According to the official definition, BIM is a process or way of managing information about facilities and projects. It encompasses the entire life cycle of a building, from planning, through the design and construction phases, and then management, to demolition. So how are these assumptions implemented in practice? According to the Level 2 BIM methodology (this is currently being implemented in Poland), it involves the creation of twin objects. In addition to the real building, its digital twin is created. Sometimes it is identified with a three-dimensional drawing, but it is something more. The visualization is also a database – each element added to the digital design (e.g. a wall, a window) is a collection of information.
Reducing carbon emissions and waste production is a fairly rare argument in favor of BIM. By increasing productivity, construction machinery, and vehicles can be reduced in time, and material waste can be reduced. The use of BIM methodologies also helps ensure that buildings are energy-efficient and low-carbon.
The pandemic has changed a lot in the functioning of industrial enterprises. Autodesk’s study “The Impact of the Pandemic on Digitalization in Polish Industrial Enterprises” shows that most entrepreneurs:
BIM fits perfectly into this trend. By working to the same standard, specialists can more easily collaborate online using a common database. BIM means growth for companies – so why are so few of them using the technology or doing so to a limited extent?
Even though there are many benefits to using BIM (such as those described above), Polish companies are still doing it at a low rate. Why The answer to this question is complex but can be summarized in two words: cost and education. A survey commissioned by Autodesk, “BIM – the Polish perspective,” shows that:
Creating a digital representation of the building allows you to test available solutions and avoid mistakes at later stages. Productivity is also boosted by easy access to data and the ability to reuse some repetitive solutions.
Using BIM modeling can have a direct impact on sales. How? Digitizing projects allows you to use tools that are attractive to potential customers. Interactive visualizations or 3D walkthroughs, which can be taken around a facility without leaving home, are an excellent way to support a developer’s sales efforts. Data collected in BIM models are also an excellent source of information needed to answer detailed questions for customers.
BIM technology addresses the entire life cycle of a building. As a result, the information collected at earlier stages can greatly support property management companies. Such information makes it easier to plan renovations and reduce operating costs.
Is this state about to change? Projections for the use of BIM in the architecture and construction industry are optimistic. More than half of those surveyed are convinced that the share of projects using BIM will grow in the coming years. However, this will not happen on its own. There is a recurring voice in the industry about the necessary support from the state. The implementation of BIM in Poland began as a bottom-up initiative by entrepreneurs. However, if the concept is to become a binding standard, legal solutions are also needed.