Design
Design
Given the nature of the multi-disciplinary skills required for most projects , it is perhaps the right time for students from different academic backgrounds to collaborate on design projects . For instance , students following architecture courses could collaborate with students following structural design , electrical or mechanical engineering courses with the objective of producing a more holistic design solution . Such projects could be developed using Building Information Modelling . This would give rise to a better learning experience for the new generations of professionals as they would be exposed to multi-disciplinary skills at undergraduate level . Indeed , this could provide a better insight to the graduates about the challenges that they will probably encounter on many real-life projects .
The advantages of using building information modelling can be summarised as follows :
• More efficient way of integration and coordination of design aspects between different trades and professions
• Design optimisation
• Building element visualisation
• Efficiency in retrieving detailed information of different elements of a project
• Seamless transition from concept design to detailed design to fabrication , construction and handing over to the ultimate user of the buidling
• Detailed records available to the end user for operations , maintenance and renovation a new approach
The key partners in the construction industry , that is the developers , the designers as well as the contractors would probably need to invest a degree of time for learning the skills associated with Building Information Modelling . However , the potential benefits of using Building Information Modelling would outweigh the costs associated with the time needed for learning the skills .
However , it should be noted that building information modelling is merely a tool , be it a very effective one , and it should never be a replacement for the human flare for design . It is a complementary tool for analysing , assessing and developing a design concept in an efficient manner .
For instance , building information modelling is particularly useful for optimising the structural design of a project . Reinforcement is generally integrated within a building information model . And the model is also linked to structural analysis and design packages . This gives rise to an efficient way of assessing different structural design solutions .
on Costs assessment
Generally , the quantities of materials , for instance , of blockwork , volumes of concrete , quantity and types of reinforcement can be retrieved very quickly from a building information model . Rates for different types of materials used in a building projecst can be incorporated within a building model . As a result , the costs associated with different design solutions can be obtained in a relatively short period of time . In addition , the spatial impact of different design solutions can also be assessed in relation to architectural as well as services requirements .
Leveraging information more effectively
The development of new tools for the design coordination of construction projects is a continuous process and great advances have been achieved in this field over the past twenty-five years .
50 Q2 , 2017 DESIGN & BUILD