The bd BIM White Paper - Investing in BIM - A guide for Architects

bd BIM White Paper 

The NBS copy of the bd White Paper arrived yesterday, Investing in BIM: A guide for architects. This is available to buy from bdonline.co.uk:
http://www.bdonline.co.uk/home/the-bim-white-paper/5034325.article

Following an introduction by Chief Government Construction Advisor Paul Morrell it then looks at what BIM is, the business benefits, survey results, legal issues, insurance, software and standards around the world. Finally there are a number of really interesting case studies from architects, clients and contractors. At over 100 pages it is a very thorough and well put together publication.

One of the great things about BIM is the way that many of those involved in making it happen it in the UK are so approachable via social media. The Editorial Board that provided guidance on the production are all active on Twitter:

• Shaun Farrell - @ShaunF1969 - Zaha Hadid Architects
• David Light -  @davewlight - HOK
• Robert Jackson - @BondBryan - Bond Bryan Architects
• Robert Klaschka -  @studioklaschka  - Studio Klaschka

Both in the introduction and the opening chapters the perception that BIM is only for large practices is challenged. Paul Morrell tells the story of one of his favourite memories from the last few years from the BIM roundtable at the RIBA where a member of a small practice was clearly demonstrating that change is often easier in a small organisation than a large one and also economies of scale make the financial commitment comparable.

There were around 500 replies to the BD survey and the trends that are shown are similar to that in the NBS National BIM Report which gives further validation to both sets of results. One interesting finding was that 85% of respondents planned to make further investment in BIM in the next two to five years.

NBS credited twice in the resources section

In the "choosing the correct software" section of the report all of the major software vendors will be pleased to see that not one vendors gets priority over another. The feeling is definitely that competition is good and you should quiz the vendors to see what packages and workflow works best for you. In terms of training, RIBA's Richard Brindley outlines some of the CPD seminars that the RIBA are currently running - one in particular is the RIBA Road Show session "BIM compete or collaborate":
http://www.ribacpd.com/nationsandregionsdetails/BIM-compete-or-collaborate-locations-nationwide/17

What is slightly surprising is that there are currently only four or five companies currently on the RIBA CPD Provider Network presenting on BIM (Vectorworks and a few product manufacturers) - for such a key industry topic there are clear opportunities here for those wanting to get their message across:
http://www.ribacpd.com/search.aspx?s=BIM

Richard also discusses the "BIM overlay" to the RIBA Plan of Work that will be out soon.

There is plenty more in the report, standards, BIM around the world, insurance, the BIM business case but one area you naturally gravitate to is the excellent case study section. KSS Group,  NC Architects, Architype, St Ann's Gate, David Miller Architects, HLM, Capita Symonds, Axis Design, Emily Greeves Architects, WM Design & Architecture, Manchester City Council, Great Portland Estates, Kier, Skanska and BIM Technologies.

Finally, one of the most pleasing aspects of the report was the reply to question in the BD survey "where else [over and above your institue] do you look for help on BIM?". "Both NBS and the American Institute of Architects where mentioned several times". This is really pleasing to see following the hard work over the last few years that has gone into producing our BIM mini site theNBS.com/BIM. It seems the videos, the articles and reports have been worthwhile.

The report is almost £200 which is a little pricey, but when you compare this with the price of certain British Standards or the costs of attending a conference - then I think it's probably worth buying for those that want an excellent overview of where BIM is in the UK in 2012.

http://www.bdonline.co.uk/home/the-bim-white-paper/5034325.article