removing the
need for paper and allowing us to digitally
When looking specifically at the design fabricate our buildings, bridges, roads and
and construction industry, we’ve seen the water treatment facilities. By ultimately
adoption of Virtual Design & Construction creating a digital twin, we also enable our
(VDC) as the fusion of people, process, clients to oversee the project and manage
and technology. A Building Information their assets post-construction more
Model (BIM) is a tangible object created effectively.
through a model-based approach that allows
integrated project teams to speak a common The Design-Build Institute of America has
digital language. It optimizes the design seized this opportunity in time to educate
and construction process while providing and elevate our membership and industry
certainty of the outcome by building the on the importance of VDC Done Right. The
project virtually before work commences ‘whole team approach’ inherent in design-
on site. build is an ideal environment for VDC
to flourish, especially when an integrated
project team embraces the client’s goals
from the outset. This is how design-build
teams can super-power their collaboration
and communication while increasing
efficiency. In addition, the right tools can
eliminate redundancy and the need to
constantly reproduce information due to
the contractual silo of traditional delivery
models.

VDC is an important tool for design-build

teams. But let’s not forget that, just as in
design-build project delivery itself, it’s the
people and processes that can make or break
a team’s success. Leveraging people, process,
and technology for maximum collaboration
will take our industry to a future we can

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BIM COORDINATORS SUMMIT 2022 | Where Minds Meet & Information Matters

Information Modelling (IM) is concerned

with the construction of computer-based Information
Modelling
structures which model some part of the
real world. Traditionally this means ‘atoms’

and Retail
or ‘components’ that represent a physical
structure, that communicate with each
other to pass information and that can
represent themselves differently depending
upon need. Building Information Jonathan Ingram,
Modelling (BIM) is an instance of a
successful application of Information
CTO 345 Holdings
Modelling in the Construction Industry.
The first BIM system was in launched
in1985. “Understanding BIM: The Past, Present and the
Future” Routledge 2020. Jonathan Ingram

T he concept of BIM or more generically

Information Modelling (IM) can be
applied to a wide range of disciplines, such
Retail Information Modelling

Retail has used BIM since the early days of management, and supplier interaction in a
as Retail, complex engineering and Town the 1980s. Initially it was more about the single environment.
planning (City Information Modelling). building and structure without real models
Extending the concept to include the of the functioning store. The images below This enables the integration of the different
ideas of live information, control systems, are examples of BIM applied to Retail from disciplines, research, store management,
feedback, simulation, integral analysis and then from the authors program Sonata . shoppers, space planning, collaboration,
interaction with customers brings powerful shelf compliance, line reviews, optimization,
new opportunities crossing the traditional 345 has spent the last 6 years creating
automatic layout and in fact, all aspects
disciplines. Computer science, engineering, a comprehensive Retail Information
of retail. As with BIM, this removes the
physics, medicine, architecture, project Modelling system that takes this initial idea
traditional work silos of the different
management, retail, social engineering and and extends that with a range of concepts.
disciplines working
many other areas can all to be represented to This includes AR assisted shopping and
build systems that fully release the potential guidance, data analysis, live scanning of Writing the system from scratch has
of Information Modelling. Extensions can shelves to ensure up-to-date store layouts, enabled us (345.global) to use the latest
also be found in technology, from AI to automatic planogram generation, realistic hardware and cloud services; large (86” x 2)
algorithms, data gathering, to databases and stores, semiautomatic store generation, touch screens, wall sized displays, mobile
data representation. These ideas, together AI recognition of objects and products, computing and AI for product and fixture
with data structures, databases, systems, comprehensive libraries of all products and recognition to build and check store and
interfaces, and research requirements with numerous other features. These models product layout, AR webapp for shopper
the idea of outlining basic principles for are no longer static models, but are live assistance, VR for research the live stores
several new systems. creatures, a data machine with customer, and cloud based extensible database,
giving integrated AI, security and sharing
capabilities on an epic scale. Voice and
intent recognition and using hardware to
produce realistic stores and products are
also important.
Perhaps most importantly, it has been
constructed to fit the workflow of various
types of retailers and manufacturers.

The 345 retail system scales to allows

thousands of stores, tens of thousands
of products, with multiple annual
rearrangements, for almost all of the
major Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG)
manufacturers in the USA and currently
some thousands of stores, with many
thousands more stores in the pipeline.
See www.345.global for a video of our
capabilities
Extending the concept of Information
Modelling to fit the needs of the retail
industry has created a quantum change in
how retailers, their customers and suppliers
coordinate, optimize, build, modify, sell and
monitor their stores and their products.

With true digital twins, with modern

technology and with shared models and
data, the possibilities for retail as well as
BIM, are profound.

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BIM COORDINATORS SUMMIT 2022 | Where Minds Meet & Information Matters

Change We Must,
“People seek change but do not want to
be changed” Peter Senge said in The Fifth

and Change We Will

Discipline. An individual can be more
agile and change much more quickly
than an organization, and the larger the
organization, the slower it is likely to By Dana Kennish ‘Deke’ Smith, FAIA Emeritus, FbSI
change. In any event, it takes marketing
to the organization to get people on
board. Any change also requires human
and financial resources. One of my most requires more upfront work, but has a longer • The adoption of the Building Information
respected bosses once said that if I needed history of being successful and remaining Modeling Standard – United States (NBIMS-
to ask for funding, I had not done my in place. US) developed at NIBS
marketing job well enough because one
should never need to ask for funds if the Some of the Architecture, Engineering, • The worldwide adoption of the
idea has been well sold. Construction, Owner Operator (AECOO) International Standards Organization (ISO)
industry changes I have directly been Industry Foundation Class (IFC) with

T here are two primary ways to involved with include the following: multiple software developers allows data
accomplish change, first is through interoperability between systems.
consensus of getting everyone to agree • The National Institute of Building
Sciences (NIBS) Whole Building Design • Development of a Body of Knowledge
to the change. The second is through (BOK) and Knowledge Skills and Abilities
positional power, and the path to change is Guide (WBDG) and Construction Criteria
Base (CCB). (KSAs) for developing BIM talent through
unilaterally decided by management. The the Academic Interoperability Coalition
primary success factor for either hinges on • The Department of Defense (DoD) tri- (AiC).
the metrics that will demonstrate actual service use of automated cost engineering
improvement, typically dollar savings. With • The beginning of adopting a Total Cost
metrics, the organization can see, touch • Development of the American Institute of Ownership (TCO) standard developed at
and feel the actual improvements that have of Architects (AIA) CADD Layering APPA.
been made, creating an environment where Guidelines
success can flourish. • Adoption of a common Uniformat Each had or has its level and speed of
through the National Institute of Science adoption based on the complexity of the
While each approach has both positive and and Technology (NIST) effort and breadth of the user base. All
negatives, the critical success factor for were consensus approaches except the ARL
both approaches is how long the transition • Industry transformation to CAD CIOC. The change for ARL CIOC had a no
lasts. Over my career, I have been blessed • Adoption of the United States National risk failure option due to the requirement
to participate in both approaches and have CAD Standard developed at NIBS to support critical national security and
seen long-term success with each method. • Transformation of the US Army Research defense capability, and really satisfied my
The positional power approach was faster Laboratory (ARL) to use a Command desire to work on challenges.
to implement and remained in place likely Infrastructure Operations Center (CIOC)
because it had a significant independently As we move towards a new era for facilities
measured benefit that withstood new • Development of the DoD Business professionals, I am most excited about
management. However, the consensus Enterprise Architecture (BEA) Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), where
process is a more equitable approach that • Industry transformation to BIM an incredible opportunity exists to move

Impact of Design
Decisions on Cost

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BIM COORDINATORS SUMMIT 2022 | Where Minds Meet & Information Matters

Projects Creating Change with Longevity

the industry towards a holistic strategy to the benefit from their decision. Even if
manage facilities. a facility could be ready in a week, they
would still know that week as a loss of use.
TCO will drive the industry to ensure that So how does the construction industry
the changes we make today are beneficial work to eliminate the delivery delays while
over the long term and will move the improving the quality and lowering the total
industry away from a first-cost mentality. cost? In the infrastructure world, approaches
TCO is a holistic view of all costs associated such as Rapid Bridge Replacement or
with planning, design, construction, Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC)
operation, maintenance, renewal, and has been applied to minimize the impact
the end of life of the facility. But most on traffic flow. China’s Broad Construction
importantly, TCO includes the impact on Company has demonstrated modular
the people and process that the project construction to build high rises in days
affects—these include the societal benefit versus months for vertical structures. The
of the project. For example, TCO identifies benefits obtained in one hotel project were
the societal benefits of a new hospital. There significant by having guests occupy rooms
are certainly a lot of expenses that do not almost immediately. Yet these examples
seem of value until an issue is looked at have been around for years, and we see little
holistically. Some costs must be incurred to change in the industry. So, I ask again, what
affect positive change. or who will be the catalyst for change?

The big question for AECOO is who the Dana K. Smith, FAIA Emeritus, FbSI, is
catalyst for change will be? While it may a facility and IT architect with experience
seem the designer likely has the most across the entire spectrum of assets, from
significant role, as the items they select can homeowner’s associations to one of its most
have a profound impact on the long-term extensive facility portfolios. He is a lecturer
value generated for the client; the owner and author of articles and books on CAD,
is the one who holds the most influence Specifications, Cost Engineering, BIM,
on changes, as they have the most to gain Education, and many other facility-related
because they pay for the initial project and, topics. He was co-chair of developing the APPA
in most cases, have to live with the results. TCO standards Part 1 & 2.
Our focus for TCO implementation is on
any owner who has an extensive portfolio
that uses those facilities in their life, such as
universities or hospitals.

Once a decision has been made to build any

project, the owner sees the construction
process as delayed gratification of realizing

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BIM COORDINATORS SUMMIT 2022 | Where Minds Meet & Information Matters

BIMin’ Guide to the Galaxy Properly configured platforms can foster the
exchange of information across many apps, just
as our mobile devices simply share information
How to create, launch and nurture your digital twins for Amazon, Netflix, and Uber apps.
Kimon Onuma, FAIA No single owner has conquered the entire
digital galaxy, but here are noteworthy

BIM is THE center of the galaxy

with unlimited geometry
and information for: property, floors,
the modern solution of interconnected
platforms that use open data and BIM,
which is application-independent. Own
pioneers building data-driven platforms to
support digital twins:

ceilings, structural, mechanical, furniture, your data instead of surrendering it to the • California Community Colleges’
manufacturer, cost, and performance. whims of one specific BIM application. Ask FUSION Platform uses web APIs for over
But why stop there? Let’s add: people, every technology vendor you work with to eight million square meters and 5,000
name, position, phone number, last order demonstrate how to: buildings connected to Space Management,
from Amazon, the movies they watched GIS, BIM, CMMS, and other systems. A
• Get data into and out of their solution very early implementation of digital twin
on Netflix, friends on Facebook, almost
using industry-recognized, machine- data since 2011 makes this real-time data
everything goes into BIM. Well, that can
readable, open standards. accessible and usable for more people..
cause problems! So that is pretty much
what an ideal digital twin is, right? BIM is • Use APIs to let their application exchange • Los Angeles Community Colleges is the
in the middle of the digital galaxy. data and functionality with other applications. largest college district in the US, with a US
How difficult and costly is this to do? $9.6 billion bond program. Linking 742
The One Digital Twin If the response is vague, expensive, or buildings on nine campuses to FUSION
proprietary. Then consider other solutions. with their own BIM requirements, using
The knee-jerk reaction is often: ‘Everything
Your choices are open with MANY new the same information in asset and facility
goes into a BIM?’ That used to be our
launches every year. Locking your data into management and live data from web APIs
thinking 30 years ago. However, we quickly
specific BIM products is like creating movies across multiple applications.
realized that the model was bloated and
impossible to manage, creating a new island and music libraries on VHS and cassette tapes. • A series of projects with the National
with no connections. A perfect open- Institute of Building Sciences for the US
standard digital twin on one island is very Owners are Changing Department of Veterans Affairs and the
lonely – primarily relying only on manual file the Industry Department of Defense was influenced
transactions to import, export, and align. The Owners hold the purse strings and can drive by the California Community Colleges.
question is, does every digital twin need to industry change from their consultants, These owners publicly posted their hospital
be exactly alike? Does the construction twin contractors, vendors, and standards requirement data, which generated live digital
need to be the same as the asset management organizations. twins of specific medical rooms, including
twin? They need to share the same equipment, modeled in real-time for their
information but not ALL the same data. We have witnessed facility owners who have portfolio of over 21 Million SM of facilities.
gone down a specific BIM path that eventually
Digital twins today are often misinterpreted dead-ends because it did not account for • The US Department of State Overseas
with the same logic: all the information future flexibility and new technologies Buildings Operations (OBO) serves a
and geometry mimicking the real world and capabilities. We have also seen owners US$71billion portfolio of embassies in
is replicated in ONE model. Likewise, progress toward a digital twin universe by 290 locations worldwide with 970 office
the same conclusion can be made about converting their analog data into machine- buildings and 16,575 residences - Influenced
Common Data Environments (CDEs). readable information using open standards. by the Department of Veterans Affairs,
Conceptually this is correct as long as Their data is shared on a platform in a secure OBO created digital platforms for owner
the single solution is not one application way. No single BIM application can cover the criteria and standards driven into BIM and
and super BIM (even if some vendors entirety of planning, design, construction, operations. OBO shared this data with their
would like you to believe that). A digital commissioning, maintenance, building consultants and contractors and deployed a
twin is NOT one BIM. Instead, embrace operations, and assets that owners need. BIM Roadmap to support a facility’s entire
lifecycle - including construction. Now in its
fourth year, the OBO BIMStorm continues
to build on its annual successes.
Collectively these owners operate over 40
Million square meters or ~64 Pentagons’ worth
of facilities, a pretty big galaxy of change!

Good News -
Usable Platforms Exist
A few taps on your phone get you a ride from
your hotel to a downtown office building. The
driver knows exactly where to pick you up,
drop you off, and you never have to fumble
for cash to pay. The Uber digital twins are
in platforms accessible through the web
to many apps. This may sound impossibly
complex, but it is achievable and is already
in our pockets. Today’s smartphones are
powerhouses of digital twin data that have
changed our world.
With this existing technology, digital twins
bring dramatic benefits to the construction

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BIM COORDINATORS SUMMIT 2022 | Where Minds Meet & Information Matters

industry and building owners. The building not open, created on paper documents and
industry is late in adopting new technology- in experts’ heads. Remember, open does not
driven processes — making an opportunity mean access to all. Once data is machine-
for those ready to jump in. The good readable, it can be classified, stored, and
news is that there are simple ways to start secured. For example, it is not wise to put
connecting to common data environments. employees’ home phone numbers in a BIM.
The Google Workspace tools are one Regardless there should be less theoretical
example. Start by loading data into a Google talk about standards and more active
Sheet table and then access that same implementation. You can draw Xs and Os
Common Data Environment from other on a chalkboard all day, but eventually, you
sheets. Next, build an app from the same must hit the field.
source sheet using Google AppSheet. With
a bit of practice, you can run an app in a few How to be a Leader
minutes. Next, use an API to link to other in the Digital Galaxy
source data from BIM. A live sample file that Kimon Onuma, FAIA, is an architect who
you can practice with is linked below: The internet and mobile devices exploded started working with BIM 30 years ago. His
http://Onuma.com/Micro in value, driven by location-based and real- company, ONUMA Inc., builds informed
time information. Similarly, BIM and digital environments to guide large facility owners
The building industry is in transition and twins with massive amounts of data in and the building industry and has developed
still uses many file-based exchanges, but precise locations will be huge. So, as facility web apps for BIM and the facility lifecycle. He
there are more advanced solutions enabled owners, architects, engineers, builders, started BIMStorm.com as an online venue in
by platforms. It will be a hybrid, and we can suppliers, and asset managers, you have the 2008 to foster collaboration with the industry
all use both now. Platforms drive the world, chance to become part of this galaxy. By through open data connections. ONUMA
digital twins, and building owners’ current doing nothing, plenty of other industries are Inc. has received multiple industry awards for
and future needs. moving in. So, join us in the BIMin’ series of innovation.
BIMStorms, where we share, teach and learn
Standards - Less Talk More Use from each other to accelerate adoption and Aha! In 1993 we had an “aha” moment. Every
Uber can find you in real-time because understanding and then apply it to real- element in BIM has an ID (it was not called
of the Global Positioning System (GPS), world scenarios at the center of the universe! BIM then). Sharing that BIM ID makes it
created and owned by the US Government possible to associate other data to the exact
Contractors who understand how to location, such as in spreadsheets. For example,
and opened to the public in 1983. Without maintain the continuous Use of information
that shared asset and standard, the internet the person’s name in room 101 does not have
from planning through commissioning to be jammed into an object by a BIM expert!
would not be where it is today. The same are best positioned to meet owner needs –
location-based information is critical for Instead, they can be listed and maintained in
maybe even before the owner realizes they a spreadsheet by a non-BIM user. Within a
digital twins. Standards from buildingSmart. need these information-sharing business
org, OGC.org, ISO, w3c.org, and many few years, we added external databases, and
processes. Understanding what is possible by 1999 our web-based app connected the
others support digital twins. However, a today puts contractors in the best position
lot is possible regardless of an available BIM IDs to other systems. This approach is
for winning projects tomorrow. foundational to everything we do today with
industry standard if you first demand
machine-readable, secure, and open data. Industry leaders who can provide value to the technology and strategies we provide to
But standards alone don’t help us to get these owners will be leaders in the digital large owners. Simple IDs shared in open data
anywhere without implementation. They galaxy, generate value, enable change, use are the key to connecting many data sources
don’t connect the islands as long as they are the force, live long, and prosper! and digital twins.

O
ONUMA
30 Years of BIM & GIS
BIM Bombs

2004
O
ONUMA

PLATFORMS
Expanding Thought
CLOUD

ONUMA
Location, Location, Location
Cover Story

Integration Today

JBIM
Journal of Building Information Modeling
Using Open Standards:
BIM, BIM, BIM
An official publication of the National Institute of Building Sciences

System
BIMStorm™,
buildingSMART alliance™

National Institute of Building Sciences: An Authoritative Source of Innovative Solutions for the Built Environment

Rotterdam to Los Fall 2010

By Kimon Onuma, FAIA

Angeles and Beyond

I OFTEN GET ASKED: “what BIM plat-

LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION

Tower in BIMStorm™. Rendering by Acusourcing, background by
THE INTERNET HAS CHANGED EVERYTHING. LAYERING Traditionally, data is shared between applications by ex-
Owner
Installation
Facilities

Planning Design Construction

form should we use?” We all like simple Google™ Earth, BIM by Onuma.

decisions. Vanilla or chocolate? PC or Mac? maps with restaurant locations, real-time weather, real-time porting a file from application A, then importing the file into

GIS Requirements & Transitioning & Operations

Revit, ArchiCAD, VectorWorks, or other 22°17’2.18”N Temperature: 25 C
The recent Boston, Rotterdam and Los using different coordinate systems, the
By Kimon Onuma, FAIA BIM? We like sticking to a brand. For BIM,
Angeles BIMStorms™ prove model server
114° 9’18.28”E
bridges and buildings were not align-
Humidity: 74 airline information, bus and train schedules on a computer or application B, thereby creating multiple copies of the data. In
“open standards” is the “new brand” we Air Pollution Index: 32
Projects from BIMStorm™ players. The image is from Google™ Earth, need to stick to. Information stored in
based exchanges work. Many users were
able to work on multiple projects in real-
ing. Cost and area calculations could
88 Floors
not be aggregated and did not update
phone are now common place. GIS data has been around for an SOA approach, the data remains with application A and is
which had a network link to BIMStormPenn State iCON Lab during proprietary formats will become irrelevant
the BIMStorm™ providing interaction in real time with Google™
Earth and other applications. This is a stacked view of all schemes in an in this information centric age. Organiza-
time, making the massive scale collabora- automatically. a long time and initially was reserved to be used by those with used or modified by application B (or other applications).
tion possible. Last November 2007 the project
inverted pyramid representing actual square footage. tions that understand this will flourish like
the Internet and those that do not will fade
started with the teams using a variety International technical backgrounds. The internet and easy access to GIS Just as it isn’t necessary to reference Excel files when making
ROTTERDAM TO LOS ANGELES of tools and processes, from paper and Finance Centre
like a Betamax.
The Netherlands Department of Min- pencil to 3D models. BIM did not appear 22°17’6.43”N data has now made it ubiquitous to the point that users don’t Expedia reservations, it’s not necessary to move a whole BIM
BIMStorm™ was proof that a stun- 114° 9’33.79”E
istry (RGD) invited 60 architectural teams until the second day and models were not
ning amount of collaboration and change
to a five day charrette to design a series using a standard format or a common geo- even know they’re accessing GIS data. model. An SOA approach lets the user access pertinent BIM and
is possible today with many tools. Yet,
of buildings valued at 1.3 billion Euros spatial coordinate system. Aligning proj-
tools do not matter. BIM does not mat-
in Rotterdam. Along with cost and area ects to each other and deriving calculations
What if the building industry took this location functional- GIS data. Linking complex BIM and GIS data with agile, flexible
ter. Data and knowledge is valuable and
BIM is just a container for data. What
calculations, RGD wanted BIM. With proved to be impossible. The situation was Structural BIM image by SSFM, rendering by Acusourcing,
BIM by Onuma. ity and merged it with building information modeling (BIM)? tools, apps and processes are the only infinitely scalable solu-
60 teams doing their own project and spiraling out of control.
does matter is how data is exchanged
and the process in which it’s exchanged.
Imagine BIM and geographic information systems (GIS) in a tion for the built environment. This is how BIM “model views”
The “new brand” gives us broader
choices on how data is used which will
A panel of industry experts observed the BIMStorm™ and commented: simple environment providing real-time building and GIS can be shared in small BIM data chunks (See the Fall 2007 and
liberate the industry to get down to
LARS CHR CHRISTENSEN, BUILDINGSMART together instantly as needed to further projects. there were some pretty clear lines that people data. Why connect GIS to BIM? Both are complex systems de- 2008 issues of JBIM).
business. Technology is not the barrier
INTERNATIONAL BIMStorm™ opens a new universe of possibilities did not cross when they had the opportunity to.
to change, the cultural shift in how we
“BIMStorm™ LAX was a sandbox and revo- for procurement and contracting in our increasing- Communication happened on the fringes and
scribing the built environment and can help us to visualize With more BIM and GIS being accessed, information be-
collaborate is the challenge.
lutionary in the way it allowed participants to ly competitive and globalizing AECOO economy.” then it fed back to the center, why did some
more intelligent decisions. We would all benefit hugely from comes more relevant and valuable. A live 2006 Open Geospa-

DIGITAL PLATFORM - Web APIs

collaborate in real time. We need more time to teams decide to go to a 2nd channel, or why
MODEL SERVERS
Penn State iCON Lab during the BIMStorm™.
Expedia uses the open standards
play around now in order to avoid mimicking the DANA K. “DEKE” SMITH, FAIA did they hold to the boundary of a site and not new knowledge gained by linking the data in these two key sys- tial Consortium demonstration (OGC Web Services, Phase 4)
old way of doing things and really understand “The buildingSMART alliance™ is all about go further.”
of the web to harness data which lets
reservations happen in real-time. There
how we should utilize the full BIMStorm™ and changing the way we do business and for a brief tems (figure 1). demonstrated the relevancy and value to these processes, gar-
interoperability potential.” 24 hours some of us stopped how we normally MICHAEL TARDIF, ASSOC. AIA, HON. SDA
are no phone calls to check flight or
do work and we played and had a little fun. We “BIMStorm™ LAX, as a proof-of-concept The building industry lags in tapping into these resources. nering an American Institute of Architects Technology in Prac-
hotel availability because it is all happen-
MARIO GUTTMAN, AIA stepped out of our stovepipes a bit and we saw demonstration, provided a very large number
ing in real-time. Imagine downloading
“The BIMStorm™ was an eye opener that of participants an opportunity to kick the tires
what life might be like without all the self-imposed Google’s ease of use coupled with GIS is critical for location- tice BIM Award by substantiating powerful cloud-base BIM +
static Excel or PDF files for an airline
things are going to change a lot more quickly conventions, working in a collaborative free infor-and evaluate OPS technology. From that per- 22°16’46.49”N
reservation.
that we thought because change doesn’t have to mation exchange world. We did not worry about spective, it was an unqualified success. Future 114° 9’41.27”E
based BIM to thrive. Standards support cloud-based BIM and GIS + SOA + open standards. Go to: http://goo.gl/aXlh.
BIMStorm™ is much like Expedia.
Model servers are different from storing
be planned out in advance. Everything is going digital rights management, and contract law or lia-BIMStorms™, as public events, could be even
90 m2
72 Floors
135,000 m2
GIS interoperability. The key to solving complex problems is to
to be out there for your application to access and more successful if they were planned more closely
bilities. It was a breath of fresh air and we needed
actual BIM files on an FTP site and down-
loading the entire building. With a model
we don’t need an endless series of committee that to start the change in the industry.” with a municipal or regional planning authority,
Lights On
Apartment
24th Floor
45 Elevators start simple and build up on top of the foundation. Boiling the Hybrid environment
meetings to make this happen.” and if teams had more information about other
server, data is accessible to users without
needing to download the BIM and opening
RK STEWART, FAIA participating teams andLights Offthey bring to
the skills Carpet 48,600 m2
Renewable Energy:
ocean will not work. The internet moves in real-time. Computing devices cou-

DATA
TONY RINELLA “Collaboration continues to be the biggest the process. The educational experience would be
it in client applications.
“BIMStorm™ is a revelation for Integrated question across the industry. How people can greatly enhanced by introducing these real-world
107,219 Megajoule pled with cloud-based tools make information more acces-
Energy Use:
Project Delivery teams looking for new and effi- share data to26th
makeFloor Hongconditions
projects move forward. The Kong and constraints, with
Population: the added bonus
7,055,071 8,101,080 Megajoule service oriented arcHitecture (soa) sible to users. BIM and GIS become more robust as more users

2008
cient means of collaboration. We saw inter- BIMStorm™ was the condensed period
22°16’44.02”N Water: that the
that 2.63 results might
Million Cubichelp Meters
move an actual
Perurban-
Day
national design and analysis talents coming focused a114°
certain9’0.05”E
amount of collaboration but planning effort forward.”
Energy: 805 Terajoules Per Day Downloading an airline master list and flight schedule as an take advantage of the power of this complex combination.

2010 BIM BIM BIM

Spring 2008 15 Excel file, then pouring through the document to select a flight Cloud-based tools are becoming the new normal. This ap-
and seat is cumbersome. It isn’t impossible, but why use a file- proach allows access to computing resources much as one
based system when the information is rendered obsolete the would tap into the electricity grid that powers a home. Google,

ONUMA.com
minute it’s saved? In a services-based approach such as Expe- Microsoft, IBM, Apple and others have made cloud computing
O 9 O
Photo of Hong Kong from Victoria Peak: Samuel C. Louie | 392M | 22°16’42.08”N | 114° 8’47.86”E

O Creative Commons: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hong_Kong_Night_Skyline.jpg

dia, available flight data information, accessed in real-time via central to their business strategy. For more information go to:
ONUMA ONUMA ONUMA
an internet browser, enables powerful purchasing decisions. It’s http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_computing.
simple and elegant. Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) delivers Hybrid approaches will be integral to BIM and GIS consumers

Live Web enabled BIM and GIS

information via the internet for the specific query—in an open and producers, with no single desktop or cloud-based tool solv-
standard, flexible and agile format that’s easily understood. ing all the BIM and GIS needs. BIM and GIS are infinitely scalable.

ONUMA BIMStorm GIS Input

Pre BIM
4D Planner

ArcGIS Output

BIMServer
Text

3D and Data Archicad Revit Keyhole

System

Layering BIM & GIS in the Cloud

BIM2010 - ONUMA.com
2010 - ONUMA.com

Figure 2. Real-time GIS and BIM in the cloud. PBS&J’s Fort Belvoir
Figure 1. Real-time GIS and BIM in the cloud. Mash-Up using ESRI and ONUMA.

1990
Fall 2010 21

1991 1993 1994 1995 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2008 2010 2011 2014 2016 2017 2020 2021
Modelshop SketchUp
First use of Keyhole
California Community Colleges
Large Government Agencies

Filemaker (Google Earth) and BIM FUSION, CCC GIS ONUMA

The Power of Where BIM, GIS, Lifecycle Roadmaps

Yokosuka US Navy Base US Coast Guard 71 million square feet

2.75 million students
BIM 112 California locations
BIM GIS FM

Assets Water On Floor

Architects, Engineers
1994 2003 Owner’s Geodesigners, Analysts
O
ONUMA
O
ONUMA ©2018 ONUMA.com
O
ONUMA
Data Project
City Scale BIMs with Smart Objects

Open

O
(Forcing BIM to be like GIS!) BIM, GIS

ONUMA

Geospatial

CMMS
Consortium
BIM and GIS
Web API

First use of

Level of

Development

LOD for BIM 2006

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ONUMA © ONUMA, Inc. 2007

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BIM in the Metaverse

of Madness
Paul Doherty, IFMA Fellow, DFC Senior Fellow

world is that design professionals are more AR/Augmented, or XR/Mixed Reality. By

valued than ever as they produce the Digital allowing different ‘Virtual Worlds’ to connect
DNA of the Built Environment. together through the gaming environment,
we can create a Federated Metaverse, creating
The journey from Digital Twins to
Metaverse digital real estate. This decentralized virtual
Virtual Worlds to our current state
environment is fertile ground for leveraging
T here is an enormous number of
articles, podcasts, etc., regarding our
construction industry’s adoption or lack of
of the Metaverse
Industries like aerospace and pharmaceutical
existing construction documents into the
Metaverse, providing new revenue streams
manufacturing have been using Digital through new experiences.
adoption of the latest technology/innovation Twin protocols and processes for decades. I
trend of the day. I am in empathy with our personally find it amusing that many in our DLT, Smart Contracts, and
construction industry community in our construction industry that suddenly realize Blockchain
current dilemma. This short piece is meant that the construction documents that are
to provide some horizon lines and comfort Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) is
necessary for the contractual obligations
that we, holistically, are headed in the the formal term used to create the large
of delivering a building for an owner are
proper direction. bucket of descriptions that the media
actual Digital Twins. Welcome to the party
calls Blockchain. In its essence, it is a
that has been operating since the mid-
Construction Documents decentralized approach to managing data
1990s in the construction industry. The
as the Digital DNA of the Built in a trusted digital environment. The design
difference today is that there is an application
Environment of DLT/Blockchain is very attractive to the
programming interface (API), which is a
Construction Industry for the following
As the fulcrum of how all projects exist and set of definitions and protocols for building
reasons:
are conducted, construction documents are and integrating application software. This
the foundation elements of how the built allows industry associations, AEC companies, • Our industry already works in a
environment conducts business. Usually, AEC individuals, and the open market to decentralized framework, where we use
Construction Documents are how the interface together in a digital environment contracts to describe the who, what,
designer communicates the design intent that can incorporate AEC traditional why, and how (and how much) to build a
to the constructor on behalf of the building processes of what, why, and how to build building on a specific project.
owner. As an industry, we have moved the built environment while also capturing
• Blockchain places data into a data block
relatively fast from physical drawings and developing the foundation of the digital
that becomes trusted over time through the
and specifications as the construction built environment in the form of what Mark
chain of immutable data. Our traditional
documents to the emergence of digital Zuckerberg calls the Metaverse. At my
contracts of Owner/Architect, Owner/
drawings (CAD/BIM) and specifications company TDG, as real estate developers,
General Contractor. General Contractor/
as the new standard of care. As digital we have been capturing our contracted
Sub-Contractor that are based on a Parent/
standards of care move from finite files to digital assets up until our contracts with our
Child framework is a seamless fit for a
decentralized streamed legal documents consultants are ended. The interesting timing
function of DLT/Blockchain technology
through processes like Smart Contracts, our of what to do with these digital assets is the
called Smart Contracts.
industry is yet again challenged to keep up growth and adoption of putting these digital
with the times. The one element of stability assets into a gaming environment. This Smart Contracts are one of the major
as the workflow processes of designing, allows a richer experience to interface with technology breakthroughs for our industry
building, and delivering a building in today’s the digital assets either as VR/Immersive, as it provides a trusted system that is

Digital Twin

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BIM COORDINATORS SUMMIT 2022 | Where Minds Meet & Information Matters

familiar yet provides a streamlining and ‘helper’ can also be the conscious of the
improvement of many project functions project, enabling and suggesting guidance
such as; QA/QC, Work In Place, Project to the project team to improve quality and
Payments, etc. safety, decreasing time and saving money.
Both EPIC Games and NVIDIA are
Woven Collisions: NFTs, Metaverse
recently focused on the AEC industry with
and the future of the Construction
Metahuman avatar solutions that will make
Industry
AI/Metahuman solutions our industry
Another use of DLT/Blockchain technology standard for project delivery in the not too
is the process of creating and exchanging distant future.
Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). According
to Wikipedia, NFTs are the unique and LOE
non-interchangeable units of data stored
There is an immediate need to categorize
on a digital ledger (Blockchain). NFTs
the Metaverse into Levels of Experience
can be associated with easily-reproducible
or Levels of Engagement (LOE) in order
items such as photos, videos, audio, and
to design these digital environments
other types of digital files as unique items
properly and have users not get frustrated
(analogous to a certificate of authenticity)
in navigating the Metaverse. What works
and use blockchain technology to give the
well in the physical world with a building Block Chain
NFT a public proof of ownership. At my
design, can be a disaster in the Metaverse.
company, TDG, we are leveraging NFTs for
So simply taking a BIM and ‘saving as’ into
the built environment in the form of:
a gaming engine is not best practice, and
• The design aesthetic of a building in certain cases, can lead to unwanted legal
issues. Who owns the rights to the Digital
• The elements that make up the building
Twin (the designer, the building owner,
(NFTs for materials, systems, equipment,
etc.) is a lawsuit waiting to happen. So do
appliances) that be measured for both work
not fall for the Silicon Snake Oil salesman
in place and lifecycle performance
who promises to unlock your design firm’s
• Creating both UN Sustainable untapped value of taking your BIM to
Development Goals (SGD) and the Metaverse. Best practice dictates that
Environment/Social/Governance (ESG) taking proper steps with ownership rights
measures for active NFTs management, defining the LOE to be used
in each instance and learning overtime how
• NFTs as an element for all Smart
the digital asset should be designed with
Contracts in the Construction Industry
rich experiences that cannot be designed in
The immediate use of NFTs that we have the physical world (like the ability to turn on
implemented is to develop virtual galleries and off physics). Physical architecture may
for the display and transactions of NFTs by have a lot to learn from its digital twin and
celebrities, iconic collectibles, and luxury subsequent LOE in the Metaverse.
merchandise. This woven collision of
As we all explore BIM in the Metaverse, it Paul Doherty
NFT’s being experienced in the Metaverse
would be helpful to define and describe each
is just the beginning of what we see as a
state that the digital real estate asset has:
decentralized Metaverse that has infinite
experiences all experiencing a world of • BUILDING INFORMATION MODEL
digital real estate. (BIM): A construction document Rule #3: Nobody Controls the Metaverse
Information model with 3D geometric Rule #4: The Metaverse is Open
Another area of interest regarding the
modeling characteristics
use of the Metaverse in the design and Rule #5: The Metaverse is Hardware-
construction process is the use of 24x7 • DIGITAL TWIN: A mirror image digital Independent
Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven avatars as asset model that describes a physical asset
an extension of decision making elements for in 3D geometry and in some cases, it also Rule #6: The Metaverse is a Network
successful project delivery. In the modern describes the data model and workflows of Rule #7: The Metaverse is the Internet
gaming world, the game never ends and the physical asset
is always on. With Minecraft, Roblox and • OMNIVERSE: Due to human’s being
• VIRTUAL WORLDS: Analogous to human’s, not everyone is following the
Fortnite as examples, players can use their
planets, solar systems and galaxies, virtual 7 rules of the Metaverse and in order
avatars for playing their games in real time
worlds are digital real estate assets that to regulate its expansiveness, there are
and once they leave the game, the game is
provide experiences in the Metaverse. efforts to federate the multitudes of
still being played/experienced by others.
Virtual worlds are places in the Metaverse. virtual worlds and bad actor Metaverse’s.
The opportunity for construction projects
in adopting avatars as ‘players’, is that, like • METAVERSE: The Metaverse is the One such large effort is being made by
a game, the construction project never next evolution of the Internet. Analogous NVIDIA with its Omniverse initiative,
stops. There maybe fewer workers at certain to Outer Space, the Metaverse is a meant to be an alternative to the pure play
times of the day, but the project is ongoing. communication/commerce environment commercialization Metaverse such as the old
By adopting a Metaverse environment as that provides the concepts of virtual worlds Facebook, now known as Meta.
a component of project controls, avatars and digital real estate to exist. Tony Parisi
of each stakeholder can continue to work best describes the Metaverse in his 7 rules: What an amazing time we are living in
in some capacity like analysis, reporting, today. We are all pioneers in a new age that
Rule #1: There is only one Metaverse creates a tremendous value of the use of the
decision making, etc. even when the physical
stakeholder is no longer on site. This AI Rule #2: The Metaverse is for Everyone digital DNA of our built environment.

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BIM COORDINATORS SUMMIT 2022 | Where Minds Meet & Information Matters

Breaking the Logjam

Four professionals, four documents. Working towards
real change across the built environment sector.

W hy, after a generation of initiatives,

numerous reports, trade shows
and conferences galore, is our sector still
looking at construction product data.
Butcher set up the Product Data Working
Group of 12 volunteers and produced a
unmodernised? Over the last four years a report, ‘‘A Fresh Way Forward for Product
group of professionals have been trying to Data: State of the Nation’. UK BIM Alliance,
answer this question. They are the Plain 2018. https://www.ukbimalliance.org/a-
Language Guide Editorial Board of the fresh-way-forward-for-product-data/ The
IET’s Built Environment Panel. report explains why data about products
does not travel through the construction
“If we are going to progress the change
cycle. It argues that product data is
agenda, we need new thinking,” says Patricia
fundamental to a modern digital future for
Massey, one of the four strong board and
the built environment, yet major elements
Digital and Technology Manager at the of the Product Data Working Group and
are missing, such as standards, naming
electrotechnical trade association BEAMA. wanted to take things forward. Hartwig,
conventions, hosting transparency and
“So many initiatives have been thrown into Surin and Massey persuaded Butcher to
security.
the pot, that people are getting confused and have another go, and the Plain Language
focussing on nothing. We must start thinking It was clear that the report wasn’t going to Guide Editorial Board was born.
a little more about what is going on.” get the traction they had hoped. “When you
write honestly about a problem, it can have The Board is part of the IET’s Built
Su Butcher agrees. Su trained as an architect, Environment Panel, which provides
some downsides”, says Butcher. “The state
she is the scribe of the group and is very strategic advice to Government, responds to
of the nation report was well received, and
focused on communications. “We need consultations, delivers thought leadership
we still get contacted by people who think
to understand what is holding businesses and develops position statements and other
it was ground-breaking, but its frankness,
back,” she says. “Particularly SMEs who materials. Part of the IET’s charitable remit,
particularly in a heavily commercialised
make up the vast majority. We need to see the Panel’s work must be impartial and free
topic such as product data, was hard for
them as customers, and the customer is from commercial influences, which has been
some to accept. We might have answered the
saying, What’s in it for me?” ideal for such a sensitive topic.
question why, but we didn’t say what needed
to change at a practical level.”
Setting out the State of the Nation Digitisation Guide for
“Some of its messages are still relevant Manufacturers
Butcher and Massey first met through the
today”, Massey adds. “We still don’t have
UK BIM Alliance where Massey provided
structured product data, and whilst the data Hartwig asked his Editorial Board to
standards expertise. She has served on
standards are now there in EN ISO 23386 produce a plain language guide for
numerous BSI and CEN committees and is
and 23387, the sector does not know how construction product manufacturers that
now Chair of PEL/69, the British Standards
to use them. We needed to go back to the would explain what digitisation is and how
Institute group for electric vehicles. Butcher
industry again and focus on what it needs.” manufacturers can digitise. “You can’t expect
was a non-executive at the Alliance, brought
in during 2017 to help get the organisation’s Rick Hartwig, Built Environment Lead at a manufacturer to provide reliable data to
structure off the ground. Within a year, she the IET, and Paul Surin of manufacturer the construction industry if they haven’t
had been asked to lead a working group Wienerberger (now at IBM), were both part got their own systems in order”. Too many
manufacturers are following analogue and
flawed information processes or operating
multiple unconnected data sources.
“Manufacturers are businesspeople,” says
Surin. “They need the case for change to be
made – they need to know what the ROI will
be. The guide shows how digitisation can be
financially beneficial for a manufacturer, not
just for others in the supply chain.”
Digitisation for construction product
manufacturers - a plain language guide. The
Institution of Engineering and Technology,
2021 https://www.theiet.org/product-
manufacturers. Taking manufacturers back
to first principles, setting out a strategic
approach based on a tried and tested process
proved in several companies. The guide
includes advice on working with third party
tech companies and consultants.

Why Haven’t We Modernised?

Once published, the team turned their
focus to a more helicopter view of the

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BIM COORDINATORS SUMMIT 2022 | Where Minds Meet & Information Matters

sector. Five years after Grenfell, a nagging Bringing the Tech Experts Together Four Documents, Four Audiences
question remains – why isn’t the industry
“There is one audience we haven’t mentioned At the end of 2022, four documents will
modernising? Despite some fine outlier
yet,” points out Hartwig, “the tech advocates. have been produced:
initiatives, very little has changed in the
They need to get talking, particularly across
last decade across much of the sector. 1. a problem specification for a BIM
sectors, when we face challenges like the
Meanwhile we face three of the biggest audience,
decarbonisation of all buildings.”
challenges of our age – climate change,
2. a detailed guide for construction product
building safety and the digitisation In 2021 Hartwig introduced Neil Thompson
manufacturers,
imperative. of the Construction Leadership Council to
Rab Scott of The Advanced Manufacturing 3. a position paper aimed at government
The board approached the horse’s mouth
Research Centre at the University of and policy makers, and
direct to ask 100 senior business leaders,
Sheffield. Thompson and Scott had both
many from SMEs, to a day-long round 4. a proposal for a cross sector
joined IET volunteer panels, and they had a
table event at Savoy Place in London. collaboration.
common interest, Digital Twins.
Over 60 attended from across the built
environment, manufacturing, housing, The manufacturing sector and the built What comes next? Hartwig is unsure.
construction, property, trade associations environment sector are both developing “Whatever we do next will focus on the
and government. They were joined by digital twins, but in different ways. Without digital journey our sector needs, and in a
representatives from other sectors and communication between the two, they plain language way,” he says.
government, and the round table was will create siloed markets, with different
facilitated by Gill Kernick, Transformation language, and won’t be able to address cross- “There is far too much noise in our sector.
Director at Arup University and author of a sector issues. Thompson, Scott and Hartwig We’re trying to speak quietly.”
seminal book on Grenfell. set up a working group to write a white
paper on how instead, these specialists could Lead Author: Nick Hayler,
A report of the discussions on that day will
come together and align. Head of Building Electrical Systems
be published in the autumn, and it doesn’t
at BEAMA
pull any punches. “We spent the day with a The Apollo Protocol will be published in
group of people who all know that there are August. It makes the case for a meeting
problems, and that change has to happen, of minds and the creation of a common
but who are prevented in so many ways language and framework for Digital Twins,
from breaking through,” says Massey. “It born out of an exploration of each sector’s
was refreshing to realise that so many of our experience. Two other members of the
frustrations are shared.” Editorial Board, Butcher and Surin, are part
of the core team who wrote the paper.

Gill Kernick with Rick Hartwig, Patricia Massey, Su Butcher and Paul Surin

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BIM COORDINATORS SUMMIT 2022 | Where Minds Meet & Information Matters

Interoperability within AECO

information systems
Solving the productivity puzzle with interoperability

In 1998, Sir John Egan published his report economy and 3.6 per cent in manufacturing.
‘Rethinking Construction’, where he called
MGI’s report highlighted several key aspects
on the industry to develop integrated project
that collectively have the potential to deliver
processes and supply chains, refocus on
significant transformation in productivity.
quality, and create a commitment to its people,
These included:
their safety and their working environment.
1. Reshape regulation Richard Scott-Archdesk
O ver the last 25 years, many other reports
have highlighted productivity and
efficiency problems within the AECO sector.
2. Rewire contractual frameworks
3. Rethink design and engineering An Independent System understands its own
The industry has been the slowest to embrace world and is self-contained.
4. Improve procurement and supply
digitalisation and, consequently, has not seen
chain management A ‘Project Cost System’ deals with costs-related
the level of transformation witnessed in other
transactions, invoices and purchase transitions.
sectors like manufacturing and financial sectors. 5. Improve onsite execution
It can deliver project budget variations and
The world has changed dramatically since 6. Infuse digital technologies, new materials is incredibly valuable to the teams managing
the Egan report was first published. A prime and advanced automation project costs. But the ’Project Cost’ system has
example is the technology landscape. no concept of ‘Project Quality’.
7. Reskill the workforce
The ‘Project Quality’ system provides the
Technology has transformed Solving the productivity and efficiency
tools that allow you to manage inspections,
exponentially in the last 25 years challenges within the AECO requires a
tasks and process control events far more
multifaceted approach. Still, there is a
In 1998, connecting to the internet required a effectively than pen and paper. It ensures that
consistent view across the industry that
dial-up modem operating at speeds of 56Kps. the team responsible for project quality has
digitalisation, advanced automation and
Today, a fibre connection gives you up to the information they need to make informed
technology are essential enablers of change.
900Mbs. That’s over 2000 times faster. decisions. But the ‘Project Quality’ system
has no concept of ‘Project Schedule’.
In the same year, the best-selling mobile Independence, Interdependence
phone was the Nokia 5110. It had no camera, & Synergistic Information An Interdependent System can communicate
stored 250 contacts on a sim and shipped Management and transact with another system. The level of
with a game called Snake. Now, the latest complexity and sophistication of this transaction
There are many well-established businesses,
iPhone is millions of times more powerful can vary. Its simplest could be a point-to-
innovators and entrepreneurs that are
than the computer systems that landed apollo point exchange of data like an import/export
applying new paradigms in an attempt to
11 on the moon. mechanism or via an interface like an API.
solve the AECO productivity problem.
Technology has seen a truly transformational For example, the project quality system may
Spend a day walking the floor of any
change over the last 25 years and has been the read a list of project locations that you defined
construction technology event and you will
catalyst for innovation we couldn’t begin to in the digital model or BIM. This creates a
see robotic automation, machine learning,
imagine in 1998. connection between the two interdependent
and reality capture. You will find mobile and
systems and enforces the data integrity needed
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning wearable technology, biometrics, big data,
for business analysis and intelligence.
may seem like technologies of the future but virtual and augmented reality, drones, and
they are here today. Everyone with a mobile many software platforms that aim to connect Synergistic Systems focus on
phone can use it right now. Just go to your and unify data and information systems. interconnectivity and interoperability
photo album and search for “dog” or “beach” characteristics. They are designed to bring
In his book ‘7 Habits of highly effective
or “snow”; ML or machine learning is the independent systems into an interconnected
people’, Stephen Covey talks about the power
technology showing you the pictures. ecosystem and deal with the complexities of
of synergy. It’s the magic that happens when
how that happens.
an aligned collective endeavour in pursuit of
How has AECO fared since 1998?
a common cause is capable of creating value These synergistic systems aim to create
In 2008, 10 years after the release of his original that is greater than the sum of its parts. value greater than the sum of the parts
report, Sir Robert Egan delivered a speech, and create new insights that would not be
I believe you can apply the same synergy
giving the industry ‘4 out of 10’ for trying. possible outside of the connected ecosystem.
concept to technology and information
Synergistic systems are frequently known as
Almost a decade later, McKinsey Global management, and we see this perspective in
Platforms.
Institute published Reinventing Construction software platforms.
- A route to higher productivity. The report
found that the construction industry still has
an intractable productivity problem. While
sectors such as retail and manufacturing have
reinvented themselves, construction seems
stuck in a time warp.

Global labour-productivity growth in

construction has averaged only 1 per cent
a year over the past two decades, compared
with growth of 2.8 per cent for the world

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BIM COORDINATORS SUMMIT 2022 | Where Minds Meet & Information Matters

The Platform in your Pocket – Data If you want to build a new calendar to the broader enterprise and facilitate
Flow, not Data Silo application, you follow the standards and data interoperability.
schema defined. If you don’t, it’s unlikely your
The term software platform has become app will gain a following and compete with
popular in recent years, but what exactly is a Industry Standards enable
the best app on the marketplace. interoperability
platform, and why should you use one?
Many of my early days in construction Since the release of the Egan report almost 25
Everyone has a platform in their pocket! Both technology were focused on developing
Apple and Google manufacture mobile phone years ago, many organisations have made a
mobile applications used for quality control, colossal effort to define and publish industry
operating systems that function as platforms. If management and compliance within a live
you’re using a phone that runs iOS or Android, standards that will drive interoperability.
construction project environment. There’s also been much debate relating to
you’re operating a platform. Surely, you
wouldn’t want to go back to a Nokia 5110 If you’ve worked in a project environment, ambitions and value.
you’ll be familiar with the idea of a snag list or In my opinion, embracing industry standards
Platforms have several fundamental punch list. It’s a simple record, transaction and
characteristics: will provide the optimum data environment
process. Tell ‘someone’ to go ‘somewhere’ and for consumers of AECO Platform products. I
1. A platform has core capabilities built-in. do ‘something’ the defect management system suggest that Platform vendors consider baking
For example, your phone’s control panel ensures that the corrective action is managed standards into their platform core assets.
where you connect to Wi-Fi networks or through a defined process or workflow. The
attach Bluetooth devices. relevant information can be surfaced, analysed Adoption of Industry standards like IFC,
and reported by the project. Uniclass, ISO19650, COBIE, BCF, and many
2. It allows third-party companies to build more are essential foundations for platform
and publish applications on the platform. Driving data integrity into the process is essential and application interoperability.
For example, you may decide to start using for meaningful enterprise business intelligence,
the default calendar application on your although not necessarily critical to getting the job Archdesk
phone, but you are free to install and use an done at the tactical (project) level.
alternative calendar app. This plug-and-play Archdesk is a modern cloud-based
At the tactical level, the project manager may management software created for the
philosophy is part of a platform’s DNA. be delighted that there is a managed process construction market.
3. Everything works, just like magic. No that the project follows. It saves time and
worrying about signing into your application provides essential information about sub- We support companies with advanced
because the platform deals with that. No contractor performance. management solutions tailored to your
configuration, no setup, everything just works. business-specific needs. Thanks to our
But, if the enterprise needs to understand expertise in this market, state-of-the-art
4. Platforms create eco-systems, its global performance concerning defects technology and ERP systems, we deliver an
communities and marketplaces and by trade across its organisation, things get ‘out-of-the-box’ platform.
encourage mass adoption, innovation and complicated when standards haven’t been
network effects. defined and applied. Let’s say we have a Archdesk is flexible enough to optimise your
standard process but not a standard naming workflows, automate your processes, and
5. Platforms enable synergy, where the value of convention. One project calls the decorator streamline your communication for your
the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. trade ‘Decorator’, another ‘Painter’, ‘Painter & projects and stakeholders while keeping your
Decorator’, ‘Internal Finishes’, and on it goes. IT security compliant.
Data Interoperability – The Without human intervention and data
importance of industry standards In addition, Archdesk connects your team
updates, the business doesn’t get answers to to real-time information across any device,
within AECO broader strategic questions. at any time, anywhere you have internet
Apple and Google can create platforms with This is a simple but very relevant example due to our system’s unique infrastructure
unprecedented application interconnectivity of the importance of naming conventions with no interruptions. Moreover, our API
and ease of use because they have defined and standards. It shows the impact poor and multiple deployment options allow
the standards for data and interoperability data can have on the ability of platforms high integrability with existing solutions,
between the platform and its applications. to deliver meaningful business intelligence databases, and IT infrastructure.

19
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support, assistance in drafting (Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland)
support, assistance in drafting (Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland)
protocols, information requirements, By working with ArcDox your project team benefits
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project execution plans. from a combination of experience, process, thought
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leadership, practical skilled production resources,
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Production
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BIM COORDINATORS SUMMIT 2022 | Where Minds Meet & Information Matters

The adoption of technology has grown

at an exponential pace in the last Building Digital
decade. What worked and was ‘nice to
have’ a year ago is now commonplace Competency:
and is ‘must have’. Keeping pace with
technology has its own challenges and
Why and How
rewards.

T he pandemic has exposed everyone to

technology in ways never thought of
before. Digital transformation, digitization,
Setting up standards, modeling guidelines,
templates, creating families, and many more
things were the first step in this journey.
digitalisation are new buzz words and And these were built considering the design
trends. Transformation cannot happen and construction practices in India. We
without adopting technology, building had to adopt some BIM processes to suite
competency amongst the people, improving the client’s way of working, some processes
the processes, and doing this at all stage of evolved through the project cycle. What Sonali Dhopte
the project and with everyone in the supply helped to see the path ahead was to see
chain. parallels in how other industries especially
architecture and technical institutes locally
in the mechanical & engineering industry
and setup training for students there. They
had used 3D to enhance capabilities in areas
were trained to use the BIM tools and also
like visualization, design and production,
got an opportunity to see work done on
bring efficiencies through integration of
actual projects we were working on. Once
supply chains & logistics. This investment
these students graduated, they had the
towards building competency then has
option of being a part of our team by taking
helped us achieve what we have today.
up employment at Excelize. The training
provided was free and was our way of
How did we start building
contributing to the society.
competency?
As part of our continuous effort to improve
We setup multiple approaches to building
efficiency and deliver quality, we have on-
competency. Starting with identifying the
going training that our team has to do and is
gaps and then building a training program
a part of their KRA.
for team members with different educational
background, years of experience, etc. based There is definite value to learning, training
on this a skill matrix was developed and and upskilling. This is measured in terms
The Excelize Story
training plan setup. of happy clients, repeat clients, error free
Excelize was an early entrant into the BIM deliveries, increase in efficiency and more
Training was provided by in person
& 3D Modeling services segment. Having people wanting to work with you. The
instruction and online training options,
worked for many years in supporting our duration a team member works with you
which is a blended approach. This helped
architectural clients in design development is proof of his/her personal growth and the
with upskilling the team and increasing
and CAD, we had a good understanding of satisfaction his/her work brings to them.
competency.
the challenges faced in 2D and could see The value is immediate and keeps growing
that the incoming use of 3D for design and Another approach was an internship over a period of time as the technology gets
construction would become the norm soon. program. We collaborated with engineering, better.
As an early adopter of BIM in India, our
biggest challenge was not acquiring a client,
but having a team to execute the work.
Finding a team that was open to using new
tools, adopting new processes and to some
extent unlearn was critical. Just training the
team in use of 3D tools was not enough,
but they needed to start thinking of 3D
modeling as a natural way of working on
construction projects. At the same time, we
had to hand hold our clients through the
adoption, so they understood the process
and contributed towards realizing the BIM
benefits.

Why was it important for us to

build competency?
The benefits that BIM adoption offered were
known to all but realized by few. So, there
was reluctance to BIM adoption. For us it
was importance to demonstrate to the end
user/client that this is the future, and we
would walk this part with them till the end.
We had to have a team that understood not
just how to build models, but how to build
them to be constructable.

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BIM COORDINATORS SUMMIT 2022 | Where Minds Meet & Information Matters

Take Care of Your Revit Models

By Steve Deadman, Customer Success Manager
UK/EMEA, Ideate Software

A well-working Revit model is a thing of 1. Loading Unvetted Families

beauty. Starting with expressing the vision
2. Linking and Binding Revit Files
of the architect and continuing through the
prevention of clashes and the streamlining 3. Linking, Importing, or Exploding CAD Files
of construction and maintenance
4. Transferring Project Standards
activities, these powerful models provide
visualizations that help everyone involved 5. Inserting Views and Schedules
in every aspect of a structure’s lifecycle save Steve Deadman
6. Creating a large quantity of lines and text
time and money by speeding the process
objects
and reducing costly mistakes.
• “Save” issues
An Excessive Number of Warnings
T he strength of a Revit model comes from
the massive amounts of data within it.
While critical for a model to perform as
Besides too much data, another factor that
can cause Revit model performance problems
• Long model sync times
• Linework that jumps while you pan and
needed, too much data can bog the file down is an excessive number of warnings. zoom
and cause challenges. Managing all the data • Printing and exporting problems
Unlike a Revit error dialog, which requires
in a Revit model may sound like a daunting
you to stop what you are doing and resolve • Model upgrade difficulties
task. But it doesn’t have to be. By knowing
the issue, Revit warnings simply inform you
what causes problems, recognizing symptoms • Crashing
of a condition that you may or may not be
of unhealthy models, and using proven Revit
aware of that may or may not affect your
plugins to proactively audit files and to clean When your model exhibits any of the signs
work. Because the program allows users
up problem items, Revit users in all disciplines above, don’t wait! It is critical that you take
to move past the warning, many people
can keep their models in good working order action to address these challenges, which left
continue with what they are doing and push
and their projects moving along smoothly. unchecked can lead to these dreaded error
addressing the warnings to the back burner.
They may fully intend to deal with the messages:
What Makes A Revit Model Sick?
warnings later, but interruptions, looming • “Unrecoverable error”
Too Much Data deadlines, and a plethora of other distractions
get in the way of returning to the warnings, • “A fatal error has occurred”
With Revit models, it is possible to have too
and the number climbs to a point that • “Missing elements”
much of a good thing. The “good thing” is the
impacts the model’s performance.
data, but too much of it creates problems. • “This model is incompatible with…”
How do models get too much data? Where Symptoms Of An Unhealthy Model
does all that extra data come from? Because serious problems generally occur
Model health and standards issues are after several smaller problems have built up,
To save time and avoid having to recreate typically progressive problems; they start the models impacted are usually complex and
work, Revit users often copy/paste off small and slowly creep in, so you will be the clean-up process can be incredibly time
information and link to previous projects. able to spot signs that indicate problems are consuming and difficult, causing delays that
When done correctly, these activities are accumulating. Keep your eye out for: impact employee and customer satisfaction.
helpful. When done incorrectly, they can
• Slow model performance
bring in massive amounts of unnecessary Stay On Top Of It With Periodic
- Dialog boxes that take an excessively
data associated with the file that clogs up Health Checks
long time to load
the model and negatively impacts model
- Slow commands You’re probably familiar with the phrase,
performance.
- Slow opening views “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound
Here are just a few common activities that
can bring in unneeded data that when left
in the Revit file, contributes to an unhealthy
model:

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of cure.” Those words apply to Revit health it to find unused sheets and views; find and tools for Revit help companies maintain Revit
checks! It is much easier to stop the problems filter legends, schedules, sheets, or views by model health, it’s just a sampling. In addition
associated with unhealthy models than to try category and/or keyword; and to customize to Ideate BIMLink, Ideate Automation, Ideate
to repair a model on its deathbed. working environments without altering the Explorer, and Ideate StyleManager mentioned
project browser.  above, they have two more products:
Where to Start
• Search within set parameters for elements • IdeateApps – Streamline common Revit
I recommend using Ideate Software plugins
such as unused annotations, design options, tasks with this collection of productivity and
for Revit. Yes, I work for Ideate Software
in-place usage, structure usage/area scheme, efficiency tools
today, but I used the products for more than
revisions, and more with the Query function. 
10 years before joining the company. And I • Ideate Sticky – Live-link non-BIM data
joined the company because I KNOW that 3 The more people that work on a file, the from an Excel, Word, or PDF document into
the products work and that they address real more chances there are for non-standard styles Revit projects
challenges faced by Revit users. As a customer, to make their way into the model. Whether
I experienced how the Ideate Software team a person doesn’t have the style guidelines, If you work in Revit or lead a team that
connects with the Revit community for feature unintentionally uses their preferences over works in Revit, you owe it to yourself to learn
requests and works with users during beta the standards, or imports/links to files that more about Ideate Software plugins. Visit
testing to ensure the products perform as bring in their related styles, incorrect styles www.ideatesoftware.com for clear product
expected and deliver exceptional value. I am can impact your documentation, and unused descriptions, blog posts with step-by-step
confident that their solutions will help you styles can bloat your file size and impact model instructions on specific workflows, short
keep your Revit models running smoothly. performance. Resolve all these problems how-to videos, and robust Help files. And the
with Ideate StyleManager, which gives users team, myself included, sincerely wants to help
Here are some ways you can use Ideate
the capability to analyse, merge, or delete you succeed and get the most value possible
Software plug-ins for Revit to improve the
non-standard Revit styles more reliably, more out of your investment in both Revit software
health of your models:
quickly, and more accurately than is possible and Ideate Software plugins for Revit.
1 You can push large amounts of model with the style management system built into
Visit us at www.ideatesoftware.com and reach
health check and QA/QC-related data from Revit. 
out to us at [email protected] to
your Revit model into Microsoft Excel for
start the discussion on how Ideate Software
review in Excel and Power BI with Ideate There’s More!
plug-ins for Revit can help you have better
BIMLink. In Excel or Power BI, it is easy to
Although this article provides a wealth of performing Revit models.
identify and flag QA/QC issues or areas that
details about how Ideate Software plugin
indicate model health problems.
To make it easy for users to select the items to
review in Excel, Ideate BIMLink comes with
300+ preconfigured links, which are a series
of parameter data mapped together that can
be exported to Excel for review. These links,
which are customizable, are grouped into
several categories, including Health Check
and Quality Control.
And, because exporting large quantities of
data from multiple files can take quite a bit
of time, Ideate Software developed Ideate
Automation, which automates the process at
a time set by you, so you can run the export
overnight, and the next day, your data will be
in Excel, ready for review. 
2 Use Ideate Explorer to dig deeper into
your models than possible in Revit to find
and fix problem areas. This model browser, as
opposed to the Revit project browser, makes
it easy to perform on-demand reviews of QA/
QC tasks such as finding and removing CAD
imports; addressing group usage; querying
a selection of elements to determine if they
are pinned, flipped, modelled as in-place
families; and much more. Helping you gain
even greater control over your data are three
features built into Ideate Explorer:
• Too many warnings can bog down a Revit
model. You can easily and quickly manage
them with Ideate Software’s Warnings Manager,
which ranks warnings based on importance,
notifies users when their models contain
high-ranking warnings, and allows users to
correct problems using tools in Revit when the
Warnings Manager dialog box is open. 
• Use the Navigate function move through
view-based elements in a Revit project. Use

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Did you know that 5D

comes before 3D?

We frequently refer to the Dimensions Have you ever considered all dimensions
in BIM, as 2D, 3D, 4D, 5D and so on. and the information that will be produced
5D is the dimension for cost. Since the for each of them in the ICT/BEP, before
dimensions are numbered, it suggests a starting a new project? Elia Gonzalez
sequence, where one seems to come after
the other. Everybody is familiar by now Quantity Surveyors or cost specialists • Agreement regarding types of outputs
with 3D and the geometrical model itself, working and producing the fifth dimension (2D, 3D...) for the project information:
the digital twin. (5D-Cost information), not only look at 3D Diagrams, schedules, details, landscaping,
geometries, but also 2D drawings and any finishes, inventory and equipment… File
However, did you know that 5D other written descriptions in the project formats.
comes before 3D? Before 2D even? material, even when they have not yet been
defined, because cost needs to cover for • Level of information for each of the

E very single construction project will

define cost information before any
model or sketch is produced. Because all
everything necessary for the project in the
early stages.
design phases

• Scheduled dates for submission after

projects will have an investment budget, They work with all dimensions at the same the quality assurance processes, time
that defines the scope and target the design time because changes in any dimension, assigned for quantification and estimation,
needs to aim towards. will impact directly and indirectly the cost time remaining for quality checks and
information. clarifications....
In business cases, we are already talking
about 5D. And it is that early, that we should Dimensions are all interconnected and • How client deliverables, existing
begin defining the basis of the cost data should be revised and updated every time a elements or objects out of project scope will
structure. change occurs. be identified in the project material in order
to differentiate them.
Dimensions are therefore opposite to what For this reason, ICT agreements and
the sequence suggests, parallel, and not one BIM Execution Plans (BEP) must include • How will change be managed, both scope
after the other. minimum requirements and conditions on change and design change
how to produce the project material, not
This is why, we should imagine them only for the final delivery, but also along • What design material supersedes all
not as a barchart , where the amount of the design process to facilitate the control others, Specification, models or drawings/
development seems to grow as the previous around these specialist discipline deliveries. diagrams? So when an error is identified a
dimension is being defined: decision can be taken.
In order to build good standards and grow
maturity around these areas, it is necessary • Document naming and Naming
to involve, among others, the planners/ conventions.
schedulers and commercial specialists in the
BIM strategy development process. Only in Cost management and cost control
this way will the process take into account processes will use the information above, in
the output required by the disciplines not order to produce:
directly involved in producing design
material. This is necessary in order to take • Pre-tender estimates;
full advantage of the information produced • Post tender estimates;
and incorporate it in the project design.
• Cost planning;
But inverted as bars, that begin
While setting up the project, it is necessary • Risk Analysis
simultaneously, and will progress and
that the BIM coordinators and Quantity
develop in the time line, all at the same time, • Change management,
Surveyors meet to discuss and agree,
in a parallel way.
among other things, the following: • Pricing variations;
• How many buildings will the project • Interim valuations and payment.
material be split into? Is there a need for an
independent model file, and an independent Cost plans, estimates, BoQ´s (Bill of
specification document, for each of the quantities), final accounts have historically
buildings or will they be combined? all been managed as singular activities
disconnected from previous or future phases
• Is there a schedule of areas included, and unrelatable between projects.
what was agreed in the contract and what As cost specialists, we need to begin seeing
are the current values, split by net/gross, by our deliveries as integrated in the project,
building, internal and external areas, and by and not disjointed as they have historically
floors. been.

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Further more, we should begin changing our it can only be achieved as an integrated
mindset and linearity perception of projects. collaborative process.

We look at projects as a linear process, That is why, the Digital QS needs to

understand the 3D process and the tools
• we plan them as linear used but does not need to be the expert. This
requires regular communication in order to
• we cost them as linear
help each other to succeed.
It beings an integrated process, we should
not wait until the design is delivered, but
work parallel with the design to make sure
Automated and standardised data will
the output is what is needed and expected.
uncover the potential for cost specialist to
be able to: We should not forget that quality is
everyone’s responsibility, as well as cost
• Analyse the data of all client projects being everyone’s responsibility.
How do we improve our budget
accuracy, as well as our project • Predict deviations (time, cost, risk, etc) Changes in other dimensions intrinsically
control while also storing valuable affect the whole project, and therefore,
• Provide more accurate trends to calculate
commercial information along the it’s everybody’s responsibility to ensure
risk and contingency more precisely
project lifecycle? information is aligned to minimise the
• Inform data accuracy based on the impact.
The answer is: by perceiving projects as quality of data used on the algorithms,
Use your network for help and advice.
circular. This requires standardization of our predictions, and calculations.
KOSMOS is a consultancy focused on
data, allowing us to close the loop on project
Digital Cost Management, and we would
cost circularity.
love to have you in our network. Write to
us on LinkedIn, we are more than happy to
help and discuss.

Ultimately, BIM implementation will allow

Value Driven Cost Management since

BIM is forcing integrated design (project)

delivery, where the QS (Quantity Surveyor)/
Cost Manager and design team design
together.

We need to be aware of what collaboration

means. In this regard, it will be the
design itself as a direct and automated
output of quantities. The quality of those
quantifications will be driven by the process
and having well defined requirements, and
only by being involved in the decisions can
good quality data output be achieved. Join us on Linkedin
(Remember to click on ”Follow us”)

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Is BIM going to help make 2050 of the calculation, making it impossible to verify
the calculations the software provides. BIM is

possible? a natural choice as a collection point for such

data, that can then be used to improve accuracy
and transparency, all we need is to create a
Whole Life Carbon, LCA, ESG and EU Taxonomy in BIM complimenting framework.
Problems and Opportunities Modelling (not quite the 3D version you’re
thinking of)
There are currently a wide range of problems A lack of focus
One of the single biggest blind spots with
that BIM could help resolve, in relation
These problems, and many more, create carbon, and construction in general, is that
to carbon reduction/neutrality and more
distractions that divert attention away from construction professionals don’t tend to
broadly sustainability issues.
areas that require much more focus to get involved until after the business case is
achieve our goals for carbon reduction and calculated and approved. This is a huge error

T he simplest way to imagine the historical

situation is to think of all the various
parties going in the same direction but having
sustainability in general.

As demonstrated by the earlier example of

based around the assumption that you can’t be
detailed and accurate at business case stage.

different ideas about how to get there. LEED, the current situation is dangerously Anyone involved in the small and specialised
behind where we should be to hit 2030 and area of cost modelling will tell you that this is
Each country has its own building regulations
2050 goals, which are now being turned from incorrect, and that business case calculations
that set their own minimum standards,
aspirations to laws. EU Taxonomy being one can be made with the same level of detail as
whilst the many different green building
example of how to force these goals in to outline/concept design.
certifications like LEED, DGNB, etc., set their
being.
own higher standards and how to reach them. The secret to this is the extracting of ratios
and averages from the 3D models and the Bill
On top of this ESG, EU Taxonomy alignment Opportunities:
of Quantities.
and the Paris Climate agreements are placing
far greater pressure than ever before on Life cycle data collection With a broad enough data set of projects
building owners, designers, and constructors, high-low ranges appear for each building
The first opportunity that BIM is a natural
across the globe, to create substantially type, allowing us to create base models of
choice to help resolve is the collection of project
greener buildings. an average building, that can be adjusted to
data from throughout the project and building
different ideas that can be tested with a high
life cycle. As previously mentioned, certain
Problems: degree of accuracy at business case stage.
parts of the Whole Life Carbon (WLC) have
either very limited historical data or comes This same process could be applied to
A lack of alignment.
from software’s with no visibility of certain parts carbon and EU Taxonomy alignment (for
Take the most widely used green building
certification system (LEED) as an example. To
score credits for carbon reduction, a reduction
of 5-10% is required, yet the Paris Climate
agreement sets the 2030 goal as -45% and
the European Green Deal sets the EU goal
as -55% meaning LEED targets will need to
jump 30 to 50% in just the next 8 years, to
avoid their standards becoming obsolete.
A lack of uniformity
Whilst we have an agreed system for the
calculation of Whole Life Carbon(WLC).
Different countries, and different green
building certifications, require different build
parts, life spans and what WLC life stages
should be included in calculations.
A lack of data and visibility
There are now several software solutions
available that can work with 3D models
and Bills of Quantities to create Whole Life
Carbon calculations but as they are built by
private companies much of the underlying
data for the calculations is hidden. Using
three of the leading software applications
can produce three different outputs with no
visibility on how to assess which is correct.

An investigation of the life cycle stages often

reveals the biggest difference, in life cycle stages
where there is the least data. A5 of WLC/
LCA calculation (installation of materials) for
example has very limited available data upon
which to base calculations.

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capex expenditure). All that is needed is a • Eventually, an analysis of how projects

large enough data base of quantities and change from phase to phase from a
formulas to calculate the necessary ratios and geometry perspective, to help create trends
outputs. This would improve the accuracy and predictions, allowances of provisional
and alignment of business case studies and costs.
increase the quality and types of data the
For example, if the trend shows that early
building owners can have at such a vital an
projects have only 30% of doors and they
early stage.
end up having the remaining 70% at
How can we gather such an amount of detail design stage, so we can cover for it
geometry datasets, to allow analytics and minimizing missing scope assumptions.
increase accuracy of calculations and
The above, will feed the dataset with data, Roger Barkley, co-writer
assumptions in early stages?
and will enable accuracy to be analysed
BIM strategies are encouraging teams to throughout the different stages, as well as
standardise their data. The challenge at the collecting early-stage geometry insights and
moment is the collection of that data. And it trends within the building industry.
will be a great contribution to the industry if
Ultimately, users are encouraged to share
that data was shared across all teams actively
their data throughout the multiple design
working with WLC.
stages by loading the models. They will
Open source collaboration obtain valuable output in the form of
enhanced quality, reports and insights.
At KOSMOS, we have some ideas of what
As the dataset grows, it will be possible to
data should be collected, and how that could
analyse trends and review how the geometry
be done. But this is hindered by the lack of
evolves from inception to full detailed
involved skilled computer science partners, and
design. Furthermore, it will be possible to
therefore, implementing the solution is
predict the extent of allowances required
becoming a big challenge.
in the earlier stages to cover for incomplete
A collaboration across industries could scope throughout the development lifecycle,
benefit many stakeholders if it was to be and thus drive greater accuracy on LCA
published open source to enlarge the dataset and WLC assessments supported by the full
from everybody making use of it. A so-called potential of statistics. Elia Gonzalez, co-writer
win-win.
How to encourage stakeholders to feed the
data set with their project geometries?
The best approach will be by providing
something in return.
What about Quality assurance checks for IFC
models, to check LOD, LOI, and, at least from
a cost perspective, to check certain quantities
from elements to define project completion
based on historical geometrical trends. For
example:
If ceiling amount is less than x% of floor slab
amount, it is possible that ceilings are just 20%
design complete at that stage.
Generate a report with focus areas to
discuss collaboratively with the design team
to clear uncertainties and reduce risk of
misunderstanding when estimating.
To achieve a desired output, while collecting
data, the following will be necessary:
• A database to collect data from projects
and create a baseline. The script will check
against these geometries to define completion
expected. It should classify projects by type,
and record certain information such as
location, building size, building type (school,
industrial…).
• A script to analyse IFC models (Is
something to be done in a software? Is there
open-source software for this already?)
• A dashboard, or report generation,
preferable accessible on the cloud to track
updates and evolution of warnings.

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Experience the Power of BIM

throughout the whole value
chain
We are on the verge of the fourth industrial No fit-out BIM is yet available, mainly
revolution, and the lines between the because the value of this information is not
physical and digital spheres are getting yet fully understood.
blurred. We are facing the future of smart
The customer journey and material
cities, smart energy, and transportation; an
management for the builders and developers
infrastructure that is connected as a whole. Harri Majala
under the same umbrella should be the
Building Information Models (BIM) have
common goal. It is important that we
been used in architecture, engineering,
overcome the regulatory, commercial,
and construction for decades. The added
cultural, organizational, and technological The digital era has created a new kind
value that the BIM brings has already been
barriers. We should drive for cooperation in of consumer, a new kind of freedom of
recognized across the board.
DT creation as we already do when creating expression; importance of empowering the

I n BIM modeling, architecture,

engineering, and construction people
all work using the same 3D environment.
the main BIM by combining HVAC,
structure, architectural and electricity
models. If we can bring the BIM to a higher
customer cannot be emphasized enough.
The role of construction industry is
This makes the process of planning and level, we are able to push that into other expanding rapidly from construction itself
constructing buildings smoother and more places as well: sales, marketing, customer to enabling a continuous development
efficient, but the models are still not being success, fit-out process, cabinets, furniture focused on the home and its inhabitants. It
used across the silos as they should be. and decorations, Bill of Quantity (BOQ) is time to move from silos to systems, to the
To use the BIM outside the worksite and and Bill of Material (BOM), entreprise future where the data is shared smoothly
design environment, we need to have all the resource planning and other integrations. and in real time with all the stakeholders
information at hand. The gathering data will no longer be and where the point solutions are replaced
fragmented or lost but becomes enriched with more holistic approach. A shared
To bring more value to all the stakeholders, language and a common platform made
and useful for the twin’s counterpart in
the BIM should also contain the data and possible by BIM models should be the
the real world throughout its life cycle.
the details relevant from the design phase goal for all of us. GBuilder is a Finnish
As residents, owners, and property offices
through the fit-out. But what is visible to the born and now London based software
change, the digital twin remains available to
naked eye - surfaces, decoration, furniture - company with over 40,000 homes built
all stakeholders.
is still missing. The finishing related details, through their platform. GBuilder offers
fixtures, and data like kitchen cabinet The data offered by the digital twin helps Digital Twin of each individual home
drawings, must be included. We must to optimize the next construction project within any development enabling investors,
invite the tile provider and the store that is right from the planning and pre-marketing homeowners, or tenants to select their
selling the couch to the party. The amount phases. The big data, generated by projects desired furniture, and to see how it suits and
of information that is needed for all of this also after their completion, create significant fits within their future home. GBuilder is
to work is quite high. The Digital Twin, a and indisputable capital for its holder. This the only company in the world to use BIM
virtual replicant of a building that is created will organically sprout different kinds of as a service to manage interior specifications
and maintained by utilizing 3D BIM data new digital services and business activities and customer choices. The software is
models, needs to be close to perfect to serve and revolutionize the whole construction already widely used by Scandinavia’s largest
its purpose: to help occupiers, owners, and industry while doing so. We are entering residential developers and construction
other stakeholders to manage and monitor the era of BIM, and there is no turning companies, YIT, Bonava, Skanska, and
the space. Getting all the information under back. The traditional and slow-to-change Hartela. There are already ongoing projects
the same umbrella is not an easy task, and construction industry has already digitized in the UK and in other countries, Germany,
there is still no easy way to edit or fix BIMs. its sales process and project management. Austria, Belgium, and the CEE Countries.

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Is Digital Transition cost

effective for small business
in M&E construction sector?

The definition that tells us what the get the maximum from your tools at the
digital transition is cannot be taken for moment. If your answer does not comply
granted. At first glance, it can seem very with your goals, then the other approach
decisive and precise, while on the other can be used which I like to describe as
hand, it depends on who reads it for what starting from the scratch. This means that
purposes and, most importantly, what you will have to do a little research in order
is the goal he wants to achieve. During to find the best tool for your needs and get
much research on my way to digital training for your employees. This approach
transition, I came across a lot of too will demand more investment, but it will
extensive information which, first of all, improve your business and meet your Ivana Simic
creates a certain dose of aversion to BIM, needs. If you still ask yourself is it worth it,
digital transition and change in general, trust me, it is!
Bim In Digital Transition Journey
especially for small business, as it requires
Change won’t happen overnight, but once
a lot of investments.
you see the first benefits on your way it will BIM (Building Information Modelling) is
become easier. Segregating implementation the heart of the digital transition journey.
Change
into departments will allow each team in Several studies suggest that BIM is the

T
your organisation to find the best way to cornerstone of the digitalisation processes.
he change required by digital
implement changes. Set up achievable Interesting in these studies are the reports
transformation is huge and although
goals and this will result in seeing small given which show exact benefits of
we talk a lot about changes in the digital
but effective results over time and will digitalisation and BIM use among design
sense, in this process the biggest role is
definitely reduce possibility for failure. teams, clients and contractors. Each
played by cultural change that affects
Work smart, not hard! sector is experiencing their own benefits
all participants. Setting or changing
exactly in a way that they have defined
procedures or standards within a company
Education their needs in their digital roadmap. For
is the biggest change for all participants
contractors, which is definitely our area
and thus the most challenging part of this
The Education is a very important of interest, crucial benefits are improved
journey. Change should be gradual and
element of the digital transition. You competitiveness in a tender stage and
planned. Small companies do not have the
need to make sure that the people in percentage of successful projects, but
luxury of change happening immediately
charge of implementing new processes also reduced constructability issues as
in all fields. The people who play a big role
and procedures, as well as setting mentioned earlier. Engagement in BIM has
in these changes are also the resources
standards have the basic knowledge and also reduced issues at handover stage and
necessary for the smooth operation of your
understanding of what their task is. This has highly improved cost and scheduling
small business, so planning is the main
will reduce the level of frustration that the control.
tool on your journey. Setting priorities
change itself brings.
and small steps towards the goal will If you still have second thoughts if BIM
enable progress, while at the same time not Hiring professionals to help them is really necessary for you or if the digital
interfering with your daily commitments. in this process is the first step in the transition is too much for your company,
implementation, as well as one of the first think again about these official reports
Implementation costs that your company will face on this that show you real benefits of the BIM and
journey. Is it worth it? Of course it is! digital transition proven in practice. Do
The implementation of your digital Remember that this is your execution team research and think about changes that you
transition roadmap won’t be easy, that’s for and that their role is really important on will have to make to meet your goals.
sure. The more you give, the more you get, this digitalisation journey. The benefits
Small businesses should recognize that
right? So if you decide to give more of your that this will bring to your company
BIM is an absolute must have. BIM
time, your money, your knowledge, more are much greater than these costs. For
adoption now will prepare them for the
you will get at the end. It’s that simple, but example, in terms of coordination of the
future in addition to providing them with
yet that hard. M&E project BIM implementation will
well-known BIM benefits for better project
reduce the number of working hours on
There are different approaches to your outcomes.
the construction site, reduce the number of
implementation strategy and you should
collisions between different disciplines and
define your goals and needs before you
enable off-site fabrication which will bring
start to actually implement things. It
you benefits in time, money, safety and
doesn’t have to mean that your way will be
quality of the executed work.
the right way at first, but remember, this
journey is what is important and not only Technology is evolving at an incredible rate
the final goal. You can decide to improve and in the digital world this is reflected in
tools and resources that you already have our business. It is necessary to raise the
which can be easier in a way as you will for awareness of all people in our sector that
example keep using familiar software, but one-time education is not the solution, but
before you decide this is the right way as constant improvement is needed in order
it could be more cost effective at first, ask to maintain competitiveness, attractiveness,
yourself what are your needs and do you sustainability and quality.

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How Integrated Project Delivery (IPD)

embraces digital ways of working to
support project execution
Ian Harding

Jacobs is a globally recognized professional services firm that provides

consulting, technical, scientific and project delivery for the government
and private sector.

We’ve been working with packages used to support and coordinate

biopharmaceutical clients for more than 3D project design on our projects.
50 years and our Ireland operation is a
global leader in the delivery of complex It offers an array of features including
Life Sciences projects. To execute automated model federation, 2D & 3D
complex projects, Jacobs provides the synchronisation, spatially linked, real-
entire spectrum of services, including time issue tracking, project metrics,
engineering, procurement, construction automated issue templates, data extraction.
management, commissioning, qualification, Additionally, the platform provides the
and verification (EPCMCQV) under the capability to use four project tools that
auspices of the Integrated Project Delivery previously had to be deployed separately.
(IPD) model.
Harnessing the power of this digital tool, Ian Harding
IPD marks a significant shift from the our team quickly developed standard
traditional EPCM model: it requires earlier workflows, templates and training to ensure
engagement from supply chain and project consistent use from all project stakeholders.
partners and plays a central role in the With buy-in from our team, partners and
delivery of accelerated timelines while client, we generated clear, measurable
attaining the same high-quality engineering, metrics to gauge progress on the design
design, construction and safety standards. process. This approach meant that our team
could quickly coordinate the 3D design,
In the context of shorter schedules, our with all issues resolved before the project
project teams recognise the importance of entered the construction phase.
earlier collaboration, co-ordination and
‘right first time’ within the IPD context. This Our team also embraced another key
approach means we are also more closely Revizto functionality, namely the ability
involved in the delivery of facility design to support a construction verification
through Basis of Design (BoD) and Detailed initiative as part of the IPD approach.
Design (DD). Revizto allowed our survey partner to
complete ‘as-built’ surveys, with this data
Our team in our Life Sciences business in available via the platform to the entire
Ireland approached the development of project team.
a digital strategy to support an IPD-led
project with these considerations front This approach has yielded significant value
of mind. As part of this process, the team and is further enhanced by the fact that
looked at workflows, tools and capabilities we can utilise the power of Revizto to
to ensure that any shift in project execution ensure that the ‘right first time’ approach
would be balanced and would support a to on-site installation is achieved. Through
multi-office, multi-organisation approach. ongoing collaboration in the tool, our
project team was able to identify in a
The main question was, how do we ensure virtual environment installation errors and
that up to 12 organisations engage quickly future clashes before they happened on
and efficiently with one another, Jacobs and site and ensure the right first-time culture
our client in one central location to deliver continued. Figure 1. Future clash identified
coordinated design to construction? before installation commenced on-site,
represents one of these future clashes
Our team decided to address this challenge identified.
by implementing Revizto as the central
design coordination tool. Revizto is
a cloud-based solution and marks an
evolution in the conventional software

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Outcomes of this initiative

include: project team from design to construction fourfold increase in productivity for our
installation clash coordinators alone.
1. Helps prevent issues occurring on client
sites Our team began implementing Revizto Project leaders, schedulers and other team
over a year ago and we’re using learnings members can interact with and self-review
2. Gets ahead of potential clashes on-site
from this project to apply to others. We the 3D design model. Revizto produces
and resolves them before they happen
recognise that implementing a new way of performance metrics within minutes and
3. Supports a safe environment for the working can be challenging, but thanks to ensures the project meets deadlines and
construction team forward-thinking project teams, we were installation dates.
able to successfully implement a positive
4. All contractors can see the effect of their
change in approach to execution. Furthermore, in the last year, our teams,
work on other partners
partners and clients have closed over
5. Confirms installation complies with It marks a significant shift in how our 92,000 issues across projects in Revizto –
quality procedures project teams work, and we now have an extraordinary achievement that wouldn’t
one source of truth to deliver a clash-free be possible without the support of our
6. Avoids claims from contractor
model to construction that meets the end project partners and clients.
interfaces due to incorrect installation,
users’ operational needs. When our team
saving our clients cost and schedule impact
stress-tested the application against our Figure 1. Future clash identified before
7. Provides a one source of truth for our traditional workflow, there was an almost installation commenced on-site

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A Solution looking for a Problem

How Blockchain will transform the Construction Sector

Introduction demise, whether it is transformation or

decommissioning when their life cycle
What is disruptive, fragmented and works closes. This makes the whole process
with insanely minimal margins? Even sustainable in its purist sense. Construction
the dogs in the street know the answer is accounts for nearly 40% of carbon dioxide
construction, an industry which should produced on this planet and the first step James Harty
do better. This is an obvious observation in reducing this amount is to be able to
but one which is rarely broached. What measure it and determine in an evidence-
based method how to tackle it. Changing higher quality design that is sustainable and
to do, and how to do it, are also questions responsive. This is the future perfect vision
commonly asked, but the tradition of ‘this how we do it and rewarding it makes sense.
of Integrated Practice’ (Broshar, Strong, and
is how we always do it’ and ‘resistance to Friedman 2006).
change’ loom large. Margins
This was stated at the AIA conference on
What is needed is a method to actively Jason Farnell stated that the ratio of risk BIM in 2006. Thom Mayne was even more
engage stakeholders beyond handover, to reward in contracting is seriously outright with his paper: ‘Change or perish,’
and more importantly to reward such an imbalanced, or that the margin contractors if BIM was not embraced (Mayne 2006).
endeavour. If there is an incentive towards expect to earn from projects is insufficient Essentially, BIM was seen as a method
continued-engagement, the benefit and for the uncertainty and risk exposures they to coordinate and collaborate, easing the
potential is breath-taking. Key to this is face in delivering them (Farnell 2018). adversarial culture that abounds within
performance, and key to performance is Carillion one of the UK’s largest contractors construction, and so reducing risk.
measurement. So, if you propose a building collapsed with £1.5B in debts caused by
that will save 20% in energy use for the underbidding contracts with low margins Performance
next twenty years, a method is needed (iBuild 2022). The industry expects 2-5%
to avert green-wash to deliver the goods. profit margins, the reality is closer to 1.5-2%. Seeing buildings as proactively contributing
Such a situation could mean a pay-out of to how buildings use and react to demands
5% of that saving for each year that the Eurotunnel had difficulties in motivating means making buildings perform. Just as
building delivers, whether it is measured in the suppliers once the contract had been in the automotive industry consumers look
energy bills or monitored and sensored on awarded. The root to this situation can be at running costs as much capital costs and
a building dashboard. A repeating paid-out found in the negotiation of the contract, this will come to the construction industry.
dividend is an incentive not known in the essentially between banks and contractors. To reduce the cross referencing in practice
industry today. Here two cultures collide, on the one; the several issues need to be resolved, some
banks prefer to move the contractor to a are to use the carrot and offer professional
Once established, better practices prevail, fixed price, which reduces their risk. On the services compensation, to offer project
and the user gets the building that he/ other, the contractor works on the basis that delivery performance incentives and/
she requires. To verify and validate such the estimates have to be low, to ensure that or business enterprise performance
a process blockchain enters the frame. the project gets commissioned. optimisation incentives. By doing this
Blockchain offers a trusted framework for mutual respect and trust can be nurtured,
the data validation. It records performance, ‘In banking you bid high and then trim benefits and reward can be encouraged,
in a decentralised, immutable opensource your margin: in contracting you bid low and more collaboration comes into the
manner. Moreover, it creates a single version then get your profits on the variations’ or innovations and decision-making.
of the truth, eliminating latent redundancy as another said ‘the project price... was put These included wind simulation, solar
and adversarial conflict. together to convince the governments, it was gains, thermal performance, and daylight
a variable price, a promoter’s price. What it factor amongst others. The adjudication
To implement this new environment, a was not was a contract price’ (Winch 2002). parameters include architecture, energy
smart contract is needed. It uses if/then frame, the environmental impact, the
structures to administer the work. They Risk collaborative process, the application of
provide protocols that verify, simplify and software and mutual co-operation together
enforce performances. Once a party executes ‘Imagine a world where all communications within groups, polished off with an eye-
a task or when a milestone is achieved, throughout the process are clear, concise, catching presentation, good argument and
a payment can be triggered. Using BIM, open, transparent, and trusting; where strong validity.
supplies a vehicle to this end, but this means designers have full understanding of the
that the model needs to become a digital ramifications of their decisions at the time Blockchain
twin. A digital twin needs a custodian, and the decisions are made; where facilities
this will be the architectural technologist. managers, end users, contractors and Blockchain is the oil that greases the cogs
suppliers are all involved at the start of the making machines function. Building
Automating this process will also open design process; where processes are outcome Information Modelling (BIM) was the
the industry up to integrating the Internet driven and decisions are not made solely ether that made collaboration and surgery
of Things (IoT) and Radio Frequency on first cost basis; where risk and reward happen. Back in the Middle-Ages, Barber
Identification (RFID). These technologies are value-based, appropriately balanced surgeons tended the wounded after battle
will make buildings proactive throughout among all team members over the life of a and if amputations were required, others
their life and inform right up to their project; and where the profession delivers forcefully held the incumbent down, with a

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BIM COORDINATORS SUMMIT 2022 | Where Minds Meet & Information Matters

stick between their teeth as limbs were sawn it is managed and to whom it is available. be the third worse carbon dioxide polluter
off. As hospitals grew in society, operating While sounding irrelevant, it is crucial to (8%), behind China and USA. Finding an
theatres initially were placed beside the how your data is shared or displayed. alternative is not easy, but a development
mortuary, at the periphery of the complex, in North Dakota offers hope. BioMASON
so that the screams could not be heard Smart Contracts is multimillion start-up investment that
during operations, and if unsuccessful, the uses bacteria to produce sustainable
surgeon could continue in the morgue, to ‘Legal Tech’ is disrupting the traditional concrete masonry. It uses sand, bacteria,
see what went wrong. operations and self-understanding of and nutrient-rich water to ferment and
the legal profession. This transition from create calcium carbonate crystals that binds
Fast forward to the invention of analogue to digital combines 3D modelling, together similar to cement. Innovative
anaesthetics, and the whole process Common Data Environments (CDE) with initiatives like this give hope to saving the
changed, the patient was out-for-the-count, digital tools such as BIM 360, DALUX and/ planet.
the surgeon relaxed, and the procedure or VICO Office. During the project review,
became eminently more do-able. The result all the agreed work must be registered and
made surgeons respectable, though still not written down. The work is coded and priced
recognised in equal measure, (they are still in the model using blockchain. This means
referred to as mister and not doctor). that the model must be so detailed that it
constitutes the digital twin in relation to the
Blockchain brings this same paradigm executing contracts.
to applications and platforms and can be
the ether that makes all move softly over The above can be done when a receipt of
each other. It will also bring respectability the delivered materials has been made, a
and recognition to those who use it and process check of the work performed and a
implement it. It can be both passive and final check of the work and the material and
active in push/pull situations, either it is registered in the model. Payment can
protecting data, verifying data or promoting be released when work is completed, and
data usage. the biggest drawback here is the retention of
payment and cash flows. This is overcome
Through Blockchain technologies, value by having parties commit to the platform
creators, such as designers and learners, so that blockchain decides when monies are
can display or transfer value to their clients released, not the client. Accepting this bind
and employers directly. This is an intrinsic means the project can stay on time and to
value. These values are brought to the table budget.
because of Blockchain. Without it, no value,
with it the improvement to the service Data is a commodity; therefore, it has value.
brings certainty to the proposition, meaning AEC professionals have traditionally, in
all concerned can operate with confidence, the adversarial economy been incentivised
knowing that risk is significantly reduced. to minimise the transfer of information
between parties. This is counterproductive.
This can also be seen when tasks are Blockchain has the ability to effect even
completed, Blockchain can host an interface smart contracts, that is to say that if there is
that vouches for the work, releasing something to be done, when it is complete, it
payment or reward, as appropriate. It can can be appraised in real-time, and payment
all happen seamlessly, independently to can be made and verified.
other stakeholders. This removes delays in
payment, ensures that deadlines are met and Sustainability
rewards efficient management of workloads.
Sustainability embraces three principles in
It can track and trace intellectual properties order to be inclusive and encompassing,
protecting both producers and consumers of namely: the economy, society and the
products and services. This restores who and environment. United Nations has defined
what others can see by allowing the owner seventeen sustainable development goals
of the content to decide how that content is describing interlinked global goals. Within
used and/or abused. construction most notably would be
SDG 6: clean water and sanitation; SDG
Through the use of Blockchain platforms 7: affordable and clean energy; SDG 9:
users can both use the service and enjoy industry, innovation and infrastructure;
additional benefits by participating in the SDG 11: sustainable cities and communities;
management and control of the network. SDG 12: responsible consumption and
Additional benefits include verification of production; and SDG 13: climate action.
what you have earned to control as to how If cement was a sovereign country, it would

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Tools for AEC teams

Have you ever tried to make your team use a specific
set of tools for a specific set of tasks?

Where it started? extension (that’s how you would call it in

pyRevit) and a set of folders, following a

I have. Being the Dynamo wiz’ at first and simple naming convention, and a set of
now graduating slowly to a python jedi, I scripts (dynamo and python ones), icons,
have always tried to avoid clicking in Revit. …
Not that clicking is bad, but the repetition I hosted it in a code repository online. And
itself of tasks requiring no brain cells usage got my colleagues to install it with one Jean-Marc Couffin, Architect,
always got me to the guts. command line _ that being a nice intro to Senior BIM Specialist, BIM One Inc.
I built quite a few tools so far: from simple the command line world for them.
‘not in use’ purge tools to more advanced
Quality control data extraction tool or Second Step – Updates, Locales, Based on the count lines per view tool,
Automated fire rating plans tool, … Help Documentation spending an hour to adapt it, the tool was
ready to ship and tested on the spot.
Started with Dynamo got me wondering I then setup an auto-update script that does
how to properly distributed, deploy these grab the latest code everytime someone Outro
tools to my team. A wonder of batch starts Revit.
scripts, powershell code, dyno (to create Using pyRevit _pun intended_ to
a toolbar in Revit) got me there. Painful The team is international: French and
prototype, document and share your tools
but I was in a sweet spot where the work I English required.
has been a great way to get colleagues
automated for myself would benefit others. pyRevit: We got you covered: and clients to feel less punished by the
It got me going about a year and a half limitations of a software like Revit.
until I couldn’t bear anymore the dynamo The community around pyRevit being
packages maintainance. Every time title:
populated by so many fantastic individuals,
someone dared to update its wonderful fr_fr: mon bouton
I strongly suggest you to go look at others
package, I had to spot it, download it, share en_us: my button
extensions such as pyTyba, EF-Tools (and
it in-house. Not a fulltime job, but not a tooltip:
its tutorials), pyChilizer. Be curious!
small task either. fr_fr: c’est mon bouton
en_us: this is my button
I told myself:
Sit back, relax, and look for another I need to link the tools to their
solution. documentation: “.urlbutton”, “hyperlink:”,
At the time, I was beta testing Nonica or “help:”
Orkestra. But it could not support all sorts Everything is here, well documented and
of original content. with a niche community ready to help and
support. What else would you need?
2019, BILT Europe, workshop by
Frédéric Beaupère: Enters pyRevit. Third Step – Dynamo packages and setup,
Rapid Tool Prototyping
I knew it because of its hatch making
function, I knew it was free, open source Dynamo scripts tend to be dependant on
and powerful, I just didn’t know how much. many available custom packages, these
I started learning python for a bit, so I dependencies are the pain point in scripts
guessed I could up my game learning from sharing. Adding the packages to the code
the pyRevit tools. I was not deceived. From repository and distributing it at the same
this workshop where Frédéric explained time does improve greatly the process.
the basics of python, the Revit Python Auto-configuring dynamo paths being the
Shell and pyRevit, I got hooked. And I icing on the cake, now the team shares the
understand I could go much further with same base of dynamo custom packages.
pyRevit than I ever would with Dynamo.
Having fun, while creating crazy efficient
Today, I am teaching (preaching) the tools for very specific tasks. Coding is a
sweetness of the pyRevit framework to very demanding skill, fun but demanding.
everyone willing to hear it. Now that the setup is here, answering a
very specific request tends to be easier.
What you can do? Use case, count lines per view. That is
something that is pretty easy with the tool
First step – Create the Toolbar, available in pyRevit. The thing is, counting
Structure, Distribute them in all the revit links for specific
quality control is not available in pyRevit
I first created a toolbar. Simply by having or with any other plugin.
pyRevit installed, a config file for my

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The Path To Bim Automation

Ten years ago, the lack of programming BIM models to Navisworks or other
expertise was one of the main obstacles similar BIM management software will
to implement BIM automation in bring scheduling information into an
most AECOO companies. Only large environment from which information is
corporations with enough resources could very difficult to be retrieved. In contrast,
employ coding gurus to rethink, develop 4D simulations can be done with the help
Jamie Alonso Candau
and deploy custom tools that could of Dynamo and scheduling information
enhance and automate their processes. can be stored and managed within Revit
in order to carry out other time-related professionals, because they simply don´t

N onetheless, in the last 5 years, visual

programming tools, such as Dynamo,
have democratised BIM automation among
analysis such as cash flow analysis or
material reception schedules.
carry out certain BIM tasks. For them, it
would be logical to implement a different
set of custom functions that they could
Nevertheless, benefits at scale would only
non-programming experts. Masters in make use of. Therefore, deployment tools
be reached when algorithms are used
coding from all around the globe have capable of gathering and managing all
widely not only by Dynamo developers
been making open-source contributions this data have emerged enabling data
but also by average BIM modelers
enabling less experience professionals to driven decisions across BIM projects and
in Autodesk Revit. However, when
automate their own complex workflows. companies. These are only a few examples
professionals attempt to share scripts at
Programming is no longer about typing of the potential of data analytics which
scale, significant obstacles appear; on one
code but rather about connecting existing have already been unleashed in other
hand, Dynamo packages by independent
nodes or functions that contain short industries. This is the natural next step.
developers required to be installed and
pieces of code.
updated in every machine in order to Finally, it is important to underline
execute the custom functions which that BIM automation is not only about
is very time consuming, on the other automating tedious functions but also
hand, the accessibility to scripts is not about generating automated designs that
straightforward and requires several clicks can foster the creativity of the designer.
and search or scrolling. In fact, these have The basis for a generative design is a
been two of the most recurring topics in parametric design, a design based on
forums and they would also be addressed parameters. Thus, alternative designs
in my presentation in this event. are calculated by sampling all the value

combinations of parameters within the
Additionally, analysing how and who
specified ranges. Although generative
run certain automation scripts within an
design is for most professionals unknown
office can be of tremendous value for the
or in an experimental phase, it is an
automation strategy of a company. Imagine
emerging trend that can significantly
being able to find who is not making use
improved design quality and work
of scripts because they don´t know how,
efficiency.
in this case, timely professional training
would make companies save money and
Source: Nonica collection increase the effectiveness of their strategies.
Moreover, there could be scripts that are
Visual programming tools and independent
run with errors in some projects and needs
packages have enabled hundreds of
updating, or not run at all by a group of
thousands of building professionals to
develop algorithms from a user-friendly
development framework. The range of
applications is as wide as in any other
programming language, in fact you can
even type Python code within a custom
Dynamo node. Thus, my presentation in
BIM Coordinator Summit 2022 will dive in
some of the most promising applications
of Dynamo (such as 4D simulation,
parametric design or data management)
with sample scripts developed at Nonica.io
and linked to the packages we make most
use of.
The potential of Dynamo to flexibly
manage data have brought Revit into an
interesting central position to cluster all
BIM information. For instance, regarding
4D simulation, exporting and importing Source: Nonica collection

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Next step in the construction

The AEC industry is an industry that is worth about
$1.6 trillion. When it comes to new technology, the
AEC industry is bedeviled by low digitization, low
spending, and minimal productivity growth. How-
ever, it is certain that if construction businesses
are looking to become productive and compet-
itive in their marketplace, they will have to invest
more in their organizational assets (technology
Jero Juujarvi
and human resources).

The availability of numerous Construction businesses usually have adapting technology to their business
digital tools and solutions specific pain points that guide them to want operations. There are a lot of companies
to procure digital solutions to enhance and businesses that are unprepared or
Technology is usually seen as the future of their daily operations. However, with many overwhelmed due to the sheer size of
construction. This means that in the future, products in the marketplace, it becomes new and emerging technologies. Then
many tasks will be completed with the use difficult for organizations to prune down again, many construction businesses are
of digital solutions and tools. This is why their choices to just a few viable options to desperately looking for a way to enhance
many vendors and start-ups are caught- help bring in the needed level of efficiency their productivity to meet growing
up in endless research and development and productivity. demands as well as be able to successfully
programs to meet up with the technology conclude projects despite extremely tight
deficit of the sector. Construction technology: Looking deadlines. Businesses will have to make use
beyond the machines of innovative technologies to ensure that
There is a wide range of technology tools remain productive.
applications and solutions as many vendors For some people, whenever they think
continue to diversify their digital offerings about construction, they immediately see
into the AEC landscape. Then again, a group of bulldozers, trucks, excavators,
there are the main players – engineering large piles of earth, colorfully-dressed
and construction organizations who workers, dirt, and a dusty field.
purchase these digital solutions and
tailor them to their corporate needs or They fail to think about technology,
develop customized solutions and adapt autonomy, robotics, drones, laptops,
the solutions to their project execution computers, and so on. These are futuristic
methods. One of the many pain points of technologies that will significantly enhance
construction businesses is the ability to the revenue of the industry in the not-too-
tailor solutions to the size and growth rate distant future. The future of construction is
of their companies. the applications of smarter machines and
equipment to complete projects faster with
The fragmented nature of better planning and decision making.
construction technology
The future of the construction industry
The marketplace for construction is in technology. Before manual skills
technology vendors is a highly fragmented and heavy equipment were the prime
one and there are no clear winners on the movers and drivers of huge construction
front line. However, there is a positive trend infrastructural projects. However, in the
toward the integration of construction future, technology will be the prime mover
applications. Many construction software of the industry. This will help businesses
vendors tend to adjust their technologies to in the sector get things done on time and
easily integrate with other applications in within the right specification,
the market.
The use of technology means that you do
Other products have been developed for not need to hire a wide range of skilled
a single application such as construction workers. All you need do is deploy some
management or portfolio tracking and construction hardware and software, hire
can later be expanded to include other a semi-skilled worker, train them for
additional areas. However, in recent times, some time, and go straight to completing
many unifying intermediate solutions have construction projects with excellent results.
been designed and developed to enable
construction tools to become compatible Construction is an industry where many
with each other. businesses are slow when it comes to

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BIM Management Demystified

What is a BIM Manager? This is a frequent working with the current version of the
question heard around the industry. BIM CAD drawings. This responsibility often
management is a relatively new role that fell to the project managers while the ‘CAD
has emerged in firms as varied as stars in Manager’ was the person in charge of the
the sky. When a person says they are a ‘BIM design software, making sure everyone had
Manager’, what does that really mean? the latest updates and templates. However,
things were about to change drastically once Kimberly Fuhrman, Assoc. AIA, is the
L et’s start with the term ‘BIM’ – Building
Information Modeling. BIM is defined
by the NBS as ‘a process for creating and
online collaboration entered the scene.

The advent of BIM had project teams

Revit Community Manager for Autodesk.
Her background includes over 25 years of
experience in architectural and civil design,
managing information on a construction emerging from their silos into this sunny project management and BIM management.
project throughout its whole life cycle.’ new collaborative world. Suddenly the Past accomplishments include York Technical
Therefore, it should be safe to assume that design teams were facing off with the Institute’s Distinguished Alum (2017),
a ‘BIM manager’ is someone who manages construction teams earlier in the process. Autodesk Expert Elite Alum, and member of
that process, right? Not so fast. Graphics were created so that team the Autodesk Developer Network. She also
members could visualize the BIM life cycle currently serves on the AUGI board of directors.
In some firms, a BIM Manager is the person (see image 1). BIM execution plans were She has presented previously at Autodesk
who oversees the design software replacing invented to establish an order to the process, University, BILT NA, Midwest University and
the previous role of a CAD manager for so each member of the team would know USGBC Central Pennsylvania GreenCon.
firms who no longer use 2D CAD software. exactly their role, and how to work and Kimberly currently resides in southcentral
Really! A BIM manager can also be someone communicate with other members of the Pennsylvania with the youngest of their three
within a firm who manages the project team. Someone had to be the point person children, and rescue pup.
building model in-house. However, in most for controlling the chaos, and thus the ‘BIM
cases, a BIM manager is a point person more Manager’ was created.
on the construction side of the building This seems straightforward, but why then So how can we take back the true job
project, coordinating the entire project from the confusion over the BIM management description of a BIM Manager to ensure
design through construction. clarity in our building design processes and
Why is there so much confusion in the internally in each of our design firms? I
industry surrounding BIM management? believe it will take consistent application of
Looking at the history of BIM (which job descriptions throughout the industry,
relatively speaking is rather brief) we see so that the unique role of the BIM Manager
that the concept started somewhere in the as it applies to the design and construction
1980s when computer-aided drafting (or process remains a highly regarded and
design, aka CAD) came on the scene. Until important piece of the Building Information
then, the design process was relatively linear. Modeling journey. Design Technology
The architect designed a building, handed (CAD) Managers…you do you! BIM
off drawings to structural engineers and to Managers unite!
the mechanical, electrical and plumbing
engineers (MEP). Revisions would have
been made, again going back to the architect
to the engineers with an eventual handoff to role? In my personal experience, I worked
the construction teams. as a CAD Manager and then morphed
into a ‘BIM Manager’ named role, however
When CAD was introduced to the process, now looking back on that experience, I
new digital tools started to shake the way believe my title could have been more
things had always been done. While still appropriately ‘Design Technology Manager’
working in a linear process with handoff or something similar. I did very little with
of digital files from one team to another, managing projects and more with managing
the process remained relatively the same. technology. Sure, it was BIM software, and
However, now there was the complication yes, I did manage it, but it was not BIM
of having to manage the digital files so that management as it has come to be known.
everyone knew where other team members I am sure I was not the only one with this
were in the process, and that everyone was same misapplication of title, and maybe it
is still true in many firms today (although
probably more so in the U.S. than European
countries. They just seem to ‘get it’ faster on
many aspects…but I digress. It was not until
I was put into a true ‘BIM Manager’ role that
I became aware of this dynamic shift in the
industry from one to the other.

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Is BIM Only for Mega Projects ??

Unconventional problem solving
using BIM for Small Projects

Introduction location and heights, the surrounding field

and the adjacent town along with the residents’
BIM has become a trend across the AEC houses reflecting accurate building heights.
industry. We have all heard how BIM saves This Model was used to create cross sections
time and money by predicting clashes. We showing that the existing tree cover blocks
have seen BIM mandates coming in almost all Kaustubh Pandey
the view of the billboard from the lowest
mega projects across the globe now, but not to the highest point of each residence in
on small scale design or construction projects. the neighborhood. Mathematically and
geometrically dissolving the apprehension of Case Study 3: The Ropeway in the

L ately real advantages of BIM are becoming

less and less visible to the users and most of
the value is lost in translation of technical terms
the residents of the area.
The model also served to generate walkthrough
Himalayas

Context
like 4D, 5D, 6D BIM, LOD 300, 400, 500, etc. and real time rendered immersive VR
experiences for board meetings with potential A LEED Platinum rated ropeway resort was
BIM has gained an image of being too clients and local government body. being developed amidst the mountain ranges
expensive for small developers and consultants.
of the Himalayas. The ropeway was being
Several consultants and contractors are now Case 2: Salazar Demolition and the developed as the roads in the region were very
using BIM not because they see value in it but Indian Railways narrow and rocky. Now the biggest challenge in
because of Company or client mandates.
such terrain is transportation of large volumes
I am not saying this is universally applicable Context of material. The cost of transporting material is
but is a common realization in several projects Hirendra Salazar, a demolition contractor, got very high, for example the cost of transporting
I have come across in SEA, Middle East, and a contract to demolish 20 old oddly shaped multiple trucks of soil for filling post excavation
even in Singapore which is one of the world culverts, from the Indian Railways. The and foundation. The idea was to not just
leaders in BIM implementation. demolition would be done in a very organised minimize material wastage by using BIM but
way of cutting away the culvers in several slices also to use/reuse material available in and
So, the purpose of this article is to show that,
and cut sections. The demolition contractor around the site.
we as AEC experts need to take a step back,
Identify, Strategize and Implement. We need would be paid based on the total volume
demolished and the surface area of the cuts. Solution
to widen the spectrum of understanding of
application of BIM and start thinking out of Conventionally Salazar would manually GG 3D scanned the complete mountain that
the box. measure the volume of demotion by LxBxH was the site for the ropeway using a drone and
of any structure, but in this case the culverts replicated the same on a BIM authoring tool.
I have seen Galactic Group (GG) use BIM not
were of non rectilinear shapes making The proposed Design BIM Models of ropeway
only across several large-scale construction
manual calculation difficult. Now, Indian stations and the resort were placed on the
projects but also non-construction projects. In
railways wouldn’t approve the bill due to prepared mountain contour BIM, post creating
this article I shall illustrate a few examples to
the discrepancy in calculations of volume of flat building pads.
elaborate on the thought process of ‘Identify,
Strategize, Implement.’ Identify BIM Goals, concrete to be demolished. We were able to extract the volume of soil
Strategize a solution and Implement the excavated for creating flat building pads and
relevant BIM activities. Solution the foundations using the BIM Models and
All 20 old oddly shaped culverts were digitally volumetric Booleans. Due to the estimates
Case Study 1: A billboard advertiser replicated via ‘Scan to BIM’ process that we are from BIM, now this same soil turned out to
and the town of Homer all acquainted with. Now these BIM Models be enough for the site filling and landscaping,
were used to create exact splits and replicate the resulting in millions of Rupees saved on several
Context demolition/cutting process. All the required trucks of soil transportation costs.
Emmanuel, who is a business development volumes and cut section areas were extracted By the virtue of the proposed BIM process,
manager and is also the owner of an upcoming from the BIM models giving an apple-to-apple we were also able to create a design with 0
small billboard business. He starts out with comparison report that was submitted to the tree cuts, accurate material procurement,
the good intentions of generating value for Indian railways. Demolition calculations and minimized clashes resulting in saving several
companies by identifying a potential site for billing has never been easier. more millions.
a billboard erection near the Freeway-81, NY,
USA. However, the residents of the adjacent
town Homer start raising concerns on social
media and with the local government body,
that the billboard shall spoil their view or cause
‘light pollution’.
Solution
Emmanuel decides to reach out to GG to
dissolve the issue.
GG creates a LOD 100 Digital twin of the
region covering the freeway, accurate tree

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Digital Solutions for

Construction
Ireland’s International Construction Industry is
increasingly being recognised for its wide array
of digital innovations and technology solutions.

Complexity requires competence, and What’s more, Hunt is seeing that efficiencies
for advanced construction projects, Irish continue to grow. “As well as delivering
companies are showing they have this productivity and certainty, the capture John Hunt, Enterprise Ireland
in breadth and depth. Whether it’s data of learnings from multiple sites are now
centres, pharmaceutical facilities, high-tech digitally retained and worked into the next
manufacturing sites, or other advanced project design and delivery plan; a perpetual
construction, Irish construction companies cycle of captured experiences that push
have proven they have the knowledge and these companies further and further up the
capabilities to deal with these intricate learning curve.”
projects worldwide.
Integrating and Developing

T he country is home to operations

for 9 of the top 10 pharmaceutical
companies and 9 of the top 10 US
Technology

The adoption of better ways of working,

Technology companies. Just outside Dublin particularly the digital processes and digital
you’ll find one of the World’s largest technologies that deal with the complexity
integrated biotechnology plants, Europe’s of advanced construction, has been one
largest collection of self-build hyperscale of the enablers of the momentum in Irish
datacentres and Europe’s largest semi- companies’ growth. Traditional construction
conductor fabrication campus. and engineering companies are linking with
the tech start-ups and SMEs that are driving
John Hunt is Senior Advisor & Global Lead the sector forward, says John: “That’s very
for Construction with Enterprise Ireland much where we’re seeing strong uptake
Digital
and says to understand why Irish companies both Internationally and domestically with Solutions
are thriving in this area internationally, Ireland’s technology providers that include Map
you need to look initially at what’s been the likes of Evercam, I3PT, Fexillon, EIDA,
done domestically. “Irish construction and Strata, Gaga Muller and FlowForma. BACK OFFICE

engineering companies have built capability PROGRESSIVE ENGINEERING

upon a strong foundation of lean and quality Over the past decade, Enterprise DESIGN
driven processes developed from decades of Ireland has become recognised as one Empowering Process Automation

working on highly regulated and advanced of the world’s most prolific investors in COLLABORATION

process engineering projects.” technology companies and are developing

an exciting cluster of internationally ASSET

The Platform for Growth

DATA
focussed construction tech companies. ONSITE

John concludes: “The BIM Coordinators

John goes on to add that a well-defined Summit presents a terrific opportunity to
process driven approach to design and showcase some of the great work of the
delivery, often within a more collaborative construction technology portfolio to a
form of contract, has also enabled rapid global audience. My colleagues from the US,
digitalisation and business resilience. led by Marissa Mannion and from the EU,
“Combined together, lean process, shared led by Marie-Alix Derigny, Paris office, and
risk and technology have created a platform me representing our UK offices very much
that delivers the certainty and productivity look forward to welcoming an international
necessary to deliver multiple projects across delegation of guests to the Summit and to
multiple markets simultaneously. For me the Enterprise Ireland sponsored Business
that has been a critical component of the Lounge.”
sector’s international growth this past
decade. More recently, 2019 was a record
year for construction exports from Ireland
and despite the restrictions imposed by the
pandemic, the sector’s exports experienced
double digit growth in both 2020 and 2021

“..2019 was a record year for construction

exports from Ireland and despite the
restrictions imposed by the pandemic, the
sector’s exports experienced double digit
growth in both 2020 and 2021.”

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Eco-Digital Design
Vernacular architecture represents natural light calculations, ventilation, spaces
eco-design in its finest form. When designers affect moods and well-being and much more.
set the design strategy, the space usability Needless to mention, spaces and volumes
becomes king and the site, is the kingdom. stand as one of the main economic units in any
design type.

V ernacular architecture respects the

spaces’ needs as well as the character of
the inhabitants. The best example of this is
The third and last, but certainly not least,
design with the impact in mind. Energy and
Petra the Rose city in Jordan. There, houses, other sustainability measures might not seem
water channels and temples were engraved in attractive to designers. Some see emissions
mountains. and sustainability measures as evil must. Mais Taha
While targeting prestigious certifications.
Another modern example is a secondary Many designers will meet the requirements by
a minimal amount of 3D printing powder. 10
school in Africa – Malawi. A wooden adding bicycle racks in a city with no biking
years ago, these technologies used to be very
structure with hay bales envelope. Nuru lanes. Unfortunately, this created a room
costly. Building information modelling and
Karim and co., the designers, took the African and wide doors for greenwash. Though, new
management come with benefits but also traps.
sustainable architecture into a new level of site certifications focus on sustainability measures
Therefore, designers of the new era have a lot to
connectivity and glamourous user experience. that affect the environment significantly.
learn in order to become BIM competent.
Energy, water and embodied energy in
Reflecting on two examples from different materials. These systems are more effective
As a reader, you might question the qualities of
eras, we can realise that the first element as design users can track and upgrade the
a smooth BIM transition. Transition hierarchy
of design suitability is material. Vernacular certification during the buildings’ lifecycles.
within old school practices exposure goes
designs use local materials. Some examples
like this: Systems, people, technology. You
for such designs include but are not limited Eco-design, sustainable design and green
cannot start BIM without systematic project
to, the huge pyramids of Egypt and the Great design are not modern trends. In reality, they
management. Teams ‘people’ must know the
Wall of China. As designers, each time we use are the bases of historical and vernacular
results of each production process before they
local materials, we significantly reduce the architecture. A time when designers were part
start. This enables updating effective KPIs and
emissions of green gases and we also eliminate of the community and designs were the natural
improving the system. Teaching the software
aggressive material extraction in other parts of innovative reaction to mankind’s needs.
without the process is a timewaster. A process
the world. Technological and industrial development
without good skills will give bad results. A
can be used to recover from the toxic
BIM change manager should have a clear
A designer can follow several principles to environments we have created. A designer
roadmap customised to every organisation.
ensure the design’s sustainability. This article that lives in the era of digital twins has no
This road map should put the outputs ‘results
will highlight the best three green design excuse to produce a poor design, whether in
and targets’ first. Keep in mind that continuous
principles in my practices. The first might be functionality or in aesthetic elements. I would
learning and systems improvement will
very basic, it is the usability of the design. A prefer to call it environmental design as it
become part of the organisational culture.
designer must keep in mind that every design should respect the environment inside out.
must serve its purpose. If a design meets the
Nowadays, while design technology develops,
needs, making it beautiful becomes possible. ‘Form follows function’ as the form is
the know-how of best utilisation fades. The
Whereas unusable designs are very costly, a composition of different geometries.
main challenge in BIM is the multi-layered
they end up amended or disposed of before Geometry demands understanding the
standards combined with the lack of practical
the end of their life cycle. Here is a tip: Design design elements from a different viewpoint.
in sections. After understanding the design A designer must care about communication
material build the design using sections. A and create different communication strategies
good proportional functional section can for each design stakeholder. In order to design
rarely belong to a bad design. and manifest great projects, a designer must
communicate the design correctly and clearly.
The second principle considers the design To simplify, in a 2D world each line must
lifecycle. Long-term thinking will save your represent information because poor readability
clients time and money. Yet, the design owners leads to big cost problems.
and benefits change during the lifecycle. This
can be very challenging. Thus, keep it simple Once the design tools became sophisticated,
and basic. We are in the era of the circular we entered the digital literacy era. It is never
economy. First and foremost, choose the enough to know the modelling software.
material and understand the parts. It is very Designers must master the utilization of
rare to find an element in design that would the continuously evolving tools. In 2004, as
carry on with the same value all along the university students, we had our first exposure
design lifecycle. to the cloud points generated by laser scanners.
The project was scanning Petra, the historical
Some design elements affect all design users Nabatean city. It seemed like magic, we could
and owners during the lifecycle. One of these never imagine a better way to document and
elements is the design of areas and spaces. A renovate such architectural treasures.
correct definition of areas and spaces starts
from the draft idea to the time we decide The second exposure to the latest technologies
to demolish or renovate. Areas affect every was 3D printing in 2007. The first instruction
system and element in the design. It affects aimed to prepare a 3D model that consumes 3D Model of Al-Khasneh created in 5 scans

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for your BIM production lines. A strong

process can adapt a different software, easy
enough to be understood by the team and
serve a particular goal.

The conclusion after 20 years of exposure to

the latest building materials and technologies:
Material is the key element of both design and
BIM. This conclusion led me to build MTiPx,
a design PAAS that helps designers to build
effective digital twins. MTiPX uses material-
based processes to assess the environmental
impact of the materials with a focus on
emissions and end-user wellbeing. It will also
include a XEROWASTE certification. A digital
twin with XEROWASTE certificate is verified
as BIM competent and scores waste prevention
points that help in gaining recognition in
expertise. The second challenge is the different the model. Good designers and good BIM preventing material waste caused by poor
users all along the design lifecycle which managers know a secret that is not often design processes and methodologies.
affects the ownership and the authorship of shared. This secret is to build a strong process

Why do we need Reality

Capture?
Reality capture is often a term that many conditions data that is reliable and captured
professionals haven’t heard of or don’t within a fraction of time compared to
understand in the digital construction/ traditional surveying which would not only
AECO industry. Many stakeholders including take 10 times the time or more, but would
owners, contractors, and designers do not also have a high margin of error, inefficiency,
really understand the real value behind reality and carry a risk physically and commercially.
capture and laser scanning. This allows stakeholders to take immediate
decisions without delay. In the long run, this
What is this term reality capture? This literally provides a priceless return on investment as it
means capturing reality, capturing the real leads to and promotes risk mitigation, claims Mahmoud Charif
existing world with technology, allowing us to avoidance, facilities management, digital twins,
have a 3D visual and virtual representation on and much more.
our computers and phones. It is that simple information to the model that was initiated
in terms of meaning, but very complex and What about BIM? One may ask. If you look thanks to reality capture and laser scanning.
advanced in terms of strategy and process closely above, you will see that I mentioned the
term 3D, which means also that those benefits Not convinced yet? Looking at the image
which brings massive benefits in the short
come in the form of 3D models that start at a below, we can understand that in the US
and long run. As an example, check the image
visual geometric representation and can go all 80% of non-residential buildings are more
below of the Dubai International Airport
the way up to a BIM model with a high level of than 20 years old, while in the UK 70% of the
(DXB) data capture Urban Surveys used to
information need or in other words that I don’t infrastructure projects are over 100 years old.
provide the client with accurate as built data
usually prefer, can go up to LOD500. That is Both of which indicate the need to capture
for renovation and redesign.
why, I have stated facilities management and those assets before being able to take further
In the short run or in other words digital twins previously, which can be reached decisions about what to do next. Similarly in
immediately, you can have accurate existing by adding meta-data and all the necessary Germany, as those bridges need to be rebuilt,
it is essential to capture the existing ones to
understand how they can be renovated or be
completely rebuilt with the same design for
example. Imagine looking at similar statistics
for the whole world.
In conclusion, you can now see that reality
capture is in fact the start point for digital
twins specifically for the existing assets. If
you just do a quick Google search about how
many assets have outdated/inaccurate as built
drawings, or do not have drawings at all, you
will see that there is a complete lack of accurate
data available. This is costing governments and
asset owners vast amounts of time and money
in lawsuits and claims. Just type in the search
‘how many assets have inaccurate drawings’.

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You’re not doing what you

think you are

Powerful tools are funny things. They “cam out” of the slot if you are not careful.
make it very easy to look at the outcome Phillips screws self-align with the tool, and
and forget about the process. Often the can take a lot more torque than a similar
task that was the original intent of a tool slotted screw (you have about twice the
can get lost by the wayside as that tool surface area to apply force to). That made
becomes used in different ways. A friend of them ideal for early assembly lines. Better Michael Freiert
mine once gave me a carpenter’s pencil as a still, they do cam-out when too much BIM Manager / Project Captain
reminder that construction tolerances are force is applied, in effect self controlling Pope Design Group
imprecise. They forgot in their eagerness the applied torque, which is very handy for
for the analogy that a carpenter cuts to consistency across an assembly line.   
the edge of their wide rough pencil mark,   object we’re dimensioning to is located
pulling precision out of a seemingly coarse That annoying cam out that strips the exactly there. There is a non-trivial
tool. screw was described as a feature in one of population of Revit users who insist that
  the patent filings for the fastener. Most of they can place items anywhere close to that,

W ithout going down the rabbit hole of

the technological changes to society
as a whole that were writ by machine-made
us have lost track of what that feature was
for, and are now frustrated by a very clever
design that we no longer understand.
and let the dimension style automatically
round it off. This can rapidly lead to a
2+2=5 sort of overall error that can cause
threading and screws, the Phillips screw errors and omissions in our documents
is arguably one of the core technological I had a similar revelation while talking to a but many users won’t listen to that (2.4+2.4
changes that allowed for the development few other grognards about those kids these =4.8 and with a bit of rounding, suddenly
of assembly line manufacturing. They’re days and their Revit practices, and I think things are exciting).
still awesome, except when you strip out it all goes back to good documentation
a screw head because you’re driving it too practices whose original purpose was Back in the hand drafting days, the total
hard.   forgotten. ink width of a typical pen was such that
(at normal architectural plan scales) the
That’s a very common frustration with Nearly everyone agrees that the best thinnest ink line when scaled up is 2cm
them compared to other screw types. The practice in BIM is to locate objects in their wide in real life. That is not the sort of error
Phillip screw’s development was originally intended “real” location in the model, and we want in buildings. Where the carpenter’s
to solve a couple of crucial problems with that location should be such that your 4mm wide line gives them one reference
slotted screws that made them less ideal dimensions land at useful “construction edge that they can place with
for assembly lines, and it did that very well. tolerances”. In North America, this sub-millimeter accuracy, at architectural
Slotted screwdrivers are difficult to line up generally means that everything is located scales, that 2cm swath is no longer within
with the screw, and they are very easy to to ⅛” precision and that the part of the useful tolerances. As a practice, we dealt

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with that representational imprecision by themselves, it was easy for them to see that
providing the real and exact dimension the rounding of dimensions could make up
we wanted something built to. We for imprecision in the drafting. This was an
manually added up dimension strings all automatic tool after all, and you didn’t need
the way along to make certain they were to manually add up your dimension strings.
accurate. Those theoretical dimensions The tool itself seemed able to clean up
were exactly where the “drawing” was that imperfection, and the reasons behind
located, irrelevant to the fuzz of the line manually checking those dimensions were
width. The dimensions were the important easy to overlook. 
part of the data.
Then we moved over to BIM, and folks
Then came CAD. All of our lines who had never hand drafted transcribed
suddenly really were somewhere exact the hand drafting dimensioning practices
and were mathematically lines with which they had learned from CAD into a
width only applied for visibility. They brave new world. What was in many ways
had lost their fuzz. And dimensions were
automagically created from where we put excellent practice in hand drafting was
things.  And they could round themselves made easier by CAD, and the reasoning
to the precision we wanted so that we behind it was lost in the transition to BIM.
could ignore the manufacturing and Where the CAD Manager was juggling
assembly perfections and imperfections some layers and standards enforcement, the
for a “theoretical” location, like our “flat” BIM Manager had to swing into workflow
gypsum board walls. Many of us embraced management and training, dealing with
this new precision in our representational entirely new processes and very literal
lines and used dimensional rounding to new dimensions of complexity, further
just clean up newly available precision to
useful tolerances. stepping back from the role of finessing
communication. 
Some of the hand drafting folks didn’t
adopt the new precision and still thought This has resulted in a philosophical
of their lines as representational. What they disconnect between the idealized version not only forward at digital deliverables,
missed was that with the new precision of BIM as a Digital Twin, and the idea of but we need to look back and understand
of the inherent tool meant that where BIM as a design cartoon, a potent tool for why we do certain things. Not just for the
the dimension had contained the key making representational drawings. As long sake of nostalgia, but to see the underlying
information in hand drafting. In CAD, the as printed deliverables are the norm, using design practice of our tool’s intended uses,
line itself now contained that information,
and the printed dimension now had that BIM tools as a cartooning tool rather than and to understand what those intended
fuzz built in. We also saw the role of Chief as tools for a digital twin is just fine, but uses were trying to accomplish on a deeper
Draughtsman morph into CAD Manager, that is in many ways like using a Formula level.
a role often less focused on the designed 1 racer as a daily commuting car. But we’re
content than on the technical execution often not using BIM tools to cartoon, we’re You should not have to be a master
thereof. Where the prior focused more on forgetting about that part of the process. tool maker to wield the tools of any
communication, the latter had to focus on a We still need to communicate and think profession, but understanding why a
more technical process. about how we are communicating. particular tool is or is not the most apt
for your particular task at hand, and what
As those users trained new drafters If we as design professionals want to fully we’re actually accomplishing with that tool,
who had never worked professionally in move into the promise of what is now is crucial to being able to take that tool into
hand drafting, and as folks self-taught decades old technology, we need to look new and creative directions.

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The Four Pillars of

Immersive Technology at Arup
The approach used by our designers to fulfil
clients’ aspirations during a project’s lifecycle.
Michael Galbraith is an Immersive Technology Specialist at Arup, based in Dublin.
Michael works on projects across a range of disciplines in Arup’s Europe Region – these
range from real-time screen-based applications, extended reality (XR), 3D immersive
and sensory experiences as well as storytelling, data capture and photomontages.
Following two years’ experience at Arup in London, he moved to Arup in Dublin in 2020 Michael Galbraith
to help set up the Immersive Technology team.

T he Immersive Technology team at Arup

works on visualisation projects that
aim to leverage design data for the public,
• Optimising the operation and
maintenance of BIM models
Hear more about The Four Pillars of
Immersive Technology during Michael
Galbraith’s presentation at the BIM
Immersive technologies enable the holistic,
investors and policy-making audiences Coordinator’s Summit 2022, taking place
dynamic and visual presentation of a
to aid communication, decision-making this September 8th at the RDS, Dublin,
project, improving accuracy before spaces
and engagement. Using real-time game Ireland.
are made a reality, and crucially, before
engine software, the team currently utilises
mistakes may be ‘built-in’. Presenting our Arup recently opened a new virtual and
all aspects of interaction design within
work at the highest standards to our clients augmented reality room in Dublin to
extended reality (XR) to create user-
is a fundamental part of what we do. support the Immersive Technology team
friendly experiences. Our approach to
The Immersive Technology team focuses called The HIVE (Human Immersive
using technology is fluid – essentially, we
on the following four pillars to help Virtual Environments). Through immersive
often use technology and techniques from
get a better understanding of clients’ visual experiences and augmented
industries outside of AEC to help showcase
requirements and expectations during the realities, staff members can interact with
the best of project design data and to offer
project lifecycle: their designs to enhance the accuracy
clients a new perspective on their projects.
and overall quality of their projects and
1. Powerful storytelling: Developing
Key benefits of immersive technology: clients and project stakeholders can
conceptual ideas and experiences for
make more informed decisions. The team
• Unlocking the potential for clients and stakeholders.
looks forward to continuing to push the
multidisciplinary collaboration
2. Objective decision making: Using design boundaries of immersive technology
• Strengthening bids and communication data to aid communication, decision at Arup with the HIVE as a centre of
of design ideas making and engagement. excellence, enabling staff members to
acquire knowledge and competencies and
• Making more informed engineering 3. Interactive platforms: Establishing which
expand their skillsets.
decisions that help to minimise risk immersive technology best suits the
project brief for the client.
• Better planning throughout the project
lifecycle 4. Human-centred experience: Bringing
groups of people together to experience
• Training field teams in a safe manner
extended reality (XR) throughout the
• Improving project coordination efficiency lifecycle of a project.

The HIVE

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Using BIM in the building construction

industry is not an option anymore. It is Things
NOT TO DO
not a luxury or dedicated for big scale
companies only. Therefore, any firm

in BIM
(consultant, contractor or owner) that need
to keep their chances in the completion and
to have a strong exist in the engineering
market has to be implementing BIM within
their project.
implementation
I mplementing BIM newly at any firm
is not a hard thing and it is not very
easy too. Some companies judge the BIM
Do not rush the results of applying BIM.
Every new technology or workflow need
some time to start giving an effective out.
BIM in the firm for all what related to
establishing and following up the system.

benefits after having a bad experience in Do not raise your expectation so high at the When having a BIM manager you have
using BIM but this is mostly happened beginning of using BIM as the team is still to give him the authority to advise &
due to the mistakes that happened while learning and figuring out the best practice. change what is required in the old system
the implementation. Following are some so he can do the makeover of the BIM
common & famous mistakes that some When initiating BIM workflow it is implementation, so don’t hire a BIM
of the companies went through while mandatory to create BIM department manager but let his hands are cuffed.
implementing BIM. with BIM specialist engineers who are
dedicated to the BIM tasks. Other bad Players without a coach will not achieve
First of all, when you had a chance to do a examples of let the technical team (ex: the goal. Another bad example is to have a
project in BIM do not refuse it and do not design team) do the BIM job beside their BIM members but without having a BIM
get panic. Assigning a BIM consultant (third technical work is not achievable at all. You manager\leader. Technical managers will
party) to help you doing the job is a good will find that the technical team will be not be experienced enough to follow up &
decision that you may take. However, while busy with two different tasks and normally evaluate the BIM tasks done by the BIM
having a BIM consultant don’t let them do they will give the priority to the technical specialist and this will not fulfil the required
all the work for you without getting involved. tasks and this again will lead to a bad BIM successful BIM implementation.
This will let you miss the opportunity to implementation.
start set up your BIM staff, in addition that Finally, the correct action is to implement
you will not be cable of reviewing the output While starting applying BIM in your BIM in your company but the more correct
received from your BIM consultant and you company it is more logic to start with a core step is to implement it properly.
will find yourself submitting the BIM work team, do not try to switch all the teams to
to your client blindly and take the risk of the BIM at once. Select (or hire) a small number
result for the feedback. of talented people who are willing to learn
BIM, then start with one specific project
To make a successful BIM implementation, (small to medium size) so the core team can
the key word is ‘Good Training’. Do not apply the new strategy, concept & workflow
under estimate the value of giving your staff and after it is settled done they shall transfer
a well-prepared training. This can be done their knowledge to the rest of the team.
by physical attendance or online training but
do not leave it to the employee self-training For any process, there should be a manager
as this will take more much time which who is responsible of managing the
usually not available and not accepted at work cycle. Assigning a BIM manager is
companies due to the work load. mandatory for helping in implementing

Mohamed Fawzy is a professional BIM

oriented Engineer with about 13 years of
extensive experience in using wide range
of BIM software, conducting training and
courses in Arabic\English speech. With a
very good experience in how to make BIM
implementation and adjusting the workflow
and creating standards and libraries for
engineering companies. Working in mega
projects all over the Middle East (LOD 600)
with different customers that lead to a good
knowledge of different approaches of different
companies.

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The Mystery of Construction

Scheduling: Would Automation
unfold the Complexity?
For many centuries, improving the
scheduling of construction activities has
continually been an interest for many
researchers and practitioners. Unlike
other industries, every construction
project is unique in nature, complexity,
and characteristics. With the introduction
of digitalised processes such as BIM,
construction scheduling has experienced
a promising revolution through activities that embed interdisciplinary
allowing more automated processes, data, and more importantly, in those that Dr. Mohammad Mayouf (Birmingham City
improved collaboration between have an implication on multiple activities University) is a Senior Lecturer in Digital
different stakeholders and informed in a schedule. Hence, many organisations Built Environment and the Course Leader for
decision-making. However, to date, most nowadays have started to use weekly MSc Digital Construction and MSc Building
construction projects are facing many dashboards and statistics to gauge the Surveying with Facilities Management at
complexities when managing construction completeness of data/information and Birmingham City University. His expertise
schedules, hence this article aims to shed communicate this data accordingly to also includes the use of a variety of BIM-
the light on issues that constitute the construction planners. This requires careful based software applications across the whole
complexities associated with scheduling tracking and tracing of design changes, lifecycle of a construction project. Mohammad
and suggest practically hybrid mechanisms assigning whose responsibility, expected is also a committee at the UK BIM Alliance
to mitigate many of the risks associated time of delivery, and indicating implications (West Midlands) where his focus is to
with them. on different parties. Simultaneously, poorly promote Industry-University initiatives to
traceable design changes and variations improve processes and boost collaboration
Coordination between design and are recognised as major drawbacks in opportunities.
scheduling: the unsolvable mystery construction schedules causing unplanned
delays and cost overruns. In response to this,

I t is imperative to state that construction Common Data Environments (CDE) may

schedules are primarily dependent on be seen as one of the immediate remedies
the accuracy of design information, which to track changes and improve collaboration,
goes through a series of changes and as it provides a centralised hub for data/
modifications before proceeding to the information related to a project. However,
construction phase. Design information with all the mechanisms enabled by
begins conceptual, develops to become more technological advancements, the question
engineered, and matures to become the basis remains, why coordination between design
for on-site work. Whilst integrated processes and construction remains an unsolvable
such as BIM were introduced to manage mystery?
design complexities, this did not improve
the construction scheduling process. In Design and Schedule alignment:
fact, with the introduction of interactive the need to decentralise Workflows
scheduling technologies such as 4D BIM,
decision-making remains mostly reliant on Inevitably, digitalisation can be seen as
classic techniques such as the Critical Path the main enabler toward improving many
Method (CPM) and Earned Value Method (if not most) processes during the whole
(EVM). The level of scheduling complexity lifecycle of a construction project. One of
can go beyond the norm in infrastructure the initial steps, yet significantly stressed,
projects where complex design activities will is to ensure that data/information is
need to be scheduled to manage the design centralised between all involved parties in a
process and ensure that data/information is project, as this will support a more traceable
supplied in the planned time. To simulate approach toward changes/variations.
the complexity of scheduling, the left figure However, for construction schedules,
shows design activities that occur at parallel whilst data/information in a project is Rana Al-Tibi (Plan-Analytics Ltd /
or separate times and how they connect to centralised, it is important to decentralise Mott McDonald) is currently a Planning
different activities in a schedule. The real workflows for different tasks. Although Engineer at the High Speed 2 (HS2) Project
issue lies in poor coordination between this may pose a contradicting viewpoint at Birmingham. She is responsible for the
design data and schedules especially for as to what digitalisation is promoting, it management and coordination of scheduling
supports acknowledging the value of data/ data using data analytics to support improved
information depending on a task. One of data visualisation and communicate this
the most common examples of this can across different teams. Rana has worked for
be detailed costing by Quantity Surveyors over 2 years as a Project Engineer looking after
who usually require a set of data (e.g., high-rise construction projects in the UAE.
plans, elevations, unit rates, specifications, Rana holds a BSc in Civil Engineering from the
etc.) to convey more accurate costs. The UAE and obtained her MSc in Construction
decentralisation of construction workflows Project Management in the UK.

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would perhaps allow a better appreciation the data/information to different design Consequently, this would aid more focused
of data types (Numerical, Textual or requirements. Design requirements would insight into construction workflows
Graphical) so that design data can be more then be aligned to tasks (activities that will where this would mitigate many of the
informatively aligned with construction occur on-site), and this will allow capturing uncertainties associated with construction
schedules. Hence, recent technological data types (Numerical, Textual or Graphical) tasks by having more aligned design data/
developments have begun to unveil the value that are appropriate for different activities. information.
of Artificial Intelligence to provide more
informed decisions, however, this is yet to
be appreciated or tangibly acknowledged
within the context of construction
schedules. The below figure simulates a
process flow to achieve more traceable
construction workflows, which could
potentially support overcoming complexities
faced as a result of misalignment between
design data and construction schedules.
The approach suggests obtaining data
from a centralised platform (e.g., BIM
Platform), and this follows by assigning

Making information management

business as usual with databases
Mo Shana’a

Everyone attending the BIM Coordinators organisations to automate the update of for Digital Built Britain, ArcDox, and Digital
summit is fighting for the same cause: information delivery planning processes in Guerilla who have all built free-to-use tools
having the right information at the right an accessible system such as Morta, using on Morta. The free-tools cover information
time for effective decision-making. connected information from CDEs such requirement specification, planning
as Viewpoint, BIM360, Oracle Acconex, deliverables and automated assurance of COBie

T he evolution of standards and classification

systems has now enabled us to have
consistent and standardised processes to
or Asite via API. Organisations can then
automatically pull this data into PowerBI or
other visualisation systems to create visual
deliverables. You can get started by visiting
www.morta.io
I look forward to shedding more light on
support the specification, delivery, storage and reports. As a result, organisations can now have
how databases are being leveraged to support
exploitation of high-quality information. a real-time view of information delivery and
the quest for better information management
save thousands of hours in the process.
However, while implementing standards such and meeting you all at the BIM Coordinators
as ISO 19650, information managers often Crucially, one of the key benefits of using no- Summit in Dublin or Virtually!
find themselves running against the same code accessible databases such as Morta is that
challenge that other teams such as design they can help make information management
and commercial managers face: manual business as usual by embedding good practice
and error-prone disconnected spreadsheets in the day-to-day activities of adjacent
and word documents. Whether you are functions such as design, project controls,
defining requirements, planning, or tracking procurement and asset management.
deliverables, an Excel spreadsheet remains the Fortunately, the database approach is being
tool of choice. recognised by organisations and partners such
Having worked with asset owners, main as the Construction Innovation Hub, Centre
contractors, design consultants, information
managers, and architects, we’ve seen the same
challenge time and time again. We have worked
with them to transition to a standardised and
automated approach enabled by accessible
cloud-based information hubs that have the
familiarity of spreadsheets and documents and
the utility and connectivity of databases.
In doing so, organisations have been able to
increase the accessibility of their information
management resources, re-use information
across resources, ensure that they are
continuously up to date and automate many of
the administrative tasks they must do.
At the heart of the database approach to
information, management is interoperability
and connectivity of information across
silos, teams and systems. This has allowed

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Part 1: What is Digital Waste?

There is so much opportunity to generate insights and predictive
analytics when project information is digitized and shared. But, have we
considered the capital investment required to digitize that information?
What about market resistance to data transparency when it threatens
their competitive advantage?

Fig. 1: Mock
A ccording to ConstructionDive, U.S.
construction technology investor
funding had reached a record $2.1 billion by
strategy, fishing out
what’s actually required
when you need it becomes
Scenario, Design
Document Handoff
the end of Q3 2021, doubling the amount a lot harder… and more
invested in the year prior. Yet, construction expensive.
remains the second-least digitized industry
in the world. To illuminate the issue of dark
data, let’s look at a mock example of a to resolve it. Unfortunately, project level
Now that it seems we have access to every designer-to-contractor document handover. redundancy is only resolved when the
field app and collaboration software under In Fig. 2, the Project Architect creates Owner – who is less aware of the impact –
the sun, it’s time for construction to start valuable design data using the Revit gets involved.
dealing with our digital waste. What can application (1), which is periodically saved Data re-processing between project
we hope to learn from WeWork or Katerra back to the central BIM system (2). From stakeholders is not only a waste of human
as we look for the next digital ‘unicorn’ of there, the Design Manager exports a 2D capital, it’s also a major contributor to ‘bad
construction? PDF file (3) containing only a fraction of the data’, the riskiest form of digital waste.
Digital waste is the quantifiable negative BIM data.
impact of inefficient processes and lack of All of the content and parameters left Bad data
secure data interoperability between systems inside the Revit model has essentially gone In the digital age, even a tiny discrepancy
within the project delivery ecosystem. ‘dark’ at the point of PDF export (3). While can create a big issue. When it’s just humans
current liability restrictions may prevent reviewing the data, they can differentiate
Removing digital waste begins by identifying design professionals form sharing all of their between a small typo or missed punctuation.
it. We’ll use the mock design document BIM data, they can publish to an openBIM But as we digitize, it’s important to
exchange scenario (Fig. 1), complete with standard format (.IFC) or one of several acknowledge that machines can’t account
sequential activity numbers, to depict all cloud BIM collaboration platforms (e.g., for those errors as well as humans - at least
three forms of digital waste – from the most Autodesk Construction Cloud, Revizto, not yet.
pervasive to the most pressing. BIMTrack).
This lack of human standardization can
Dark data Measuring the impact of dark data is lead machines to place the same data into
tough when the value proposition looks separate buckets, creating issues in your
Also referred to as ‘orphaned data’, dark data at missed opportunity rather than direct process and reporting automation.
refers to information that’s generated but cost. Thankfully, this next form of digital
isn’t leveraged to its fullest capacity — or waste has a measurable impact on labor Looking at Fig. 4, whenever manual data
used at all. productivity. entry occurs, there’s a risk for error or
omission. If bad data is entered, it creates a
Yes, some data should probably go into
Duplicate entry or activity digital disconnect between the Architect’s
a secure archive only to be accessed in
source of truth (3) and how it’s recorded in
certain scenarios, like in the event of an Nobody likes to enter the same information the GC’s system (7).
audit or to trace back an issue in a project. twice. But, if two different people on the
The diminishing cost of data storage has same project enter the same information These seemingly minor discrepancies between
led a lot of companies to take a ‘capture individually, isn’t that also a form of data project systems are the leading root cause
everything’ strategy, while leaving duplicate entry? The answer may depend of construction’s lack of digital advancement.
standards and governance to the wayside. on which company you work for. Looking According to projections in a recent study by
back at our mock design package handoff FMI, the construction industry spent over
If you decide to collect everything and
example: $1.84 trillion in global GDP on rework (waste)
dump it into a data lake without any
due to bad data in 2020 alone.
At a company level, the architecture firm
faces duplicate entry when the Project Beyond the direct cost of data decisions,
Architect creates information during the these data discrepancies lead us to stop
update activity (2) that is recreated during
export by the Design Manager (3). From
a project perspective, information created
by the Architect’s Design Manager (4) is
recreated upon receipt by the GC Project
Manager (5). Individually, the Project
Manager could face duplicate entry between
documenting receipt of the design package
(5) and manually entering that same data
into their Procore system (7).
Whenever data is entered or reviewed
twice, it creates an excess. If that waste
can be seen internally at the individual or
company level, then there’s a direct incentive
Fig. 2: Example of Dark Data Fig. 3: Example of Project-Level Duplicate Entry

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trusting it. And when we don’t trust the

data, we can’t rely on it for automation or
predictive analytics. As a result, we lose
opportunities to drive efficiencies and Fig. 4: Three Potential
improve insights. Sources of Bad Data
Ultimately, there is plenty of technology
available today to support construction’s
digital transformation. That tech is only
as good as the systems we build for them
to operate in, though. Until we address
the root causes of digital waste baked into
our policies and practices, we won’t be
able to confidently seize the opportunity
digitization presents.

return on investment (ROI). But, it’s a necessary

Part 2: How to
transformation also require change in culture
first step. You might need to deploy a team to and motivation at the project level - starting
review existing systems or practices. You could with the Owner.
Get Rid of also create a semi-anonymous form for people
to report sources of digital waste and propose
Again, a lot of this can be attributed to the
construction industry’s lack of standardization,
Digital Waste solutions. Reviewing your historically bad data
is the key to uncovering the root causes that
which links directly back to digital waste.
When we need the data, we can’t find it (dark
will inform new strategies to improve digital data). When we have the data, we can’t trust
integrity and reduce waste. it (bad data). Once we think it’s more effort
Let’s quickly recap the three forms of digital than it’s worth (duplicate data), we expose the
waste we identified in Part 1: Once everyone has a better grasp of the sources
of digital waste, it’s time to measure and organization to an ever-greater risk (dark data).
• Dark data that gets generated, but sits unused calculate the holistic impact of these wastes. Refer back to the RLP graphic if you’re not
or is not used to its full potential convinced.
• Duplicate entry or activity, like an individual Calculate the impact Ultimately, digitization is a slow burn.
entering the same data into two separate Convincing company executives and project Organizations that approach it holistically
systems owners to change their traditional mindset and eventually see ROI and a longstanding
invest in long-term ROI strategies to remove competitive advantage, but it doesn’t
• Discrepant data - or ‘bad data’ - that it happen overnight. Tracking short-term Key
generated because of a human error or omission digital waste from the supply chain will not be
easy. To do this, we have to speak their language. Performance Indicators (KPIs) in lieu of long-
(e.g., a typo when manually entering data) term ROI is a great way to stay on track.
That leads to the next question: what should we If it’s too early to discuss ROI potential, your
next best option is to focus on the theoretical The future of AEC’s digital transformation
be doing to improve digitization and remove isn’t always clear and no one has it perfectly
digital waste? cost today of doing nothing to address digital
waste. This is done by combining the human dialed in. A great way to gut-check how you’re
capital expense of duplication or searching progressing is through industry peer groups.
Shine a light on it Whether it’s a local BIM or Lean communities,
through dark data (e.g., time wasted x hourly
It’s virtually impossible to solve a problem you rate) with the risk exposure from reliance on or a CPC Virtual Roundtable breakout, there
can’t see or don’t understand. What makes bad data. are many opportunities to learn from and
digital waste such a challenge is that it’s usually share with others that are facing the same
hidden - whether unintentional or by design. From there, you can show a measurable #SharedPains.
performance gain potential by first calculating
You won’t notice that you have dark data until the current revenue loss potential (RLP).
you need to search for something and can’t find Visualizing digital waste in this way gives you
it. You won’t know if an employee must enter a way to measure the cost of sticking with the
data twice unless they feel comfortable telling status quo.
you. And you usually won’t figure out how ‘bad’
your data is until it’s too late. To generate the basis for your RLP calculation,
you can use the common data exchange (CDX)
Diverting resources to review existing sources framework to document the series of activities
of digital waste will not lead to an immediate in the digital breakdown. By creating a simple
and safe environment for each perspective to
‘share their pain’,all impacted parties can visually
identify the root cause and produce an RLP
calculation to justify the proposed change.

Build a business case

Because digital waste can exist at an individual,
company, or project level, it’s important to
consider each perspective’s motivation within
the context of the scenario. Increasing the level
of transparency and accountability starts with
individual leaders at the organization level.
Sample Calculation for Measuring RLP Nathan Wood
However, the larger opportunities for digital

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Info Management
The construction industry both in Europe and globally is in continuously efforts to improve
the process and procedures in project delivery. One of the areas within the sector that has
been improved compared to others is the ‘information’. The BIM Methodology across the
national and international standards have been guided the direction of a better structured
information across all the stages of a project.

T he importance of a structured
information can impact in the results of
the project delivery. The ROI through the
There are several benefits in data
governance, and even more when the
information is created by many stakeholders
Pedro Pascual Ezama

storage of information will demonstrate and

lifecycle of the project can vary depending during a long period of time, for example, a
differentiate the maturity of the business
on the quality of the information. Data and hospital. Since the development team starts
compare with other competitors.
information unstructured can produce a re- to produce reports, calcs, budgets… until
work, waste of time, over cost or, even more, operations and the maintenance team are The AEC industry has a long way to achieve
a critical impact in the asset. generating new information for operating this data governance implementation across
the asset or the demolition of the asset. all the stakeholders involved in the projects.
Focused in the construction industry plus
From the concept design team creating
the national and international standards, • Avoid inconsistency data through
data and metadata that will be used by the
the BIM methodology, through the BS stakeholders
operators in the facility management. The
& PAS standards, showed the direction
• Structure of naming convention and communication between both ends of the
to the industry on how to achieve better
standardized the process of document naming rope must be done as soon as possible. Thus,
performance in the project delivery.
the standardization of the data its creation,
Moreover, the ISO19650 developed the • Better reports based on the correct
naming, storage and share will be crucial to
idea that the BIM Methodology shall be data used
avoid any misunderstanding of information.
part of the Information Management
strategy of the projects. It goes deeper to • Avoid human mistakes and automate Open question
demonstrate that ‘information’ is even data process
Think about what is more important for you
more important. Graphical and non-
• Compliance with data privacy, and what is more important for the asset
graphical information shall be standardized
regulations and laws throughout the lifecycle of the project, it
in order to achieve the different goals of the
does not matter the role you have across the
stakeholder involved in a project, across the But, the most important benefit in the
AEC industry:
lifecycle of the asset. data governance is to break down the silos
thought the organizations and also through A graphical detailed element with no data,
Why is important the Data
the different stakeholders involved in the but really detailed for Coordination 1:1 and
governance?
whole lifecycle of the project. for good VR/AR
The effectiveness of data & information
Conclusion
is aligned with the level of maturity of
the business in the standardization, the The importance of a clear strategy on data
process, the procedures and the governance governance is crucial for a business. The
of them. Poor data across a project can strategy will impact in the performance of
impact in the results, either economically the business and their projects. The business
or in quality. value shall be demonstrated as part of the
challenges across the different silos. But
Bilal Succar, in 2008, developed a similar
the most important thing, would be the
idea of the data governance, but focused in
supporting from the business boards and
models of a project either Revit, ArchiCAD,
the achievement of the implementation. A low level detailed shape that covers the
AECOsim… but furthermore, the idea shall
Once both actions are aligned, the pillars x,y,z of the element but with all the metadata
be extrapolated to proper Data, it does not
of the data governance will guide the entire needed from the Preliminary Design to
matter graphical or non-graphical, and take
business across all the departments and all Facility Management
as a foundation of the data governance the
the projects. The quality, management and
workflow developed by him:

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Trending Topics

We have a new iPhone, a new Revit version, Trending Topics every year in this BIM create BTEC formation for BIM roles such
and your favourite artist’s new album every World. as Modeller or Coordinator. For example,
year. my TIM (Task Information Manager)
Relating to BIM, things haven’t been clear certification is not recognisable for many

I n BIM, we also have new terminology,

concepts, standards, and topics for all new
products.
for many people since 2015, I would say,
even for me. Although I am certified with
eight years of experience in big projects as
professionals with BIM Coordinator or
BIM manager roles when these roles are not
indicated in the different training options.
an Author, Coordinator, Manager or QA
It is essential to keep ourselves updated. So, it officer, I am still learning every day. But why To conclude, WE, as a community,
is not BIM anymore; it is just IM (Information are we making things more complicated should make BIM easier for professionals,
Management). We no longer have BIM level 2; annually with new concepts when the basics companies and projects instead of creating
it is the UK BIM Framework. We don’t have BS are still confusing and changing for most new trending topics every year just for
1192; we have ISO 19650. We have new actors of the industry? I still see people using selling.
and team concepts, etc. LOD300 (the American system) in the UK,
or most projects are based on BS 1192.
However, there are three new trending
topics: ‘Golden Thread’, ‘Digital Twins’ and My wish would be to keep everything about
‘Net-Zero Targets’… Everyone is talking BIM as simple as possible. It will be a way
about them now. Still, after studying them, of keeping people interested and adopting
I do not know why they are new trending BIM. Now with the ISO 19650, we have the
topics. Want to know more? You will find opportunity not to change things anymore
much more information about them at this and make BIM or IM easier, more attractive
event through the different speakers, and and accessible to everyone. With this idea
maybe you will see the reason. in mind, I would make another wish to
promote more certified and accessible BIM
It is not my intention to create conflict. training. The self-learned or BIM Awareness
Still, my conclusion is that either you professionals can become proper BIM
have new problems and new solutions certified experts so we all can speak the
rising yearly, or the market needs to sell same language in meetings and projects. For
new products frequently, like any other that wish, courses and certification fees need
market. New phones, software, or products to be cheaper, and the BIM certification
keep the interest and find new ways to should be a requirement in project
solve old problems. If you don’t have new assessments.
items, people can lose interest quickly, and Narciso Guerrero
companies won’t sell their products. And Somebody should redefine the BIM roles... BIM Manager for Kilnbridge
maybe this is the reason why we have new to avoid the confusion we have now and
© JON BRADLEY PHOTOGRAPHY

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Successful Digital Delivery

at Mott MacDonald
BIM Co-Ordinator’s Summit 2022

What does good look like? Our vast vary from one organisation to another,
experience obtained to-date has been therefore by set out these graphical/non-
provided by a focused team of rapidly graphical elements early we can remove
evolving individuals and collaborating the What If ’s to provide clear and precise
with our Project teams, Partners and Third guidance to the team and end users.
Parties. Neil O’Reilly
Structured data adds value from this

W e constantly evaluate our position

to work more intelligently, shaping
future outcomes to continuously strengthen
standardisation, we host the native
component catalogue elements within
Moata Intelligent Content Portal allowing
The models are synchronized to a unique
hazard identification code inside the
CDM database instead of traditional
our delivery capability. The condensed access to our bespoke Digital Component registers which can be open to errors. This
summary below provides insight acquired Libraries. These libraries are serviced by a approach is more in-depth, user friendly,
from lessons learnt, developing/emerging wealth of parametric and static common turning numerous lines of text into visual
applications and best practice undertaken. design elements, qualifying teams to become information to allow identification to areas
more efficient. Measurement of re-use, BIM of high risks and or oversite for review.
One extremely valuable investment not to Benefits and Compliance are presented
be overshadowed requires the upskilling of across a Project as indicated below in Figure Supplementary optimization is further
resource, in return promoting a smoother 1, A Game Changer. gained by Digital Setting Out, as shown in
engagement from the get-go. From Figure 3. This function has dramatically
experience this factor has been extremely contributed to the reduction of waste,
challenging as we adapt to new ways of supporting the model based approach. The
working. One recommendation I strongly experience and knowledge gained from end
encourage is to consider a mandatory usage helps with the raw data requirements
training clause into all contracts to meet this and define exchange formats for setting out
objective. on site using machine control.
We recognise there is varied learning
curves, push back and even objection to
progression. We request supporting teams Figure 1
to submit Technology Plans for review, the Figure 3
detail provides a clear understanding of Improved datasets and with advancement
approach/direction prior to implementation. in technology promote even further The final point I would like to pinnacle is
We mentor our Discipline Leads to produce automation, this function is applied Progressive Assurance, this is formed by a
a tailored suite of education to support our to various tasks to boast all-round series of workshops held with all Project
colleagues, intervention and enforcement by performance. At Mott MacDonald we Partners to review the Asset(s) much earlier.
our dedicated Digital Consultants provide have automated the Validation process, by Regular sharing of Official data prefixed
positive interventions by focusing mindsets providing an extremely powerful Data- with suitability codes provide the maturity
to get the job done. Check of ‘live’ elements within a model to of information supplied. These assurance
identify compliancy. This data provides reviews present improved engagement,
By carefully planning we become proactive a wealth of statistics to inform Authors, awareness of developments with each
in recognising and mitigating possible Checkers and Approvers the information submission presented. Any outstanding
blockers that may come our way. Form Items or Outstanding Actions are then
the use of automation, bespoke analytic clearly documented to enhance closeout
dashboards are provided where this providing time saving, rework and any un-
performance data provides clear metrics to necessary surprises.
inform.

An additional enabler to contribute is

the model-based approach, the desired
Figure 2
outcome drives efficiency, removal of
bottlenecks, improved assurance, and required to seek an early resolution.
needless back drafting to support the right Further automation has been applied with
first-time approach. We harvest the rich data the inclusion of CDM symbols and SHE
contained within the models instead of the boxes, by linking the exported data from a
common approach of annotating drawings database to intelligently link attribution to
and present this information electronically each individual asset. These tools facilitate
in our dashboards to provide increased the placement of predefined 3D cell(s)
usefulness. and or boxes to apply the required output
accordingly, this reduces the need to edit the
The Component Catalogue is a Project data manually prior to placement as shown
requirement, currently industry guidelines in Figure 2.

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If BIM is the answer,

what is the question?

If BIM is the answer, what is the question? view of risk and allowed risk to be associate
Maybe the question has changed over the to three elements – physical, activity and
last 45 years. When I started in BIM – it location. Working with net-zero initiatives
was called Computer-aided architectural in housing, I have also come to consider
design then – BIM was developed as an opportunities, such as building flexibility
answer to pressing social needs. The three and energy upgrades, as the other side of the
BIM systems in the late seventies were risk coin.
targeted at social housing, hospitals and
telephone exchanges. This thinking has been accelerated by the
need to consider ‘Golden Threads’. Since

T he computers and the screens were big

and expensive, but they were critically
important to each enterprise. RUCAPS
Dame Judith Hackitt revived the phrase,
there has been much speculation and much
too much marketing around the phrase. So,
evolved from being the Riyadh University what makes a Golden Thread? What makes
Computer Aided Production System it ‘thread-like? The answer is that it is not
into being the ‘Really Useful’ Computer made of snap-shots, inspections, sign-offs or
Aided Production System. In turned from re-surveys. It is thread-like in its continuity
delivering the biggest building in the over time, and interconnection at any Nicholas Nisbet
world - to being suitable for any building moment in time. It is not made of opinions, AEC3 UK Ltd
type anywhere, as long as it had a degree guesses, assumptions or presumptions. It buildingSMART International and UKI
of repetition. During the 1980’s RUCAPS is made of uncorrupted proof – the phrase
evolved into Sonata and eventually into originally comes from legal principals. And
Reflex, the applications become increasingly what makes it golden? Because it is not
generic. The applications ceased to be made accidently, casually, separately nor
relevant to the partners and directors and indeed ’unadvisedly or lightly’, it is valued.
were judged solely at the management level But how many ‘Golden Threads’ are there.
in terms of efficiency and accuracy. But the Are there many, because there are many
1990’s saw the arrival of the PC. Suddenly corporate, safety, environment and social
the computing power was slashed to the risk and many opportunities that need
point where only the simplest of word- to be managed? Or is it that there must
processing and draughting applications be just one single source of truth, which
could be used. Now not even management allows us to meet our information needs
was interested, as these were tools that paid without compromising the ability of future
for themselves by saving the floor-space generations to meet their own information
required for an operative with a drawing needs?
board, layout table and plan-chest, instead,
needing only a small desk. Since the turn That still leaves the challenge of relevance.
of the century, PCs and Macs have become What information is expected? This can
sufficiently powerful that BIM could only be answered by identifying the risks
start regained a place alongside CAD and and opportunities and then relating them to
spreadsheets. In the last decade, thinking the associated spatial, physical and process
has shifted from BIM to IM – Information entities that create the risk or opportunity
Management, and there has been some and those that mitigate it. If information is
action to implement the implications. It has sparse these may be whole zones, systems
now regained the attention of management and packages. If there is detail available
because rethinking processes raises these may be spaces, equipment and
challenges about accuracy and efficiency. tasks. But the description of each must be
backed up by evidence. Evidence may be
But the questions that are getting executive/ documentation, it may be the contact details
board level attention are H&S, fire and of responsible parties.
net-zero. Twenty years ago, buildingSMART
extended the IFC schema with the The risks and opportunities, the entities
addition of a set of properties to describe and the evidence must be held digitally and
risk associated to any individual building accessibly. For more detail, see “Risk, asset and
element or space. Ten years ago, COBie information management” https://
anticipated the association of risk to one or The urgent question is the management www.ukbimalliance.org/wp-content/
two building elements or spaces. In 2018 the of risk and opportunity, and (B)IM is the uploads/2022/02/Information-Risk-and-
authors of PAS1192 part 6 took a considered answer. Built-Asset-Management-1.pdf

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The need for Standards in digital

construction
The strategic role of
international standards in BIM:
I n the construction industry, the
term ‘standards’ typically refers to
published documents that define the ISO 19650 series
common specifications, methods,
and procedures that are to be used
and contribute to producing effective documents which clearly define procedures,
collaborative processes and deliverables for roles, and deliverables.
all projects. The reason that standards are
vital to the construction industry is that the In the global market, the use of BIM is in
sector has significant problems that can be rapid growth in the largest construction
solved when applying a system or structure. markets and many countries worldwide
For example, the traditional process often require the mandatory implementation
deals with uncoordinated drawings and of BIM in all or some of the public works.
numerous hours layering drawings or the In countries where BIM is not mandated,
fact that the construction managers didn’t several private and public bodies are
receive the latest design changes. developing initiatives with their own BIM
standards and as a result, BIM adoption is
Digitalization is transforming the industry relatively low because BIM implementation
and includes several technologies such lacks clarity and a common understanding
as pre-fabrication, advanced building of where to start and what defines BIM
materials, 3D printing, autonomous versus the traditional process.
construction, augmented reality,
wireless monitoring, cloud and real time In an effort to form a common language
collaboration and Building Information for the implementation of the BIM, in
Modelling, BIM. In this new digital world, December 2018, the first publications of the
we need to collaborate and communicate ISO 19650 series were published. ISO 19650
in a structured manner to control the is based on the tested English standard BS
digital flow of information and outcomes. 1192:2007 + A2:2016 and promises to bridge
The construction process is a complex the gap between the different industry BIM Panagiotidou Nicoleta,
ecosystem; without a system and a standards. Architect MSc, BIM specialist,
structured approach delays and errors occur, Director at BIM Design Hub
with a major impact on project time and ISO 19650 series is comprised of 5
budget. documents. ISO 19650-1 describes the to coordinate multiple inputs and outputs,
principles and concepts, ISO 19650-2 using shared digital representations of
“Standards” can be Professional codes, presents the details of the information physical and functional characteristics
Corporate technical specifications, management process, ISO 19650-3 focuses of any built object. The standard applies
Sponsored Standards, National standards, on the asset’s operational phase, ISO 19650- to the whole lifecycle of built assets and
Regional standards and the international 4 on information exchange, and ISO 19650- construction projects of all sizes and levels
ISO Standards. The International 5 on the security of information. The ISO of complexity.
Organization for Standardization (ISO) is an 19650 series is also connected to ISO 55000,
independent body responsible to produce ISO 21500 (Asset and project management), ISO 19650 Pros
voluntary international standards. and ISO 9001 (Organizational
management). ISO 19650 publications are based on the
During the last 10 years, National BIM ISO 19650 is the standard that addresses content of the BIM UK Standards, published
standards have been developed in the United the “Digitization and organization of data by British Standards Institution, BSI (as part
Kingdom due to the relevant mandate for about civil engineering works and buildings, of the BIM Level UK suite of documents)
adopting BIM in public works. The UK including BIM”. ISO 19650 defines BIM and they are an asset for the construction
BIM standards refer to the BIM Maturity as a process or method of managing industry; they start as Publicly Available
and implementation and consist of many information related to facilities and projects Specifications, PAS which means that are
tested and revised in connection with the
industry, and they later contribute to the
development of the ISO standards. The ISO
Standards in Construction.
series documents include activities tasks,
Source UK BIM Alliance.
diagrams, and a step-by-step approach
towards digital processes that supports the
flow of information within the information
management cycle.
BIM according to ISO 19650 series is
equivalent to Stage 2 that includes a
Common Data Environment, structured
and unstructured information, the federated
information model and the implementation
of the standards ISO 19650-1 and ISO
19650-2. ISO 19650-2 has a provision
for a National Annex that only a few
countries developed so far to adjust to local
conditions, such as Italy. Many countries

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ISO 19650 series, ©BIM Design Hub.

are using formally or informally the UK party, lead appointed party, and appointed genetic engineering, quantum computing,
National Annex included in the BS EN ISO parties, or the phrase the appointing party and other technologies.
19650-2. appoints the lead appointed party, and
the lead appointed party appoints the The technological advances are pushing
Another benefit of using ISO 19650 is that appointed parties, and so on. In addition, the boundaries of the sector, while the
the new international standard reinforces the the graphics included in ISO are basic and construction ecosystem of the future
Employer/client/appointing party providing difficult to read and don’t support the visual requires a more standardised, consolidated,
a structured process to support BIM communication that such a high standard and integrated construction process that
implementation. The standard highlights should provide. is product-based instead of project-based.
the client’s leading role at the early stages Standardization can support the industry
of the digital collaboration to establish Naming conventions have also received towards the efficient definition and transfer
the information requirements and the negative comments from the industry. of information, making informed and timely
collaborative platform, the Common data It is undeniable that when we share decisions, as well as adopting a unified
environment, CDE. These requirements will information digitally, the use of structured approach for BIM globally.
set the basis for the design, construction, and and understandable naming conventions
operation of the asset. As a result, the client for information is vital. However, the length Standards may consist of a few pages
influences the digital collaboration and the and structure of the naming of information and hundreds of words. Still, the real
quality of deliverables. containers in line with ISO 19650, could opportunity lies in the fact that our
result in a relatively complex and long name, industry’s nature, with the traditional
ISO 19650 Cons difficult to read. workflows, the cultural gaps, the
interoperability, and execution
ISO 19650 series, as ISO publications, Looking into the future issues changes. The new path for the
are generic. For each concept explained, construction sector is led by digitalization,
the reader needs to refer to other A lot of people ask me why I am so excited standardization, and innovation.
documents and standards, local, regional about an industry standard? As an architect
or international. The different parties have and PhD researcher, I am fascinated by the
specific tasks, documents to generate, and impact that BIM and BS 1192:2007+A2:2016
resources to use; however, these connections (that led to ISO 19650), has on the industry.
are not well explained in the documents, BIM started as a UK practice but has been
and this is quite challenging for the reader. quickly adopted by the largest construction
markets, while various organizations work
To fully understand ISO, one needs with BIM initiatives to support a unified
additional guidance to understand approach worldwide.
the relationships between the various
concepts, and this is provided by the UK In addition, many start-ups and
National BIM Framework Guidance suite technology vendors invest in BIM oriented
of documents for free. Still, if you are not workflows that support open BIM
based in the UK, the guidance should be solutions, coordination, live sharing, and
considered carefully and examined in terms communication in a digital context. BIM is
of your project’s local context. Nevertheless, the heart of digitalization for the industry
the guidance is detailed, well structured, and is often referred to as the 4th evolution.
and provides valuable insights organized The Fourth Industrial Revolution describes
according to the specific topics. the blurring of boundaries between the
physical, digital, and biological worlds and
The terminology is another negative aspect includes advances in artificial intelligence,
of ISO. Terms such as the appointing robotics, the Internet of Things, 3D printing,

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Construction Intelligence -
Let the data tell the story
Part 1: 4D Construction Planning

Building projects are becoming project planning capabilities, and manage

increasingly demanding and complex. resource requirements. According to BIM
There have been reports of common issues principles, 4D planning and planning
with construction projects emerging are examples of BIM applications. By
from a poor and inadequate connection incorporating BIM in the initial design
between the design and construction phase, poor construction quality and
stages owing to inefficient data and inefficient construction planning can be
Omar Habib
information transfer. reduced combined with analysing the
impact of delays on project progress and
1. What is 4D Planning? tracking the actual progress of project collaboration increases since everyone
progress by specifying material handling involved in the project understands what

B IM stands for Building Information

Modelling, and it is a word used to
describe an intelligent 3D model-based
and site logistics, improving construction
efficiency. The optimization of on-site
construction performance can be facilitated
they`re working on and when they`re
working on it.

method for designing and building by integrating BIM and scheduling. The The growing use of 4D modelling in
infrastructure. The rapid implementation contractor’s procurement team can use construction projects demonstrates the
of project management and BIM has led 4DBIM planning to create practical risk value of incorporating these capabilities into
to tremendous growth in architectural/ mitigations. In addition, the 4DBIM tool recent digital management systems, which
structural design and facility management, facilitates the application of effective include role reorganisation, workflows,
and the development of newer 4D risk reduction methods throughout the and practises, to provide a tool for onsite
Planning allows managers to project procurement phase of a construction monitoring and constructability analysis
managers, engineers, technicians, and project, allowing for better resource of construction progress. Acquiring the
other project team members collaborate, allocation, construction material logistics, following three critical talents can create
communicate, and reduce risk throughout etc. Better supply chain management and the 4DBIM, such as, 1) visualisation of
the project lifecycle Project Planning and risk reduction. spatial and temporal relationships between
Management Following BIM standards, one construction project activities, 2) analysis
of BIM applications are 4D Planning and 1.2. 4D Planning role of the construction programme to evaluate
Scheduling. Insufficient construction quality implementations, and 3) error reduction
and inadequate planning and scheduling The usage of 4D BIM to speed up the via construction schedule validation to
can be alleviated by integrating BIM into the scheduling and planning stages of the improve the integrity of communications
initial design processes with accurate and construction process is quite advantageous. and collaborations among project team
usable construction project data. To mimic In the construction business, the visual members.
the sequence diagram of construction tasks step-by-step approach comprises a variety
and activities, it is possible to create a 4D of time related information, such as lead- To optimise the building process, 4D
model of a project, providing stakeholders time, construction, and installation time, simulation allows for the analysis of many
with a visual and virtual picture of the drying and mixing allowances, and so on. possibilities. With the potential to utilise
construction process. Consequently, any required changes can BIM to simplify the establishment of
be implemented, and inconsistencies may linkages between activities and 3D models.
1.1. Why do we need 4D BIM? be identified. A well-planned construction 4D Building Information Modelling allows
schedule also provides for resource you to connect points between the building
Designers, engineers, and planners have mobility, better resource planning, and components of the building model and
used 4DBIM to optimize designs, analyse the most effective use of resources. Finally, planning the work plan that accompanies
them and estimate when and on what
components will be needed to install the
site. You can add parameters to building
model components to help you track
ordered supplies.

1.3. 4D Planning Applications

To track construction progress, 4DBIM is

combined with pre-built images using time-
lapse photography used to communicate,
interact, and gain final approval of
the design and construction sequence
throughout the planning phase. 4DBIM
was created to integrate BIM into project
schedules to improve the communication
of planning and construction sequences.
4DBIM is provided as a useful tool for
identifying construction risks early in the

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design and planning stages of construction

projects so that measures can be proactively
taken to eliminate them on site and prepare
to allocate security resources.

2. Advantages of Integrating 4D
Planning in Construction Projects

The advantages to the owner in terms of

time and money, as well as the unknown
costs that were minimised through
visualisation, coordination, realisation,
and detection of disputes and conflicts,
were significant. Some unfavourable
project planning concerns or dangers,
such as 1) inadequate papers and design 2)
multiple uncoordinated consultants, can be
regulated or minimised by adopting BIM
technology.3) field construction prior to
design; 4) frequent design/scop adjustments
and continuous design evolution by
the owner. One of the most important and accompanying technology that will BIM across projects. Misunderstanding
advantages is the elimination of conflict become concerns. Before commencing BIM as a management barrier can have
between manufacturers and designers in the a construction project, many contract consequences, such as hindering BIM
final product. The second major benefit is managers require subcontractors to provide achievements and special interests in the
that it simplifies the procurement process route method design and associated labour construction industry. The lack of a complex
since a unified BIM system may help with costs. One of the most effective strategies dispute resolution process can lead to
design coordination from the start of the for mitigating these risks is effective risks when implementing BIM. There are
project. collaboration to share the risks of using BIM many risks in terms of training cost and
across projects participants. Specific benefits time regarding the learning curve, which
Improve and maintain coordinated of BIM in the construction industry. The significantly reduces employee productivity
communication, build integrated absence of a complex dispute resolution and performance.
construction planning and scheduling, process can pose risks when implementing
identify time-based conflicts, track, BIM.
and monitor project progress during
construction. It should be mentioned that 4. Commercial aspects
the advantages are highly dependent on
BIM implementation, which is influenced There are many costs and training time risks
by a number of elements including personal associated with the learning curve, which
commitments, mutual trust/respect, early significantly reduces employee productivity
project team engagement, and BIM technical and performance. Many companies worry
capabilities. 4D environment planning about wasting money and time training
aids in the planning and management of their workforce costs, thus increasing
construction phases such as logistics and the risk of BIM implementation. The
operations. In addition, the creation of problem of BIM hindering profitability in
4DBIM enables for the status, monitoring, the construction industry is well known.
and updating of construction progress. Insufficient standards and safeguards for
4DBIM technology is commonly used to BIM implementation expose all project
create technical and economic documents, participants to additional risk. Since there is
such as project schedules, which can be no standard contract template, the adoption
submitted for construction project tenders. of BIM will be uncertain and challenging
Visualizing work schedules allows for when integrating BIM/4DBIM into Contract
better control and management of projects Risk and Technical Risk which are two
at various stages. Other benefits of using types of BIM risks. The first concern is
4D-BIM include fair distribution of labour, the lack of ownership of BIM data, as well
minimizing interference between different as copyright protection and other laws.
constructions, and avoiding unwanted Another contractual risk is deciding who
overlap between different construction will be responsible for importing BIM data
sectors. into the model and ensuring its accuracy
and consistency.
3. Potential Risks of Integrating 4D
Planning in Construction Projects Other aspects of BIM are cost and schedule,
contractual obligations and accompanying
Contractual risk and technical risk are two technology that will become concerns.
types of BIM risk. The first concern is the Before commencing a construction project,
lack of ownership of BIM data, as well as many contract managers ask subcontractors
the contractual risk is deciding who will to provide a complete design of the key
be responsible for importing BIM data routing methods and associated labour
into the model and ensuring its accuracy costs. One of the most effective strategies
and consistency. Other aspects of BIM are for mitigating these risks is effective
cost and schedule, contractual obligations collaboration to share the risks of using

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I f you are reading this article, then

probably you want to implement BIM
within your organization. You could
be a developer, consultant, contractor,
manufacturer, supplier, operator, etc. You How to BIM Start in 5 Steps
know that BIM is the future and sooner or
later you need to implement it, but how?
In this article I am going to list down 5
main steps that illustrate how to start
using BIM within your organization. Am Second Step: Hire
I missing something here? Oh yes, I forgot
the typical cliché question .. What’s BIM?? If you need to save time you have 2 options,
BIM in my understanding is ‘A holistic either to hire a BIM consultancy for a
process of creating an intelligent model limited time to cast the BIM foundations for
and managing information, from planning your organization or hire a BIM Manager
& design to construction & operation, with a proven track record to start the
through a collaboration platform, across journey with you. Option 1 will lead to
several dimensions’. What differentiates option 2 in the end, that is why I always
BIM models from other 3D models is that prefer to start directly with option 2, but
they are intelligent, and I mean by that, some organizations tend to hire a BIM
they contain lots of data that makes them consultancy in the beginning to avoid the
very useful in later stages. The creation of hassle of recruiting a BIM professional
BIM models must be carried out within a without having enough BIM knowledge.
collaboration platform AKA Common Data
Environment (CDE) or as we BIM geeks Third Step: Evaluate
like to call it a single source of truth. This
CDE could be network or cloud based but The newly hired BIM Consultancy or
most importantly is to be collaborative. The Manager will be asked to evaluate the
function of the model should be clearly current situation. This means current team
defined to determine its BIM uses, and evaluation by doing interviews, meetings
which BIM Dimensions are going to be and tests in search for good BIM calibres
followed to bridge the gap between the and believe me you’ll be surprised with the
virtual and physical worlds in order to potentials you have within your team. Also, Omar Nour
leverage design, construction and operation they will liaise with your IT department
processes, but that’s another article. to evaluate the organization’s current BIM
infrastructure i.e. hardware configuration, Fourth Step: Strategize
So, let us cut to the chase, what are those 5 how many software licenses do we need
steps that will help you initiate your BIM to buy based on the team evaluation, etc. Based on the evaluation report done for the
deployment plan. Simply they are: Define, Also, they will have several meetings with team BIM knowledge, organization BIM
Hire, Evaluate, Strategize and Implement. your department heads to get familiarized infrastructure & workflows and in line with
with your current internal and external the organization BIM objectives. A strategy
First Step: Define workflows trying to find a common should be planned with a list of activities
ground to implement standardized BIM prioritized based on the conclusions of the
You have to clearly define your BIM workflows, of course, this step could take report. For example, the evaluation report
goals by asking yourself a direct question. weeks or months depending mainly on the will conclude that current engineering
What do I need from BIM? Do I need to organization scale and manpower. team needs training in addition to hiring
increase design quality? Do I need to better some new candidates to boost the BIM
coordination between disciplines? Do I Upon completion of the evaluation process production. So which activity should be
need better understanding and visualization the BIM Consultancy or manager will done first? This is something that should
for my projects? Do I need to improve generate a report that illustrates the current be agreed between the organization
communication within my projects? Do situation with a clear moving forward based management and the BIM Manager/
I need to be more competitive within the on their evaluation. consultant. Also upgrading hardware
market? All these legitimate questions will configuration and purchasing additional
help you to better understand your BIM software licenses should be liaised with IT
targets and easily create your BIM objectives. department. Developing the organization’s
Taking into consideration that you might BIM documentation and Library should be
do a breakdown for those objectives to included in the strategy as well as drafting
be on short-term and long-term basis in the initial BIM organization chart and
order to maximize the benefits acquired indicating the roles and responsibilities. The
like time, cost and resource savings. While strategy should clearly define a stakeholders
defining their objectives, the organization engagement plan based on power/interest
management must consider tangible business grid technique and a risk management plan.
values like reducing cost and increasing
profits, and intangible business values like After having a clear strategy that is agreed by
the organization ranking, reputation and the organization management with defined
stakeholders’ satisfaction. activities that are prioritized based on the
evaluation report and BIM objectives. You
After having a clear perspective on what can finally start implementing your strategy.
are your BIM goals, now let us move to the This implementation should be done on
second step. a corporate level with interdepartmental

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engagement and on a project level with all Conclusion

stakeholders engaged as well. Of course,
the implementation should be defined with Resistance to change is a common human
a clear communication management plan trait. So, moving to BIM requires the
incorporating best collaboration approach positive support of management and
depending on corporate and project scale. key staff, together with setting the right
expectations at the start of the process,
Fifth Step: Implement formulating a road map, and ensuring the
appropriate level of training for employees.
Start your BIM implementation with a pilot By starting small and building confidence,
project, no matter how big your project is, and increasing core capabilities and
single discipline or multi discipline, there is a experience, the transition to BIM will
BIM implementation workflow that you can accelerate with each new project.
benefit from but ideally the project should
include several disciplines to test your team’s
coordination skills. The implementation
framework will focus on collaboration
internally within the organization and
externally with stakeholders involved in the
project. This pilot project should include
measurement at all key stages to really
understand how BIM has improved the
design and/or construction process. The
positive benefits to each stakeholder in the
process should also be documented for any
return-on-investment calculation. Firms find
that the more BIM projects they complete,
and the faster and better they complete them,
the higher return they get. Just like moving
from drawing boards to 2D CAD, moving
to BIM may initially lead to some drop in
productivity while the system is mastered.
To assist with this, it is recommended that
the initial pilot project team does not work
on traditional 2D CAD projects and BIM
projects simultaneously, which could be
counterproductive to learning the new
system.

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Who we are

Camilion is a young company based

An introduction to
in Barcelona that focuses on bringing
automation solutions to the AEC industry.
creating a plugin for
Our goal is to help you make the most of
your time by providing software solutions Revit in C#
that range from software integrations
(plugins) to strategic consulting services.

The beginnings
The required software
I remember the day I learned that it was
possible to customize Revit’s interface. Just Apart from having Revit installed, to write a
the idea of having a custom toolbar with Plugin in C# you’ll need to install Microsoft
the name of my company and a bunch of Visual Studio to write your C# code and
buttons inside was so exciting! A new world compile your plugins. VS (Visual Studio)
of possibilities opened before me, and I is an integrated development environment
started to daydream of all the cool things I (IDE) from Microsoft. It is used to develop
could add to my very own toolbar to solve many kinds of computer programs, websites,
the many challenges me and my colleagues web services, mobile apps, etc.
were facing on a daily basis!
The required skills
Of course, the second thought that popped
up in my mind was the question: ‘But how To create a plugin in Revit with C# you’ll
does it work?’ need to know:

In this article you’ll get a quick overview of • Revit

how Revit plugins work and useful resources • C#
for learning more technical stuff regarding Paolo Modenese
this process. • The basic Revit API calls for manipulating
data in Revit
This step is where most of the real work is
Disclaimer: This is NOT a tutorial, it’s an • The basics of using Visual Studio to create done. We can further divide this topic in the
overview of how the process works. If you’re .NET assemblies following parts:
already a developer or you’ve worked with
Revit’s API, most of the concepts outlined The steps involved in • Create a new Project in Visual Studio: A
here will already be known to you. creating a plugin VS project is a bunch of files structured in a
specific order. This is where you’ll write your
Not all buttons are the same 1. Write your code in a .NET code.
compliant language (like C#)
The first thing to acknowledge is that • Reference the Revit API libraries: When you
there are different ways of creating your The .NET Framework is a proprietary install Revit, you are installing the Revit API
customized toolbars in Revit. Two other software framework developed by Microsoft files somewhere in your computer. Referencing
common ways include using PyRevit and that runs primarily on Microsoft Windows. the Revit API means you’re telling your plugin
Nonica. PyRevit is a plugin that let’s you where these files are located.
write your code in Python to create buttons Revit has a .NET API which means
with custom functionality, while Nonica is a you can use any of the .NET compliant • Writing the actual code: Here you define
plugin that allows you to link your Dynamo programming languages (C#, VB.NET, all the functionality of your plugin, any
scripts to buttons in your UI. F#, etc.) to develop a plug-in. While each windows, popups, warnings, the button’s
language has its own relative benefits, C# is appearance, tab names and so on.
In this article we’ll talk exclusively about the natural choice for most developers: it is
creating Revit plugins by writing code in C# easy-to-learn, easy-to-use and leverages the • Debug your code: Debugging es the
language and compiling a .dll (we’ll explain power of the underlying .NET Framework. process of finding and resolving errors in
what this means later). the code. This is a big part of the work since
there are so many variables and ways in
which a person can use the plugin.

2. Compile the code into a .dll

The code you have written in the previous

step is in human readable form. To make the
code readable by a computer, you will need
to translate it or “build” it. Once the code has
successfully been built, or “compiled”, Visual
Studio produces a file with a .dll extension.

The addin for our 3DMeasure plugin

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BIM COORDINATORS SUMMIT 2022 | Where Minds Meet & Information Matters

This .dll file IS the actual plugin! Everything most used programming languages today, • Revit’s API: Online documentation for
regarding the plugin is defined in this file… you can use it for thousands of things, the Revit API complete with samples and
from how the plugin works to what icon the from sending mails to web scraping, file examples. https://www.revitapidocs.com/
button (or buttons) will have. management, etc.
So how do we tell Revit to load this .dll to • Use python within Dynamo: Python gives • Autodesk’s Revit Developer Center:
our user interface? Here’s where the Addin you access to the Revit API and allows you Official documentation for anything relating
manifest file comes in. to solve problems that would be lengthy and to development such as API’s, SDK’s,
difficult relying on Dynamo alone. etc. https://www.autodesk.com/developer-
3. Write the Addin manifest network/platform-technologies/revit
• Use Python with PyRevit: This will give
An AddIn manifest is a text file located in you a first feeling of creating your plugins, • Autodesk’s Revit API Forum: Most
a specific location checked by Revit when complete with buttons and all. Plus, Ehsan, problems you’ll encounter during your
the application starts. The manifest includes the creator of PyRevit has some great journey have already been asked and solved
information used by Revit to load and content online that can really help you by someone here. https://forums.autodesk.
run the plug-in. An AddIn manifest has a understand the Revit API better. com/t5/revit-api-forum/bd-p/160
“.addin” extension.
• Learn C#: When you feel ready to jump • The Building Coder blog: Jeremy Tammik,
4. Stick the addin file in to C#, there are innumerable free courses regarded by many as “The godfather of Revit
a specific location taught from Microsoft certified institutions API” has been posting solid content on the
(and many of them are free). Revit API for many years. Many of your
The addin file must be placed in one of the searches and frustrations will meet their end
required locations that Revit checks on • Create your first C# plugin: The last stage the moment you land on his blog. https://
startup. For debugging purposes you can use of this journey. If you made it this far, you’re thebuildingcoder.typepad.com/
the location at: “C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\ a Revit API ninja, congratulations!
Revit\Addins\20xx\”. • Archilab’s blogs: Anyone who’s used
Useful resources Dynamo for a while has certainly heard of
Remember that the ProgramData folder is Konrad Sobon through the Dynamo blog
hidden by default. These are some of the sources I personally or his great Dynamo packages. His website,
learned from and continue to learn from archi-lab.net has some great resources to get
5. Fire up Revit and rejoice at the sight every day: you up and running with creating a Revit
of your newly created plugin plugin with buttons and all. https://archi-lab.
• Automate the boring stuff with Python: net/building-revit-plug-ins-with-visual-
If you did everything right, when you open A free e-book (also in video format) to studio-part-one/
Revit, you’ll get a warning that a new plugin learn the basics of the language. https://
has been detected and you’ll see your brand- automatetheboringstuff.com/
new plugin there waiting for you to click
on it! • PyRevit: A great (and free and
opensource) plugin created and maintained
Steppingstones to become by Ehsan Iran-Nejad that allows you
a Revit API Ninja to create your plugins in Python
language. The YouTube channel has great
Learning how to program is a very fun and resources to understand the Revit API.
rewarding activity. But if, like myself, you https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-
don’t have a formal education in computer 0THIvKRd6n7T2a5aKYaGg
science, it can be quite challenging to start
programming with a language such as C#. • Addin Manager (Hot Loading): While
you’re debugging your code, you must
For this purpose, below are the open and close Revit each time you change
steppingstones I personally used to get there something in the code. The Addin Manager
over the course of a couple of years: is a plugin originally developed by Autodesk
to avoid this (this is known as “Hotloading”
• Learn Dynamo: The learning curve is in the developer world). This program was
short, and you get a great perspective into discontinued in 2020 but there’s an opensource
automating stuff in Revit. alternative available online. https://github.com/
• Learn Python: Regarded ad one of the 4 chuongmep/RevitAddInManager

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BIM COORDINATORS SUMMIT 2022 | Where Minds Meet & Information Matters

Can we help AEC Industry

thrive in a world we
do not control?
I was asked this thoughtful question in learned, we know that we need to design
a panel discussion at an event related to for the future, especially when we plan for
Digital Construction, and this question societies, for example, infrastructure and
has stimulated some further sub-questions cities. We need to consider whether this
in my mind. Can we control Corona infrastructure network that we build can be
Virus, Climate change, poverty, wars and used after 100 or 200 years. What will be the
increased global population? Are we able capacity of the city by that time? What may
to handle all these factors to help our other types of utility networks be invented in
societies? Many challenges and complex the upcoming years? Shouldn’t we consider
situations across the globe impact every these utilities in our allocations?
single decision within the industry, and we Mostafa Elashmawy
may seem far from controlling it. And even if we find ourselves unable to
predict the future precisely, we need to

S o yes, maybe we don’t control this

world. At least at the moment. But I
think we can predict it, simulate it and
implement new construction methodologies
that allow an easier change in the design
if the use of the building changes or the
collect the required use information to
predict and simulate scenarios and then
provide solutions for problems that didn’t capacities changes. One example is using provide solutions and improvements to their
arise yet. If we take Covid as an example, prefab units that can be removed without buildings as needed.
we can all agree that the Covid pandemic destruction and relocated to future needs.
was a harsh lesson for humanity. Still, it Also, increasing the prefabrication reduces To brief, I think to help societies; we
helped accelerate the implementation of site errors and risks as more construction need to open our minds to predict the
many technologies and inventions that will be done at factories in controlled unpredictable. We need to be Future Ready.
were developed way before Covid. These environments, and only the assembly will be
technologies will be used permanently done on-site. Another example may be using
after the pandemic. During the pandemic, Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality
humanity discovered that we have tons of to control the construction machinery to
tools not used in an optimum way. elevate the safety of the workforce. BIM,
GIS and Digital Construction Technologies
For example, Countries that had digital became a must to deliver that vision.
Databases for their residents and They give us better control of design and
applications for governmental services were construction that will help minimise the
able to control the spread of the virus better resources consumed during construction
and operate for more extended periods and provide better tools for the stakeholders
during the pandemic. Looking from the to assess the feasibility of the designs and
same perspectives, companies that had their future impacts.
remote working strategies and cloud storage
could work more smoothly. Also, after construction, we need to
implement digital technologies for
Maybe these entities can’t control the operation. For instance, Digital Twins
pandemic, and for sure, they didn’t predict ensures that owners and operators can
Covid specifically. Still, they were smart
enough to implement technologies and
strategies that could facilitate the continuity
of work under the majeure force. Those
countries and companies were future-ready.

We have thousands of years of cumulative

experiences connected through technology.
Suppose you look at the history of the
human civilisations taking the pharaoh
civilisation as an example. In that case, you
will find that they have always built their
buildings to be used not only by them but
by their descendants. They made sustainable
societies.

Unfortunately, at a certain point in our

history, and due to the increased discovery
of resources, our ancestors might have
thought that these resources were unlimited.
They started to design for themselves and
focused on the instantaneous use of the
building rather than the environmental Photo Source: LINK
impact. But now, with all the lessons

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 BIM COORDINATORS SUMMIT 2022 | Where Minds Meet & Information Matters

S ince its inception humanity has been on

the move in search of a better socio-
economic living environment. This has led The importance of
to 3.5% of the global population migrating,
of which 31% reside in Asia, 30% in Europe, data quality within
the AEC industry
26% in the Americas, 10% in Africa, and
3% in Oceania. In 2018, 13% of the global
population lived in 33 cities. This included
migration from rural-to-urban areas such
that cities grow to form urban mega-cities.1
These migratory flows along with the global prefabricated modular constructive elements
population heading towards 8 billion people as prefabricated modules allow for improved
have led to a growing demand for dwellings, quality, productivity, and predictable
workplaces, educational & recreational planning. As such the prefabricated market
facilities. As such the construction industry segment of the industry is expected to grow
was valued at $7.8 trillion in 2021 and is at 4.7% annually.2
expected to grow by 35% in the upcoming Furthermore, new technologies and
decade. To cope with these growing tools such as BIM (Building Information
demands 13,000 buildings are being Modeling), 3D Scanning along with
created daily, resulting in a 12% increase in cloud, desktop and mobile applications
construction activity from 2020 to 2021.2 are changing the workflows of AEC
This overwhelming demand has resulted in professionals within the industry. Tools
the AEC (Architectural, Engineering and Paul Varghese
such as BIM help to digitalize the lifecycle
Construction) industry evolving rapidly of a project while allowing for a seamless
over the past decade. As such the industry collaborative environment to be formed Construction costs are continuing to rise
has evolved to adopt new processes and between different stakeholders and due to macro-economic factors such as
project delivery methods while introducing disciplines. As such they lower the risk of inflation, lack of supply and higher labour
new construction methods, technologies, the project as the information entered allows costs. Especially as resources are scares and
and sustainable materials. for better cost calculations and enables mismanagement can lead to higher costs
Evolutions related to process and project disciplines to check the model quality and wastage of resources.
delivery methods have seen owners and against project-specific requirements.3 Hence to manage projects and resources
contractors shift from traditional design- Lastly new advancements in building more efficiently adoption of BIM within the
bid-build to design-build projects. As such materials such as self-healing concrete lifecycle of a construction project is key. As
58% of owners have already adopted a that uses calcite-precipitating bacteria in such from 2011 to 2020 the adoption and
design-build framework or plan to switch concrete to heal cracks in the concrete over implementation of BIM within the sectors
soon.2 A design-build process allows for time4, eco-friendly insulating panels made of the industry grew from 13% to 73%.6 This
projects to complete within budget while from foam, sheep wool, plants etc5. and high adoption rate has led to a couple of
being faster, and less risky for the owner and the introduction of the circular economy challenges; as 59% of the companies either
makes communication between the various among others has led sustainability within do not have the knowledge or skills to work
stakeholders streamlined. This is possible as the construction industry to become a key with BIM, 36% of companies do not have
the process allows for various stakeholders point of focus. As such sustainability within proper procedures and protocols in place
and disciples to work simultaneously.3 In the construction industry along with the use for BIM and 35.2% of companies lack the
relation to new construction methods, of new technologies and building materials workforce to work with BIM.2 As such many
brick and mortar are being replaced by need to be implemented effectively. projects with BIM generate a lot of data. In
the last three years project volumes have
doubled in size.2 However, this does not
imply that all the data captured is useful.
For if the data produced is not standardized
between disciplines and supply vendors
then it goes unused as it might not fulfil the
project-specific requirements or meets the
standard set within the BIM implementation
& execution plans. As such currently 95% of
data captured goes unused.2
This unused data can not only be considered
useless data but can contain bad data.
Figure 1: In 2021 the construction industry was valued at $7.8 trillion For if the BIM project doesn’t contain a
and 13,000 new buildings are being built daily to meet current demands. consistent naming convention, standardized
parameters, and properties then there is a
great risk of miscommunication occurring
between the various disciplines and supply
vendors. Additionally, the quality of the
produced data from the BIM model needs to
be identified, grouped and validated against
BIM protocols, guidelines / frameworks,
standards, information delivery manuals
(IDMs) and project-specific requirements.
As bad data can result in expensive
reworks. Currently, 52% of all reworks
globally originate from bad data and
Figure 2: The global construction
industry is responsible for nearly 38% of CO2 emissions.

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miscommunication resulting in a yearly be performed on the model. One is a visual of the BIM models, these can then be
avoidable loss of $31.3 billion. As such & clash check against the project-specific managed in Common Data Environments
roughly 9% of a construction project budget requirements and the other is a check to (CDEs) such as Autodesk Construction
goes towards unforeseen avoidable reworks. validate the (properties, value parameters, Cloud for a better Model Coordination
A 1% reduction in construction costs can entity names, classification) meta-data between the various stakeholders,
lead to $100 billion saved globally.2 using rule-based conditional checking. Via disciplines, and supply vendors. Once a
the two types of checks, the information new model version is published it can be
Standardizing of data can be achieved modelled within the BIM project can retrieved, validated and issues once again
using BIM classification standards and be assessed and bad data can either be rectified leading to the generation of a new
IDMs. These are created either by local or removed or fixed. As such RFIs (Request for BIM model. As such the process continues
international governmental and regulatory Information) or BCF (BIM Collaboration until the construction is complete and the
bodies that specify specific use cases for Format) issues can be created against areas building is ready for handing over. After the
certain data structures in a BIM project. of concern such that modellers can easily handing over the BIM project can be used
As such in the Netherlands, the BIM Loket identify these areas and resolve them. By as a digital twin for facility management and
has helped to define a couple of IDMs automating the data validation process, renovation.
such as; NL-Sfb 7, BIM basis ILS 8, NAA. information within the BIM models or
In conclusion, data generated from
KT 9 etc. to help organize and standardize BIM project can easily be classified based
various phases of a project if standardized
the naming of; file names, model entities, on common property heading or values,
and validated against project-specific
element hierarchy, classification, property validated against standards, rules & project-
requirements can not only reduce the risk of
values, spaces, and materials, among others. specific requirements and issue found can
reworks required but can also improve the
Internationally classification standards such then be reported as BCF or RFI’s to various
life cycle of the building. This is possible as
as; UniClass, Uniformat, OmniClass etc. stakeholders. Where BCF tools such as
information about the building and project
exist to help classify information within BimCollab and BimTrack can be used to
will be accurate and readily available for
the BIM model for certain sectors of the manage issues.
current and future needs, thus reducing the
industry.10 As such data standardization
With the use of BIM and data validation, wasteful usage of resources hence allowing
removes unused data and reduces the
current workflows can be improved. Where for a sustainable project environment.
chance for miscommunication between
BFC or RFI issues can lead to newer versions
various parties, thus allowing for a better
understanding, trust and collaboration
between the various disciplines and supply
vendors.
Validating the data quality of a BIM project
can be achieved via several cloud (BIM360
/ ACC, etc.) and desktop based (Solibri,
Navisworks, Revit etc.) software solutions.
Based on the project type along with how
the data within the project is classified and
standardized, two types of validations can
Figure 3: Yearly 52% of all reworks
globally within the industry originate from bad data and miscommunication.

Sources:

1. Urbanization and migration. Migration 5. Nine Sustainable Building Materials (that Retrieved June 6, 2022, from https://www.
data portal. (n.d.). Retrieved June 6, 2022, save you money too) TPM Builders. (2021, bimloket.nl/p/682/1-NAAKT-Eenduidige-
from https://www.migrationdataportal.org/ January 29). Retrieved June 6, 2022, from materiaalbenaming
themes/urbanisation-et-migration https://www.tpmbuilders.com.au/sustainable-
10. Comparison of OmniClass, Uniclass,
building-materials-save-money/
2. Grace Ellis | Editor in Chief, & Chief, Cuneco and coclass with reference to ... (n.d.).
E. in. (2022, March 23). 100+ construction 6. BIMobject. (2022, May 2). Statistics Retrieved June 6, 2022, from https://www.
industry statistics. Digital Builder. Retrieved proving bim means business: BPM blog: icis.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/2018_
June 6, 2022, from https://constructionblog. BIMobject. BIMobject. Retrieved June 6, 2022, Classification-system-comparison.pdf
autodesk.com/construction-industry-statistics/ from https://business.bimobject.com/en-us/
blog/statistics-proving-bim-means-business/
3. Zima, K. (2017, December 1). Impact
of information included in the BIM on 7. BIM Loket - NL/SFB. (n.d.). Retrieved
preparation of Bill of Quantities. Procedia June 6, 2022, from https://www.bimloket.
Engineering. Retrieved June 6, 2022, from nl/p/542/NLSfB
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/ 8. Bim Loket - BIM base IDS - english home.
pii/S1877705817360320 (n.d.). Retrieved June 6, 2022, from https://
4. Self-healing of concrete by bacterial www.bimloket.nl/p/923/BIM-base-IDS---
mineral precipitation. TU Delft. (n.d.). English-home
Retrieved June 6, 2022, from https://www. 9. 1. NAA.K.T. Eenduidige
tudelft.nl/en/ceg/research/stories-of-science/ materiaalbenaming. BIM Loket - 1. NAA.K.T.
self-healing-of-concrete-by-bacterial-mineral- Eenduidige materiaalbenaming. (n.d.).
precipitation/

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BIM COORDINATORS SUMMIT 2022 | Where Minds Meet & Information Matters

Currently within the UK and Ireland

construction industries, there is increasing
awareness and impetus for quality
information management practice, and The lifecycle value of
construction information
the need for clients to clearly specify
what information or data they require
for the design, construction, building
handover and operational stages of
their projects. As new buildings become
more technically and digitally complex,
accurate digital information records and tend to be inaccurate or incomplete,
quality datasets will become essential missing spatial data, and decoupled from
sources for whole-life data analysis, warranties, manufacturer’s information,
decision making, productivity and value- and maintenance instructions. From the
realisation. Within the public sector, data outset this can hamper the ability for an
governance, adoption of standards and the owner/operator to plan and deliver the
consistent delivery and management of necessary FM services, and on ocassion,
data across a building portfolio or estate requires the commissioning of independent
can offer clients new and improved ways to surveys of brand-new facilities to verify the
compare [performance] between different constructed spaces and installed assets.
departments, service providers, models
of provision and to identify investment The scale of the challenge is further
priorities. (HM Gov, 2022) evidenced in a recent publication by the UK
Government’s FM Taskforce, which tallies

A ‘value of Information Management in the UK public sector estate at around 300,000

the construction and infrastructure properties. The publication identifies issues
sector’ report by KPMG and Atkins (2021) with ‘departments and their arm’s length
highlighted that the use of digital information bodies’ asset registers and signalled that they
management in the construction sector represented significant obstacles to improving
could offer costs savings at various stages FM. It notes differing approaches on formats,
of the asset lifecycle, ranging from 1.6% to ownership, management, and governance
18% depending on the lifecycle stage. Across of asset data have led to problems around
Ryan Tennyson is presenting at the BIM
the average lifecycle of a building every £1 incomplete asset transfers and the accuracy
Coordinators Summit, and will provide a
of direct productivity gain in the design, of data at contract expiry. As a result, the key
practical overview on how the Standard
construction and maintenance of newly built identified risk(s) are that decisions around
Information Management Plan resource was
assets enabled by information management asset maintenance and contract compliance
formed to support clear clients and industry
today could potentially translate into an can or will not be based on comprehensive,
needs, the role of the client-side information
additional £3.70 in annual UK GDP in 2051. accurate and up-to-date information. (HM
manager to enable the consistent specification
Gov, 2022)
and delivery of quality information exchanges
Whilst an attractive prospect for all and handovers on each project, and the ongoing
new projects, are the same gains equally Such risks are of serious concern, as without
resources being developed by SFT and the
achievable for existing public sector accurate asset information, building owners
working group to better manage public sector
buildings and their owners, especially if or their operators may be unable to evidence
buildings and their asset information in the
facility and asset management services are or demonstrate their buildings are safe to
operational phase.
outsourced, and traditional methods for occupy, compliant with current legislation,
asset information capture and paper -based or are being maintained in an economical
record keeping are still the norm? and energy-efficient way. industry standards, namely the BS EN 41000
(2018-2020) series for facilities management
Public sector challenges on project So, in consideration of the above, what are and the BS ISO 55000 series (2014-2018)
information handover the fundamental challenges that public for asset management. Both these series of
sector clients and the construction industry standards identify the need for asset owners
Typically, within the public sector, the need to address and resolve? and operators to align their information
delivery of quality asset and record Below are several suggestions and requirements to organisational objectives
information at the project handover observations: and business strategies, to support effective
stage is far from perfect. Asset registers and efficient operations of their assets across
• Until recently there has been no the whole lifecycle.
specific industry standards or guidance
for information management practice and • Traditional industry methods for the
delivery across the whole asset lifecycle. This capture and handover of asset (operations
has changed with the release of BS EN ISO and maintenance) information have not
19650 parts 1, 2 and 3, (2018-2020) and the evolved and created inconsistencies in the
delivery of supporting industry guidance way asset information is created, collated,
through the UK BIM Framework. and delivered to clients. For instance,
O&M and user manuals tend to be
• Historically, clients have produced poor conglomerates of electronic and paper-based
briefs for their asset information handover files, copied into folder sets, and stored in
requirements and haven’t established the different geographical locations during the
necessary management systems to support operational stage. This approach creates silos
their whole-life asset management needs. of information, which are difficult to keep
Figure 01: Main components of the Again, BS EN ISO 19650 plays an important up to date concurrently as a building and its
Data Architecture backbone. role in addressing this issue alongside other inherent assets change over time.

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2. Standards - UK Government 3. Resources – SFT Standard

function: property. Information Management Plan.

Two facility management standards Finally, the Standard Information

have been developed to support the UK Management Plan has been developed by
Government’s functional standard for Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) to support
property, which sets expectations for Scottish public sector clients specify, receive,
the management of all government- and manage appropriate project and asset
built assets and is mandatory for central information requirements in line with BS
government organisations with property EN ISO 19650, the UK BIM Framework and
responsibilities. the Uniclass classification system.
The resource has three primary objectives:
The supporting standards set out the
minimum requirements for the delivery 1. Support a structured and consistent
of FM services and their management approach in how public bodies specify
across the public estate, as well as a range project information delivered through BIM.
of asset data deliverables to support
consistency and improvement in the use of 2. Enable delivery of accurate as built 2D,
asset data across government. Key notable 3D digital information models and O&M
requirements for public organisations are: handover manuals to support lifecycle asset
management.
• to develop and maintain an FM
strategy which supports organisational and 3. Comply and align with new international
Figure 02: Is my building safe? operational requirements and follows a standards in the adoption of BIM and digital
recognised standard(s). information management.

Currently within the UK there are several • to understand how Building Information Currently, the Standard Information
drivers to address the above challenges, Modelling (BIM) relates to their estate and Management Plan is being deployed on
which are reviewed in the remaining develop policies and processes to enable the a £2bn Scottish Government education
section. organisations to maintain and leverage BIM programme, which includes new and
information in the delivery of FM services existing refurbishment school projects.
Industry drivers for consistent (throughout its lifecycle).
change Through client-industry working group
• to develop and maintain an asset register collaboration the resource continues to evolve,
1. Legislation – UK Building that includes a complete list of assets and is improving the ability of public sector clients
Safety Act 2022 aligned to the data structure in the standard. to clearly specify their information handover
The asset register shall be available for requirements at the project outset, and
Following the Grenfell Fire disaster, the UK organisations and suppliers to support the helping industry partners and supply chains
Building Safety Act has been passed and delivery and management of FM. (HM Gov, to generate and deliver their asset information
makes it a legal requirement for owners 2022). in a standardised and consistent way.
(accountable persons) to keep an accurate
record or ‘golden thread’ of information
on their (higher risk) building assets, to Figure 03:
evidence and report on the building safety Standards &
during the whole lifecycle. processes (needle)
guides the
Enforcing and managing the consistent golden thread of
delivery and up-keep of accurate building information.
information across the whole lifecycle will
require owners (accountable persons) and
all relevant parties to adopt and integrate
the same standards and processes into their
business practices and working procedures.

References Figures
Atkins, KPMG. (2021) The value of HM Government. (2022) Government 01: Main components of the Data Architecture
Information Management in the construction Function: Property. Facilities Management backbone. Source: https://dataarchitecture.
and infrastructure sector. A report Standard. FMS 001: Management and blog.gov.uk/2018/05/03/data-architecture-in-
commissioned by the University of Cambridge’s Services. Version 1.0.(Office of Government government/ (Accessed: 6th June 2022)
Centre for Digital Built Britain (CDBB) Property, Cabinet Office) 02: Is my building safe? Image by R. Tennyson.
GOV.UK (2022) Golden thread: factsheet. HM Government. (2022) Government Scottish Futures Trust.
Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/ Function: Property. Facilities Management
Standard FMS 002: Asset Data. Version 03: Standards & processes (needle) guides the
publications/building-safety-bill-factsheets/
1.0.(Office of Government Property, Cabinet golden thread of information. Image by R.
golden-thread-factsheet (Accessed: 28th May
Office) Tennyson. Scottish Futures Trust.
2022)

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In Standards we trust…

In his famous book Crossing the Chasm, standards if they want to have a say in their
Geoffrey Moore describes how innovations markets in the future.
make it (or don’t make it) into the
mainstream market. Compressed into a The strategic nature of international
two-liner it basically says: standardization has been clearly recognized
Innovators and Early Adopters are keen and consistently pursued by some leading
on trying things out. They are enthusiastic economic nations. The United Kingdom,
enough to take some risks and challenges. for example, has elevated its BS/PAS 1192
However, the majority of professionals series of standards to ISO standard status Ulrich Hartmann
have a different mindset. They want proven to raise international competitiveness of Project Leader CEN TC 442 Workgroup 2
trusted, and profitable solutions. Only if their construction industry, and China Task group 4
this group can be convinced of robustness is devoting enormous resources to the “Common Data Environments (CDE) for
and profitability will the innovation be development of IFC 5 and systematically BIM projects – Open data exchange between
accepted as a trustworthy ‘best practice’ seeking key positions in international platforms of different vendors via an open CDE
in the mainstream market. Of course, this standardization bodies relevant to API”
doesn’t happen with a big bang. Once over promising markets.
the ditch, Moore differentiates between the
early majority, the late majority, and finally BIM Coordinators wanted Fast-Track Standardization
the laggards who probably don’t hit the
funnel as soon as possible, but also don’t BIM Coordinators are key enablers. They Standardization work is often thought to be
have a decisive influence on the market know what works and what doesn’t. They a slow and cumbersome process. But there’s
acceptance of an innovation. know where the bottlenecks are and how a way out. The PAS procedure is a modern,
to overcome them. Standards reflect the fast-track way of creating standards. The
Who sets the standards best practices of the respective discipline PAS 1192 series of BIM standards is a good
owns the market and should be written by practitioners. example. The PAS procedure is available in
And who is more familiar with day-to- many European countries, though named

S tandards can bridge the gap between day business than BIM Coordinators? The differently. In Germany, we call it a ‘SPEC’.
both groups by defining best practices dilemma is that they have enough on their A PAS can be developed within months,
and thus laying the foundation for an plate to worry about standards. They are supported by the national standardization
innovation that is being adopted by the so valuable to their organizations that not body. The DIN SPEC 91391 Common Data
mainstream market. This may play an a second of their precious time should Environments (CDE) for BIM Projects,
important role, especially in new things be wasted. In these boom times of the for example, took no more than 2 years.
like BIM and digitalization where benefits construction industry, hardly anyone has A group of competitors, and advisors,
are not always so crystal-clear upfront adequate resources to invest into the future came together to shape what the main
and competitive solutions cannot be so of the market. functional characteristics of a CDE should
well distinguished. Many businesses have be since up to then a CDE was merely a
confirmed that standards generate better Some EU countries, however, make it concept, shaped by ISO 19650. The DIN
opportunities for their respective markets. easier for small and midsize companies to SPEC 91391 accompanied this by defining
“Who sets the standards owns the market” participate in standardization by giving what a CDE actually is as a product class.
is a well-known saying that is said to come financial support as compensation for their The result caught international attention
from Werner von Siemens. This can be efforts. This clearly addresses the important and obviously filled a gap. Part 1 is like a
understood as a call to market participants strategic role of standardization on an plain-language textbook about practical
to take an active role in the development of economical level. CDE use. The accompanied function list is
frequently used for CDE tenders making
practical work easier. Part 2 is about
open CDE APIs. The interface concepts
presented there have been intentionally
kept on a very abstract level. Enough,
however, to spark the interest to address
the topic on a broader scope. The DIN
SPEC 91391 has even become a part of the
BSI Kitemark certification for Common
Data Environments. At CEN Technical
Committee 442 an initiative is now to
develop a CEN Standard about an open
CDE API (CEN TC 442 WG2 TG4). The
example shows how efficient fast-track
standards development can be.

Standards help crossing the chasm between the Download the DIN SPEC 91391 free of
early market and the mainstream market. charge: https://www.beuth.de/en/technical-
rule/din-spec-91391-1/302483139.

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The BIM model has

a new lease on life
As BIM technology is gaining momentum, at the end of the design process, more and more
facilities will have very detailed 3D models full of information. Usually, the end of the
project is simultaneously the end of the BIM model. And it doesn’t have to be that way.

W ith the help of available web

technologies, BIM model can get
a new life through a new role. In this
The company that manages the facility has
an insight into which apartments users
watch the most and which floors are the
way, the value of the invested labor in most popular.
modeling grows. The possibilities for Vladimir Gutesa
object management, object presentations, We also introduced the facility management
presentations of data obtained from sensors module, which allows users to apply Each air conditioner can be turned on or
or connecting the object with additional for maintenance of any element in the off remotely based on data from the office
databases are increasing. apartment—from the repair of electrical attendance recorder. When all employees
appliances to the request for painting or leave the workplace, all air conditioners
The shopping mall Bazzar Novi Sad replacing the window glass. in the building are turned off. This saves
- the first digital twin in Serbia resources and extends the life of the device
Internet of things because employees frequently forget to
This was our first digital twin based on turn off air conditioners when leaving the
Autodesk Forge technology. It arose during The IoT is one more way to give the BIM workplace in the summer.
the time of restrictions imposed by Covid, model a new role. With the help of the
from the need to present buildings to existing BIM model, it’s much easier to Material catalog on the web and
potential customers. Customers can see visualize data and enable interaction with BIM 360 model
units that are for rent, to allow them to parts of the objects.
virtually walk through the objects, download Combining these technologies and features
important information, and measure the offered by Revit, we have created a Web
dimensions that are interesting to them. For catalog of Xella products. It has information
that purpose, we used an existing 3D BIM on materials and types of walls, from which
model made in Autodesk Revit. users can download the Revit template,
that contains all these materials and walls
and thus directly models them using Xella
products.

If a user is modeling an object in Revit and

https://iotpionirska.herokuapp.com/ uses Autodesk Construction Cloud for
collaboration, the existing model can be
In the picture, you can see the TeamCAD used in combination with our additional
branch office in Novi Sad, where we application integrated into BIM 360. If a wall
connected sensors for temperature and is selected, a prospective buyer can see what
https://digitalni-blizanci.teamcad.rs/ humidity, and the information is displayed kind of material the wall is made of.
in real time. Besides the information
BIM Real Estate displayed in gauges, the rooms also change These are just some of the examples
colors in relation to the current values. of giving new life to BIM models. The
The digital twin was a huge inspiration. possibilities are endless.
We had an idea to expand the possibilities Plus, it is possible to manipulate the device.
and create an application that will facilitate We can adjust the operations of the air For this solution, Autodesk published a
renting and – BIM Real Estate application is conditioners, check their status, or how success story at https://forge.autodesk.com/
born. When a user visits the site, he has an much water we have in the water cooler. customer-stories/teamcad
opportunity to view all available apartments
(the display changes dynamically depending
on the status of the apartment). He can also
check the room dimensions or measure TeamCAD
parts of the apartment that are important to www.TeamCAD.rs
him. Again, the basis is the Revit BIM model www.BIM-DT.com
created during the design process.

https://bimrealestate.herokuapp.com/

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Cost Managers Contribution towards

achievement of Sustainable
Development through BIM
By Tanaka Tande

Since Agenda 21 for sustainable and effective by improving the quality,

development in 1992, there has been a accuracy, value and speed for their services
paradigm change in the construction through active live link between the design
industry towards sustainable infrastructure model and cost database especially during
development due to inadequate resources sustainable design development when
and to cater for future generations. various proposed design alternatives are
Construction industry`s processes and being appraised through provision of quick
products are an essential part of any feedback and corrective suggestion, thereby
country`s national economy and industrial ensuring construction resources are used
development, as it is the driver for more economically.
economic growth especially in developing
countries such as Zimbabwe. Through BIM, cost managers will have more
time to share their expertise and knowledge

T he rate of increase in resource usage the

world is currently undergoing requires
change of practices in usage and production
with other project team members. Cost
managers will have an opportunity to find
out ways to achieve cost efficiency and waste
globally. The world`s population is estimated reduction for a construction project through
to reach 9.73 billion from the current figure value engineering, carbon costing and life
of 8 billion by 2050. This implies that there cycle costing.
will be a need for more infrastructure to
ensure availability of basic accommodation However, there has been slow adoption
and more recreational facilities. and exploitation of BIM by cost managers
mostly in Africa due to lack of knowledge/
To counter these developments, majority awareness, lack of training of BIM software,
of the world`s towns should be re-planned initial the cost of the software and lack of
and reconstructed over the coming decades. information on the return on investment. Tanaka Tande, Cost & Project Manager at
To achieve this mindful change towards TN Zunzanyika Associates
modern sustainable infrastructure, it The solution to these problems would be www.tnzunzanyika.com
requires collaboration among construction education to the cost managers advising
stakeholders such as Architects, Cost them on the benefits of adoption of BIM and
Managers, Engineers, Environmentalist, development of compulsory legislation to
Property developers, Project Managers implement BIM on all future construction
and Project Financiers to reconsider the projects by all professionals to attain
way buildings are constructed and the sustainable infrastructure development.
need to efficiently allocate construction
resources, reduce wastage, cost increases
and construction time frames to achieve
economic sustainability.

The team has to work together from

the start, to make an integrated design
through BIM and to ensure they control
cost within developer`s budget. Modern
sustainable buildings have to be resource
efficient and providing value for money to
achieve economic sustainability. However,
these aspects have to be achieved within
minimum possible budget, optimum period
of time and to high quality standards.
This calls for a professional cost managers’
expertise to ensure that the business case of
a construction project is attained.

BIM technology provides an opportunity

to cost managers to be more efficient

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SRC and Generative Design

By Peter Monaghan

SRC have specified generative design as an requirements. The design concept will
innovation deliverable in their new Higher then be programmed into Dynamo by SRC
Education and Innovation Centre at using pre-determined input variables.
Newry. The Scope of Works for the design
team includes an innovation clause that The second key input from the design team
specifies the use of generative design to will be confirming elemental costs based
optimise the concept design for the project. on local market conditions. The generative Peter Monaghan
design outputs will be determined by the

T he generative design process will run

alongside the main design process
to compare the benefits of the former.
same elemental costs as the concept design,
cost report at the end of RIBA Stage 2.
The final key input from the design team adjacency matrix. It also identifies any
Both the optimised solution and the final will be confirmation of their feedback spaces that have mandatory floor levels.
proposed solution will be assessed to see if on the results and the process. This will Both these parameters will inform the
the generative design might yield benefits include the Architect, the cost consultant, generative design process to ensure the
in a live commercial project. and the energy assessor. final design solution can meet SRC’s space
requirements.
The innovation clauses do not require The variable inputs for the Dynamo
the successful design team to have any script will be building location, building The outputs being optimised are cost,
knowledge of generative design. This depth, number of floors and percentage heating demand and visual impact.
ensures the tender process is not restrictive glazing. The concept will be broken down
and remains competitive. A defined into simple forms which can vary using The cost output is being calculated using
amount of design team time has also been these inputs. Proof of concepts carried the elemental cost method in the New
specified in relation to the generative out by SRC to date included a ‘T’ shaped Rules of Measurement 2 (NRM2). The rules
design process to ensure all tenderers can building initially, but the current Dynamo within this standard have informed the
price the process on an equal basis. programming anticipates a building with Python programming in Dynamo.
an atrium linking the new building to the
Under the contract, SRC will deliver a existing campus building. The heating demand is being calculated
series of workshops to brief the design team using Passive House calculations. U-Values
on generative design. The workshops will The anticipated atrium concept design has will initially be fixed by agreement with the
introduce the Architects, energy consultants potentially 177,147 solutions to be analysed design team based on BREEAM Excellent
and cost consultants to the software, which using splatter charts and spider diagrams. and the latest Building Regulations. Once
in this case will be Revit, Dynamo and Not all solutions will need to be generated an optimised design solution has been
Autodesk’s generative design tool. but determining an effective process will be determined, the U-values will become a
as important as determining an optimised variable input.
There are three key inputs from the design design solution.
team. The first key input will be confirming The visual impact output has deliberately
their proposed design concept as a solution SRC have carefully prepared their schedule been included to challenge both SRC
to the SRC’s schedule of accommodation of accommodation to include a space and the design team to see if something
that is subjectively unmeasurable can be
measured. It is also a key aspect of the
design brief as the building will further
establish SRC’s presence within the City of
Newry.

The final deliverable for the design team

and SRC is a collaborative report which
will share the lessons learned with the
industry and which will provide feedback
regarding any potential benefits the
generative design process could have at
concept design stage.

Initial ‘T’ shaped Design Optimisation

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What the future of work may look like

A summary of the requirements, tools and strategies to enable our businesses to keep up
with the changing nature of skills across the Built Environment.

The ability for companies to harness growth in the wake of the coronavirus (or how it
potential relating to new processes and has so far), our company leaders can and
technological adoption is hindered by should investigate ideas around the future of
skills shortages across all sectors globally. the skills required and the way we work to
These skills gaps and the inability to attract enable productivity and efficiencies in their
the right talent remain among the leading organisations. The pandemic has taught
barriers to the adoption of new technologies us that we need to change our approach
and processes. This is particularly true toward the way we deliver projects and the
for those who are employed in the built technologies used to do so. The construction
environment sector as we are seeing industry will continue to grow in a pace that
high number of people either leave the requires us to consider future learning and
industry or pivot into other industries future skills. However, it is a critical issue
with their digital skills, all fueled by the in our sector that only 42% of employees
inability for the construction market to take up any opportunity to reskill or upskill
adopt innovation. Crucial findings are in their roles, only further highlighting the
documented in the Future of Jobs report, resistance to enable change across the built Rebecca De Cicco
published in 2020 by the World Economic environment. This coupled with the inability Keynote Speaker (Virtual)
forum, which is a research summary of to force people to be back in the office
the jobs and skills of the future, tracking to engage in face to face activities is also
the pace of change across all sectors. It proving an enormous challenge today.
aims to shed light on the pandemic-related
disruptions in 2020, contextualized within At present there are still considerable our oceans and forests. These key goals are
a longer history of economic cycles and the challenges in finding skilled employees fundamentally behind in terms of their
expected outlook for technology adoption, in digital construction or engineering adoption due to the pandemic which has
jobs and skills in the next five years. Some (or even BIM) but even more so across further provided an issue to the industries of
of the data suggests that across the majority a range of new, emerging roles in our our world.
of the countries covered in the report on industry. Organisations are consistently
average that over 62% of organisations citing difficulties when hiring or finding If we look at Goal 5: Gender Equality, for
and their people will require some form the right talent and many are resorting to example, gender equality is not only a
of upskilling or training, regardless of the extreme measures to retain people with fundamental human right, but a necessary
field they work in. This also expanded these skills. Emerging roles are beginning foundation for a peaceful, prosperous
in the research to a further 11% by to populate the Construction sector, and sustainable world. This goal is
2025, highlighting the urgency of skills such as Data Analysts and Scientists, definitely one in which we must address,
development and upskilling in technologies Artificial Intelligence and Machine as the construction industry is currently
and processes relating to digital uptake Learning Specialists as well as Software challenged with a plethora of cultural issues
across all sectors. and Application Developers. As you can coupled with gender pay gaps, which are
imagine, skills in these new emerging only forcing women out of the industry.
While it is impossible to predict exactly roles are even harder to source. While an There is hope that with the evolution of
how the construction market will rebound exact skills match is not a prerequisite digital roles in construction (and obviously
to making a job transition or even being the work we do for Women in BIM), more
employed, the long-term productivity of women will find digital a more appealing
employees is determined by their skill of key career of choice. In March 2021 a further
competencies in these areas all of which are report was published by the World
very difficult to procure. Economic Forum, Global Gender Gap
Report 2021, analysing the data and impact
Another consideration in addressing our of the last few years in regard to gender pay
skills shortages is how the pandemic has gaps. There is still a massive issue in all areas
resulted in care activities for children and in this regard, and the progress hasn’t been
Women have been fundamentally pressured promising.
to either pull back from their current roles,
or take a back step in their career. The If we shift the theme slightly now, there is
United Nations Sustainability Goals were also a consideration to be made when it
developed as a response to the 2030 Agenda comes to newer and innovative technologies.
for Sustainable Development which are to Many organisations are beginning to invest
be adopted by all United Nations Member more heavily in innovative processes and
States. They recognize that ending poverty techniques yet it is not currently mainstream
and other deprivations must go hand-in- in the construction sector. Much of the
hand with strategies that improve health research suggests that new technologies are
and education, reduce inequality, and set to drive growth across industries, as well
spur economic growth – all while tackling as to increase the demand for new job roles
climate change and working to preserve and skill sets. Such positive effects may be

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Perceived barriers to the adoption of new technologies

counter-balanced by workforce disruptions. On top of the issues relating to the way we organizations due to wanting to upskill,
A substantial amount of literature has adopt new technologies, there should also they will stay if they are required, if they
indicated that technological adoption will be an understanding internally within our are celebrated and of course, if they are
impact workers’ jobs by displacing some organizations as to what skills are required. rewarded. The only way to achieve this is to
tasks performed by humans into the realm You will see by the diagram noted here in provide an avenue for career growth, fueled
of work performed by machines. The extent the report that the top 15 skills are not only by process, technology adoption and change.
of disruption will vary depending on a relative to advanced digital process, but It is a challenge to keep up with all of these
worker’s occupation and skill set. There is rather for analytical thinking, active learning challenges, yet we now have the opportunity
already a strong focus across large scale and leadership amongst a few in the top as an industry to change, to grow and to
advisory organisations on automation, 10 skills required. This type of data can be constantly innovate, which we should have
focusing on enabling menial tasks to be used as a framework for how organisations been doing for some time already.
completed using automated techniques, develop a data driven approach to skills
and focusing on humans for the scope of measurement and upskilling which is
leadership and innovation roles. now somewhat unfamiliar in the context
We should also recognise that there are of the construction industry. Wait and
perceived barriers to the adoption of new see is generally what we hear, when many
technologies. We are not unfamiliar with organisations are in some ways moving
this challenge, particularly in the built too far ahead in adopting complex digital
environment where technology adoption, solutions which are not practical or human
coupled with variations in processes and and therefore not appealing to people.
standards have all hindered how we adopt
digital solutions on our projects. As shown The pandemic, technology progress, and
in future 26 below the perceived barriers to ways of working all are fundamentally
the adoption not only relate to skills gaps in impacting on how we learn, what we learn
the labor market, but also across leadership and the ways in which these new skills
levels, which is a prime example of the are being perceived and required by the
limitations some organisations have in terms Construction Industry. If there is anything
of the adoption of Building Information to take away from the last 3 years it is
Modelling (BIM) or Digital Engineering. that we can never predict what is about
As noted above, primal human qualities to come to us, we can only try to keep up
and skills will be required to support how with innovative solutions to allow for our
we interact with technologies and the organisations and people to feel inspired.
strategies around implementing them in our Individuals do not retain their loyalty to
organisations.

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The Owner Platform:

Organized, Accessible,
Flexible on Day One

Facility Owners today exist in a world of Warranties, etc. Preferably the Owner is also
constant change and must stay flexible to defining the collaboration platform as well as
adapt to any disruption – good, bad or software and versions to be used.
indifferent. To carry out this ‘small feat’ and Intemation, LLC - Alice C Santman, Director
perhaps more than anything else in their AEC alignment to Owner Product Development
organization’s world – they need full access Standards June 01, 2022
to their assets and environments virtually.
As a project begins, budget, scope and

A
Owner Standards are provided to the
s we saw in early 2020, a corona Medicaid reporting are a couple examples.
consulting teams, the groundwork is set in
virus turned all of us on our heads. Historically, this is ‘accomplished’ via excel
supplying a more robust turn-over package,
Now imagine the scenario inside the spreadsheets across many departments and
we can start to see the end goals for the
walls of any hospital. Not as a patient, but likely reside on multiple user desktops often
models, data and documentation at kick-off.
as the Manager of a facility needing to with no active connection to a 3D model or
understand very quickly how to achieve Implementation of the Owner Standards set of Cad plans.
social distancing, how to transition rooms should also define the milestones for turnover
Additionally, various departments likely hold
to a negative space for containment, how to at critical stages of a project. This allows
onto their own PDF sets which aligns to their
adjust building systems and more. for the ongoing review and collaboration
needs for day-to-day requirements, but these
of requirements, ensuring teams are
As the Owner begins to realize their facility are duplicated across departments, static in
staying within alignment as well as early
through a virtual environment, the idea of nature and can break down over time.
development of data points to be captured.
a digital twin becomes clear. This begins
to inform the development of Owner With this starting point in hand, the setup Asset Information Maturity Model
Standards for turnover at the project’s end, and integration of the Owner Digital Twin
At the onset of an Owner’s Digital Twin,
allows them to see what they need access environment is not only in alignment to
the framework for a data thread is only
to before it is built and opens the doors to Owner Standards but is laying the groundwork
beginning to be realized. As more facilities
communication between consultant teams. for the integration of newer technologies
come to have a Digital Twin, the necessary
within the Digital Twin over time.
Yet Owners are running into walls and framework is being proven and will begin
roadblocks at every turn in achieving a basic We have already seen the plethora of Digital to inform future analytics, connecting
Digital Twin environment. Why this is and Twin technologies and use cases expand at a operations and functions which in-turn
how can the AEC industry align to Owner breakneck speed in just a couple of years. From allows for accessibility, establishing the
needs in managing a facility from a single- a simple environment for the Operations team Information As-Built environment. As
entry point while being flexible for lifecycle to predictive analytics, generative design and stewards of the AEC industry, we must pay
changes and constant renovations? live system data streaming on ever-expanding attention and provide information to align
Owner dashboards. to Owner needs, defining and developing
The Owner Standards and a foundation for the Information As-Built
What is important to keep in perspective,
Guidelines and allowing for expansion and flexibility to
is listening and delivering what the Owner
innovative technologies.
requires at close-out for a given project.
Owner teams need to supply Design and
If we set up the project per the standards
Construction Teams with the requirements for Day One Digital Twin Success
provided and those standards do not speak
the turnover at the end of any project. There
to integrated building sensor data, then it The Digital Twin during design is purely
exist plenty of examples to develop Standards
does not need to be provided at that time. virtual, no physical ‘thing’ exists yet. And
like Penn State’s Owner Guide , Building Smart
as the industry commonly defines a Digital
and NBIMS-US to name a few. By setting up But what we have done is set the Owner
Twin as ‘a virtual representation that serves as
Owner Standards, teams can know straight up for success not only in their current
the real-time digital counterpart of a physical
away what is expected, plan and implement Digital Twin but going forward for future
object or process’, some have asked if this is a
the steps to align to Owner needs. integration of building sensors and analytics.
Digital Twin? A better question might be are
The Standards should layout, at a minimum, Traditionally, Owners have a need for we aligned to Owner Standards?
the naming standards for models, data points, ‘seeing’ information about their facilities
It doesn’t matter what we define a Digital Twin
parameters, even the format and naming of for a variety of reasons: Square Footage
as; what matters is that we are providing
documents relating to O&M, Cut Sheets, reporting for Lease agreements, Medicare/
the Owner team information which can
be applied to budgets, scheduling, and
projection data over the lifecycle of the
facility. The process is a foundation for the
Project’s Digital Twin helping to align with
Owner needs as well as what is important
for them as the operator.

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As the project nears close-out, certain

activities need to occur to get to our ‘Day
One’ digital twin set up. Critical components
to review for alignment to Owner Standards:
• As-Built Record Models federated to
Owner Standard.
• Asset data assembled and updated to in-
field install. O&M, warranty, specification,
approved submittals compiled.
• Space/Room data assets and systems have
been identified to the given space.
• Parameters correctly named and data
points populated.

Data normalization - not just for

databases
‘Data’ is a big word. It is used across almost the database in accessing assets connected to
every industry, and we have all heard that documents, systems and spaces.
‘data is more valuable than oil’ or perhaps
more accurately, ‘data is the oil of the digital By breaking documentation by asset type, it
era’. For Digital Twins normalizing and becomes easier to find, search, review and
organizing the data must come first. There maintain by the Owner team. Improving
exist two main data environments for accessibility by the Owner team, documents
integration to the Digital Twin database. are organized and the database remains
flexible.
Owner As-built models: A compilation of
discipline models developed during the
Conclusion
project. The Owner’s design technologist
establishes a federated model environment Digital Twins provide a range of services;
for the Owner, allowing for centralized from predictive analytics of building
model data by discipline which standards operations to individual asset performance
can easily be applied. as well as monitoring of large complex
systems, they include at a basic level reliable
Documentation: is a big piece of the data pie
virtual representations which can be
rarely talked about. It is normal for the GC
integrated with both third-party platforms,
team to provide a PDF book of all O&Ms
developing technologies and connected to
in one single document, or sometimes,
simulations and machine learning processes.
when it gets too large, they may break it
With this approach the Owner is ready to
into two documents or even break it up by
progress in the Digital Twin environment
Divisions. Either way – consider the problem
and can expand as needed. Overall, an
of connecting an asset to an O&M if the
Owner’s Digital Twin should realize the
document resides in a 958-page PDF. How
convergence of data from disparate sources
will the database ‘find’ the correct document?
and formats while remaining flexible and
What will it display? Is the intent to leave the
scalable and above all – Be Accessible on
Owner team to search the 958-page PDF to
Day One!
find a sump pump or centrifugal fan?

Let’s be database smart

If a document for an asset is buried in a
PDF book, this is not easily associated to the
asset. The goal at a minimum is efficiency of

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P roject conceptualization has the

largest impact on the functionality,
performance, and cost of a building - this
An intuitive & multi-player
is when key decisions about layout and
aesthetics are being taken. Although approach to BIM
the depth of data required to make
these decisions is best served by BIM, By Altaf Gunihar
it is understandable why architects are
reluctant to use BIM tools in the creative
process.
However, the use of these programs is highly design. It’s like a live brainstorming session
inefficient because they: but, instead of using a whiteboard or sticky
What makes building design
notes, users rapidly model their ideas in
inefficient today? • Are not compatible with each other,
3D. Snaptrude’s commenting capability
leading to rework (lack of
also allows participants to record their
A couple of years ago, MRVDV pioneered interoperability)
thoughts on the 3D model, streamlining
a system to involve the residents of
• Don’t support collaborative work communication between stakeholders.
Hamburg in an urban rejuvenation plan.
The Grasbrook Maker was envisioned • Are not BIM (lack of actionable data or
To simplify the modelling process, users
as an interactive, multi-user platform to feedback
work with masses (3D volumes) instead of
democratize design. Architects set up the
lines. A mass is a data-rich element that can
design framework within which participants This means that most of the work done
be sculpted like clay on the digital canvas.
could place public buildings. on BIM is only documentation and
coordination.
But the strongest differentiator comes in the
Collecting inputs from multiple stakeholders
form of data automation. While the user is
is fundamental to design and construction. A Unified Design Environment for
busy designing, the software automatically
Every project, from a residence to an urban Teams
populates data like areas, costs and
masterplan, involves a team of clients,
quantities in the background. This ensures
architects, engineers, contractors, financiers, Imagine an alternate scenario where project
that stakeholders are always aware of the
government bodies and many more. stakeholders can:
implications of their decisions on cost or
• Design collaboratively with real-time compliance.
Moreover, the key principle of ‘Building
data to support their decisions (costs,
Information Modelling (BIM)’ is to front-
compliance, quantities etc.) How Snaptrude Enables
load decision-making to control costs
Interoperability
and time. This means that collaborative • Rapidly turn ideas into a detailed 3D
design must begin at the concept phase, model
The biggest roadblock as we saw, was in the
to significantly improve costs, design and
• Avoid rework completely possibility of pushing a concept model to a
even the project timeline. Projects become
BIM tool. While firms manage to achieve
efficient when all the stakeholders are • Communicate with all stakeholders on a
this with the help of plugins and other
involved right from the start, i.e., higher single platform
third-party applications, these solutions
profits, lower costs and fewer delays.
are never reliable. When we designed
We can see that by focusing on
Snaptrude, we picked the best of existing
While the concept of BIM has created a dent collaboration, data and interoperability right
concept modeling tools and BIM programs.
in the design to construction process, the from the start, projects are bound to be
tools that support BIM have users wanting more efficient. What we need today, is the
Today, it’s already possible to export a model
more. The BIM tools today, are too complex right tool to bridge the gap that exists at the
to IFC. Soon, users will also be able to
to handle the fluid nature of design at the early project stages. With Snaptrude, we’ve
import to or export from Revit. This allows
concept stage. That’s the reason why managed to come closer to bridging the gap.
BIM enabled firms to use Snaptrude in two
‘non-BIM’ tools like AutoCAD, Sketchup, or
ways - as a collaborative brainstorming
Rhino continue to dominate concept design. Unlike other modelling tools, users on
tool or a schematic design tool. Existing
These programs are fast and flexible, helping Snaptrude can invite their teams for
Revit files can be imported to Snaptrude
Architects iterate over their designs easily. real-time collaboration at any point in the
for clients and other collaborators to view
and comment. Design changes can then
be validated with real-time data before
pushing them to Revit. Or, the firm can start
designing on Snaptrude and push the model
to Revit for documentation, with no data
loss. This possibility of seamlessly moving
data between Snaptrude and Revit alone will
save users hundreds of hours.

By creating a unified design environment,

Snaptrude is helping teams centralize data,
remove silos and supercharge productivity.
Of course, our goal is to take this a step
further by building Snaptrude to handle
everything between concept, construction
and beyond.

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Demystifying ‘Digital Twins’

Digital Twins evoke many emotions So what must we do as an industry

ranging from excitement to frustration. to alleviate the confusion relating
Why? The term can mean many things, and to Digital Twins in the Built
therefore causes much confusion unless Environment?
everyone in the conversation knows exactly
what is being described. 1. Recognize that Digital Twin is a Anand Mecheri, CEO, Invicara, Anand.
ubiquitous term to describe a vast array
A bit like the term ‘Asset’. An Asset is [email protected]
of solutions that may sit within any stage
something of value either financial or of a project’s lifecycle (planning, design,
physical. And in either case can mean a vast construction, commissioning, operations).
plethora of very different things. A financial If the world model is tightly coupled to a
asset can mean a brand, goodwill, cash, 2. Remove bias by not having a constrained set of pre baked features (typical of a Digital
receivables, inventory, stocks, bonds and so view of what a Digital Twin is, based on Twin ‘product’), the investment in ‘twinning’
on. A physical asset can mean a vehicle, a one’s own area of expertise / exposure. cannot be leveraged in full. It would be best
building, a piece of equipment like a pump, to leverage a Digital Twin Platform that
furniture and so on. 3. Recognise that Digital Twins can either decouples the world model, and makes it
be pre-baked ‘products’ (think of it as a available for many twin enabled solutions.
Just imagine a conversation involving the square peg of a certain size that will fit into a
term ‘Asset’ without properly qualifying square hole of the same size), or customised
what it is between parties from very different solutions that are composed to address vast
domains. I suspect the conversation will not array of use cases.
last too long!
4. Distinguish between the adjacent but
The term Digital Twin has a similar problem distinct concepts of ‘twinning’ (creating the
as it can apply to products, systems and world model) and ‘twin enabled solutions’
processes, which could be virtually anything (use case driven solutions that leverage and
across many industry segments. Different extend the world model).
types of assets in the built environment, an
energy grid system, manufactured products, 5. Recognise that the expertise for ‘twinning’,
and a manufacturing process, are just and expertise to build ‘twin enabled
some examples. And within each of those solutions’ may come from very different
industry segments, Digital Twins can mean firms, across various phases of the asset’s
any number of specific solutions that target lifecycle.
specific use cases.

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Barriers to 5D BIM Adoption

The Architecture, Engineering, information with model element attributes

Construction and Operation Industry such as size, area, object family type and
(AECO) in Ireland, is engaged in a productivity projections.
technological change which is intended to
Ana María Walter De Rossi
achieve ambitious objectives in terms of Despite the difficulties in applying of a new
20% time reduction, 20% cost reduction technology, the QSs are beginning in an
and 20% exports increase. The fact that the incipient way, to use BIM workflows in which
BIM methodology is becoming widespread the QTO is carried out by programmed
among designers and builders in Ireland, routines, that can extract dimensions and, the project in traditional practice is in the
many contractors and QSs find it difficult to measurement data from the 3D models and delivering stage, while for a full integration
implement 5D BIM for QTO and costing. to export them, into costing programmes. within the BIM methodology require a
collaborative approach from the early stage

5D BIM can be defined as the process

of applying costs to the model.
Quantities takeoff can be generated from
There are multiple reasons and issues for
the 5D BIM adoption of QS professionals,
that can be classified under three sections as
of the projects. QSs are not incentivized to
engage or collaborate within the 5D BIM
environment and the Government must
the 3D model and exported to a costing shown in Figure 1. take the lead and mandate for Public Sector
software. In a 5D environment, the Quantity projects encouraging the early engagement
Surveyors (QSs) and estimators can The resistance to changing the way of of QSs within BIM workflow.
participate in data exchange within the BIM working, the lack of BIM capabilities, the
workflow from the design stage and provide silo discipline education as well as the fear Other significant barriers to 5D BIM adoption
better advice to the clients, exploring more of the unknown and to assume new roles are are that Clients are not paying for BIM services
efficient ways of improving building design, the main people barriers. and this discourages the use of the BIM
costs, and performance. methodology. Fees need to be restructured to
Despite of the QSs understand that the include any additional 5D BIM services.
5D BIM adoption is still very slow and BIM methodology represents a significant
some QS practices do not have enough technological change, that is transforming Nowadays, there are also significant
technological advancements to export the way of producing and sharing Technology problems to 5D BIM adoption,
Quantity Take off (QTO) from 3D models. information in the AECO sector, this is that require further investigation by software
perceived with fear of the unknown and of vendors in the same way that the designer
Quantities are the primary source that if assuming new roles for which it is necessary software has been developed for their
organised into the Bill of Quantity (BoQ) and to acquire new technological capabilities. specific requirements.
related to unit cost of material, additional
costs, labour, and time, allow cost consultants Implementation of 5D BIM requires The incorrect classification of the elements
to obtain the final account of the project. investing in training the staff and acquiring in the model makes it difficult to automate
software licenses whose cost is significant, the extraction of the quantities and manual
Costing, and the Bill of Quantities, are especially for small practices. BIM is much interventions are required to complete
prepared traditionally using drawings to more than 3D models; It is a methodology the process. This problem classified as
perform manual QTO while completing of collaborative information management technological as well, in my opinion, is a
costing tasks, a process filled with potential and whose application requires knowledge process problem whose solution requires the
for human error. of the standards and the early implication of integration of the QS’s role from the design
all stakeholders from the design stage. phase and establishing the information
By using the 5th dimension of BIM, requirements that the models must include
and utilising costing software such as: Regarding Process barriers to 5D BIM as well as providing a guide for designers for
Navisworks, CostX, Vico, Mudshark, etc. adoption, the exclusion of the Main modelling with a collaborative approach.
can import the information from the 3D Contractors and Subcontractors from the
model, to make groups and add cost to each early design and project planning, the Currently, many activities of QTO and
component. The information Take off can lack of maturity of IPD (integrated project costing must be done manually, such as: Link
be updated each time from the 3D model delivery) BIM maturity in Ireland and the several models such as architectural model,
and allow contractors, subcontractors and lack of Government Lead as well as the lack M&P model, structural model and so on,
project teams, to produce accurate costing of request of 5D BIM by customers, make with 5D platform to extract quantities and
difficult the 5D BIM adoption. to export the derived quantities to costing
programmes. Once again, acquire digital
Many clients have a limited understanding knowledges as well as to know how the 5D
of the BIM methodology and poorly BIM tools work, are the key and starting
trained staff on this methodology, so they point for the QTO automation process.
do not demand this kind of services from
other professionals in the sector. The cost The lack of QS Model View Definition
of staff training is significant and requires (MVD) is another of biggest technical issue
time to incorporate these new knowledges and it is considered a great barrier to QS 5D
into workflows. This affects the QSs in a BIM adoption.
Fig 1: Classification of barriers to 5D BIM adoption significant way, whose incorporation into MVD represent subsets of the IFC schema

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defined by buildingSMART International Software vendors set up the quantities 5D BIM applications. The development of
and group together certain information to be extracted from the 3D model, in a specific measurement standard as well as
useful for specific workflows or uses. accordance with their own parameters that the standardization in the WBS will facilitate
do not follow any recognised method of the extraction of quantities process and will
Due to the lack of a specific 5D BIM measurement, therefore, the QTO generated increase the accuracy of the information
standard, there is not an approach to by different applications, can produce Bill of obtained.
cost planning and the production of Bills Quantities (BoQ) with significant variations.
of Quantities (BOQs). All functional To address this issue, the Royal Institution
components of the design, such as slabs, of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the
floors, external walls and so on, are organize Society of Chartered Surveyors of Ireland
within a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). (SCSI), integrates on the International
Into the categories of the WBS, overall Property Measurement Standards Coalition
estimated costs are allocated to the elements (IPMSC) are in the process of developing
of the project. an international standard of measurement
that will it be a guide to 5D BIM
Nowadays, exist many WBS in different implementation.
regions and even within different sectors
of the construction sector which makes it Nowadays, the 5D BIM dimension become
impossible for BIM software manufacturers more relevant for the QS and there are
to add all the WBS code in the objects due to many recommendations and initiatives
the number of existing standards. Presently, to overcome the existing barriers and
to address this issue, QSs must add these achieve an effective adoption of the 5D BIM
codes themselves in the authoring model dimension as shown in Figure 2.
application or append them in the 5D costing
tool. Doing that, QTO can be filtered based In order to facilitate a complete 5D BIM
on this WBS and produce a cost estimate. implementation, further research and
development of technological solutions
The accuracy of the information extracted is required that avoid excessive manual
from 3D models is other significant intervention in the extraction of quantities
Technology issue that has a big impact on process as well as better interoperability
costing calculation. between the Authoring software and the

Fig 2: Proposed solutions to 5D BIM adoption

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Yes, we are all Innovators

Anand Stephen

We can agree that the term innovator is Presently, many would agree that Elon
currently a very loaded term. Recall the Musk is an extraordinary innovator.
countless PowerPoint presentations with Notwithstanding his extreme self-belief,
the word innovator or one of its variants. even he attributes his innovations to a sum
Additionally, using Google Ngram of many more minor intricately connected
Viewer, we can see the exponential use of innovations. I say this not to minimize the
Anand Stephen
the word in books in the past couple of value of innovation or diminish the value of
decades. The term Innovator has become crucial innovators through history. Equally, I
so fetishized that title bearers attain do not suggest final products of all processes
demigod status. All this emphasis on the are innovations; and, therefore, everyone is want my Calculus books? I scoffed in my
Innovator inaccurately glorifies the process an innovator. Instead, I aim to encourage us head. I hoped she was not using the books in
of innovation, discouraging everyday all in the AEC industry to awaken our inner place of a stand for her masala bottles.
innovators. By recounting a personal story, innovators by de-fetishizing the term.
I outline a couple of ways to encourage In a couple of weeks, as if stealing my books
more of us to innovate. We can trace the word innovator to the did not cause my self-absorbed teenage
sixteenth-century Latin verb innovare, version enough frustration, grandma started

T he origins of the word can be traced to

before the industrial revolution. Even in
that era, it was a loaded word, albeit differently.
meaning ‘to renew, restore’. It also means
‘to change’ into new. At the core, the main
task of AEC professionals is to change the
to teach me Calculus. She looked over my
shoulder and pointed out the mistakes I kept
making. Every time I mumbled—inaudibly,
While it is presently a desirable title, being form of materials, creating something anew of course— show-off! My teenage-self was
labeled an innovator in that era could mean or restoring it. Here we are fundamentally thoroughly irritated with this puny seventy-
someone was also carving your epitaph. If you speaking of innovation. Hence, whether we four-year-old teaching me Calculus which
were an innovator or perceived as one, you like it or not are collectively participating in she learned by herself.
could easily lose your limbs, be imprisoned, or innovation.
be sentenced to death. Yes, I was annoyed! However, unbeknownst
We must solve problems at a scale never to me, my grandma gave me one of the most
The Architecture Engineering & encountered in history, so we cannot significant gifts. Well, two! First was the
Construction (AEC) industry must solve remain complacent. We do not have the example of the love for learning shamelessly,
overly complex problems with limited luxury of depending on solutions from a learning purely for the sake of learning.
resources. Hence, rather than taking extreme few designated innovators. Instead, we, Second, it showed me the value of listening
positions on innovation, I hope to awaken the collectively, must become innovators, and observing empathetically. Listening and
inner Innovator in all of us by illustrating a finding creative solutions to complex learning how she solved Calculus problems,
more moderate stance on the term. problems. We are obligated to discover the I began to learn how to learn.
next fire collectively, warding off danger
We need to develop resilient solutions. But and the next wheel propelling us into Grandma learned shamelessly without fear
can we afford only a select few among us as meaningful, sustainable development. of failure. There was neither a carrot nor
designated innovators? a stick that drove her to learn. The joy of
How then do we awaken this Innovator? I learning brought a smile to her face, and
Of course, not! suggest two ways we can do this: learning that smile is still fresh in my mind three
shamelessly and listening empathetically. decades later. It was learning purely for
Hagiographers of innovators often What I am about to present is not ‘scientific’ learning—creating knowledge from existing
attribute innovations to a single person or proof. You can call it an anecdotal personal information. Of course, I cannot say for
a single moment of invention. However, story or an autoethnographic vignette. sure. Maybe she just wanted to show off to
epistemologists of science remind us that Regardless, it is a personal story of the love her teenage grandson.
inventions are based on several interconnected of learning that has not been shared beyond
more minor innovations. A significant family. By sharing it, I hope it illustrates an Undoubtedly, my ego was bruised. With less
innovator does not stand in isolation. They uncomplicated way toward innovation. ‘education’ than me and as someone who
stand not just on the shoulders of giants had not opened a math book in six decades,
before them but crucially on the shoulders of Going back three decades to my high my grandma figured out Calculus problems
ordinary innovators before them. school, I took Calculus. Unsurprisingly, I before me. Licking my wounds, I wanted to
was confused, excited, and frustrated. My see how she did it.
seventy-four-year-old Grandma, Mary, was
living with us during that time. She was born What ensued was my first lesson in
in 1910 in South India and barely completed empathetic listening. Not what the book
eighth grade. It was more than six decades or teacher prescribed, but to listen to
since she picked up any math book; even her experiences of tackling the problem.
then, I doubt her books mentioned Calculus. I looked at how she tackled Calculus
problems. It was a masterclass in reverse
Every day when I got back from school, I engineering. She worked out patterns in the
noticed my math books were missing. I soon example problems. But importantly, it was
realized that my grandma was ‘stealing’ my an excellent opportunity for me to watch
books. Why would a seventy-four-year-old someone learn for the sake of learning.

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How else can we learn to learn? Here, and observing empathetically. So, let us
counterintuitively, I suggest another start learning shamelessly and listening with
essential tool is empathetically listening (and empathy as we continue to solve complex
observing). Developing an empathetic ear problems.
helps us understand problems from different
perspectives. I am not suggesting that we
should uncritically agree with every other
view. Rather, we look at other perspectives
that open additional possibilities for new
and improved solutions.

I thought I knew the

meaning of Calculus
because I was deep into the
school term. I was wrong!
I noticed that she learned shamelessly.
Anytime she was remotely confused about a When we listen empathetically, it takes us
word, she would look it up in the dictionary. out of our comfort zone. It is fundamental to
That was the first time I looked up the learning to learn because it opens multiple
phrase Calculus. Until that point, I assumed ways of solving problems, leading to better
I knew the meaning. It was an important solutions. It forces us to challenge our
lesson in not assuming what you know. assumptions, refine assumptions, and test
Learn Shamelessly! hypotheses, which helps us produce better
solutions. Moreover, it changes our mindset
Rediscovering the joy of learning is the first and focuses on thinking about the end-users
step toward awakening our inner innovators. of solutions.
So, rewind that imaginary clock and take
yourself to a place when you were a little Given the magnitude of our problems,
kid. Now, think of the joy learning new skills let us strive towards acknowledging
brought you. Remember how shameless everyday innovations and making
you were as you learned new skills – just innovation quotidian. I hope my personal
learning purely for the happiness it gave you. story illustrates two ways we could make
Whether making something or restoring innovations part of our daily lives. First,
something, recall the process of learning learning without shame rekindles the joy
and the joy it brought you regardless of the of learning, enables us to learn, and makes
outcome. Learning is what enabled us to innovation more feasible. Equally, we gain
survive as a species. insight into other perspectives by listening

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Moving from disconnected

documents and spreadsheets
to dynamic online resources
At the start of the year and one month also able to build in some simple validation
into a new job at ALEC, I felt the timing rules and tooltips to help users enter data
and opportunity was right to bring in a correctly. I’ve worked with Excel gurus in
software platform to act as an ‘information the past to build similar approaches, but
hub’ that would enable us to begin building these are prone to breaking and human Andy Boutle
new ISO 19650-aligned template resources, error from bitter experience.
in preparation for our organisations BIM
Kitemark certification later in the year. Deploying resources on a project
successfully confirmed the direction was

I ’d wanted to try this approach for a couple

of years as I had seen the successes had
by pioneers such as Rob Jackson at Bond
right so we started to build ISO 19650-2
‘lead appointed party’ template resources
in Morta from scratch. As I’m writing this,
Bryan Digital when implementing similar we have just finalised our ‘Information
underakings using online solutions (notion management hub (templates)’ project,
& airtable) for developing and managing housing templates for;
information requirement / project execution
‘documentation’. • Information management function
assignment matrix
We decided to go with Morta, and after
• (pre-appointment) BIM execution plan
a short trial it became apparent this
was the right solution for us. It had the • Mobilization plan
desired functionality, a good UI and was
• Detailed responsibility matrix
impressively flexible. We are now five
months into the annual subscription for • Exchange information requirements
our Digital Construction department and (LAP)
haven’t looked back since.
• Information delivery plan (TIDPs-MIDP)
After some initial training and guidance,
Note that we have decided to record
building the BIM execution plan online
information risks along with other risk
became more efficient. Being able to drag/
register items within our ERP, as well
drop sections and subsection content to
as sending out and recording capability
reorder, and creating tables where specific
assessments.
text could be entered just once, but be
displayed in multiple places for varying
I’m looking forward to presenting at the
purposes (we all know how many times
BIM Coordinators Summit on this topic and
we have to type the same information in
show how some of these resources have been
multiple locations with a Word-based BEP)
built, and dynamically link to each other in
was even somewhat cathartic.
places. We have also connected Morta via
their API to other software such as CDE
Tables are where Morta excels though (no
solutions (Aconex and BIM360 Docs), to
pun intended), with support we were able to
automate progress reporting and highlight
build a dynamic information delivery plan,
any mismatch between planned (IDP) vs
with linked tables informing pick list codes,
actual (uploaded to CDE). The possibilities
and then permission controlled ‘views’
are expansive!
of the IDP facilitating task information
delivery plan data entry informing the read
For me this kind of approach and solution
only master information delivery plan view.
is also very scalable, and I hope to support
With a little bit of python scripting, we
other departments in the company.
were able to keep plain language descriptors
My advice if you haven’t already, is to
against the field codes, but only deliver
trial Morta or similar solutions to start
the code element from each field into
digitizing documentation as well as the
the concatenation script to populate the
processes and deliverables we generate and
information container ID. On this project
exchange throughout the BIM process.
the client’s information naming convention
also had parent-child dependencies between
a couple of fields, such as ‘document type’-
‘document subtype’, and ‘area’-‘venue/
building’. In Morta we were able to create
these dependencies so that after selecting the
parent code, only the applicable child codes
would be displayed in the picklist. We were

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Critical Success Factors (CSF)

and Challenges of BIM adoption/
implementation
Atila Vidra

The Critical Success Factors (CSF) are status of BIM adoption in UAE construction
strongly linked to barriers, benefits and industry, where the factor categories have
drivers of the BIM implementation process been identified as dimensions for ease
and it will be reflected in this article. Figure understanding. Atila Vidra
no. 1 depicts some Critical Success Factors
The three main dimension affecting BIM
based on year and author.
implementation are as follows:
Muhammad et al. (2019) identified an
important fact that, only few studies have • Technology dimension about
examined BIM adoption issues, but a interoperability between applications,
comprehensive study highlighting issues in software compatibility, authorizing and
multiple dimensions is still missing, hence monitoring of the quality and progress
the need of such study is still awaited. of construction, design clash detection
and visualization and BIM standard and
An excellent approach by Olugboyega and protocols.
Windapo (2019) to understand and depict
• Organizational dimension for BIM
the complexity of a BIM application curve
professionals, vendors, professional trainings
in context of project complexity and BIM
of BIM technologies, and support of Clients
effectiveness is shown in Figure no. 2 below.
and senior management.
The major BIM implementation concerns
owing to the problem of finding the balance • Attitude dimension which includes
between BIM effectiveness, BIM value, interest in learning BIM, BIM awareness and
project success, and project characteristics willingness to use BIM.
which are the challenges of applying BIM on
construction projects as per Olugboyega and In conclusion the challenges are well
Windapo (2019). known by most professionals and industry
stakeholders, and are being addressed
As AbuEbeid and Nielsen (2018) explained, in various projects all around the world
in developing countries high levels of towards a more common and unified
adoption has been hindered by the initial solution under the umbrella of ISO 19650
high costs, lack of skills in implementation standards.
and lack of enhanced standardization of
the guidelines at the national levels. The
latter challenge is being identified in UAE
by all major stakeholder already and it is
being addressed by joining to international
buildingSMART as a ‘New Chapter in
Development’, as it is announced by Mercer
(2020) from buildinSMART.

Mehran (2016, p. 1114) has explored the

Figure no. 1: Table of CSF by year and author(s) Figure no. 2: The BIM application curve showing the effects of project
(Succar & Poirier, 2020), (Chan, et al., 2019), (AbuEbeid & Nielsen, 2018) expectations and complexity on the extent of BIM application on construction
projects (Olugboyega & Windapo, 2019)

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An overview from someone who has experience

with several international companies in the Façade
& Cladding sector involving design, fabrication, site
Building
installation and contract management since the early Industry
Reform
‘70’s, on some of the largest and most prestigious
contracts in the UK and Ireland.

T he Grenfell Fire Disaster in 2017

has resulted in the commissioning
of an Independent Review of Building
It is essential that the client’s team establish
the broad principles of collaborative
practices as early as possible so it can be
for contractors to refocus and adopt new
ideas and work practices.

Regulations and Fire Safety in the UK, included in the tendering documentation. The habitual practice of overtime and
and new legislation is presently being This ensures it will be discussed in detail weekend working that has dogged the
implemented throughout the Construction at the consultant team meetings, specialist building industry for so long has got to cease
Industry that will have serious consequences contractor meetings and start-up meetings. and with the introduction of collaborative
for stakeholders, and while we have our measures, this can be achieved with
own legislation here in Ireland, there is a Good organisational working practices weekend working being the exception to the
great need for change to an ailing industry might include: rule, and not the norm.
that has been slow to accept modernisation
• Clear lines of communication and
down the years. The big challenge is to create reform that
authority.
might include compulsory education
However, change is on the way with IPD, • Protocols for dissemination of syllabuses at required levels for all sectors
which is Integrated Project Delivery, and information. including Specialists that would eliminate
facilitator BIM, Building Information the bad attitudes, mismanagement systems,
• Collaborative competent teamwork in
Modelling, together with the introduction of bad workmanship and all other malpractices
procurement.
BS EN ISO 19650 code of practice, access to that are so common on our sites.
architectural, engineering and construction • Regular workshops.
information as early as possible, this is The following is an extract from clause 11 of
• Problem processes based on solutions,
essential for IPD to succeed. UK Manufacturers Code for Construction
and not blame.
Product Information “A manufacturer must
BIM is fundamental to the way the project is set • Continuous benchmarks, assessments, have in place a robust training programme
up and managed and ensures that appropriate feedback and adaptations. (for new and existing personnel) to ensure
information is available in a suitable format that anyone conveying product information
so that better decisions can be made during At this stage, and with positive input from is competent to the level of knowledge
the design, construction and operation of the all stakeholders exhibiting good leadership required for their role.”
building throughout its entire lifecycle. and collaborative qualities, together with the
Client being fully guided by a Sustainable Supply chain tutoring from manufacturers
Client and designer exclusive participation framework and ESG reporting standards would be essential to ensure good data is
during pre tender stage results in lots of with the Design Team, and with BIM having part of the curriculum and with certification
design issues, building clashes, contract identified and resolved clashes and design guaranteed to personnel completing the
variations, etc. not becoming evident until issues, the way is clear to get the building course, this might be a good starting point.
contractors come on board, and then total underway, well not quite! A follow up schedule of retraining and
bedlam ensues, and with programme upskilling would be essential for the ongoing
deadlines looking dubious, this can lead The construction industry’s perceived learning programme.
to the instigation of a claims process, that problems of being ‘ineffective’, ‘fragmented’,
sometimes ends in court proceedings, ‘adversarial’ and ‘incapable of delivering for This would create a constant supply of
altogether not the ideal formula for a its customers’, in effect requiring change to certified personnel with the knowledge
successful project. greater partnership and teamwork. to attain higher standards that creates a
Contractors using outdated and replicated framework to enable people to meet the
Collaboration is essential to identify site malpractices and attitudes, and with challenges they face.
all stakeholders that would include a hierarchical and antediluvian style of
large number of diverse discipline with management with unnecessary overtime The time has now arrived for this major
an Independent Assigned Certification and out of normal hours unsupervised overhaul of the building industry, and
and Quality Control process as early as working being the norm, which in turn already we are seeing leaders from BIM
possible, and then by introducing the made the site inspection process redundant, digital sectors stepping up to the plate in
people, practices, business structures and and that meant a deterioration in standards order to create this new forum and bring the
systems collaboratively that would reduce especially where special access was required building industry into the 21st century.
embodiment and waste, optimise efficiency and sometimes contravened the basic health
in Design, Fabrication & Construction, and safety rules as well as causing mental Organisational Resilience which is every
these reforms will introduce innovation and health issues with a total disregard for company’s ambition and is supported by
efficiency which eventually will result in a human wellbeing, and this has been in the the positive experiences that have been
successful outcome. system for years, so the time has long passed accumulated, so with a very clear purpose

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and a method of how to achieve that that would include early collaboration
purpose, one is able to translate those with all stakeholders including the Tenant
ideas based on the learning experiences. It and Fitout Contractor to ensure Health &
is about consistency in one’s purpose but Safety and Fire Regulations are strictly in
having flexibility in achieving it. compliance.

This reform is probably one of the biggest Summary

challenges that our Construction Industry
will have to overcome in modern times, This is a great opportunity for all
however there are people out there stakeholders to play their part in helping
already leading from the front, so the the Construction Industry reinvent itself by
onus is on the rest to follow. This will reducing emissions with modern methods,
eventually lead to higher productivity, diversification, education, collaboration and
more profitability, cleaner environment most importantly successful digitalisation
and improved social and mental wellbeing transition to guarantee SUSTAINABILITY
in society, Sustainability that guarantees for present and future generations.
the present and future generations a better
environment.

And now we have come to the sector

that has been the ‘fly in the ointment’
for decades and still is up to the present
day, and without targeting specific
trades, it is common knowledge across
the Construction Industry that there
is a massive shortage of competent
people, and more to the point little has
been done by successive governments
generation after generation to remedy
this dilemma.

If we are serious about diversification,

and at the same time solving the current
labour crisis, there is a ‘crying out’ for
some sort of promotional exercise at
national level at all Secondary Schools
and IT Colleges to attract boys and girls
to look at their future in our building
industry, especially since the days of dirty
and unhealthy environments of toxic
diesel fuelled air compressors with their
noisy jackhammers long gone, working
on a building site nowadays is exciting
and much more attractive financially
than your mundane office position.

So with the introduction of BIM which

provides an integrated, interactive and
virtual approach to underpin design,
construction and operation of buildings,
there is an urgent requirement for a
National Training Centre where students
can access a programme of their choice
and gain certification on its completion.
Most of these learning programmes can
be achieved through part time and virtual
attendance schedules, we have seen from the
Oireachtas Report where government grants
having been made available for retrofitting
schemes only to find a large percentage are
under performing through incompetent
installation, so presently, there is a massive
demand across the industry for competent
certified personnel.

Finally, Global Warming and ESG features

with tree planting and other Sustainable
promotions are all positives from the Brian Guinan
corporate sector, however coalface activities

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Why openBIM?
Technical Solutions Lead, BIM Track

I heard many great things about openBIM, platform or product used to create, read, or
but was always under the impression that modify them. This helps to ensure that the
it was not for me. I knew Revit; I was data within the model is still available and
comfortable with Revit. I even had a secret useful in the future as we change platforms,
weapon should someone send me a ‘non- allowing us to always access our models.
Revit’ file…Navisworks! What more could
I need? openBIM: Always Accessible!
Carl Storms
B ut my current job immersed me in the
world of Industry Foundation Classes
(IFCs) and BIM Collaboration Format
Now that we know the what, the why doesn’t
seem so out of reach, does it? Knowing that
there is a way to help extend the longevity
(BCFs), and in the end openBIM found me. of your model data from early design, to
construction, and even on into the operation All We Have to Fear is the Fear of
Before we jump into the why of openBIM, of the building’s life cycle, it seems like a Change
let’s be clear on the what according to no-brainer! This is to say nothing of the
buildingSMART International: improvements in workflow that openBIM My own journey of understanding BCF and
can lead to as it expands interoperability on IFC has highlighted the roles they play in
‘openBIM extends the benefits of BIM projects. Your chosen team of architects, interoperability and collaboration. However,
(Building Information Modeling) by engineers and contractors can work better for full transparency (which is a big part
improving the accessibility, usability, together in their software tools of choice, all of openBIM) many of the struggles of this
management and sustainability of digital with less data loss and need for rework! journey are less about the formats, and more
data in the built asset industry. At its core, about fear of change. So while most journeys
openBIM is a collaborative process that is Of course nothing is free; neither the fuel will start with IFC and BCF as their focus,
vendor-neutral. openBIM processes can you got when you filled up your tank, nor openBIM is about more than these two
be defined as sharable project information openBIM itself! For openBIM to work, components; it’s really about standards and
that supports seamless collaboration for all people need to understand it and use it on the work of buildingSMART International.
project participants. openBIM facilitates their projects. This creates a virtuous cycle,
interoperability to benefit projects and assets where the more they use it the more it’s Any journey can appear daunting, but
throughout their lifecycle.’ understood; the more it’s understood, the openBIM is an industry-changer, and we’re
more it’s used… you can see where we are living through changing moment together!
going with this. To achieve this critical mass Are you intrigued to know more about
of understanding and use, we need to learn openBIM? Then let’s talk!
about the components of openBIM and how
to put them to work: Industry Foundation
Classes (IFCs) and BIM Collaboration
Format (BCFs).

Have a Gas!

Imagine you’re on a journey, driving your

car when suddenly your gas light comes on.
Naturally you pull into the nearest service
station to get some more fuel.

It doesn’t matter if you are driving a Ford,

a BMW, or a Ferrari, nor does it matter
whether you have a diesel or gasoline
engine: you can fill up with what is available
at this station. In fact this humble gas station
is keeping up with the times, so it even offers
a couple charging stations for electric cars!

In this analogy the gas station is openBIM.

The gas station cares about supplying energy
that makes its client’s cars run, just as
openBIM provides the data in our Building
Information Models, regardless of the

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If there’s a better way to reach

the construction industry
we’ll eat our hat!

• print • digital • web • social media

BIM COORDINATORS SUMMIT 2022 | Where Minds Meet & Information Matters

Less Is More:
The Importance of Usable
Information

Human beings have an endless thirst for sync time, the most recent sync time, or some
knowledge. Far from merely satisfying our combination thereof? Or is there a different
curiosity, we seek knowledge for the power piece of data that would give us better insight, Gary Sprague
it gives us to create new technologies and to like the time it takes to open the model?
accomplish more with those already at our
disposal. This drive to understand ever more There is a tendency in BIM to think that outcome. Too often the answer here is to
about the world is what has led us all the way more information is automatically better. build a dashboard. It’s the ‘if you build it,
from the stone age to today’s information age. But without carefully scrutinizing its they will come’ theory of usable information
relevance, we can easily end up focusing – if there is one place that has all the

A s the CEO of a SaaS company providing

content management and project
analytics to the AEC industry, I see this
on information that leads to inaccurate
thinking or unnecessary distractions.
information the user needs, then surely it
will be easy for them to find and use that
information.
drive for more knowledge play out all the 2) Information that is formatted to
time in the BIM space. I speak frequently create minimal cognitive load for In reality, dashboards are often ineffective
with BIM Managers, Coordinators and the user. for that very reason. There is too much
Specialists about how our product can better information to sort through, and the
serve them. These conversations inevitably The same piece of information can be information is not available in a working
involve some version of the following presented in many ways – as numbers, a context where it would be natural to act on.
request: “Could Kinship also tell us A, B and graph, an image, a symbol, etc. The question Going back to the example of diagnosing
C about our Revit projects?” is which of those will take the least amount model speed, it might be better to highlight
of mental work for the user to interpret the information when the user is looking
The answer is usually yes, it could. But correctly. We often operate on the assumption at recent model activity, or when they have
as software makers, our response needs that making information visible is sufficient opened a model and are working on it. If
to go further than simply dumping more for it to become useful. In reality, users may we do want to summarize the information
data points on the screen. If we truly want stare at numbers or charts without being on a dashboard, then how do we make it
information to help solve problems and able to tell whether that information means easy to go from that high level report to
improve outcomes, then we have to make something is wrong or needs attention. a context that facilitates action, such as
sure that information is usable. communicating with project managers or
Usable information will be formatted in opening the model?
By usable information, I mean the following: a way that makes it as easy as possible for
the user to interpret correctly. Despite While usable information will feel simple
1) Information that is actually our instincts to the contrary, this often and easy to the user, it takes a lot of
the most relevant to the problem means we should omit details and present thought and work to get it right. But in
being solved. information in a simplified and “pre- today’s era of Big Data, the stakes for doing
digested” format. For example, rather so have never been higher. There is so
The same raw data can produce information than showing users a detailed breakdown much information at our disposal that it
of varying relevance to a problem depending of model warnings – giving them all the is easier than ever to focus on the wrong
on how it is processed. For example, if we information they could possibly want, yet information, create information overload
want to know whether a model is running leaving them overwhelmed with deciding and to put information where it doesn’t
slowly, it’s not enough to say that we want what to do – we might better meet their belong. If our goal with BIM is to unlock
to know the model’s sync time. Do we want needs by summarizing that information in a the value of information to create a better
to know the average sync time, the slowest “stop light” icon that indicates if everything built environment, then we would be wise
is good (green), something probably needs to focus as much as possible on making sure
attention (yellow), or something needs that information is usable.
immediate attention (red). From there, we
can allow the user to go a level deeper and
look at all the relevant details with a clear
idea of their intended action.

3) Information that is presented

when and where it can facilitate
the desired action or decision.

The ‘last mile’ of usable information is how

we deliver that information to the user at
a time and place that facilitates the desired

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14 Bad BIM Habits That BIM

Managers Must Help Prevent!

W elcome to this new chapter in the

fight against evil BIM. I’ll go through
14 of the most frequent evil BIM issues
mistakes. Like most BIM managers, you have
to constantly help teams understand what they
should be modeling and when. It’s your job to
seen in the design and construction sector ensure that all teams are clear on the guidelines
and how you may avoid them - sometimes for who models which systems/elements. Clive Jordan
with a bit of assistance from Plannerly.
5. Modeling 1,000’s of Unnecessary 8. BIM Spreadsheet Contracts
1. Owners Just Requesting ‘BIM’ Clashes
Using spreadsheets to document BIM
When a client is brainwashed by BIM If everyone starts working on their models commitments can be difficult. When BIM
software vendors who claim ‘endless simultaneously, it can lead to problems. requirements are defined with just numbers
advantages of BIM!’ the outcome may This happens when teams create clashes (LOD 100 to LOD 500), it is usually
be an owner simply asking for ‘BIM’. The without realizing it. Some owners ask, unclear what these requirements mean. So
owner is likely expecting a magical digital “Is BIM expensive?” Well, if there has specifying the Level of Information Need
twin unicorn but will undoubtedly be been no planning, the answer is likely to in a simple but comprehensive contract is
disappointed with the outcome. be “yes!” The best way to avoid clashes essential.
is to set up a priority system and use
As a BIM Manager, you must educate clients Lean methods with collaborative “pull When defining the Level of Information
about what BIM can do for the project and planning” workshops. Need requirements for a BIM contract,
align capabilities with the most critical make sure to be as specific as possible.
project challenges. 6. Evil BIM Scope Agreements Include the geometry requirements,
documentation needs, and information
2. When Too Little BIM is Produced Sometimes teams will agree on a BIM requirements. This will help to prevent any
scope that is more detailed than necessary, misunderstandings later on.
When not enough BIM is created, it can lead knowing that they will need to issue Change
to incomplete processes. Takeoff quantities Orders later. This can quickly become a 9. Requesting ‘LOD 500 + COBie’
will be incorrect since they won’t include all vicious problem if teams start modeling
element quantities. The 4D simulation will without clear guidelines. As a BIM Manager, Do not accept vague BIM requirements
be challenging to finish because of the extra it is your responsibility to ensure that the just to win a project. When BIM
work required to fill in the blanks. teams understand what is in-scope, out-of- requirements are not specific, it can lead to
scope, and how to document it. big problems later on in the project. Teams
As a BIM manager, you need to ensure can feel under pressure to say “ok” and
that the right people create enough BIM at The best way to avoid confusion and accept the owner’s request for inadequate
the correct times. This may be done very problems on a project is to list every system deliverables.
simply, following ISO 19650 workflows, in or element along with the responsible team.
Plannerly’s Scope module. Once the matrix is complete, each team can The BIM manager’s responsibility is to
sign off on their portion, ensuring that they ensure that the team understands the BIM
3. When Too Much BIM Is Produced are only responsible for work that falls within requirements and can meet them. The best
their area. You can use Plannerly’s simple, way to do this is to create a BIM Execution
BIM can be great, but a colossal downside visual, and online tools to help with this Plan (BEP) that outlines the expectations
occurs when teams produce more BIM process. for each deliverable. This will help ensure
than needed, and the customer/end users everyone understands what is expected of
do not use it. This leads to wasted time and 7. Poor Quality Modeling them and what they need to do to meet the
resources. BIM Managers must be aware of requirements.
the models’ potential applications before If you are a BIM manager, you know that
beginning modeling. As a BIM Manager, one of the main goals of using BIM is to 10. Asking For BIM But Contracting
you can be a hero on your project by make the workflow easier. However, many to 2D
managing the BIM scope efficiently! teams create and share models that are not
of good quality. This increases the amount of Some people might not want to use BIM
4. When Nobody Knows Who rework needed and drives up costs! because they have traditionally used 2D
Should Do What drawings. You can avoid this by educating
It is essential to set up some guidelines for the contracting team on the benefits of BIM
Who is responsible for modeling the lights model quality and follow them. One way to do and how it can save time and money. You
in a building? Is it the architect, the interior this is to create a BIM Execution Plan (BEP/ should also create a BIM Execution Plan
designer, the electrical engineer, or someone BXP) that outlines training requirements and that outlines what is expected from each
else? This lack of clarity can lead to teams the expectations for model quality. This should deliverable.
incorrectly modeling each other’s work, be created at the beginning of the project and
leading to severe miscommunication and shared with all team members.

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11. When Someone Says: “I need 13. When Someone Says: “Why It’s a complex world out there, good luck in
a BIM Execution Plan” but doesn’t Can’t We Just Do It In 2D?” your fight against the big bad evil BIM!
know why
This is another frustrating statement that is
A common reason why BIM fails is that often made.
there is not enough organization. When
there is no clear plan, it can lead to 2D drawings are essential, but they should
confusion and frustration. The owner might not be used as a substitute for 3D models.
request a BIM Execution Plan from the
team, but they might not know what should 3D models can provide more useful
go into it. representations of the project, which can be
more efficient in the long run. It’s important
When this happens, the project’s BIM to explain this to help teams understand the
Manager has to explain what needs to go longer-term benefits of using 3D models.
into the BEP to the Owner. This often occurs
when the BIM manager is the only one on 14. When Someone Says: “We Don’t
the team who understands how to use BIM. Need BIM, We’ve Been Doing This
For Years.”
It is vital for everyone on the project team
to understand BIM and their role in the When someone says that they don’t need BIM
process. You must make sure that the BIM because they’ve been doing things the same
Execution Plan (BEP) is clear and concise way for years, it can be hard to convince them
and that everyone knows what is expected to change. However, times are changing,
of them! and new technology makes the construction
industry work better. BIM provides many
12. When Someone Says: “I Don’t benefits that can’t be ignored, so explaining
Care How You Model It, Just Make this to those resistant to change is essential.
It Look Like This.”
So, in summary, Evil BIM is often caused
This is one of the most aggravating things by a lack of definition or understanding of
a BIM manager can hear. It’s like telling the requirements; however, you can help
someone, “I don’t care how you do it; just your team by being patient and teaching
make it seem like this.” When this happens, them how to use BIM aligned to their own
discuss with the owner or designer precisely Information Management goals.
what they want.

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State of BIM and what Web3.0

brings for the construction
industry?

Construction sector is regarded as inert, That is what those few demo projects
archaic industry where change is slow, show. Norway is one of first countries that Dainius Gudavičius
it needs decades to be rolled out. Not to as an owner invested in paving the road
mention changes in process, where it comes of unknown processes and are looking
so slowly that whole industry is built around to standardize workflows to reach and
making it very hard to keep everything
‘digitizing the process’. If we would look at capture the benefits of digital construction.
together, as having static documents can
today’s software, platforms, digital tools, They launched some of their strategic
easily lose links to documents and other
most of them are built to produce same infrastructure projects with a requirement
models. And the main question he raised
output from same input that was used not to use paper or drawings in these
“Will the IFC-files we use today be readable
decades ago. With the dawn of BIM, which projects. Today, almost a third of all bridge
in the future?”
was introduced in 2002, (already twenty projects are done that way. Øystein Ulvestad,
years ago!), everyone was excited about responsible for development of drawingless
As we covered it earlier, there’s a limit to what
what benefits and change it will bring to workflows at Sweco Norway was one of key
you can achieve with process optimization
the built world. More excitement came with figures in these projects. He says that going
without the whole approach revamp. We can
introduction of BIM Bew-Richards maturity paperless gave a lot of benefits:
already see that there’s a problem with data
levels with a vision of full integration of
• Less errors in planning and execution due exchange even if modern BIM workflows
systems, databases and information. The
to detailed 3d-model, are introduced. File exchange is already
problem is that the maturity matrix is not to
showing its limitations. Data sync between
scale. The ‘progress bar’ seems to be stuck. • All involved parties always work on the
files, different versions of the same file cannot
Yes, those who embrace the change are latest revision (models are hosted in the
be managed (branches), even with evolution
blessed with new BIM features, functions cloud),
of IFC is not the real interoperability that
and tools. But still, these new features
• Data is ready for machine-readability everyone is dreaming about. Not to mention,
produce same output from the same input
(automation is the future), that suppliers are out of this AEC ‘game’
as twenty years ago. Not everything is
altogether. Digital twins, asset information
black and white, there are few examples of • Easier for remote cooperation as BIM-
models are all manual setups which
paperless (drawingless) cases. Mostly in models are more universal than drawings,
require meticulous data and information
Scandinavian countries. That is something
• BOQ is in the model, management during the project and lengthy
different, so let’s look and maybe we will
configuration to achieve digital twin status
find some clues what could boost the vector • Faster revisions,
for the model.
of innovation.
• Parametric design can be used (quick
changes and reusable design scripts). Have reached the end of the road? Absolutely

T he process depends on input and output

and that is our first clue. If you will
have same input and if you will have same
There’s not much data about productivity
increase, because it is hard to measure,
not. BIM didn’t come from nowhere. At
first it was a technological shift that let
multidimensional data management which
rules for an output, there’s a limit of how but when BIM-models were introduced as was the effect of databases, then it was
much you can improve processing. You can basis for drawings (about 10-15 years ago) powerful computers with cutting-edge
optimize it, add more processing power, but project change orders for the Norwegian graphics that allowed managing of the data
there’s a cap to how much it will improve. Road Authorities were reduced from around locally – a supercomputer on a desktop, and
Having different inputs and output creates 19 percent to 8 percent. It is 50 percent then the Internet with its protocols (http, ftp,
a shift of productivity (unfortunately it goes improvement! It only shows that the potential etc.) which connected all this into one single
both ways), but that is what we can we learn is there. network of unparalleled productivity.
from those few demos that where done. It
is not expected that few projects with novel But Øystein also mentioned challenges that At that time, it was not AEC that utilized all
processes will show 50 percent faster design, come with model-based drawingless design. these technologies first – advanced search
or 30 percent saved materials, but if these Drawings in some cases even have advantage, engines, e-commerce, financial technologies
projects weren’t worse, it is already better such as display of concepts, repeating details, were built on the that infrastructure years
because novel processes have an overhead, and the design id more flexible. That is much earlier. If we look at what history of digital
it is called ‘figuring out a process’ and if the harder to do in a BIM-model. Also, the vast transformation shows in different sectors
project is completed in same or slightly longer amount of information in a BIM-model can - Lo and Behold there are a lot of parallels
time it is still a win for the team. If ‘figuring become a problem without good ways of and same problems as AEC sector is having.
out’ part would be removed from the project, sorting, filtering, and presenting the right There’s are series of terms used to describe
it shows that there’s a big potential for process data to the right people, at the right time. the maturity of Internet maturity – Web X.0.
improvement. That is why pilots and leading Another concern he has is how data is stored. With a dawn of the Internet, it was Web 1.0,
standardization initiatives are so important. While as built-drawings can be stored as a then Web 2.0 was introduced in 2004 as a
One is to pave out the process another is to set of PDF documents, BIM-models often concept of the future Internet technologies.
capture it and reuse. contain digital links to other documents, With an advent of blockchain and AI more

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and more conversations about decentralized,

semantic, personalized web experience began
to arise. Web 3.0 term was introduced which
incorporated all these aspects in around
2016. Limits of how deep you can personalize
experience with standards of Web 2.0 are
already becoming apparent. Security of
blockchain, unmatched speed of querying
and multidimensional analytics of data in
graph databases and multiply everything with
AI boosted insights, that is what will lead the
development of web for next decade or more.

What is it in it for AEC? It is tempting to

draw parallels between BIM maturity levels
by just comparing numbers (BIM L1 = WEB
1.0, BIM L2 = WEB 2.0, and so on), but let’s
look at it objectively. Here’s a table of Web X.0 parts of such ecosystem. There are three main design suggestions. Also, individualized
definitions that somewhat represents same parts, that need to be solved. designer experience, where designer job
technological aspects of BIM maturity. stack would be individualized by preference
• Open Data Model (Semantic and and inclination. CDEs as model hosting and
Let’s compare where BIM is in the context Modular) with metadata in graph database, source control where feature set would not
of existing paradigms. Some aspects are to enable Model View Definition to be useful. be directed towards file management but
not directly convertible, but parallels can That would enable features like partial data productivity, analytics and data generation,
be drawn. Web maturity has underlying sharing for a specific design task. Not less, not all data connected into one or few flows,
cutting-edge technologies and their use cases more. Or Model state change on delivery and a BuildVerse – a MultiVerse for AECMO
in mind, and it works as a very good baseline automatic conversion to Asset Information industries.
to evaluate a state of BIM. Comparison below Model and much more.
is done taking the most common tools and
workflows in mind, excluding experiments, • Open API specification for online tools.
or non-mainstream platforms. This would allow real interoperability in
data creation and management, including
Result shows that current state of BIM is suppliers’ data. Also, Asset Information
still far from utilizing all the technological Model to Digital Twin conversion by just
capabilities in the market. There are a lot of plugging in sensors through the same API.
very advanced data management tools for
AEC sector that might easily cover the Web • Asset Lifecycle Ledger in a Building
3.0 specification, but one tool alone won’t Information or Real Estate blockchain,
change an industry. Industry needs whole allowing tracking of all the assets throughout
infrastructure to create an interconnected its lifecycle with backtracking and other
ecosystem for building design, construction analyses that might be done on it.
and management. Every bottleneck counts
and there are a lot of them in current state. These parts would enable full integration
of data across whole industry and leading
Let’s try and define what infrastructure would technologies would follow, such as AI
make that difference, for Web 3.0 to work learning would be possible with open data
with BIM (or vice versa) and what might be model which will then bring AI boosted

generative design, analytics, and holistic

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Let’s get back to the

basics of BIM

On 14 June 2017, a high-rise fire broke out The Grenfell inquiry revealed critical
in the 24-storey Grenfell Tower. 72 people problems in this regard. For example, it is
died in that fire, most of whom were people worrying that, even though there is clear
of colour. Shamefully, it was the deadliest evidence that some of the design team had
structural fire in the United Kingdom for access to in-house BIM resources, the
over 29 years. expert witness cited a range of significant David Shepherd
issues that impaired the quality of

S ubsequently, the Grenfell inquiry

uncovered a vast catalogue of avoidable
errors, many of which related to poor
information that related to fire safety.

If we are to prevent another Grenfell, then, we, robust regime for carefully comparing and
management of the building’s design as BIM professionals, need to ensure that these checking successive revisions to drawings,
and construction data that was critical to issues, as outlined below, are never repeated. models and schedules before they are
ensuring fire safety. shared. It also highlights the importance of
1. Design Responsibility Matrix using of laser scan overlays (a.k.a. scan to
Additionally, the independent review, chaired In his supplemental report, the BIM) to verify existing conditions, instead of
by Dame Judith Hackitt, identified the need expert witness and chartered just relying on design assumptions.
for a ‘golden thread of information’, including architect, Paul Hyett, wrote:
the digital record that should be maintained 3. Common Data Environment
across the entire lifecycle of all higher risk “It seems to me that another fundamental
residential buildings. The Hackitt report also problem with this project was that a matrix of In accordance with correct design
highlighted the importance of deploying BIM responsibilities under the Design and Build procedures, Paul Hyett explained that:
to organise and maintain the digital record: contractor were never properly established or “Throughout the life of any project,
monitored. I have not seen evidence of any all documentation issued to Clients,
“A BIM system will enable the duty-holder such matrix at any stage of the project. Whilst Consultants and Statutory Authorities
to ensure accuracy and quality of design and such a matrix is important at the earlier should be recorded on a ‘Drawing Issue
construction, which are crucial for building- stages, it is critically important under any Register’. This register should typically
in safety up front.” Design and Build appointment.” contain information including document
name, number, version, date of issue.
This recommendation means that it is At the very least, a design responsibility In addition, distribution listings should
inevitable that BIM managers and BIM matrix, once circulated among project be maintained, accurately recording the
coordinators will have a critical role stakeholders and agreed, mitigates the risk recipient’s name, date sent and the drawing
in ensuring that the ‘golden thread of of ambiguity over the division of pre- and revision. Confirmation as to whether the
information’ is properly implemented in post-appointment design responsibilities. document was issued electronically, as
design and construction and is rigorously Accordingly, ISO-19650-1 identifies, as a a hard copy, or both electronically and
maintained throughout the operational phase. general requirement, that “a responsibility hard copy should in each instance also be
matrix should be generated as part of the included on the register.”
The adage that ‘you have to learn to walk information delivery planning process in
before you can run’ is entirely applicable one or more levels of detail.” This requirement is better facilitated by
to BIM. It makes no sense for BIM sharing information via a Common Data
managers and coordinators to focus on the 2. Coordination of Project Environment (CDE) than via email because
complexities of generating computational Information the CDE provides centralised ‘transparency
geometry and AR/VR output, if they still of information and an audit trail all the
aren’t capable of properly coordinating and In his report entitled ‘Failures in Quality way through the life cycle of a building
controlling project information. Control’, Paul Hyett identified major from the planning stage to occupation and
omissions (e.g., the service riser) and maintenance.’
discrepancies (e.g., fire ratings) in successive
Fire Strategy drawings. It was also reported It is notable that, absent this centralised
that, in some cases, the drawing number audit trail, the Grenfell inquiry had to
and title within the title block did not resort to the inefficiency of sifting through
correspond to the file name (‘container ID’ the email accounts of multiple project
is the technical term). Furthermore, the stakeholders to compile an audit trail
file naming (e.g., 1279_SEA_(08) 101 Fire comprising all the information that was
Strategy.pdf) did not comply with the then exchanged in relation to fire safety.
UK BIM standard, BS-1192.
4. Revision Control
Surely, this issue underscores the fact that to
maintain ‘the golden thread of information’, In his report, Paul Hyett emphasised the
BIM coordinators will need to establish a importance of revision control. He wrote:

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“Normal protocols with respect to revisions are

for the revision to be described, albeit briefly,
in the space adjoining the revision number
above the title box, and for the drawing for
that issue only to be annotated with a ‘balloon’
around the revision or revisions that clearly
highlights the amendment.”

He also provided examples that suggested

a lack of revision control, ranging from
omitting the ‘balloon’ around each revision
to omitting the sequence of previous
revisions from the drawing’s revision box
and to using over-generalised descriptions
(e.g., ‘Scheme Updated’).

He wrote: “As a result, there was usually

no indication and/or location to notify
recipients of the drawings as to what specific
changes had been made.”

The lesson to be learnt is that BIM

coordinators are still required to ensure that
all the key changes to drawings are identified
and listed. Even the most powerful software
for comparing models is not substitute for
carefully identifying and annotating revisions. Fire strategy drawing, as marked up by expert witness for Grenfell inquiry

5. Specification References
thread of information’, BIM coordinators Those foundational aspects of information
and managers have a duty to ensure that the management (e.g., design responsibility
Despite the fateful decision to opt for
level of information, including specification matrix, common data environment, revision
aluminium composite panels, the cladding
notes, adequately capture the status of the control) require meticulous attention
details continued to be specified as zinc
detailed design. to detail. They aren’t the glamorous
composite.
innovations that inspire audiences at BIM
conferences.
Again, this highlights the importance of
Conclusion
the ‘I’ (for information) in BIM. Critically,
Nevertheless, they do save lives. And if
the value of BIM as a shared resource
Therefore, while it is always encouraging cost considerations force us to choose
diminishes to the extent that its level of
to discover innovations in computational between spending on the latest Digital Twin
detail and information are not regularly
design, simulation and visualisation, the new innovations and developing a repeatable
updated to reflect ongoing design decisions.
building safety regime will require all BIM ‘golden thread of information’ that saves
coordinators and managers to get ‘back to lives, I’d hope and expect that every BIM
In my experience, the design team often
basics’ of project information management, coordinator and manager would choose the
emphasise the importance of ensuring that
as per ISO-19650, and, thereby, maintain the latter every time.
models are issued with the required level
‘golden thread of information’.
of detail. However, to maintain the ‘golden

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Building People:
How to join the dots between
diversity, skills and social
impact
Let’s keep it simple. of Building People and that it delivers
a service to meet your needs. Our
Does the UK need to design, plan, collaborative and inclusive approach, with
build, maintain (etc.) buildings a commitment to not duplicating effort and
and infrastructure? to working with all to increase diversity
and deliver joined-up social impact, means
Yes. there’s space for everyone to join in.

D o we have enough competent and

experienced workers to make this
happen? No.
In a bit more detail…

Building People is a social enterprise that

Rebecca Lovelace,
Founder and Chief Dot-joiner
is creating connections across the built
Of the workers we have, are they environment to address the industry connections between diverse supply and
representative of UK society? No. challenges of skills, diversity and social employer demand…
impact. Our free-to-use network and
Do we have a problem with a lack of diversity platform aggregates and integrates with Of course it would.
in the built environment workforce? Yes. sector-wide activity, enabling people to
easily find knowledge, vacancies, events To join in with Building People and
Read on if you’d like to change this. and careers opportunities, and employers to our movement for collaborative change
engage with a more diverse range of talent. (to increase diversity across the built
In fact, don’t just read on, but join in. Join environment together), please contact us:
in with a social enterprise that is leading a We are increasing diversity across the built [email protected]
movement for collaborative change. Join in environment by enabling collaboration and
with Building People and a network of over by improving connections between diverse For more information, please
80 organisations that have come together supply and employer demand. visit our website:
to make it easier for people from diverse https://www.buildingpeople.org.uk/
backgrounds to find the many amazing Our aim is to simplify user journeys
careers opportunities available, and for (making it easier to find what already
employers to widen their talent pools. exists by bringing opportunities together
in one place), thus helping to bring about
How? equality of opportunity across a fragmented
careers landscape. Our aggregating and
1. Share your opportunities, from work connecting platform brings together careers
experience to jobs, events, knowledge opportunities in one place:
and resources via the Building People
‘aggregating and connecting’ hub. • Search Organisations – a searchable
database of 350+ organisations/initiatives that
2. Work with us to connect your opportunities provide built environment careers support to
to our network of 50+ organisations that diverse and under-represented individuals.
provide built environment careers support to
• Activities & Events – listings of relevant
diverse groups. This network is composed of
activities aimed at diverse audiences.
organisations/initiatives that focus on under-
represented audiences such as: • Work Opportunities – aggregated
vacancies from work experience and
• Women placements to jobs.
• Black Asian and Minority Ethnic people • Resources – a multitude of careers content
aimed at enabling a diverse workforce.
• Ex-military personnel
• Young people Wouldn’t it all be much easier if people
interested in built environment careers
• Refugees
could easily find the many vacancies, events,
• Ex-offenders knowledge and resources that exist? Would
career pathways not be simpler if there
• LGBTQ+ people
were a ‘one stop shop’ that aggregated such
• People with disabilities opportunities? And then connected these
opportunities to the many organisations
3. Become a Supporter and play an active and initiatives that engage with diverse and
role in ensuring both the sustainability under-represented groups? Simplifying the

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Minds Meet
meet&and
Information
information
Matters
matters

Revizto Enhances its

Project Visualization
Solution for Better
Constructability and Risk
Management
Constructability. A project management step away from the office while maintaining
technique to review the construction connectivity with their teams with limited
processes from start to finish during the interruption in productivity. By doing so
pre-construction phase and it is used to they spend less time on repetitive tasks and
identify obstacles before a project is built to more energy on the important parts of the
reduce or prevent errors, delays, and cost constructability process.
Cody Whitelock
overruns. Simply put it is “buildability”;
The industry breaks down Constructability Revizto Platform Connects Architects,
the process to identify potential problems
into six components: Engineers, Contractors and Subcontractors
and determine if the project can be
• Estimating from Preconstruction through the Entire Course
completed within the timeframe given and
• Value Analysis of Construction through Constructability and
for the price agreed upon.
• Risk Analysis Coordination Efforts.
In the construction industry, one of the biggest • Scheduling
challenges is evaluating constructability • Logistics Planning
of complex projects while implementing • Review of Documents
“A constructability review must be performed
coordination practices that translate to the
by experienced individual(s), which means a
field. Model review tools such as Revizto “The first half of constructability is reducing
team of highly qualified personal must allocate
give contractors, engineers, architects, cost risk is to make better estimates, the second
a significant amount of their time for this
and subcontractors the opportunity to half is better design coordination to ensure
task. The reality is multiple weeks of available
collaborate in a common environment for constructability. Constructability review is an
time is required to do a proper review. But
constructability/coordination, while allowing all-hands-on-deck process with the design
problems are difficult to find and require an
the user to use multiple different authoring team and the project team collaborating to
experienced set of eyes to identify. This means
tools such as Revit, AutoCAD, Infraworks, flag issues and ultimately ensure that the plans
assigning a group of multiple backgrounds
Civil 3D, etc. and different BIM technology put into action can be delivered as designed”
(Precon, operations, vdc, etc.) with multiple
data such as Laser scans, Drones (Aerial - Procore
levels of experience (5,10, 20, 30, 40 years) is
Photogrammetry), Total Stations Points and
required. However, this task is significantly
360 Photos which can be incorporated in the Five Rules of Constructability
less productive if only a younger generation
review process. 1. Create the project and avoid focusing only
who has not yet gained enough experience to
on the problems
As workforces become more diverse and know what to look for is only involved due to
2. Review the interface of several systems
delegated in this new world, working together technology experience limitations of the older
3. Keep the evaluation of preliminary
to design buildings as an AEC team becomes generation.” – Jason G Smith
documents constructive
much more challenging. Cloud-based
4. Stay Focused on the important items Depending on the size and complexity of the
products like Revizto are removing many of
5. Take the time to complete a thorough project, a thorough constructability review
the barriers to connect and collaborate with
Review and post coordination inspection is crucial
remote team members and offer enhanced
for a successful project. Implementing a
software abilities. The “cloud” connected by Jason G. Smith, Principal, Construction
constructability program of experience
capabilities of Revizto are enabling users to Analysis and Planning, LLC
and experienced personal to perform a
constructability review is an excellent
practice in a changing industry and world.
Furthermore, comprehensive constructability
reviews cannot be performed until the
documents are at a point of completion which
occur at different stages in the project.
Revizto can support your constructability
reviews and project coordination workflows
for better project collaboration and job
productivity throughout the project life
cycle. Whether it is in design review, site
logistics review, BIM coordination, or post-
inspections, it is a tool that can change the
way we look at constructability in the future.
Constructability is about to step into the next
century of the construction industry filled
with lots of challenges. Revizto will make
planning and building in the future more
seamless than ever before.
UNC Kenan New Addition Revizto Constructability CD Review

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Think of engagement,
and forms of engagement.

In the engagement of sky and ground, the You can test this yourself, even in non-
engagement is formed through trees and technical situations. See if you can understand Rob Snyder
grasslands. How about people engaged your own acts of narrowed attentive focus,
with other people? Engagement can be without considering the wider environment
through boxing, or debate, or many other around you. Or, see if you can understand
forms. At a larger scale, where populations the wider environment, without attentive
On an AEC project, you are an attention-
engage with nature, these engage through narrowing focus. The absence of mutual
focusing rig in a garden. You’re building
urban form, the form of the city. interplay between environment and focus goes
a mental model of the project, and in
straight to total unintelligibility. You can prove
your mind’s eye (as a mental exercise)
N ow picture this: a person engaged with this to yourself in a few seconds.
you’re positioning each drawing at its true
a piece of luggage. They engage by orientation in-situ within the mental model.
way of a handle. Hauling a piece of luggage It’s in the dynamic, in the interplay, that
you think, study, learn. Understanding
onto a train without a handle is an awkward This, drawing, drawing your attention, is
grows there. It takes effort and has to be
form of engagement. So much so that soon the form of engagement targeted right at
maintained energetically. Note of course,
enough we’ll find ourselves discarding the core of interpreting and understanding
it’s a mental exercise that until recently was
contents, or abandoning the luggage models, aimed bullseye right at increasing
completely unassisted by digital media.
altogether. The point is that without an model utility and utilization.
effective form of engagement, engagement 2. Just above the foundational level, of
But why have software companies left us
fails. No engagement is formed. structuring the basic observable dynamic
dependent on a strictly mental exercise of
of the development of thought and
visualization unassisted by digital media?
The form of engagement with understanding - you agree it matters, right?
Particularly when the digital model so
digital models - the interplay produces pragmatic effects
obviously can assist with this, so powerfully,
right away. You use it to ask and answer
so effectively. Why can I not engage with
Do we wander around in modeled important basic questions about the model:
incredibly complex technical models, with the
environments noticing this or that Is it done yet? Is it good enough? Where is it
engagement handles (the attention-focusing
randomly, and then call it a day? Of course good enough Where is it not good enough?
interpretive rigs, i.e., the drawings) right where
we roam. But superficial understanding of they are in-situ WITHIN THE MODELS?
technical models is not enough. Forms of You use it also for assertion and affirmation:
engagement that give us the grasp needed Look here. I looked, and reviewed here.
The question occurred to me after years
for serious work are required. And what should be shown here is shown
of building extremely detailed elaborate
here. Nothing that matters is missing here. I
building models at architecture firms
We have those forms of engagement. Among affirm it. Or: Look here, please. Something
together with structural and mechanical
them, drawing is primary. Technical drawing. that matters is missing/wrong here. Fix it.
engineers modeling their domain systems.
Be the cat
Drawing is not the only form of engagement First Gen Fusion
with digital models. Other forms include
search, and count, which are essential. But Software should do this for you. Digital
they’re not replacements for attention-focusing modeled environments should show you
acts of visual interpretation, i.e., drawing. the drawings where they really are at true
orientation within the models, automatically,
For drawing, there is no substitute. supporting this wide-narrow, environment-
focus dynamic, the interplay, and the
Why? pragmatics that follow immediately from it.

I was a user of MicroStation software and

1. Drawing sets up a structural dynamic
the Brics BIM module (TriForma) that ran
of INTERPLAY, like a back and forth on a
on it, since 1996. In 2007 I wrote to Bentley
tennis court. On one side of the court is our
Systems about this drawing-model fusion
perception of the model: WIDE, expansive,
idea. Eventually this led to my employment
a whole thing like an environment. On the
there leading the team that designed and
other side of the court is the set of clarifying
developed the drawing-model automated
acts of NARROWING interpretive focus.
fusion features that were released in May
You look at a specific place in a modeled
2012, then marketed as the so-called
environment, and clarify something there,
‘hypermodel’, a term that hopefully by now
at numerous (and significant, illuminating)
has been forgotten. I never liked it.
locations throughout a model.

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But, you know, it was the beginning. The TGN is a set of important enhancements to
form of engagement was there, right in drawing-model fusion. The TGN developer
the model. The handles were screwed spec is open and free for anyone to use. It’s
into the luggage. They didn’t fall off. The intended for use by software companies to
continuous mental exercise, of fusion, implement TGN features into their software
fusion of clarifying focus IN the modeled products.
environment, was assisted, finally, to some
extent anyway, by the software, by the digital The proposed enhancements to drawing-
modeled environment itself. model fusion (+ camera rig), TGN:

10 Years Gone, and 8 software companies • strengthen the perceptual interactive

since 2012, that I know of, do this drawing- engagement with models
model fusion automatically, now. I list them
• make richest possible use of available
in the second paragraph here on my website
graphic expression for improving
with links to each: https://tangerinefocus.
interpretive sense-making power and
com/tangerine-2/earlier-media-innovations/
effectiveness.
Good. But not good enough. That’s all first
And the TGN spec also suggests:
generation fusion stuff. This is a primary
form of engagement with models and it’s
• a framework for standardizable cross-
going to continue to evolve. The form, that
platform portability of these fusions, both
is, will evolve.
first gen and second gen (TGN), and
• important improvements also in terms of
Second Gen Fusion: TGN
OPENNESS, to many sources of input into
the fusions, and output.
I’ve thought about this at length and I’ve
proposed a second generation of this fusion
Let me assist you with your implementation.
as primary form of engagement with digital
Message me: https://tangerinefocus.com/
models. I call it ‘TGN’. This time it’s a triple
contact-us/
fusion of:
I’m presenting TGN at the BIM
1. modeled environments (of any kind)
Coordinators Summit 2022 in Dublin in
2. technical ‘drawing’ (attention-focusing September. In my talk I’ll illustrate details
rigs) of the TGN spec. I’d like to emphasize, I
am looking for software developers, or AE
3. techniques of camera control from the
firms that do their own software projects,
history of film (who’s better at techniques of
who want to develop the generation 2
looking at things?)
version of this. It’s the future of technical
drawing, THE form of engagement with
Regarding the latter (camera control),
models. TGN will make digital worlds more
some intriguing examples are here on
effective, useful, and engaging for architects,
YouTube: https://youtu.be/yLHNBssyuE4.
engineers, and builders.
The narrator mentions at the end, “camera
moves in film, combining informational
To be clear, you develop TGN functions
control and emotional positioning;
in your favorite software platform. TGN is
movement becomes the director’s editorial
NOT yet another software product. It just
voice”.
makes the software you love, better. Let’s do
it!
Well, this is applicable in technical
domains like engineering, architecture, and
construction, far more than you may at first
imagine.

This second generation fusion is not just

additive. It’s not just a sticking together of
different things, which was a fault of the first
gen fusions. The second gen has matured.
This is about recognizing the essential
qualities of each of the ingredients and
combining them in ways that amplify the
qualities of each.

I wrote a software developer specification for

TGN. You can download it at my website:
https://tangerinefocus.com.

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ACB Group captures the

decarbonisation opportunity
in construction using MMC

I am delighted to submit an article for upfront to facilitate the optimized design.

this year’s edition of the BIM Coordinator The minimal increase of upfront costs will
Summit magazine. ACB are a value add lead to an average life-cycling savings of 20%
reseller providing External Envelope on total building costs.
solutions including roofing, cladding and
Engaging ACB Group early allows our Georgina Quigley
curtain walling to the Data Centre market.
expert design team to influence and
ACB are proud to have BIM processes
optimise the design, controlling the program
and procedures embedded in the business Furthermore, for ACB-m, we believe that
and the manufacturing of bespoke finishing
facilitating our project delivery. We having full control of the BIM model will
elements from the data centre, coming
have worked tirelessly to integrate BIM help us efficiently and effectively implement
from ACB-m (ACB Manufacturing).
and deliver better and more sustainable our modular solutions on projects for
Manufacturing elements of the data centre
buildings for our clients. Being sustainably clients.
building in the ACB-m Hub in Cavan will
focused and integrating modern methods
lead to increased site safety as elements of
of construction into the BIM process will BIM Supports Exceptional Data
the work will be completed in a controlled
help us maintain market position of being Management
factory environment off-site. This also leads
the leading external envelope supplier.
to shorter time on site and a more efficient
project delivery. BIM360 has improved collaboration
BIM and Modern Methods of and project delivery with all relevant
Construction stakeholders (both internal and external),
leading to ‘right first time’ culture. Having
A t ACB Group, we recently launched
our ESG strategy which underlines the
eight core pillars of the business migrating
all data on BIM facilitates one version of the
truth and all lessons learned from a project
in once place thus enabling sustainable
towards a more sustainable future, which project delivery. The ideology of working
includes the heavy implementation of smarter not harder applies when utilising
modern methods of construction. The BIM360 on projects from inception as all
basis for the ESG strategy comes from the data is stored in a shared environment and
construction industry facing disruption and is easily shared and accessible to all involved
demand for increased productivity. Industry in the project. This type of working allows
4.0 and digital transformation is driving the specialist teams to focus on what they
The MacLeamy curve
the changes taking place around us in the do best and not waste time on document
construction industry working towards the control enabling projects to run smoother
BIM enables ‘Operations Anywhere’
Build Digital Project 2040. preventing costly and wasteful mistakes
There are urgent environmental calls As part of ACB Group’s wider operations such as ordering wrong materials. BIM360
coming from the worldwide sustainability Strategy of ‘Operations Anywhere’ BIM has allowed for automation of tasks cutting
community with the built environment has been an enabler for site teams to view down time of project delivery and time on
accounting for 40% of carbon emissions. building details in a live environment since site allowing ACB Group to deliver on large
There are also other drivers for change in implementation. A further development of scale projects in much shorter lead times
the industry such as cost pressures, skills this capability has come from the ACB On- than ever before.
scarcity and digitisation. There are remedies site Mobile workshops, where BIM enables
for these drivers for change available to site teams to view details prior to cutting
use in the immediate instance. These raw materials to fit bespoke areas of the
remedies can be facilitated through BIM and building.
adopting a more integrated approach to the
construction of data centres, for example, as
there are controversies around their carbon
footprint.
ACB Group are proud to have led the way
in the Irish forum for Roofing and Cladding
industry in BIM, being subcontractors
certified to a BIM Level 2 standard. We
believe in using BIM to engage early with
clients in order to design out waste and
mitigate cost increases at a later stage of
the project. ACB entering the process at
a RIBA 3 can ensure that optimal clash
detection takes place to confirm that
changes occur within the BIM Model. This
practice facilitates the ‘design twice, build
once’ ideology, costing a minimal 2% extra ACB-m Render

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Aec + tech
An Introduction

It’s no secret that the building industry the AEC space such as Walter P Moore and
remains vastly behind in adopting new NBBJ who have published their case studies.
processes and innovations. Projects are aec+tech has also become a hub connecting This article was authored for aec+tech, by
often uncoordinated between offices and building industry startups with venture Navroj Ravi, a Structural Engineer based out
disciplines; the field and relationships capitalist investors. of Pasadena, California. Navroj has a high
rarely include incentives that promote level of exposure to seismic design and retrofit.
risk-sharing and innovation. Per a 2016 The focal point of aec+tech’s platform is the He is keenly interested in the domain of Smart
McKinsey report, R&D spending by time and money that companies save on Buildings and Automation in the Construction
this industry lags far behind auto and adopting new technology. Startups benefit Industry. A huge fan of science fiction, he
aerospace. This is despite an abundance from easier access to AEC companies as aspires to become a leader in the digitization of
of software solutions that have been well as access to capital that could help them the AEC Tech Industry.
developed for the industry. scale up. Additionally, aec+tech conducts
monthly seminars and invites startups and

T here are several industry-specific

challenges that slow down the pace
of modernization. Firstly, most firms are
end-users to present their case studies -
improving the visibility of the technology
and helping educate professionals. The
too small to spend on R&D. Secondly, the monthly newsletter keeps everyone
industry is decentralized, and most of the registered on the platform up to date with
networking and learning happens through all events and latest developments related
conferences, which are often out of reach to AEC. aec+tech’s primary objective in
for smaller firms. Thirdly, being one of the the near term is to encourage more AEC
most regulated professions, the sector has companies, including builders and real
traditionally focused only on incremental estate developers to publish their case
improvements. The uniqueness of each studies, which will be cataloged by project
project makes it difficult for individual AEC type, size, budget, company size, and
firms to scale new ideas. Digital tools on geography. All this data will help startups
the other hand need access to high-quality identify the challenges faced by the industry
data to help the technology mature. So how and resolve those pain points. With enough
exactly do we roll out solutions for multiple case studies, the platform can function as a
disciplines that are geographically dispersed, search engine optimized through AI. In the
and uniquely complex depending on the future, the aec+tech platform will facilitate
needs of the clients and the professionals the integration of various tools that can
involved? How can a structural engineer communicate with each other, much like
find the right parametric design software project-based IoT. aec+tech also plans to
for a complex modern-art-inspired villa, or bring a subscription-based model to their
an architect find the right tool to model its platform, making learning more accessible
intricate geometry? Where can startups find and providing better services.
AEC companies that will use their brilliant
solutions in their projects and generate the AEC professionals have come a long
data needed to develop better algorithms? way from drawing boards to computers.
While they are still catching up with other
aec+tech offers a unique solution to industries in technology adoption, the
this conundrum by changing the way industry’s future is filled with exciting tech
companies discover and access new such as virtual reality and remote operation
technology. aec+tech was founded in tools in the construction processes. Our
2021 by Niknaz Aftahi and Kevin So, with dream is to broaden the horizons of
the goal of democratizing access to the professionals and scale ideas and knowledge
latest technological tools and improving beyond the confines of any single discipline.
workflows by showcasing real-world By creating a community of startups
applications in a simplified manner. It is an and AEC, aec+tech wishes to facilitate
online database - a one-stop shop for AEC multidisciplinary knowledge-sharing,
companies and tech startups to connect propelling the industry towards a more
with each other, compare alternatives, and dynamic and innovative future.
find avenues to test and improve products.
aec+tech aspires to provide the last mile
of connectivity that was missing between
technology startups and their end-users as
well as a robust community of technologists
and innovators. aec+tech currently has
more than 120 startups who have listed their
product on the website and big names in

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Standards do not provide

immediate value in themselves
Let’s start somewhere completely different. Let’s start where we
know we can gain value by using the right tools. A good tool, used
correctly, works, and the more I use it, the better I become and
what I perform. The important thing in this regard is also that it is
the right tool that I use. Peter Bo Olsen

M y first screwdriver could be used for

almost all kinds of screws, both those
with straight notches and those with
Standardization as ISO- and CEN-standards
can, for the benefit of society, the industry
and me, translate into the right tools,
areas, such as sustainability, digitization, and
automation.

cross notches. However, the first Phillips templates, paradigms, and materials, e.g., Value creation based on our use of
screwdriver was far better when I had to screws with TX20. The benefits that can be tools, collaboration and common
work with Phillips screws than to use my achieved depend on the implementation of practice based on the standards
first screwdriver and straight notch screws. the standardization.
The scope of electric tools and screws that
Tools based on the right standard in 2001 supported ISO 10664 was limited
Standards as a starting point for
can provide value compared to what I have access to today in
efficient digital collaboration
my local builder’s merchants, because both the
Today, I basically only use screws with Information and data are part of the basis standards and the tools that support the
torx notches, also seen in my local builders for the collaboration to design, plan, execute standards have evolved. Similarly, as an industry,
merchants with designations such as TX10, and use buildings and facilities. The industry we need to take the standards of our digital
TX15, TX20, TX25. I can no longer use my has a long tradition of strengthening the collaboration seriously. We must apply ISO
old screwdrivers that much more, but in usability of deliveries of information and data 19650 part 2 today and expect that our tools can
return the torx notch gives the screwdriver with common rules and guidelines, which support us tomorrow with information deliveries
full 6 contact surfaces with vertical edges, in several cases have become the basis for a in accordance with IFC 4.3.
thereby the screwdriver has a good and definite standardization under the auspices
secure grip, and the notch stays intact. of ISO and CEN. The industry’s tools and And then we have to share our experiences and
paradigms are strengthened through a insights, so that the next edition of standards and
TX is available in several standard
support for the standardization by taking the tools, will be even better, a bit in the style of what
dimensions, and for my tasks the TX20 is the
common ISO and CEN standards as a starting we have experienced with the torx notch gives
right choice. The fact that TX is standardized
point. Whether it is 2D, 3D geometry or less us a full 6 contact surfaces instead of just one
and supported by tools and screws according
advanced forms of information delivery. or two contact surfaces as my first screwdrivers
to the standard gives me the freedom to
choose the right tool and the right screws for had, so the screwdriver has a good and secure
The handling of information and data in grip, thereby the notch stays intact when using
the individual task. The standard is global
connection with construction work has for the newest tools - similarly can be seen in
and is named ISO 10664: 2014 Operating tool
many years been supported by local rules, information management according to ISO
for bolts and screws with internal hexagonal
tools, paradigms, and guidelines based on 19650 which precisely increases the number of
star. Which means that in my local builders
international ISO- and CEN-standards. contact surfaces in the digital
merchants I can find and choose the right
Standards that have been continuously collaboration, which thereby strengthens the
type of screws with TX20, in the right price
developed and improved based on input from cooperation and gives a greater opportunity to
and quality to suit my task.
industry and developments in other utilize the latest tools.

M ETAVERSE... been it’s a few

months since the concept of
The Metaverse of BIMness
‘Metaverse’ gained a lot of attention Pritymoy Ganguly
around the world. Mr. Mark Elliot
Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook What does BIM have to do with any of this? environment that is aided by the use of
and CEO of Meta, has expressed virtual and augmented reality headsets.
I’ll try to answer this question to the best of
interest in Facebook becoming a Many in the technology community have
my ability..
anticipated a future form of the Internet,
Metaverse Company shortly.
 1. The Word Metaverse if not a quasi-successor to it, called the
‘Metaverse’, from the late 1970s and early
The term ‘Metaverse’ was coined as a
Now, wait a second. What is Mr. Zuckerberg’s 1980s. It would change not only the digital
combination of the words ‘meta’ and
goal here, and what is Metaverse? world’s infrastructure, but also a large
‘universe’ in the 1992 science fiction
portion of the physical world, and also
Is there a new universe that NASA has novel Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson.
all the applications and systems that lie
discovered? or a parallel universe that It’s essentially a network that emphasizes
on top of it. Even though the Metaverse’s
supports the multiverse hypothesis? Is it social interaction in 3D virtual settings. In
whole vision is difficult to explain, appears
possible that Doctor Strange will play a role? futurism and science fiction, it is frequently
outlandish, and is decades distant, the
Is this a ‘Marvel’ concept, or is it something characterized as a hypothetical iteration of
components have begun to feel very real.
else entirely? the Internet as a single, worldwide virtual
And, as is customary with this type of

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transformation, the journey is as long and the physical world. You can start applying
unpredictable as the payoff. software approaches to that model once
As a result, several of the world’s tech you’ve synchronised it with the physical
behemoths have made the Metaverse world.
their newest macro-goal. Epic Games, the
· Now: One of the first things you can do
company behind the Unreal Engine and
is use the digital counterpart to monitor
Fortnite, has made it a clear goal. It’s also the
the physical environment. It gives you
driving force behind Facebook’s acquisition
operational visibility into what’s going on in
of Oculus VR and the recently revealed
these environments at any given time.
Horizon virtual world/meeting space, as well
as a slew of other initiatives, including AR ·  The Past: The next thing you can do is
eyewear and brain-to-machine interfaces look into its history. Pritymoy Ganguly
and communication. Similarly, the tens
· The Future: Once you’ve traced its
of billions of dollars that will be invested
past, you can use analytic programmes of the world. This is the physical world,
in cloud gaming over the next decade are
to uncover insights regarding previous but what if we could turn it into its digital
premised on the idea that such technologies
states, abnormalities, and anything else counterpart?
will underlie our online-offline virtual
that’s significant to you in the physical
future. A digital twin that is constantly connected
representation that this digital copy
Movies like ‘Ready Player One’ and ‘Matrix’ represents. And this allows you to do to the physical world. That is something
may give you an idea of what life in the something quite powerful: you can begin to we can see in mixed reality. With whom we
metaverse might be like, where anything we forecast future conditions. can work together. That we can use to run
can imagine can exist and we can connect to simulations and figure out what’s important
the metaverse at any time to extend our real 2.3. Start Analyze and Simulate: to us. Artificial intelligence (AI) can be used
lives with extraordinary experiences. to learn, predict, and act. To save time and
You may begin to anticipate when money, reduce carbon emissions, protect
 
equipment will require service before it natural resources, increase safety, and
2. The BIM Connection – Why does
occurs, and you can begin to anticipate bring us all closer together. This is already
it matter for the AEC industry?
occupancy requirements before they happening around the world; businesses are
To keep consumers entertained, the occur. You can now anticipate the future capitalising on the new wave of innovation
Metaverse requires a lot of material. Virtual states of everything that can be analysed that is trending toward interconnectedness,
theme parks, virtual theatres, virtual events, using software. ‘Simulation’ is the final enabling the Metaverse..
virtual restaurants, virtual schools, virtual nail in the coffin. The digital twin can be
conventions, and whatever else you can duplicated via simulation. That’s effectively Everything in the Metaverse can be
think of are all needed. The metaverse is is the operational visibility of that physical modelled to reflect the status of its physical
a virgin field full of possibilities for AEC environment, as well as the ability to counterpart, including interactions and
design businesses, and a Utopia free of duplicate it and conduct simulations on relationships between things. By utilising
the limits of the physical world. Designers it. The purpose of these simulations can this power, we are able to push the
may also create digital assets such as then be to uncover optimizations that boundaries of what this technology can
communities, structures, equipment, are too complicated to be specified only accomplish. The possibilities are endless.
artworks, 3d point cloud, patterns, and so by observing the physical environment. Data from connected environments can
on, and sell them to virtual worlds, and All of this may be done using the digital now be tracked and analysed. Patterns,
other applications several times. This is fairly twin’s software copy and then when the trends, and anomalies can be identified. We
similar to the setting in which peoples work simulation is over, you can apply the can now simulate any scenario and assess
on a game or film. Engineers can create insights that you gained on the copy of the results. Determine how any change or
design ‘formulas’ that users can modify the that digital twin back to the real digital condition will affect you. We can now use
parameters to obtain numerous outputs, twin and affect inputs into the physical AI to perceive the physical world, improve
such as grasshopper script, in addition to environment. and automate tasks, and empower your
static designs.  employees with superpowers. We can now
2.4. Here Comes the benefit: empower everyone in your organisation to
2.1. The Digital Twin: create apps and workflows to collaborate
· Once you’ve done that, you’ll be able to
A digital twin is a virtual representation of start providing autonomous control. You can with one another in this virtual space,
a physical object or activity that acts as its begin automating mundane and repetitive sharing and receiving expertise at the
real-time digital equivalent. Though the tasks. Improve them over time with systems right time and in the right context. Using
notion had been around for a while, NASA that learn and improve. This improves and mixed reality, you can access relevant
came up with the first realistic definition optimises the physical environment. information about the physical world’s
of digital twin in 2010 as part of an effort digital counterpart whenever and wherever
·  Interacting with this is, one of the most you need it.
to improve physical model simulation of
powerful things you can do with it. You
spacecraft.
can interact with the digital replica that is
Let’s discuss about what a digital twin can superimposed on the real world. This digital
achieve for you? copy can provide you with detailed metadata
and insights into anything you’re doing in
2.2. Model it first: the physical world.
Modeling something, such as the physical · You can also interact with colleagues
environment, is one of the first things and experts from all over the world in pure
you can do. That can include buildings, virtual space over long distances.
energy distribution, grids, warehouses, and
factories, among other things. Consider our current world. People
Once it’s been modelled, the most crucial and automobiles, Businesses, Buildings,
or intriguing part is to bring that digital hospitals, factories, entire cities, and the
counterpart to life and synchronise it with billions of devices that link us to the rest

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Integrating GIS and BIM galvanizes the move

towards digital transformation.
The combined use of Integrating GIS analysis, and data collection from many projects. BIM tools and processes have
and BIM demonstrates architecture, sources into a shared and connected affected designing, specifying, estimating,
engineering, and construction (AEC) environment. GIS teams combine planning code-checking, coordinating, and many
professionals commitment to deliver through operations data from different more AEC tasks.
process improvements and technical
excellence. Bringing together the best of
GIS and BIM allows AEC project teams
to unlock digital opportunities and
innovation that will bolster resilience
against disruption.

A EC professionals practicing their

vocation today must become aware
of the impact that GIS has on the industry.
Around the globe, on projects of all size
and types GIS is being combined and
interconnected with CAD, BIM, IoT, LiDAR
and other AEC tech, empowering surveyors,
architects, designers, engineers, builders,
consultants, and infrastructure owners
to deliver the physical projects our world New Walk Bridge – BIM content placed in context with IoT sensor data presented in an ArcGIS
demands. Dashboard - HNTB
AEC disciplines to create And,
robust representations • GIS has proven to be a critical
that generate engagement process, a strong foundation, and a
and inform stakeholders. fundamental framework for delivering AEC
projects of all scales, sizes, and complexity
GIS helps create – resulting in better planned, designed,
understanding amongst constructed, and operated buildings and
clients through delivering infrastructure. Complete project lifecycle
project information that management is enabled and provided in
present insights and AEC through GIS.
quickly convey complex
information. And yet, there is a critical need to integrate
GIS and BIM - strong connections of the
At an ever-growing rate tools, data, and people are the secret to
and pace, AEC industry successful and repeatable project delivery.
Multi-modal transit station with BIM-based leaders seek technology solutions that GIS and BIM are often kept separate, but
station and rails aligned in an ArcGIS Online help them deliver projects efficiently and when these components integrate, projects
web scene sustainably. and teams thrive.
• BIM has matured over the past
Their approach to project delivery becomes two decades, becoming a fundamental Reducing internal silos between disciplines,
more transparent. The process of planning, element of modern AEC work for industrial, streamlining workflows, and increasing
design, construction, and operations commercial, and even transportation productivity - these are differentiators in the
improves by interconnecting people, data, Urban planning - Scenario and design exploration using game engine combined with GIS –
and applications. Houseal Lavigne

But, getting the most value from new,

highly connected capabilities requires GIS
professionals and designers/engineers to
work together.

GIS professionals provide insight in a broad

context. They analyze data beyond the site’s
physical location by considering geography,
time plus other spatial and non-spatial
aspects. By using inputs beyond traditional
CAD and BIM data, GIS experts help their
AEC peers and their clients to visualize
information tied to specific locations.
GIS allows teams to have a shared
understanding through visualization,

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Urban planning scenario exploration

comprised of LiDAR, BIM, CAD and various
GIS layers

Grand Paris Express - BIM content placed non-graphic models to maximize efficiency
in GIS scene providing context and details for and deliver their client’s expectations.
wider access and exploration - EGIS From planning through to operation, these
models allow the AEC industry to reap
marketplace. GIS-enabled interconnections benefits at all levels – from enabling entire
help deliver services more competitively supply chains to collaborate in connected,
while increasing the AEC firms’ ability shared sources to managing the operation
to collaborate with internal and external and performance of assets over their
stakeholders. lifetimes, thereby reducing costs.

The integration of GIS and BIM is not new. The real-world context from GIS combined BIM-based light-rail stations and terminals
However, adoption by AEC professionals with details from BIM enables AEC with elevated track presented in ArcGIS Online
is reaching a tipping point. View the report professionals to grow their business while with multiple GIS layers and snapshots
here: https://go.esri.com/gis+bim. Designers meeting society’s growing needs. Our world
& engineers provide insight into detailed is becoming so much more interconnected,
infrastructure assets. They transform projects (small and large) are increasing in
complex data into valuable understandings, complexity, and GIS is essential for AEC
enabling clients to maximize performance firms that deliver the projects that allow our
and fulfill a site or facility’s strategic vision. built and natural world to thrive.
Their focus on problem-solving begins with
a wide field of view to meet these goals but To learn more about the benefits, ROI, and
quickly drills down to address the details. industry trends related to GIS and BIM,
access a recent global report:
Using a variety of 2D and 3D drafting, https://go.esri.com/gis+bim
modeling, and visualization technologies,
designers & engineers create important
digital and hardcopy project artifacts. They
manage the creation of complex visual and

Marc Goldman , Director – Architecture,

Engineering & Construction Industry
Solutions, Esri.
e: [email protected]

Esri is a global market leader in geographic

information system (GIS) software, location
intelligence, and mapping.
GIS-based visualization comprised of aerial imagery, extruded footprints and BIM-derived model
content – Skanska UK

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Transforming Society Together Through

True Information Management
WELCOME TO THE MINDSET RESET IM from a design consultants’ controls in the digital era. Sound-tested,
perspective end-to-end lifecycle IM workflows are
End-to-end Information Management – as paving the way for the next generation of
a service – is driving an evolution in the The granular application of an integrated reliable and accessible project information
construction sector. It forms the foundation Information Management process is of models which are crucial to informed
for the creation of future-shaping Digital course subjective – and thus will always be decision-making and accurate performance
Twins that will revolutionise the way we not up for debate due to the complex variables at monitoring.
only work, but also interact with data on a play in any given project-specific scenario.
societal basis. However, our collective experiences across This cohesive methodology provides the
framework for full lifecycle integrated
information management. Ultimately
making way for true insights gained by all
stakeholders. Many peers and partners share
this view, and many clients are embracing it.

But to help these businesses on the journey

and educate others to follow suit, we need to
do more as an industry to remove ambiguity
and mixed messaging around the purpose of
efficient IM on an enterprise level. We must
also work together – closely and constantly
– to achieve the key integrations that will
prove essential, between the pallette of digital
tools we choose to work with that enable
meaningful interpretation and real world
utilisation of the information we generate.

The Antarctic Infrastructure

Modernisation Programme (AIMP):
True Information Management in
action

One such integrated IM-dependant project

– a core case study of our Client Stage
discussions at BCS22 – is the Antarctic
Infrastructure Modernisation Programme
(AIMP), with Sweco appointed as lead
design consultants for all aspects of building
and infrastructure design packages.

AIMP, by its very nature, demands accessible,

measurable and reliable Information
Management at every juncture. It is
imperative that we facilitate the collection of
accurate and structured project information
The transition to collaborating multi-disciplinary Sweco delivery teams data, deliver it to the right people at the right
in the round...from inception to – along with learnings from our peers and time – enabling confident decision-making
insight other industries more mature in this arena by all project stakeholders in one of the most
– have helped us more efficiently shape a challenging project locations on earth.
Many businesses are beginning to holistic framework for project management
understand the need to move away from environments, which we are already The high-level internal project management
utilising BIM as a data cache or visualisation implementing on transformational projects environment opposite illustrates the process
tool alone. Instead, these forward-looking where end-to-end (and cyclical) information Sweco’s Special Interest Projects team follow
organisations are embracing the more management is non-negotiable. – and continually assess/improve for AIMP.
holistic pairing of Information Management While bespoke to the unique needs of the
(IM) and Digital Engineering (DE) to As Platinum Sponsors of the BIM British Antarctic Survey, the overarching
achieve what they actually need: a full end- Coordinators Summit, we’re championing logic and methodology reflects our core
to-end, connected strategy from inception the belief that integrated Information integrated approach to all projects which
to true insight. Management processes lay the foundations require effective, accurate IM throughout
for high performing project management their lifecycle(s).

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Considering (and connecting) all the methodology enables the careful forward maintain full control over the project and
elements of this process – versus the planning in all areas of design, construction the team working on it, thus increasing its
fragmented, disjointed partitioning of each and handover processes which ultimately safety for both our team and our client.
stage that still prevails in many quarters – empowers our workforce with the most Project managers are able to assess when
allows us to maximise the opportunity to cutting edge technology and knowhow to to book equipment, buy materials, hire
capture true project information from the confidently deliver to our client’s needs. With specialists, coordinate among different
point of project inception with minimum the added bonus of efficient construction risk activities, plan for a proper sequencing of
additional effort. Above all, early and management that ensures the health & safety events, and much more.
ongoing discussions held between project of our teams on the ground.
teams allow all stakeholders to: Assessing the asset data requirements for
Improved compliance & enhanced the FM teams – our models play a crucial
✓ Identify the purpose and intent collaboration – our Common Data role during the design and construction
behind all forms of information to be Environment (CDE) is the focal point phases where asset data sets are generated,
generated during the lifecycle of the of the project information and enables validated against client requirements and
given project. effortless team coordination. It allows tested in the clients CAFM system to ensure
✓ Identify the right people, processes and project managers to effectively strategise the handover information being generated
tools that will enable effective cohesion. and implement collaboration among various meets the client’s requirements.
✓ Plan systems integration for seamless team members with efficient distribution of
flow of information between multiple project activities. This helps to establishing Not just best practice, but better
project environments. a framework for remote working, regardless practice
✓ Implement exceptional reporting of time zones.
mechanisms weaved into your systems Again, on a micro level there will always
integration model. Increased resilience & cost-efficiency – be discussions and opinion. But in keeping
✓ Introduce a robust Learning efficiently produced BIM models enable the full lifecycle front of mind from the
Management System that will improved information productions rates. outset, and continually building on our
empower the project teams to grow This boosts our productivity with better learnings within that mindset, we believe
alongside the needs of the project. project insights, whether during the design that all successful projects focus on the basic
& construction process or operations of the fundamentals of:
Where integrated, full lifecycle IM built asset.
is critical in Antarctica: People – ensure our teams are capable,
Accurate construction planning through competent and compliant. Facilitate this
Improved workforce H&S and culture efficient clash and risk management – our through the deployment of a competency
– on a large framework such as AIMP, models enable constructability meetings framework and a supporting Learning
using proven information management to monitor the progress of the project and Management System (LMS).

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Area of focus: One team ethos: health and Areas of focus: the correlation between
wellbeing, independent learning, standards project cost and lean delivery, exploiting new
methods and procedures. and emerging technologies to add value for
money; releasing benefits from innovation
Process – Be clear about the principles both in construction and technology; using
for delivery, that these principles are shared and open data to drive performance.
understood across the team, that new team
members are inducted into the team and Transforming society together
become familiar with the principles swiftly.
In summary, while we are doing lots of things
Areas of focus: Clear outcomes, realistic well, the step change will come when we
planning, prioritising people, managing collectively do them within a Common Data
complexity and risk; learning from Environment, within a circular methodology.
experience.
Our vision at Sweco is to build the industry-
Tools – The right authoring, checking and wide capability to create intuitive Digital
validation tools to efficiently manage the Twins that have the capacity to inform Megha Nagendra Wells, Technical
creation of project information. A common decision making through automated Director (Information Management)
set of information production methods and reporting, using the very best of Artificial in Sweco’s Special Interest Projects team
procedures the whole project aligns with, Intelligence. This will unlock powerful
central to collaborative working practices. collaboration and lead to true insight. We
“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to join
believe the magic lies in connecting the
Areas of focus: Common Data Environments, people, processes and tools already (and our peers and partners on the Client Stage
discipline-specific authoring tools, open- yet to be) at our disposal, with a common at the BIM Coordinators Summit 2022, as
source data formats to enable integration, language and approach to integration that we discuss and debate the transition to full
automation of repetitive content generation, enhances both the quality of information lifecycle information management. From
automation of seamless data validation, and its management. project inception through to true insight,
Learning Management Systems. how should we go about connecting people,
To discuss true Information Management – processes and tools as part of a ‘mindset reset’
Scrutiny – using integrated Information what it is and how Sweco’s multi-disciplinary that will unlock the digital transformation
Management processes to build in teams and digital transformers can help our clients are increasingly asking for?”
automated monitoring and reporting you access it with full lifecycle design
mechanisms. This crucially enables accurate consultancy – contact megha.nagendra-
and spontaneous regular performance [email protected]
checks at all levels. Create a hierarchy
for reporting and responsibility, hold
responsibility at the lowest effective level,
this will offer greater agility.

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Now you could be forgiven in asking yourself

what has this title got to do with the BIM
Coordinators Summit. The title is in reference What is it that
to all the information we literally have at our
fingertips but cannot see and as a result fail to we cannot see?
utilise, take full advantage of and ultimately
lose out on the myriad of benefits it could www.ariseproject.eu
deliver.

D igital information is essentially the

wavelength of construction but is
currently beyond the ability of the majority of
needs to be captured; those with the capability
and capacity to do so will thrive. All companies
must develop a mechanism of dealing with
the construction workforce because they lack the levels of data that they are faced with
the opportunity, skills and digital vision to and provide their workers with the skills to
detect, interpret and use in their work. interpret and utilise this information, in order
to engage, companies must get the basics right,
In a traditional industry like construction, we upskill their staff and give them the tools to Paul McCormack
spend too much time and effort focused on deliver, this is essential to take advantage of the
the ‘bricks and morter’, on the small slice of opportunities and succeed.
construction that we can physically see and the sector can adapt, modernise, embrace
not on the wider integration of all the stages BIM is one of the critical tools in today’s new technology and truly adopt digital
of construction and utilising the digital tools toolbox. It is a system for handling data that working as the new standard. They will help
and the common language that would deliver allows all users from across the construction their companies and the sector to overcome
a wider spectrum of innovation, reduced value chain to manage construction, reduce inherent resistance to change and shape
carbon content, increased competitiveness and waste, decrease downtime and importantly the sector to overcome current hurdles and
enhanced skills. increase energy efficiency at each and every step prepare for future growth. The benefits of
in the construction process. In short BIM is the digitalisation for the construction sector have
Construction is the world’s largest industry, language of construction and all workers must been well documented but the starting point
comprising 13 percent of global GDP however it is develop a basic command of the language. in this journey and to ensure the benefits are
also one of the least innovative sectors, productivity sustainable is to empower and upskill the
growth in construction registers at a mere 1 percent In the ARISE project digitalisation represents this workforce to build better and build greener.
over the past 20 years. Many sectors are enjoying learner process or journey, one which individuals
the resultant benefits of technology deployment and companies embark upon with BIM as one of Digital skills and tools such as BIM provide the
however it is still lagging within the construction the digital vehicles or tools utilised. sector with the ability to measure, monitor and
sector and as a direct result the construction worker analyse the impact of our construction in every
has become more ‘blinkered’ to the benefits of Key in the definition is the use of the word step of the value chain.
digitalisation and big data. This disconnect is process, digitalisation doesn’t happen
manifested in lower productivity, higher costs overnight, it is a journey that takes time. The One of the greatest challenges facing the
and increased inefficiencies across the entire built digital tools developed in the ARISE project are construction sector is that of skills shortages.
environment value chain, for construction to enablers for the user to engage with at a time These shortages are manifested in both lack
become inherently innovative it must realise the and pace that suits them and prepares them of new entrants to the sector and the under
benefits of digitalisation, and provide the workforce for the journey of change that will transform utilisation of those already working in the
with access to the skills that will stimulate and their company. The user is introduced to a sector. The pool of skilled personnel is getting
empower them to engage, communicate and suite of digital tools in the new digital built shallower as more demands are made on the
deploy these skills of the digital process. environment where their old paper based current workers. Digitalisation enables the
information is converted into a digital value or sector to ‘deepen’ the skills pool, by ensuring all
Digitalisation is a game-changing strategy format i.e. the information remains the same the inhabitants of the pool are better equipped,
that is empowering the construction sector to but is transformed into a different ‘language.’ informed and have the necessary tools to do
thrive and deliver the expertise for sustainable Information as data is gathered and enables the the jobs more effectively and more efficiently
construction. There is a direct correlation user to make informed analysis and choices and therefore achieve enhanced productivity
between digitalisation and energy efficiency about the work. both qualitatively and quantitively.
and the ARISE project is building the digital
scaffold that will ensure the built environment ARISE is working within the built environment Tools such as BIM and other digital
is best placed to achieve this digital efficient assisting companies to engage, start and to transformation techniques will enable the
success by upskilling the workforce. continue their digital skills journey, helping construction sector to become more visionary
workers to translate their knowledge into and overcome the current obstacles that are
Digitalisation is the process whereby the action and increasing the digital skills of the hindering innovation and increased employment
constriction sector can get everybody onto construction sector in an environment where and enjoy the full benefits of a better enabled,
the same page and enable communication efficiency, sustainability and competitiveness equipped, and loyal workforce.
across the entire construction supply chain. It are significant global factors.
provides a connectivity that embraces all forms
of communication between all the stages of the A digitally educated workforce is one that has
construction process enabling standardisation, had the ‘blinkers’ removed and is sufficiently
communication and transparency. agile and informed to utilise all of the
information available to them. They are able to
Digitalisation is currently changing the face of take the BIM data to manage every step in the
the construction industry, enabling companies construction process and ensure sustainability,
to engage in the transformation process and to efficiency and environmental effectiveness.
avail of the ensuing opportunities. Those who
fail to engage will fail, it is that simple. Data is A digitally informed and empowered
being generated throughout the construction construction workforce will drive innovation
process and presents tremendous value that and growth in the sector and ensure that www.ariseproject.eu

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The benefits of applying a

client-oriented approach
when delivering BIM
The traditional sequential approach within Furthermore, this methodology defines the
the building design framework simply agent relationship, differentiating between the
no longer lends itself to the cutting- appointing (client) and appointed (executing
edge techniques of the current AEC team) parties. The former is unequivocally
industry evolution, with digitalization defining the information requirements, the
and collaborative practices as the main needs, and what is expected. That is one of
background. the first points of connection of BIM with
the premises of Agile: oriented to the client’s David Delgado Vendrell

S ome other industries, such as software

design and development, use advanced
planning practices to focus on the product and
needs.

Traditionally, with the deployment of

DDV openBIM Solutions
[email protected]
www.ddv.cat
team management (i.e. Agile methodologies). exclusively sequential approaches, the Barcelona (Catalonia)
construction sector has relied almost
On the one hand, the complexity of solely on development modalities based on
construction schedules is traditionally predictive planning, with fixed scopes, where The regularity and limited time dimension
managed from a project management the fulfilment of the expectations of the of the Time Boxes reduces deviations in
perspective but increasingly moving appointing party is obviated by the progress the expected results. This characteristic
towards more efficient methods such as of the activity itself in time and resources. applied to BIM gives the development teams
Lean Management and Last Planner System. an optimal framework for innovation as a
On the other hand, early lifecycle stages Despite the inherent benefits of BIM third fundamental aspect. Limited resources
(strategic definition and concept, developed becoming progressively evident in various and demanding requirements push team
or technical design) have different behaviours adoptions in recent years, there are members to extensively use existing
and needs from project requirements. There potential obstacles to coordination and advantages by applying processes, tools,
are frequent changing project requirements, communication between disciplines. These and communication in a highly digitalized
particular designs, and unique products are not properly managed, resulting in environment such as BIM.
with a high focus based on the owner/client task rework and inefficiencies in expected
expectations in many building projects. deliverables. That is particularly prominent In conclusion, communication strategy and
Flexibility and high reaction are the features in the asset design phases, where different coordination between disciplines become the
that we need to react efficiently and effectively disciplines must coordinate to respond to critical aspects of optimizing any BIM-based
in front of the client. That’s when methods a shared project’s requirements. Aspects digital transformation process in construction.
from industries with such requirements could such as the contractual framework emerge That is where Agile methods complement
be helpful in using BIM production. as the critical factor in the emergence of BIM, providing an optimized framework for
inefficiencies in collaboration. highly demanding environments in terms
Change is a necessary part of every of scope and technological complexity,
organization when society’s environment As one of the most applied techniques responding with greater reactivity and
is demanding it, such as in enterprise BIM from Agile, Scrum goes a step further by efficiency to the client’s requirements.
implementation. However, many companies providing three key aspects that optimize
manage change and BIM implementation the application of BIM: proactivity,
very differently and, in most cases without relational exchanges, and a more suitable
success, causing confusion for their employees, framework for innovation. In the first and
escalating investment, and inconsistent results taking into account the ‘Iron Triangle’
and processes across the organization. constraint model, the scope is freed up, by
setting the variables time and resources,
By taking a managed approach to enterprise and this condition opens the door to the
BIM implementation via a change proactivity of multidisciplinary teams. That
management plan, the risk is minimized, is where BIM capabilities in simulation
the cost is reduced, time shortened, and optimize the process at a very high level,
performance maximized. minimizing the failure to meet expectations.
And it is in the relational exchanges of
Building Information Modelling (BIM) information, two-way communication
and Agile share the need to communicate between clients and development teams
the development of products with very guarantees more excellent coverage of
high expectations on the part of the client expectations and any changes in scope. The
or contractor in terms of results, especially bidirectionality between the parties has the
in the design phase, the initial stage of the so-called Scrum Product Increment as its
development phase according to ISO-19650. vehicle. The incremental BIM deliverables
Therefore, BIM can be defined as utilizing a development by the appointed parties
shared digital representation (information according to ISO 19650 responds to the
model) of a built asset to facilitate the design, changes suffered after each of the deliveries
construction, and operation processes, at the end of the different cycles previously
providing a reliable basis for decision making. defined in the Sprint Planning.

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How a Culture of Learning

Can Drive Success at Your
Organization
Investing in your internal talent can benefit
your firm in several ways.

How would you describe the culture at Pew Research Center analysis found that
your firm? If you’re looking to make some 45% of millennial workers prioritize jobs
tweaks, totally revamp, or even define and that help them develop their career skills as Steve Biver
invest in your organization’s culture for the ‘very important’. Showing prospective hires
first time, we think there’s one specific type that your organization is a place for them
that brings benefits to everyone in its orbit. to grow and develop professionally can help put an output requirement on human
That’s a culture of learning!  increase the chances that they’ll want to join creativity! But what you can do is create an
- and stay on - your team. environment where ideas are heard, and

H ere are some of the ways that you as an

information manager can utilize a culture
of learning to accelerate BIM training and
Reduce onboarding and turnover
costs
creativity can thrive. In a culture of learning,
employees are constantly being steeped
in new ideas and exposed to different
achieve greater success for your organization. information, leading them to lightbulb
The costs of searching for, hiring, and moments of their own. 
Upskill your teams and increase onboarding new employees add up quickly.
efficiency A Glassdoor study found that the average Increase teams’ sense of
U.S. employer spends around $4,000 to hire community and pride
It stands to reason that when people are a new employee, including money spent on
more educated and prepared for their roles, job sourcing, background checks, technology, These are two more things that you can’t
efficiency flourishes. When they have the recruitment, HR system, and more. exactly quantify, but they make an enormous
knowledge and confidence from being impact on everyone’s experience working at
properly trained, it saves the time and By training and retaining internal talent, your company. Learning together, growing
frustration of making mistakes or searching you reduce these costs and any disruptions together, and improving as professionals
for hard-to-find answers. And that time is to a team’s workflow from members coming gives your team a bond with each other and
valuable - a McKinsey report estimated that and going. You also gain the opportunity to increases their loyalty and satisfaction at
employees spend on average 1.8 hours every promote internally, so their careers can grow your organization.
day searching for information and answers and the organization flourishes!
to their questions. That’s 9.3 hours each week Earn more business
that could be spent on billable work! Improve digital competency
Lastly, financial success comes with a learning
When employees know where to find the Keeping up with new technology is essential to culture too! Upskilling your team prepares
answers they’re looking for right when staying competitive in the AEC space. When them to take on more ambitious projects and
they’re needed, they’ll save billable time and your firm prioritizes a culture of learning, clients in the future. When they’re growing,
help grow their skills on the go. your teams won’t have to speed through BIM the company is growing, and profits are
software training when an update is released or growing - what more could you ask for?
Attract top candidates to the waste money and time on in-person training
company that employees won’t retain.

Most of the best workers in any industry Instead, employees will have the tools and
share one thing in common: they enjoy and support to learn on the job, and complete
pursue learning on an ongoing basis. In a BIM training in the way that makes the most
rapidly evolving space like AEC, you want sense for them and their role. The result? A
these willing learners on your team! team that’s up-to-date on the latest tech and
ready to apply it to projects right away.
Creating and promoting a culture of
learning makes your organization more Share knowledge internally
attractive to top job candidates. In fact, a
A culture of learning is a culture where all
team members are encouraged to value and
share knowledge. Promoting a mindset of
learning and collaboration can lead to a
variety of benefits, including encouraging
team members to pool their knowledge and
learn from one another.

Encourage new innovations

Innovation is one of the most difficult

things for an organization to increase in
a measurable, quantifiable way. You can’t

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BIM Coordination -
What’s THAT all about?
Rina Sahay

You would know members of this tribe by

many names - BIM Coordinator, Specialist,
or Manager. If you aren’t sure - look for
the individual who is seen enthusiastically Rina Sahay
conducting training events; patiently
mentoring team members; and creating Other additional challenges to spice up
and maintaining family libraries that work the mix are Cloud collaboration, model
within office standards. And of course, collaboration and clash detection, digital
this is the person you would see turning documentation and communication, and
prematurely gray as they perform their the multitude of tools available and about
magic enhancing, troubleshooting, and to be available to address them. However
resuscitating dead or dying projects. the ability to sing Lite Lite Baby in perfect
tune is the razor sharp tip of the BIM
W hile the BIM Coordinator may be
mentor, sage, resource, all rolled into
one, they are only as good as the project data
Coordination iceberg that can bring an
entire project literally crashing down.
that they hold sway over. So join me, folks. Remember - in addition to these basics - you
purge. Open with Audit every couple of
This is the cue to put on your sparkly shades are not only a resource, but you are also an
weeks while you’re at it. Keep it Lite Lite
and blingy kicks and join me in my favorite interface funneling information between the
Baby.
song - Lite Lite Baby (sung to the tune of Ice world of technology and your team. You will
Ice Baby). experience pushback, you will also receive
3) Restrain the urge to model in place any
Today a question about purging a family out and every single piece of geometry unless kudos for your life saving superpowers.
of a project reminded me of repeated battles you need just an instance or two. If you need Enhance those connections.
with project teams which I fondly refer to as multiple copies, take the time to convert the
the Battle Of The Purge. Picture this. Project in-place model into a family. The last thing Read. Listen. Learn. Network.
is underway - slow, sluggish, crashing, that anyone wants to see is 300+ in-place Explore. Communicate.
glitching. Takes forever to load, save, or models cluttering your Project Browser Think out of the box.
sync. Primary recommendation (among (believe me, it HAS happened!). Don’t
others) - Purge ruthlessly. forget our theme song! And that is why we are all here, attending
the BIM Coordinators’ Summit - to revel
Does this pushback sound familiar to you? in a plethora of learning opportunities as
a member of the professional community.
This is stuff we need! Lose no chance to inform yourself about
We don’t want to reload families!! the new and wonderful developments
We can’t and won’t purge the project!!! taking place in the industry around us -
We don’t have the time to audit the model!!!! and then siphon that information back to
After throwing up my hands in supplication your team!
to the BIM Gods, here are some (hopefully
helpful) thoughts

1) Your Project Template/Project file is not 4) Finally, please be wary of the dangers
a dump for just-in-case stuff. Load what and explosive potential of CAD (DWG
you need. Dump the just-in-case stuff in files - I’m looking at YOU!!) files. Involving
a Container file. Or dump it altogether. them in your project with utter disregard
Remember - Insert From File is your friend! for the potential havoc they can wreak are
Keep it Lite Lite Baby. unforgivable sins. You will no longer be
deemed worthy to sing our theme song.

2) A purge for the health of the model does

not have to involve the Purge Unused tool.
You can and must do a periodic selective

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 Where Minds Meet
BIM
&
Information Matters COORDINATORS
Celebrating the Heroes of AEC SUMMIT 2022
Architecture | Engineering | Construction
8th September | Live in Dublin + Virtual

STAGE 1 Sponsored & Coordinated By:

9am – 1pm
PLANNING
Information Management for
Strategic Project Planning

Location - It’s Everywhere (and Digital Project Delivery Made Better

Everything!) when Planning with Location Intelligence

9:00-9:20 Welcome / Introduction 11:30-11:35 Welcome / Introduction

Marc Goldman Marc Goldman
AEC Industry Leader AEC Industry Leader
Esri Esri

9:20-9:45 BIM & Smart Cities: The Challenges 11:35-12:00 The Framework for Integrated
and Opportunities Project Delivery: Essential Steps to
Paul Doherty Information Management Nirvana
IFMA Fellow, DFC Senior Fellow Clive Jordan
President & CEO Co-Founder
The Digit Group, Inc. Plannerly

9:45-10:00 BIM + GIS = GeoBIM for Smart 12:00-12:15 Construction Intelligence - Let the
Territories data tell the story
Ignasi Pérez Arnal Omar Habib
CEO 4D Planning & Digital Delivery Manager
BIM Academy WiiPlan Projects Solutions

10:00-10:15 State of the Art: BIM in Spain 12:15-12:30 Practical BIM: Confessions of an
David Barco Moreno Information Manager
Digital Leader Nigel Davies
Berrilan BIM Director
Evolve Consultancy
10:15-10:30 Digitalization of Project Delivery in
Aviation 12:30-12:45 Integrated Digitalised Solution for
Lewis Watts Construction Industry
Global Major Projects Development Swapnil Joshi
Executive Founder & Principal Consultant
Autodesk Intento Associates

10:30-11:00 PANEL DISCUSSION 12:45-13:00 PANEL DISCUSSION

Just Buzzwords, or is it Real (Part 1) Just Buzzwords, or is it Real (Part 2)

11:00-11:30 TEA / COFFEE BREAK

 Where Minds Meet
BIM
&
Information Matters COORDINATORS
Celebrating the Heroes of AEC SUMMIT 2022
Architecture | Engineering | Construction
8th September | Live in Dublin + Virtual

STAGE 2 Sponsored & Coordinated By:

9am to 1pm CLIENTS

Information Management for Clients (Appointing Parties)
Two panel sessions with 8 industry leaders, discussing end-to-end
information management strategy from ’inception to true insight’.

Current state of the art Next steps and future aspiration

9:00-9:15 Welcome / Introduction 11:30-11:35 Introduction
Collaborating in the round Steve Brown
Megha Nagendra Wells
Head of Digital Twins
Technical Director
Sweco
Sweco
11:35-12:15 What comes next
9:15-9:35 A client-centric approach to Johnny Furlong
lifecycle information management BIM Strategy Lead
Ryan Tennyson
L&Q
Associate Director & Infrastructure
Technology Advisor
12:15-12:35 Full life-cycle digital twins,
Scottish Futures Trust
BIM, the metaverse and everything
Steve Brown
9:35-9:55 Client information management Head of Digital Twins
strategy & roadmap Sweco
Pedro Pascual Ezama
EMEA Digital Delivery Manager
12:35-12:55 NEOM - Changing the way we
Yondr Group
create our built environment;
fast, modular, green
9:55-10:15 Less is more Menno de Jonge
Peter Monaghan
Director Digital Delivery
BIM Change Manager
NEOM
Southern Regional College
12:55-13:00 Wrap-up
10:15-10:35 Developing & validating better Megha Nagendra Wells
outcomes Technical Director
Graham H Stewart
Sweco
Digital Director
Digital Guerrilla

10:35-10:55 Compliant asset Information

management
David Shepherd
BIM Project Leader
House of Commons

10:55-11:00 Wrap-Up
Megha Nagendra Wells
Technical Director
Sweco

11:00-11:30 TEA / COFFEE BREAK

 Where Minds Meet
BIM
&
Information Matters COORDINATORS
Celebrating the Heroes of AEC SUMMIT 2022
Architecture | Engineering | Construction
8th September | Live in Dublin + Virtual

STAGE 3 Sponsored & Coordinated By:

9am – 1pm
DESIGN
Information Management for
Designers (Appointed Parties)

Architecture Engineering

9:00-9:05 Welcome / Introduction 11:30-11:35 Welcome / Introduction

Biswaroop Todi Luke Pannell
Vice President MEP Project Coordinator
Pinnacle Infotech Pinnacle Infotech

9:05-9:35 BIM is dead?! Now what? 11:35-12:05 Design Thinking and Innovation
Frederico Ramos FIFA Flagship Stadium
Principal Bimal Patwari
Aedas President
Pinnacle Infotech
9:35-9:55 Influence of BIM on Project
Management 12:05-12:25 BIM Lifehacks for Engineering
Himani Shah Business Development
BIM Manager Igor Adlersberg
Red Sea Development Company Entrepreneur
Arhis
9:55-10:15 Learning Strategies for Designers
Martin Coyne 12:25-12:45 Adapting to Digital Change
Associate Principal, BIM Practice Manager Enda Kirwan
KPF Associate | MEP BIM Lead
Arup
10:15-10:35 How AR can Improve Design
Michael Freiert 12:45-13:00 PANEL DISCUSSION
BIM Manager
Pope Design Group

10:35-11:00 PANEL DISCUSSION

11:00-11:30 TEA / COFFEE BREAK

 Where Minds Meet
BIM
&
Information Matters COORDINATORS
Celebrating the Heroes of AEC SUMMIT 2022
Architecture | Engineering | Construction
8th September | Live in Dublin + Virtual

STAGE 4 Sponsored & Coordinated By:

9am – 1pm CONSTRUCTION

Information Management for
Construction (Appointed Parties)

Design-Build, VDC & BIM Modern Methods of Construction

9:00-9:05 Welcome / Introduction 11:30-11:35 Welcome / Introduction
Rhys Lewis Rhys Lewis
Director EMEA Director EMEA
Revizto Revizto

9:05-9:35 Leveraging BIM for Design-Build 11:35-12:00 UK Government Vision for

Brian Skripac Construction as Manufacturing
Director, Virtual Design & Construction Jaimie Johnson MBE
Design-Build Institute of America Director
Brydenwood
9:35-09:55 Digital by Default: The Kier
Delivery Mindset 12:00-12:15 ISO 19650 Can Support Information
Colin Bell Management Best Practice
Head of Digital Construction Peter Bo Olsen
Kier Construction Consultant & Founder
InformationManagement4U
9:55-10:15 Leveraging Digital Solutions from
Design to Construction install 12:15-12:30 Project Delivery Process for
Ian Harding M&E Contractors
BIM Section Head
Ivana Simic
Jacobs
BIM Manager
Tim Kelly Group
10:15-10:40 Clash with Confidence
Peter Cordier
12:30-12:45 From Reality Capture to Asset
VDC Implementation Manager
Management
Revizto
Mahmoud El Charif
Head of Digital Construction
10:40-11:00 PANEL DISCUSSION Urban Surveys

12:45-13:00 PANEL DISCUSSION

11:00-11:30 TEA / COFFEE BREAK
 Where Minds Meet
BIM
&
Information Matters COORDINATORS
Celebrating the Heroes of AEC SUMMIT 2022
Architecture | Engineering | Construction
8th September | Live in Dublin + Virtual

STAGE 5 Sponsored & Coordinated By:

2pm – 6pm OPERATIONS

Information Management for
Operations & Asset Management

Smart Assets – The Outcomes Smart Assets – The Imperatives

14:00-14:05 Welcome / Introduction 16:00-16:05 Welcome / Introduction

Claire Penny Claire Penny
Director of Global Partnerships Director of Global Partnerships
Invicara Invicara

14:05-14:30 Digital Twin & Safety 16:05-16:30 Net Zero Carbon

Bola Abisogun OBE FRICS Andrew Bullmore
Founder & Chairman Director
DiverseCity Surveyors Hoare Lea

14:30-14:45 Design Smart Tom Collins

James Leverton Director
Digital Solutions Lead Hoare Lea
AECOM
16:30-16:45 Data Science for Smart Assets
14:45-15:00 Operate to Excel Ray Walshe
Mickey Rooney Head of Delegation IoT and Digital Twin
Global Operations Director ISO/IEC JTC1 SC41
CBRE
16:45-17:00 What COBie Wants
15:00-15:15 The Value of Digital Twins Robyn Rooschuz
Claire Penny Digital Information Specialist
Director of Global Partnerships Digital Guerrilla
Invicara
17:00-17:15 The Owner Record: Assets &
15:15-15:30 PANEL DISCUSSION Systems Accessible on Day 1
Smart Assets – The Outcomes Alice Santman
Director, Project Manager
15:30-16:00 TEA / COFFEE BREAK Intemation

17:15-18:00 PANEL DISCUSSION

Smart Assets – The Imperatives
 Where Minds Meet
BIM
&
Information Matters COORDINATORS
Celebrating the Heroes of AEC SUMMIT 2022
Architecture | Engineering | Construction
8th September | Live in Dublin + Virtual

STAGE 6 Sponsored & Coordinated By:

2pm – 6pm TECHNOLOGY

Technology and Interoperability
for Information Management

14:00-14:20 Welcome / Introduction 16:00-16:10 Welcome / Introduction

Richard Scott Richard Scott
VP Global Partnerships VP Global Partnerships
Archdesk Archdesk

14:20-14:45 Metaverse (Hype vs Reality) 16:10-16:35 About the FORM of ENGAGEMENT

Damon Hernandez with models
Executive Director & Founder Rob Snyder
AEC Hackathon Founder
Tangerine
14:45-15:00 The Case for Collaboration
Carl Storms 16:35-16:50 Integrate & Deploy Dynamo Scripts
Technical Solutions Lead Office-wide
BIM Track Jaime Alonso Candau
Co-Founder & CTO
15:00-15:15 New Life of a BIM Model Nonica
Vladimir Guteša
Development Manager 16:50-17:05 How to Eradicate Siloed Data
TeamCAD through the use of APIs
Mia Dibe
15:15-15:30 PANEL DISCUSSION Implementation Manager
3D Repo

15:30-16:00 TEA / COFFEE BREAK 17:05-17:20 Creating Revit Plugin in C#

Paolo Modenese
Revit API Lead Developer
Camilion Consulting & Development

17:20-17:35 Breaking through the BIM Plateau

Dainius Gudavičius
Director
Industor.IO

17:35-18:00 PANEL DISCUSSION

 Where Minds Meet
BIM
&
Information Matters COORDINATORS
Celebrating the Heroes of AEC SUMMIT 2022
Architecture | Engineering | Construction
8th September | Live in Dublin + Virtual

STAGE 7 Sponsored & Coordinated By:

2pm – 6pm DATA GOVERNANCE

Compliance and Model-Checking
for Information Management

14:00-14:15 Welcome / Introduction 16:00-16:05 Welcome / Introduction

Patrick Slattery Patrick Slattery
Managing Director Managing Director
ArcDox ArcDox

14:15-14:40 Rethinking Data Governance to 16:05-16:30 Accelerating Digitalisation of the

Drive Data Value with BIM Built Environment
Markus Helfert Paul Surin
Director Global Lead Engineering, Construction,
Innovation Value Institute Operations & BIM
Maynooth University IBM
IET Built Environment Panel Volunteer
14:45-15:00 Simplifying and Standardizing
Work Process for Automated Data 16:30-16:45 Model Health & Data Checking
Mining of BIM Models (in Revit)
Paul Varghese Steve Deadman
BIM Consultant Customer Success
Xinaps Ideate Software

15:00-15:15 What is a CDE? DIN SPEC (PAS) 16:45-17:00 Trust & Ethics in BIM
91391 Criteria for Users & Vendors Nicholas Nisbet
Ulrich Hartmann Director
Product Manager BIM, CDE and AEC3 UK Ltd
Standardization
Oracle Construction and Engineering 17:00-17:15 The Evolved Role of the Quantity
Surveyor
15:15-15:30 PANEL DISCUSSION Elia González Salas
Co-Founder & Digital Quantity Surveyor
Kosmos & The Fifth Dimension
15:30-16:00 TEA / COFFEE BREAK
17:15-17:30 Data Analysis For Predictive
Maintenance
Riccardo Pagani
Founder & CEO
BIMon & BIM Validation

17:30-18:00 PANEL DISCUSSION

 Where Minds Meet
BIM
&
Information Matters COORDINATORS
Celebrating the Heroes of AEC SUMMIT 2022
Architecture | Engineering | Construction
8th September | Live in Dublin + Virtual

STAGE 8 Sponsored & Coordinated By:

2pm – 6pm EDUCATION

Developing Digital Competency
for Information Management

Competency in Practice Education & Research

14:00-14:05 Welcome / Introduction 16:00-16:05 Welcome / Introduction

Rosan Otto Rosan Otto
Partner Manager Partner Manager
Eagle Point Software Eagle Point Software

14:05-14:25 Towards an Inclusive Digital 16:05-16:25 Digital Skills - The New Normal
Transformation Paul McCormack
Anand Stephen Research & Development
Digital Delivery Leader Belfast Metropolitan College
Gannett Fleming
16:25-16:45 Applications of Artificial
14:25-14:45 Successful Digital Delivery Intelligence in AEC
Neil O’Reilly Paul Vesey
BIM Operations Manager Lecturer
Mott MacDonald Technical University of the Shannon

14:45-14:55 Digital Competency 16:45-17:05 Building Digital Literacy using the

Run alongside the Evolution Common Data Exchange (CDX)
Narciso Guerrero Nathan C. Wood
BIM Manager Executive Director
Kilnbridge Construction Progress Coalition

14:55-15:15 The BIM Coordinator’s Pack of 17:05-17:35 Time for Training: Why your firm
Magic Tricks needs a learning strategy
Rina Sahay Steve Biver
Architectural BIM Manager Chief Operating Officer
Fishbeck Eagle Point Software

15:15-15:30 PANEL DISCUSSION 17:35-18:00 PANEL DISCUSSION

Competency in Practice Competency in Education & Research

15:30-16:00 TEA / COFFEE BREAK

 Where Minds Meet
BIM
&
Information Matters COORDINATORS
Celebrating the Heroes of AEC SUMMIT 2022
Architecture | Engineering | Construction
8th September | Live in Dublin + Virtual

LOUNGE 1
Coordinated By:

9am – 1pm
TECHNOLOGY
IN PRACTICE
9:00-9:20 AEC + TECH 11:30-11:50 DFM SYSTEMS
Niknaz Aftahi Bobby Gallagher
Co-Founder & CEO CEO

9:20-9:40 The FIFTH DIMENSION 11:50-12:10 SNAPTRUDE

Elia González Salas Altaf Ganihar
Co-Founder & Digital Quantity Surveyor Founder & CEO

Ross Griffin
Co-Founder & Digital Quantity Surveyor 12:10-12:30 VU.CITY
Nikki Webber
9:40-10:00 LIMSEN Business Development Executive
Filipe Lima
Head of Operations
12:30-12:50 NUVA ENTERPRISES
Sébastien Pinto da França Roux Jocelyn Lomer
Head of BIM & VDC CEO

10:00-10:20 ENGINEERING DOCUMENTATION

David Mullen 12:50-13:00 PANEL DISCUSSION
Managing Partner

10:20-10:40 BIM LAUNCHER

John Egan
CEO

10:40-11:00 ARUP
Michael Galbraith
Immersive Technology Specialist

11:00-11:30 TEA / COFFEE BREAK

 Where Minds Meet
BIM
&
Information Matters COORDINATORS
Celebrating the Heroes of AEC SUMMIT 2022
Architecture | Engineering | Construction
8th September | Live in Dublin + Virtual

LOUNGE 2
Coordinated By:

2pm – 6pm
PROFESSIONAL
PRACTICE
14:00-14:20 Construction IT Alliance (CITA) 16:00-16:20 Technological University Dublin
Technological University Dublin Dr. Barry McAuley
Dr. Alan Hore Head of Geospatial Surveying and Digital
Founder / Head of Quantity Surveying Construction

Kevin Furlong
14:20-14:40 Society of Chartered Surveyors Lecturer in BIM & Collaborative Digital
Ireland (SCSI) Construction
Ross Griffin
Founder 16:20-16:40 Chartered Institute of Architectural
KOSMOS & The FIFTH DIMENSION Technologists (CIAT)
Andrew Swarbrigg MCIAT
14:40-15:00 Chartered Institute of Building Senior Architectural Technologist
(CIOB) O’Mahony Pike Architects
Ivan McCarthy FCIOB
Project Director 16:40-17:00 Royal Institute of the Architects of
John Sisk & Son Ireland (RIAI)
Michael Earley
15:00-15:20 National Standards Authority of BIM Manager
Ireland (NSAI) DAA
Pat Carolan Chair of BIM Practice Committee
Standards Officer
17:00-17:20 Association of Consulting Engineers
of Ireland (ACEI)
15:20-15:30 PANEL DISCUSSION Aonghus O’Keeffe
Director
Roughan O’Donovan Consulting
15:30-16:00 TEA / COFFEE BREAK Engineers

17:20-17:40 Copenhagen School of Design &

Technology (KEA)
Dr James Harty
Lecturer

17:40-18:00 PANEL DISCUSSION

 Where Minds Meet
BIM
&
Information Matters
COORDINATORS
Celebrating the Heroes of AEC SUMMIT 2022
Architecture | Engineering | Construction
8th September | Live in Dublin + Virtual

9am – 6pm

TRAINING LAB
09:00-10:00 BIM & Blockchain 14:00-15:00 MS PowerApps for 19650-compliant
James Harty Asset Information Management
Lecturer David Shepherd
Copenhagen School of Design & BIM Project Leader
Technology House of Commons

10:00-11:00 Take Control over Revit by 15:00-16:00 Confessions from an OCD

Creating Tools with pyRevit Information Manager
Jean-Marc Couffin Graham Stewart
Senior BIM Specialist, Architect Digital Director
BIM One Inc. Digital Guerrilla

11:00-12:00 BIMserver.center: an Open BIM 16:00-17:00 Delivering IFC and COBie

Approach to Collaborative Projects Nigel Davies
by CYPE Director
David de Dios Evolve Consultancy
Technician
CYPE 17:00-18:00 An Introduction to Power Query and
Power BI for Data Validation
12:00-13:00 The Digital Quantity Surveyor Andrew Waring
Elia González Salas Director
Co-Founder & Digital Quantity Surveyor Virtual Phi
KOSMOS & The FIFTH Dimension

Erik Dahl
Quantity Surveyor / Cost Manager
KOSMOS

13:00-14:00 LUNCH BREAK

 Where Minds Meet
&Information Matters BIM
Celebrating the Heroes of AEC COORDINATORS
Architecture | Engineering | Construction SUMMIT 2022
8th September | Live in Dublin + Virtual

VIRTUAL STAGE A
9am – 6.30pm
9:00-9:30 Why our BIM BURGERS need more 14:00-14:30 BIM era - Start Now You Are Already
S[OUR]CE Late
Gavin Crump Mohamed Fawzy
BIM Consultant/Owner BIM Manager
BIM Guru Zworld Holding

9:30-10:00 BIM-VDC-IDD 14:30-15:00 Using Agile and openBIM Approaches

Karthik V in Scan2BIM Works
CEO David Delgado Vendrell
ByBiTech Singapore Architect and openBIM Consultant
DDV openBIM Solutions
10:00-10:30 Building Digital Competency –
Excelize Approach 15:00-15:30 Application of BIM Methodology in
Sonali Dhopte Portuguese Cultural Heritage
Chief Strategy Officer Patrick Loureiro
Excelize Software Pvt. Ltd. BIM Manager
Shay Murtagh
10:30-11:00 The Future of Sustainability with BIM &
Azhar Ali Siddiqui Rui Seabra
BIM Manager Structural Engineer
Hatch CCAD-Serviços de Engenharia

15:30-16:00 Information Modelling

11:00-11:30 BREAK
Jonathan Ingram
Chief Technology Officer
11:30-12:00 Moving from Disconnected 345 Holdings
Documents & Spreadsheets to Online
Dynamic Resources 16:00-16:30 BREAK
Andy Boutle
Head of Digital Construction 16:30-17:00 Increasing your Influence &
Alec Technology Budget by Talking to
Management in their Language
Virginia Senf
12:00-12:30 BIM Evolution: A Journey through the Chief Operating Officer
10 Dimensions UnifiLabs
Omar Nour
BIM Manager 17:00-17:30 The Building Safety Act and Golden
Thread: What You Need to Know
12:30-13:00 What is BIM? Vicki Reynolds
Mohamad Hamad Chief Technology Officer
Project BIM Manager & Senior Architect i3PT
Khatib & Alami
17:30-18:00 The Devil is in the Detail…
Darren Barker
13:00-13:30 Advancing Construction Process Principal Digital Consultant
through BIM and Artificial Mott McDonald
Intelligence: A Data and Information
Approach 18:00-18:30 The Top 10 Things I Wish I Knew as a
Dr. Mohammad Mayouf BIM Manager
Senior Lecture in Digital Construction Kimberly Fuhrman
Birmingham City University Revit Community Manager
Zigurat Global Institute of Technology Autodesk
 Where Minds Meet
&Information Matters BIM
Celebrating the Heroes of AEC COORDINATORS
Architecture | Engineering | Construction SUMMIT 2022
8th September | Live in Dublin + Virtual

VIRTUAL STAGE B
9am – 6.30pm
9:00-9:30 BIM-Specific Prequalification 14:00-14:30 Experience the Power of BIM throughout
Criteria in Construction Projects the Whole Value Chain
Vijayeta Malla Harri Majala
Assistant Professor CEO/Founder
NICMAR University G-Builder

9:30-10:00 Distributed Workforce - How to 14:30-15:00 Cost Managers Contribution towards

Support a Remote BIM Team Sustainable Development through BIM
Holger de Groot Tanaka Tande
CEO & Founder Cost Manager and Project Manager
Modmation TN Zunzanyika Associates

10:00-10:30 BIMetaverse 15:00-15:30 Database-Driven Information

Pritymoy Ganguly Management: Why, What and How?
Business Development Manager - BIM Mo Shana'a
Intelligent Consulting Engineers & CEO & Co-Founder
Builders Pvt. Ltd. Morta

10:30-11:00 Design Digitization & Automation 15:30-16:00 BIM Model Integration with Live View
Attila Vidra Reality Capture
Digital Lead - Land Development Amel Djedouani
Atkins Product Manager (BIM)
Evercam Construction Cameras

11:00-11:30 BREAK 16:00-16:30 BREAK

11:30-12:00 BIM & Information Management for 16:30-17:00 BIM Growth – Individual to Organization
Regenerative Design & Development Jordan Billingsley
Arlind Dervishaj Associate | Design Technology Manager
Architect, Digital Design & Sustainability Hord Coplan Macht
Expert &
KTH Royal Institute of Technology Allison Harper
Associate | BIM Technology Manager
12:00-12:30 Common Data Environment (CDE) – Hord Coplan Macht
The Process
Mostafa Elashmawy 17:00-17:30 BIMin' Guide to the Galaxy. How to Create,
Senior BIM & GIS Manager Launch & Nurture your Digital Twins
WSP Kimon Onuma
Architect, FAIA
12:30-13:00 Digital Platforms, New Business ONUMA, Inc.
Models: An Invisible Revolution in
AECO 17:30-18:00 Application of Digital Technologies in
Olivier Lepinoy Estates information management
Platform Expert Hadeel Saadoon
Autodesk Communities Lead
UK BIM Alliance
13:00-13:30 Machine Learning Applied to
Building Information Models 18:00-18:30 State of Data Sharing and Collaboration
Nivedita Mudhoo in the Age of BIM and Digital Twins
Computer Aided Design/ Modeler Anil Sawhney
Draftswoman Director of the Infrastructure Sector
RICS
celebrating
excellence in
construction
The Irish Construction Excellence Awards (ICE Awards)
is the original and premier accolade for the
Irish Construction Industry

for more info visit: ICEAwards.ie

 Where Minds Meet
&Information Matters BIM
Celebrating the Heroes of AEC COORDINATORS
Architecture | Engineering | Construction SUMMIT 2022
8th September | Live in Dublin + Virtual

VIRTUAL STAGE C
9am – 6.30pm
9:00-9:30 Developing a Skills-Based Strategy to 14:00-14:30 Scan to BIM for Infrastructure and
Enable Digital Across your Business Heritage Projects
Rebecca De Cicco Mohamed S. Hemdan
Principle Virtual Design and Construction Head
Aurecon Kabbani Construction Group

9:30-10:00 The Weak Link in BIM for Precast 14:30-15:00 Eco-Digital Design
Shadaab Sayyed Mais Taha
Engineer Director & Management Consultant
Punch Consulting Engineers MTiPx

10:00-10:30 BIM & Pakistan 15:00-15:30 Change We Must, and Change We

Aqsa Sahar Rauf Siddiqui Can
BIM Engineer Dana K. "Deke" Smith, FAIA Emeritus, FbSI
BIMMERS Pvt. Ltd President
DKS Information Consulting, LLC
10:30-11:00 Why is BIM Perceived as an Expensive
Stepsibling by Most Small and 15:30-16:00 The End in Sight, a Wider View of the
Midscale Consultants? Project
Kaustubh Pandey Pierre Venter
Digital Council Leader BIM Manager
Galactic Group Majid Al Futtaim Properties

11:00-11:30 Demystifying Digital Twins

Anand Mecheri 16:00-16:30 BREAK
CEO
Invicara
16:30-17:00 Advanced 4D Planning Tools and
11:30-12:00 Tips and Tricks to Choose the Right Techniques
CDE, and How This Can Streamline Omar Habib
Your Workflow Between Office and 4D Planning & Digital Delivery Manager.
Field WiiPlan Projects Solution
Billel Dridi
BIM Manager & Digital Transformation Lead 17:00-17:30 BIM Tools for Element Classification
FAM Holding PSC and Data Validation
Brian Smith
12:00-12:30 My Journey with BIM Since 2014 Solution Architect - Application Services
Nadim Abbas Invicara
BIM Integration Lead
17:30-18:00 New Era of
Constructability/Coordination Using
12:30-13:00 Empowering BIM Adoption Revizto
Jero Juujärvi Cody Whitelock
BIM Specialist Virtual Construction Manager
YIT Suomi Oy Barnhill Contracting Company

13:00-13:30 Streamlining Workflow Processes for 18:00-18:30 BIM Mindset

Efficiency and Effect Output Maria Jose de Tezanos
Ryan Holmes CEO Architect Consultant
Digital Delivery Manager MDT Arquitectura
Tent Engineering
 Where Minds Meet
&Information Matters BIM
Celebrating the Heroes of AEC COORDINATORS
Architecture | Engineering | Construction SUMMIT 2022
8th September | Live in Dublin + Virtual

VIRTUAL STAGE D
9am – 6.30pm
9:00-9:30 Principles of Effective BIM Content 13:00-13:30 Integrated Digital Delivery for
Management Project Lifecycle
Gary Sprague AR. Ankitkumar Kansara
CEO & Co-Founder Founder and CEO
Kinship Virtual Building Studio Inc

9:30-10:00 Precast Concrete Construction & BIM

13:30-14:30 BREAK
for Precast
Siddhant Pawar
BIM Manager 14:30-15:00 Database driven Information
Tata Projects Delivery Planning
Mirna Khoury
10:00-10:30 Carbon Footprint Reduction in AEC Digital Transformation Lead
Powered by Scan To BIM Morta
Varun Bhartiya
CEO 15:00-15:30 Barriers to 5D BIM Adoption
nCircle Tech Ana Maria Walter de Rossi
Civil Engineer
10:30-11:00 Using LPS & BIM for Managing Hanley Pepper
Construction Projects in Developing
Countries: Lesson Learned from Iran 15:30-16:00 Accelerating Digital Transformation
Kambiz Kordani Alain Waha
Planning & Project Control Manager Chief Technology Officer
SKC Buro Happold

11:00-11:30 Solve your Data & Governance

16:00-16:30 BREAK
Challenges with Easy Process
Automation
Paul Stone 16:30-17:00 BIM for Occupational Safety and
Product Strategist Health Management
FlowForma Manuel Tender
Lead Researcher
11:30-12:00 Joining the Dots Between Diversity, Digital4OSH
Skills and Social Impact
Rebecca Lovelace 17:00-17:30 New Data Old Problems
Founder and Chief Dot-Joiner Brian Guinan
Building People Facade Inspector
i3PT
12:00-12:30 Digital Delivery on Mega Projects
Irfan Baig 17:30-18:00 Management and Coordination of
Digital Construction Manager BIM Processes on an openBIM Cloud
ALEC Engineering and Contracting LLC Platform
Alfonso Perna
International Product Engineering
12:30-13:00 The Strategic Role of International ACCA Software
Standards in BIM: An Introduction to
ISO 19650 Standards 18:00-18:30 Let’s talk Smart Buildings
Nicoleta Panagiotidou Tom Gould
Architect MSc, BIM specialist, Director Head of Digital Solutions
BIM Design Hub Skanska
https://www.birdtools-developers.com/BCS2022/
 Managing Digital Construction

Limsen provides strategic guidance and Portugal

implements digital workflows on large-scale Praça Duque da Terceira
n.º4, 2.º Andar 1200-161 Lisbon
developments.
There’s enormous value to be unlocked Telephone
from digital models, but sometimes people +351 968 596 128
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bridge the gap between owners /investors
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