Viewpoint: Have AEC Professionals Really Embraced Technology?

Have AEC Professionals Really Embraced Technology?

We have always talked about how AEC is one of the pioneering communities when it comes to technology adoption. Architects, developers, and designers always want to accept and use technology be it 3D modeling, animation and walkthrough, 5D engineered models for construction, point cloud to BIM, energy modeling, or stereoscopy. Adoption of technology always stands out as the preferred way of business. Professionals derive the best benefits from what technology can provide and gain a competitive edge.

This can be substantiated by the recent survey with more than 300 respondents from Australia and New Zealand. 

• 74% of the respondents said they had already implemented BIM or had BIM implementation for projects in the pipeline.
• Nearly 89% respondents said they used or planned to use 3D modeling and rendering for client presentations, marketing, etc.
• 77% participants believed that interdepartmental collaboration across projects is extremely important- BIM aids improved collaboration and coordination amongst teams
• Around 85% said that adoption of technology to make several processes faster, easier and more accurate was important.
• A staggering 92% of respondents said they felt that they have already implemented and would like to experiment with new technologies.

In the building and construction sector, opportunities are endless. Concept generation, building design, pre-production planning and construction scheduling, clash detection and risk mitigation, sustainability, marketing, post construction management, cost estimation, et cetera, to name a few, are all the important aspects of a building and construction project that are aided by technology in more than one way. CAD, 5D Virtual Design and Construction, Point cloud et cetera, are some of the technologies that are experiencing mounting popularity across the industry. A lot is being talked about them and adoption rates seem to be high.

01 – 5D Engineered Models for Construction (image courtesy of author. All rights reserved.)

02 – Shadow Analysis of Building. (image courtesy of author. All rights reserved.)

If technology adoption is high; it becomes mainstream. As a result, gradually the technology becomes less expensive and increases the overall accuracy quotient in projects. When used prudently the benefits of technology-aided processes and execution can surpass the investments made in technology itself and, towards the process of transition from conventional methods to technology-aided methods.

BIM And Advanced Mobility

Technology solutions such as advanced mobility are also set to transform the industry. Information mobility is one theme frequently talked about in the BIM circles. The whole point is about enabling better collaboration by connecting people and making information available 24 x 7 at the right time, right place, on any device and even while on the go.

With the best technology implementation, the industry can achieve better team collaboration and improved productivity across projects. Besides, faster execution, better and informed decisions, lower project costs and higher returns on investments are the added benefits that will definitely encourage companies to invest in and adopt BIM, information mobility, and other such technology solutions.

Driven by Adoption of Augmented Reality

The industry has merely scratched the surface when it comes to tapping the potential of what technology can do in erecting the buildings of tomorrow. Augmented reality is destined to transform the way the AEC industry functions. Advanced technology such as stereoscopy offers the ability to engage senses and interact within a model. This means the viewer truly experiences an environment; hence the unique ability known as augmented reality is a promising technology.

I really look forward to the day when advanced augmented reality becomes as commonplace and percolates deep down across all the aspects and stages of a building construction project.

About Author:

Bhushan Avsatthi is a senior manager, consultant, BIM expert and a green building advisor with more than 15 years of industry experience. Bhushan imbibes the prophecy of efficient and prudent use of energy in his day to day life and advices his team to do so as well. He is also involved in green initiatives like nonprofit tree plantation project and promotes using cycles for commuting small distances. Bhushan, handles a team of architects, Structural and MEP engineers, LEED consultants and Energy modeling experts.