- I've already alluded to the ways
that BIM can be utilized in design,
and this has become very commonplace
in some parts of the world.
Architects have adopted this technology
and learned to design in 3D
from the beginning of their process.
In the past, we may have started the design in 2D,
creating floor plans and laying out space in two dimensions,
and then moved on to creating
actual physical mini three-dimensional models
that could be shown to clients
to help them visualize the design.
Today, the design can begin in three dimensions
using software like Revit or ArchiCAD
to create a building information model.
Once that model's been completed by the architect,
it can be used for a number of different things.
It can be handed off to the other design team partners,
like the structural engineer,
who can add structural elements and detailing to the model.
Or it can be handed to major trade contractor partners
like the MEP contractor I mentioned earlier,
who can begin dropping in their assemblies
to make sure they fit in the space being designed.
At the same time, the architect can use the model
to show their client, the project owner,
what the facility will look like.
There is little need to create a miniature physical model
to help the client visualize the project
when we can show them
a three-dimensional virtual model instead.
And what's more, companies like Autodesk
are making it even easier
to convert that building information model
into a virtual reality, or VR, model.
Now, using VR, the owner or the user of a planned facility
can actually walk through a space as it's designed
to see their planned facility taking shape.
Finally, the three-dimensional model can be used
to create the two-dimensional plan sheets,
or construction drawings, that we still use every day
for plan review, permitting,
and construction out in the field.
Again, there is no need to create these separately.
That's what software like Revit does.
It takes the information in the building information model,
and it generates the 2D plan sheets
by essentially taking section cuts through the model
and then pulling in other additional notes and information
that we need to see on a construction drawing.
Now you can see that a properly built
building information model
can really be used in a number of ways
to streamline the design process.