The changing architectural designs

Choosing best or going for the best available option is a basic human tendency. Same has been in case of building architecture. History is the best source to refer the kind of transformations that have been made in architectural forms of buildings. Just flip through the pages and you can find numerous changes in architectural forms from time to time. Every civilization and era had something new to offer. Be it Stone Age, Bronze Age or Iron Age they all contributed largely in the changing architectural designs.

One can still find ruins of ancient architecture in various archaeological sites and compare them to modern architecture. A huge change in every aspect can be found between them. The change that occurred slowly and gradually in this context has been possible due to various reasons such as changing mindset of people with time and their inquisitiveness to discover better lifestyle.

With the passage of time architecture developed as a profession and it is studied prestigiously by people. The development of architecture as an engineering trade grew very fast and it produced the so called ‘master builders.’ Master builders are nothing but architects who are solely responsible for constructing modern buildings with the assistance of other engineers such as structural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineers. An architect is fully involved in planning, designing and construction of buildings.

It’s not just architecture they grew over time; the same applies to all other engineering disciplines as well. The field of structural engineering has also gone through tremendous changes. And this assisted architects in developing innovative architectural designs that can be supported with strong structural frame.

The latest development that has engulfed entire AEC industry is Building Information Modeling. BIM is nothing but a process that is applied by architects and engineers throughout the world to execute construction projects. The last 40 years have been very crucial for architectural design, since some of the most vital software have been developed during this time which helped in seamless construction.

Modern architects can explore hundreds of design options with the assistance of BIM software, and can accurately check their productivity. In this way architects were able to develop high quality architectural designs. 

BIM reduces errors and promotes collaboration of team members

BIM which is an acronym for Building Information Modeling is vastly embraced by construction industry as an efficient tool to reduce on-site errors and for promoting collaboration of people working on project. It is considered as one of the most efficient instrument to document the construction methods. It helps in saving valuable information needed in the building process by architects and engineers. It can also be considered as a visualization tool which assists in integrating the physical and functional features of a building and this collaborative approach helps all the key members involved in the building process to work together.

By implementing BIM on building projects architects, engineers, contractors, project managers, and even owners can work collaboratively. This becomes possible, because the teams involved can work together on a single BIM model generated with Revit. This collaborative approach helps in reducing redundancies and errors while improving project growth.  Since the precise picture of BIM model is available with all the stakeholders’ it encourages them to work efficiently. The most important aspect of this approach is that it assists in saving time and money of the firm working on the project.

There are many advantages of using Building Information Modeling in the execution of construction projects. BIM services have become crucial parts of per-construction activities. Most of the pre-construction engineering services are executed with the support of BIM software such as modeling services. 3D BIM models are considered very important by architects and engineers who are responsible for executing actual on-site construction of the building. The kind of information stored in these models is considered highly crucial because of its accuracy. These 3D models developed with the assistance of Revit are optimized by BIM modelers to extract significant construction documents. All these documents are referred by engineers when they start building the structure.

Construction documents extracted from coordinated model are of much higher accuracy, since this model is already checked for interference and inconsistencies. 

BIM is not limited to modeling alone; it is used as a planning and execution tool for construction projects. 

How does BIM assist in Architectural modeling?

Architectural modeling has become a very crucial part in the execution of architectural projects. One can hardly observe any construction process taking place without first executing modeling services for it. If in case the final construction process starts  for a certain project without generating a 3D model for it, chances of facing errors and complications are very high.  Not just that, when the errors occur rework takes place and this helps in  increasing the overall project cost along with increasing the time taken to complete a project. So it’s a total loss for the contractors and the owners as well if they start constructing a building without making its model first.

Architectural BIM Project

The application of BIM has many advantages for the architectural, engineering and the construction industry.

Architectural modeling services are executed with the assistance of BIM software Revit.

To execute the modeling services for the architectural projects it is significant to have all the necessary input in place. So the process of modeling cannot go ahead until and unless the accurate and precise CAD drawings are developed. And the CAD drawings cannot be generated without the specification provided by the architects. So the process begins with the rough sketches and specification by the architects which are then given to the CAD technicians to come up with the architectural drafting documents. These specifications are reviewed by the CAD drafters various times until and unless a proper understanding is gained by them regarding the architectural design of the building.

After completely understanding the design the CAD drafters develop the architectural drawings. The drawings which are generated in the drafting process include floor plans, elevations and sections, etc. and they give the detailed description of the building design.

When all the required inputs are generated for the modeling process it is handed over to the BIM modelers and they develop 3D architectural model with the assistance of Revit. This 3D architectural model can be further upgraded to 4D, 5D and 6D with the addition of new dimensions in it. The more the dimensions are added to the 3D BIM model the more information rich it becomes.

The 4D and 5D architectural BIM  models help in estimating the time and money needed to complete the project. This ultimately makes the entire process proceed smoothly. 

How do contractors and the builders go about a construction process?

A lot of things need to be in place before going ahead with a construction process. Usually the builders and the contractors who come up with their own properties for the selling purpose have to deal with many difficult situations. Their involvement in the building process never stops until the structure stands erected in front of them and till it is finally sold. They have to cope up with the government approval of the property and the approval of the finances for its construction.

Following is a brief method apart from coming up with an idea of construction, that is undertaken by the contractors and the builders to reach their goal.

Planning regarding finalizing the site:  Deciding upon the location of the project is very important. The finalization of the construction site depends upon the various factors such as, the kind of project it is like the commercial or the real estate etc. depending upon the nature of the project a site is fixed for its construction.

Planning regarding the budget: The contractors also have to plan their budget in advance and depending upon that they proceed with the rest of the activities. One cannot blindly go ahead with the building project without deciding their budget.

Next comes hiring an architect:So once the place and money is decided then comes the time of hiring an architect or architectural services. The building plans are discussed among the architects by the contractors. They tell the architect what is that they want to build or construct and the architect plans the construction of the building.

The first thing that an architect does is to come up with an architectural design of the building.

Contractors haunt for hiring an engineering service providing company: This is the company which is hired by the contractors to provide them with the rest of the preconstruction engineering services such as architectural, structural, and MEP services.

The service providing company delivers the contractors with all kind of CAD design and drafting services, BIM Modeling Services, architectural services, coordination and clash detection services etc.

The Actual onsite construction process: Once all the preconstruction services are delivered along with the 3D models the actual onsite construction process begins. The process is successfully completed with the assistance of high quality preconstruction services delivered by the service providing company. 

BIM Technology for Effective Building Construction

Construction Industry today is getting tremendously benefited with Building Information Modeling technology. Building Information Modeling involves generation of virtual models of the building structure or product prior to its actual construction or fabrication on computer with the help of advances software’s such as Revit. These virtual models are generated in 3D environment thus it becomes possible to rotate and view the model from various angles.

BIM is a building design procedure which involves the development and utilization of coordinated as well as computable data regarding a building project in design and construction. BIM generates a credible digital depiction of the building intended for design decision making, high-end construction document generation, construction planning, and performance analysis, as well as cost estimates.

BIM entails various services in diverse fields such as Architectural BIM, Structural BIM and MEP BIM Services. It also incorporates services like, clash detection, family and content creating, co-ordinate checking, generation of construction documents, etc. These services are extremely crucial for generating accurate and error-free building structures or products. BIM services are highly beneficial as they provide accurate information pertaining to geometrical information of building structure, association among various building components, etc.

BIM is a model centered technology associated with a database of project data to facilitate impeccable communication as well as co-ordination between all parties involved in the construction procedure. With the help of BIM technology it becomes possible for different people to work on a single co-ordinates model. It ensures co-ordination among various components of building life cycle, lets you identify and analyze conflicts. Thus it aids in eliminating these clashes by carrying out necessary modifications.

 Building Information Modeling further involves generation of 4D and 5D BIM Models. 4D BIM Models pertains to incorporation of time or schedule linked information to 3D Models. These models enables various members associated with construction project, to visualize the overall time period of the series of events and exhibit the development of construction activities over time. 5D BIM Models refers to incorporation of time or schedule as well as cost pertinent information to 3D BIM Models. 5D models enables various parties linked with construction project to visualize the advancement of construction activities and its pertinent costs over time.

Thus, BIM technology is widely used as it aids in effective and comprehensive visualization of the entire building or product generates high-end construction documents, helps identify clashes and provides time and cost related information.