Real estate, a vast sector, had resisted change for a long time and followed old age methods but now it has started to adopt some of the major technology trends, one being BIM. At present it is embracing rapidly the adoption of new technology.
TABLE OF CONTENT
1. What is BIM
2. What does BIM Do
3. Future of BIM
4. BIM is Important
5. Advantages of BIM
6. Challenges faced in India
7. Embrace BIM
1. What is BIM
BIM stands for Building Information Modeling. It is the visual representation of a project to be constructed. BIM is a multi dimensional, graphical illustration that can hold out and handle Building Information of a construction project all through the project lifecycle. It is in fact a visual depiction of the project that is to be constructed. A Building Information Model has the digital description of every feature of the project. Basically it is a digital revolution. It enables document management, coordination and recreation throughout the lifecycle of the project.
2. What does BIM Do
BIM is that data which can bring together all the information of every component of a building at one place. It can be used to demonstrate the lifecycle of the entire building. Anyone can access that information for any purpose related to the project. Different aspects of the design can be integrated more effectively. Products, sequences, spaces, systems can be shown in relative scale to each other and relative to the entire project. It helps in minimizing the risk of mistakes and the abortive cost. It also prevents errors from creeping in at different stages of construction.
3. Future of BIM
As technology is advancing, so is real estate. In future it will also go digital. BIM is a long term facility management and is implementing changes across all industries. In India, BIM is largely used by Architectural firms and then by Structural Engineering Consultants, who are not as fast as the Architectural firms. Languid followers are mechanical, plumbing and interior consultants.
Real estate needs to shift the mindset of its sectors. BIM implementation is the demand of the time. At least the mega projects of the government should come under the shelter of BIM. Presently followed practices should be changed to be at par with technology. BIM is adopted by many countries but India is dawdling for different reasons.
4. BIM is Important
In this age of the millennial and world of technology, real estate needs to follow more efficient ways to meet the demand as well as create projects that are smarter and more resilient. BIM is the best way because the design and construction teams can work more efficiently and can capture the data they create during the process. This in turn benefits operations and maintenance activities. Architects and engineers can create high performance building designs. BIM develops better project coordination, efficient workflow and 3D visualizations that would lead to improvised projects in real estate sector. Indian construction industry should adopt BIM to walk hand in hand with technology.
5. Advantages of BIM
In the construction of a project, time and money play a crucial role. BIM helps to derive a precise estimation for both these critical aspects. It also helps in calculating project costs and facilitates well-organized project management. Indian real estate industry has already completed some of its projects based on BIM but it still needs to adopt it on a large scale. Here are the advantages why Indian real estate should adopt BIM.
5.1. A Replica of the Project
A 3D model of the project enables to envision how a particular building or an infrastructural design would look upon its completion. A drawing on a paper as per the prevailing practices cannot give an accurate vision of the project and cannot cater to the issues of the actual construction. The digital model gives a much closer approach to the construction of the design.
5.2. Controls Cost & Eliminates Wastage
Cost of a project depends on various factors – time, quantity of materials and labour being the key factors. As BIM saves time, then an accurate estimate can give the cost. A virtual model becomes an answer for all the estimations. It helps to calculate the quantity of material as well as the labour required. Without a model, it gets difficult to calculate the accurate estimations – sometimes it becomes more and sometimes it might not be sufficient. BIM helps in accurate calculations and prevents over or under ordering of materials. Hence through BIM, wastage on a site can be avoided and also cost can be controlled by ordering only the quantity that is required at a particular time.
5.3. No Re-work
There will be a number of changes in infrastructural design till the construction gets complete. In such constructions, changes on paper design become muddled. But such changes are very easy with a virtual model. All changes that are done on the virtual model are immediately taken up by BIM and this reduces the chances of re-work. These changes can be viewed by all concerned authorities.
5.4. Better Coordination
During construction a lot of clashes take place in activities that get into the way of each other and this leads to redesign or rework. BIM reduces these chances of clashing into each other and they are identified right at the time of designing the project. It schedules and plans in such a way that there are no clashes among various activities during the construction of a project.
5.5. Curtails Unbudgeted Modifications
The virtual model gives a realistic vision of the construction progress. When a virtual model is created through BIM, it helps to form a single record system of the project. This helps in all discussions and plans which in turn prevents unbudgeted changes that would have happened during the construction. A comparison with the model at the actual site is a means to identify deviations. Transparency is maintained through such procedures and there will be no last minute changes in the design during the process of construction. It curtails unbudgeted modifications which might have arisen without the virtual model and BIM.
6. Challenges faced in India
Though BIM is being used for projects in India, it is only for global markets. Benefits of BIM are not very clearly presented for Indian Projects or we can also say that real estate is not convinced properly for the use of BIM. A few challenges are faced by real estate, lack of knowledge being the biggest challenge. – due to unavailability of knowledge of BIM, construction companies are unable to have a seamless integration of BIM and result in just BIM experiments. Awareness needs to be developed in the real estate sector. Another factor is resistance. Human nature had always resisted changes and had various inhibitions to adopt new technologies. These factors increased operating costs and the perception that the technology is difficult to adopt is prevailing.
7. Embrace BIM
BIM increases output, infrastructure value and quality. It generates information and designs the model of the building in an integrated database. It uses one consistent system to conceptualize and construct the model by 3D information representation. This technique offers many advantages like cost-effectiveness, improved coordination and productivity, reduced work etc. BIM supports the creation of intelligent data that can be available throughout the lifecycle of a project. BIM plans, designs, helps in building by fabricating BIM specifications. It also carries over to operations and maintenance of finished structures. It is also available down the road for cost-effective renovation or deconstruction of the project.
India has to get BIM into its real estate to move in the direction of the world. BIM will save a significant amount of money and time of construction along with other factors. Though a little late, the real estate sector should embrace BIM to enjoy its benefits and also add a feather to its constructions.
– Written By Pallavi Krishna
