276 Section 2 Architectural Planning
industry is so competitive, fi rms are always
looking for ways to become more effi cient and
effective. The ability to manage projects to com-
pletion in the most effi cient manner possible is
critical to a fi rm’s success.
BIM is an approach to building design that
allows for management of all aspects of a building
project. While BIM is often associated with the
use of 3D modeling software, the term BIM does
not just refer to the use of 3D software to create
a virtual building model. BIM encompasses a
number of processes that take place throughout
a design project and the lifetime of the building.
Some of these processes are:
• Conceptual design
• Building analysis
• Model construction and documentation
• Design collaboration
• Cost estimating
• Construction management
• Data management
• Facility management
BIM provides a mechanism for coordinating
all of these processes, managing related data,
and making the data available to all stakeholders
in the project—from designers and engineers to
consultants, contractors, building owners, and
facility managers.
The virtual building model in a BIM project,
called a BIM model, serves as the foundation
of the project. See Figure 12-1. A BIM model is
a 3D solid model that represents the complete
building. It contains all required design data
for construction. The objects in a BIM model
include components such as walls, fl oors,
and stairs. A BIM model is referred to as a
parametric model because each object has editable
properties. In this type of model, objects have
“smart” relationships with one another. When a
change is made to an object, the complete model
updates to refl ect the change. In addition, each
object contains material properties and parame-
ters that identify product data. For example, a wall
has thickness and height properties, material
properties, and parameters such as fi re rating
and cost. The wall consists of a system of framing
Model courtesy of Autodesk
Figure 12-1. A BIM model is a virtual representation of a building. This is a custom home developed as a BIM
model. The home has photovoltaic panels and wind turbines to provide sources of energy and includes wide
expanses of glass to admit natural light.
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.