By 2020, all of the designers that sit in Benoy studios across APAC will be Revit proficient and therefore have achieved BIM Level 1. Benoy’s APAC BIM Manager Huw Rees is excited to reach this goal and has presented his thoughts on how important BIM is and how he sees Benoy continuing to push their innovative skill-set.
All about BIM.
BIM or Building Information Modelling gives architects the ability to create digital designs that help to manage information on a construction project across the project life cycle. It is a highly collaborative process that allows multiple stakeholders and AEC (architecture, engineering, construction) professionals to collaborate on the planning, design, and construction of a building within one 3D model. This model draws on information assembled collaboratively and is updated at key stages of a project. BIM is becoming increasingly valuable to commercial clients. It cuts costs and also provides a detailed digital database of a building. Improvements offered by advances in technology are challenging the way we traditionally approached design.
At Benoy, a recent notable project where we’ve been able to really present our BIM capabilities has been the Bahrain Marina. As Lead Design Consultant for the project, Benoy is responsible for designing and delivering the entire 316,000m2 masterplan. In our role, we are producing the Architecture and Interior Design BIM Models. On this large scheme, we have fully implemented BIM Level 2+. This project has been wholly collaborative with a range of consultants imputing to the BIM model, these include Structural / E&M and Landscaping.
Industry Changes.
BIM has become a very hot topic in Hong Kong and China recently, primarily due to the Hong Kong Government’s BIM mandate, which was introduced early last year for all capital works projects with estimates more than $30 Million. The Singapore studio was the first APAC studio to be influenced by a Government BIM mandate back in 2014. This has shaped the team skill set and given us an edge in the industry. Educating partners, contractors and support teams on how BIM can enhance what we do as designers is incredibly important. One of the biggest challenges we’ve encountered during the transition to BIM in APAC has been the lack government-led initiatives that are in place in EMEA that helps to drive rapid growth and implementation in those regions. As a result, there has been less of an incentive for clients or contractors to invest early but it is great to see that many clients, stakeholders and contractors are now taking their first steps into BIM adoption. With that in mind, we have found that the inclusion of a BIM Execution Plan (BEP) and Employer Information Requirement (EIR) vital to ensure that what we as the consultant are aligning with client and contractor expectations.
The Future of BIM.
For Benoy specifically, once we have met our 2020 goal, we will be setting our sights on achieving BIM Level 2 and 2+ throughout our APAC offices. As the digital age continues to bring about change, it will be interesting to see how we as designers can enhance our own capabilities in the model driven process.
Huw Rees, APAC BIM Manager
