SPEC Benchmarks

There was a time when vendors created their own performance benchmarks, but buyers couldn’t do fair comparisons among competing solutions, so the benchmarks were of limited value. The non-profit Standard Performance Evaluation Corporation (SPEC) was formed to create standardized performance benchmarks of value to the entire industry. They help buyers make smarter purchasing decisions, and hardware and software vendors use them to understand and compare performance so they can improve their products.

One of SPEC’s five groups, the Graphics and Workstation Performance Group (GWPG), includes the SPEC Application Performance Characterization (SPECapc) committee, which develops benchmarks spanning popular CAD/CAM, digital content creation, and visualization applications provided by independent software vendors (ISVs), including Solidworks, 3ds Max, Creo, and Maya.

This article explains the value of using “real content” – actual models used by the industry and hobbyists – in SPEC benchmarks, how SPEC obtains this content, and how you may be able to help.

Fair Benchmarks Need Real Models

The goal of SPEC is to create meaningful benchmarks that represent the real world—and that are relevant to each industry. Since the goal of workstation application performance benchmarks is to measure how real-world applications perform on particular hardware, the benchmarks must be based on workloads running in those applications. 

The SPECapc benchmarks require the actual licensed ISV application to be installed on a test system, so if this system is representative of the hardware a business is considering buying, SPECapc benchmarks provide useful data on how the application will perform on the new systems in their environment.

The SPECapc for Solidworks 2022 Benchmark is a prime example of the valuable role SPEC’s GWPC (Graphics and Workstation Performance Group) provides the entire CAD/CAM/3D industry. It includes numerous real-world models and workflows to help Solidworks users test and evaluate workstation hardware.

However, system hardware is not the only consideration. If the benchmarks don’t accurately measure how users use those applications, then the results can be meaningless. For example, if a benchmark measures wireframe graphics modes or non-photorealistic rendering in Solidworks, but users don’t have those features in their workflow, then that particular benchmark provides little value and can even misrepresent the value of running the application on a specific hardware configuration. 

It’s also essential to understand the range of uses for a particular application. For example, some users rely on high-resolution textures, while others use complicated shader networks that procedurally generate a chrome texture with reflection, etc. Some users model everything in extreme detail, while others rely on instancing. The combination of the application and the hardware works very differently in these different scenarios. Without this understanding, the benchmark could fail to measure workloads that are important to many users.

As a result, it is essential that a truly “useful” benchmark incorporates as many models as possible to reflect the application’s user community.

Collaboration: It’s Key

SPEC relies on three groups to help it obtain and incorporate new models into its benchmarks: hardware vendors, ISVs, and end users. All three groups have a huge stake in providing new models. Let’s review each case:

Vendors

AMD, Intel and Nvidia, hardware vendors that are also SPEC members, have all contributed models in the past. These companies have a wealth of knowledge related to graphics performance and digital content, so they are constantly working with particular models in various applications. These companies benefit from the benchmarks by being able to compare their solutions with the competition, which pushes them to improve their products so they can gain greater market share. 

ISVs

SPEC also contacts the ISVs (Independent Software Vendors) behind applications like Solidworks, 3ds Max, Creo, and Maya. ISVs know their products best and have insight into how customers use their applications. They are also important in helping SPEC incorporate new models to ensure the resulting measurements are accurate. ISVs are generally eager to contribute models in support of accurate benchmarks because better benchmarks help them provide better products that meet customers’ performance expectations.

SPEC has released the new SPECapc for Maya 2024 benchmark. (Image: SPECapc for Maya 2024)

SPEC also goes to ISVs for help in implementing a new model in a benchmark because the more specific the model is to the application, the more applicable and useful the benchmark will be to particular market segments. Additionally, ISVs suggest the best methods for incorporating new application features into a benchmark release. For example, a GWPG member company wanted to implement Geometry Caching in the Autodesk Maya benchmark. After discussing the plan with Autodesk, the Maya team suggested and contributed a scene that would take advantage of and demonstrate the new feature.

End Users

Getting complex models from users is one of the best opportunities to improve SPEC benchmarks because these models, by definition, reflect how users are using the applications. Further, the broad user bases of these applications increase the likelihood of discovering new use cases that the ISVs, hardware vendors, and SPEC never imagined. 

The Collaboration Process 

Simply obtaining a model doesn’t mean SPEC can easily incorporate it into a benchmark. There is a collaborative process that necessarily requires back-and-forth among all the players to ensure an accurate measurement of the model. 

SPEC develops beta builds of a benchmark, and SPEC members test it on various sets of their respective hardware. SPEC then reaches out to the ISVs, and even users if appropriate, to help determine if the results are accurate and reflect real-world experiences. Perhaps the benchmark is crashing, or a result seems particularly high or low. By working iteratively among the three groups, SPEC can be sure that issues are solved expeditiously and that the benchmark is as accurate as possible. 

A great example of this collaboration is how SPEC incorporated the gigantic and highly complex SpaceShipCrawler (NASA Crawler Transporter Model) into the SPECapc for SOLIDWORKS 2020 benchmark. This crawler model is the platform used to move the Saturn 5 (and later the space shuttle) to the launch pad. Jay Patterson, a Solidworks reseller, took years to create the model, which has over 12 million points. A Solidworks representative showed the model to a SPECapc member, who then reached out to Jay to get permission to use the crawler model in the Solidworks benchmark. The model was so large that SPEC had to use the Large Assembly Mode within Solidworks to correctly load the model, and Dassault Systèmes assisted in the development and testing process. 

With millions of dollars at stake in hardware purchasing decisions—not to mention the success of the use case driving the purchase—enterprises need accurate benchmarks to help them in the decision process. ISVs and vendors also benefit from high-quality benchmarks because they can deliver better products. And the more real-world models that SPECapc can incorporate into its workstation application performance benchmarks, the better those benchmarks will serve application users and the industry. 

You may be able to help. Whether you’re a design engineer, game designer, or hobbyist, if you have an unusual or complex graphics model for one of the applications covered by a SPECapc benchmark, consider sharing it with SPEC at info@spec.org.

About the Author

Until recently, Trey Morton served as the SPEC Application Performance Characterization (SPECapc) Committee Chair for the Standard Performance Evaluation Corporation (SPEC), a non-profit corporation formed to establish, maintain, and endorse standardized benchmarks and tools to evaluate performance and energy efficiency for the newest generation of computing systems. 

The post Why Real Content Matters for Workstation App Performance Benchmarking appeared first on Architosh.

BIM solutions in the AEC industry integrate 3D modeling and data management to fundamentally change the game, making projects more efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable. At the same time, it helps reduce errors and improve decision-making at every stage of the construction process.

Streamlining Design

Collaborative design and data sharing in modern construction and design practices have transformed the way professionals work together on complex projects. Two key components of this are real-time collaboration among design stakeholders and a centralized data repository.

Collaborative design and data sharing

In traditional design and construction processes, communication gaps and delays are common, often resulting in costly mistakes and project setbacks. However, with real-time collaboration, architects, engineers, contractors, and other stakeholders can work together seamlessly, regardless of their physical locations. 

This real-time interaction enables brainstorming, problem-solving, and design iteration on the fly, ultimately leading to better design outcomes and smoother project execution.

With that, a centralized data repository, often facilitated by BIM (Building Information Modelling) systems, serves as a single source of truth for all project-related data. This repository stores 3D models, drawings, specifications, schedules, and other relevant information in an organized and interconnected manner. 

This image shows a Tewksbury, MA, school in the US by Boston architecture firm Flansburgh inside a common data environment (CDE) tool, Revizto, showing a BIM model overlay feature. Revizto is an example of a CDE that supports BIM model collaboration as a single source of truth for the project. (Image: Flansburgh / All rights reserved.)

As a result, all stakeholders have access to the latest and most accurate data in real-time. This not only enhances collaboration but also reduces errors and discrepancies, leading to cost savings and improved project outcomes.

Clash Detection & Coordination

Clash detection tools and techniques allow design professionals to spot and address clashes and conflicts among various building components and systems during the early stages of a project. 

By using BIM clash detection solutions, teams can visualize and resolve these issues before construction begins, preventing costly and time-consuming problems down the line. This pre-emptive approach enhances project efficiency and minimizes disruptions during construction.

Parametric Modeling

Parametric modeling enables the creation of intelligent, rule-based design models. This means that when design parameters change, such as dimensions or materials, the model automatically adjusts accordingly. This automation streamlines the design process, saving time and effort while ensuring that all design elements stay in sync with each other. It allows for quick iterations and exploration of design alternatives.

Also, using BIM, designers can establish consistent rules and relationships within their models. This ensures that design elements remain coherent and in harmony throughout the entire project. Whether it’s a small tweak or a significant modification, the parametric model maintains the integrity and consistency of the design, reducing the risk of errors and discrepancies.

3D Modeling and Visualization

A digital representation of a building provides a virtual canvas for architects and designers to explore, iterate, and fine-tune their ideas. It allows for 3D visualization, simulations, and testing of various design alternatives, enabling informed decision-making early in the design phase. 

Learn how 360-degree visualization and rendering helped an architectural firm increase retrofit efficiency for a railyard project in Australia. https://www.hitechdigital.com/case-studies/bim/designed-mixed-use-building-above-existing-rail-yard-australia

In essence, creating a digital representation of the building is a transformative step in contemporary design and construction, offering architects and stakeholders a dynamic platform for exploring and optimizing design concepts before physical construction begins.

Automated Documentation Generation

This is a technological advancement that plays a critical role in modern design and construction processes. Two significant advantages are:

• Generation of Construction Drawings and Specifications: Automated documentation generation tools streamline the process of creating essential project documentation, such as construction drawings, plans, and specifications. By automating the generation of these documents from a central digital model, time and effort are saved, and the risk of human errors is eliminated. 

• Accuracy and Consistency in Documentation: Since the documents are derived from the same digital model, they remain synchronized with the design, reducing the chances of conflicting information and discrepancies. This not only enhances communication among project teams but also improves the overall quality of construction documentation.

Automated documentation generation is a game-changer in the construction industry. It simplifies the creation of crucial project documents while ensuring that they are precise, consistent, and reflective of the latest design changes. This contributes to the creation of more efficient and error-free construction processes.

Enhancing Collaboration and Communication

BIM as a communication tool modernizes the way information is exchanged in the construction industry, offering two significant advantages:

Improved Communication among Project Stakeholders

BIM acts as a central hub for project information, promoting efficient and transparent communication among all stakeholders. Architects, engineers, contractors, and clients can access and share data, updates, and insights in real-time. This collaborative environment minimizes miscommunication and helps resolve issues swiftly, leading to smoother project workflows.

Visual Representation for Non-Technical Team Members

BIM provides a visual and intuitive representation of the project that is accessible to non-technical team members, such as clients, investors, and project managers. Instead of deciphering complex technical drawings, these stakeholders can easily understand and engage with 3D models and visualizations. This clarity improves client engagement, reduces misunderstandings, and enables informed decision-making, ultimately contributing to project success.

Integration with Project Management Tools

Linking and integration allow for the seamless exchange of data between Building Information Modelling (BIM) systems and project management software. This connection enables project managers to access and utilize real-time BIM data for better decision-making. Project milestones, schedules, budgets, and resource allocation can be synchronized with the BIM model, ensuring that projects are managed using accurate and up-to-date information.

Streamlining Project Workflows and Tracking Progress

Integrating BIM with project management tools results in better control over project outcomes. Project managers can align tasks and timelines with the 3D model, allowing for more precise coordination among different teams. This reduces the risk of delays and cost overruns while enhancing overall project efficiency. Real-time data updates enable project managers to monitor progress and make informed adjustments as needed.

Client Engagement

By providing visual representations and interactive experiences, clients can better understand project concepts and actively participate in discussions. This promotes a sense of ownership and collaboration, ensuring that the final design aligns with the client’s vision and objectives.

The Wild at Autodesk University 2018 back in November. The Wild is a leading AR/VR platform at Autodesk that transforms BIM models into immersive experiences for all project stakeholders to participate in. (Image: Architosh / All rights reserved.)

Client feedback is invaluable for refining and enhancing project designs. Modern technology allows for real-time incorporation of client input into the design process. Adjustments can be made swiftly, ensuring that the project remains aligned with evolving client preferences and requirements. 

This iterative feedback loop results in a design that not only meets but often exceeds the client’s expectations, enhancing client satisfaction and project success.

Future Trends and Innovations in BIM

AR and VR Integrations

The integration of cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning promises to revolutionize BIM. AI-powered BIM systems can automate design processes, optimize building performance, and identify potential issues before they become costly problems. Augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) will enhance visualization and immersive design experiences, while blockchain may enhance data security and collaboration in BIM projects.

Generative Design

Generative design is a groundbreaking approach that leverages algorithms to explore a multitude of design possibilities. BIM is increasingly embracing generative design to help architects and engineers optimize their designs for factors such as efficiency, cost, and sustainability. 

Sustainability and Environmental Considerations

As environmental sustainability becomes a top concern, BIM will help in integrating sustainability measures into building design and construction. BIM tools will incorporate environmental analysis, enabling architects and designers to assess the ecological impact of their designs and make data-driven decisions to reduce a building’s carbon footprint.

The Role of BIM in the Future of the AEC Industry

BIM is set to play an increasingly pivotal role in the future of the AEC industry. AEC stakeholders are increasingly collaborating with reliable BIM service providers to ensure accurate and cost-effective deliverables. As emerging technologies like AI, generative design, and IoT integration continue to evolve, BIM will harness its capabilities to further streamline design and construction processes. It will also lead the charge in addressing sustainability and environmental concerns by providing tools for eco-friendly design. 

BIM’s integration into the smart city concept will enhance urban planning and development. BIM will be at the forefront of construction innovation, shaping a more efficient, sustainable, and interconnected AEC industry for the future.

About the Author

Bhushan Avsatthi is a talented architect with over 22 years in the field. He oversees the BIM division at HitechDigital Solutions, managing multiple teams of architects, structural and MEP engineers, LEED consultants, and energy modeling experts. He has spoken at various international BIM conferences and is deeply involved in green initiatives. His thoughts on global best practices in building design have been published in multiple architectural and engineering journals.

The post How BIM streamlines productivity through entire design-production process appeared first on Architosh.

BIM and Project Management

This article aims to provide a comprehensive review of the integration of BIM and project management in construction projects. While there has been a significant increase in research on this topic over the past decade, the relationship between BIM and project management could be more robust.

To address this gap, I propose a BIM capabilities framework that summarizes BIM’s potential for project management in the project life cycle. This framework will help construction project teams and stakeholders integrate BIM with project management more effectively, ultimately improving project management efficiency in construction projects.

Project management Knowledge areas and Process groups*

We typically categorize the project management process into these knowledge areas when discussing it:

1. Scope.
2. Schedule.
3. Cost.
4. Quality.
5. Resource.
6. Communication.
7. Risk.
8. Procurement.

The project management process comprises the following process groups:

1. Initiating and Planning.
2. Executing.
3. Monitoring and controlling.
4. Closing and operating.

*In the last iteration of PMBOK® Guide 7th edition, the Project Management Institute changed the structure of processes and knowledge areas.

The modern project construction site can benefit from BIM technologies, among other leading-edge new digital technologies.

Nevertheless, the core principles of waterfall methodology for construction projects remain the same.

Use cases

Let me outline the most demanded and valuable BIM use cases relevant to various construction project roles.

Initiating and Planning

Property Developer role:

• Site analysis.
• Concept design review and approval.
• Different design variants just in minutes.
• Fast cost analysis for each design variant.
• VR and AR technology for better visual understanding.

Lead Consultant role:

• The efficient design process with a small price of a project design change.
• Simultaneous multidisciplinary design process and engineering analysis.
• Online collaboration with various stakeholders using RFI and Issues connected to the BIM model.
• Identify potential design flaws.
• Clash-free detailed BIM model and design drawings.
• WBS generation for phase planning.

General Contractor role:

• A convenient way to analyze a project in 3D during the bidding stage.
• BOQ export based on multiple rules and filters.
• Resource planning with WBS codes integrated with a 4D BIM model.
• Create accurate estimates and schedules.
• Collaborate with developers and consultants to resolve issues quickly.
• Plan QA/QC procedures with checklists connected to the BIM model.

Executing

Property Developer role:

• Cost and schedule change management.
• Design change management.

Lead Consultant role:

• Cost and schedule change implementation.
• Scope tracking.
• Baseline/actual BIM model comparison.
• Issue management in the cloud.
• Communication management.

General Contractor role:

• The procurement process, including BIM quantity takeoffs and estimates.
• Daily work progress planning between subcontractor teams.
• Construction supervision.
• Digital fabrication (CNC and 3D printing).

Monitoring and controlling

Property Developer role:

• Cost and schedule change control.
• Mobile applications for real-time BIM data.

Lead Consultant role:

• QA/QC monitoring and controlling.

Online analytics reports and forecasts

General Contractor role:

• Quality control and issue management.
• Tracking and marking implemented scope.
• Dashboard reports with BIM progress data.
• Laser scanning and point clouds comparison.

Closing and operating

Property Developer role:

• Facility operations planning and implementation.
• Facility management documentation.
• Security management.

Lead Consultant role:

• Digital twin development.

General Contractor role:

• As-built BIM model development.

As we see, project stakeholders can utilize various BIM use cases at any stage of a construction project. The validity of the implementation or adoption of each process should always be calculated and justified using the ROI ratio.

Developer’s Perspective

For developers, BIM technology offers a comprehensive view of a project, empowering them to make informed decisions from the earliest stages. By utilizing BIM during the planning and design phases, developers can visualize the final product in a virtual environment, allowing for better communication with architects, engineers, and various consultants.

The structural skin of a major building complex is shown in BIM software by Autodesk (Revit).

The technology facilitates the exploration of various design options, enabling developers to assess the feasibility, cost implications, and potential risks associated with different alternatives. BIM also plays a vital role in identifying and resolving clashes or conflicts between various building systems before construction commences, saving time and money in the long run.

Moreover, BIM technology enhances collaboration between developers and stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle. By providing a centralized digital repository (cloud-based CDE software like Autodesk Construction Cloud, Procore, Aconex, Asite, Trimble Connect, Bentley ProjectWise, and others), it allows for seamless communication, document sharing and coordination of tasks among all parties involved.

BIM management digital tools for monitoring issues.

This transparency improves accountability and ensures everyone is on the same page regarding project milestones, budgets, and timelines. Developers can access real-time updates and monitor the project’s progress, making timely adjustments when necessary. BIM’s ability to provide accurate data and simulations enables developers to mitigate risks, optimize resources, and ensure the successful completion of projects within set parameters.

Consultant’s Perspective

For consultants, BIM technology has transformed how they contribute to construction projects. BIM offers consultants a collaborative platform where they can integrate their expertise and contribute to the design and planning process more effectively. By utilizing BIM authoring tools such as Revit, Archicad, Tekla, Building Designer, Vectorworks, and Allplan, consultants can create accurate 3D models and simulations to visualize the proposed designs and identify potential conflicts or issues early on. This capability enables consultants to provide valuable insights and recommendations to optimize the building’s performance, energy efficiency, and sustainability.

BIM technology also improves coordination and communication between consultants, reducing the likelihood of errors or discrepancies in the project documentation. Consultants can work concurrently on the same BIM model, accessing and updating information in real time, ensuring all stakeholders have the most up-to-date data. This collaborative approach fosters efficient decision-making, minimizes design changes during construction, and improves overall project outcomes.

Additionally, BIM technology enables consultants to streamline their workflows and increase productivity. By automating repetitive tasks and utilizing BIM’s data-driven approach, consultants can spend less time on manual drafting and more time on value-added activities such as analysis, problem-solving, and innovation. This shift in focus allows consultants to deliver higher-quality designs, meet project objectives more efficiently, and provide better value to their clients.

3D plant information in the BIM model.

Additionally, BIM technology enables consultants to streamline their workflows and increase productivity. By automating repetitive tasks and utilizing BIM’s data-driven approach, consultants can spend less time on manual drafting and more time on value-added activities such as analysis, problem-solving, and innovation. This shift in focus allows consultants to deliver higher-quality designs, meet project objectives more efficiently, and provide better value to their clients.

Contractor’s Perspective

BIM technology has significantly impacted the role of contractors on construction sites. It provides contractors with a comprehensive and coordinated virtual model of the project, enabling them to plan better and execute construction activities. Using BIM technology, contractors can simulate and optimize construction sequences, identify potential clashes or interferences, and plan logistics efficiently. This level of precision and foresight reduces the likelihood of rework, delays, and cost overruns during construction.

BIM software such as the SIGNAX suite enhances contractor and stakeholder collaboration. Contractors can share the BIM model in the cloud-specific work scope with subcontractors, enabling them to visualize the project’s requirements and constraints accurately. This facilitates better coordination and communication, reducing conflicts and ensuring the smooth execution of construction tasks. Contractors can also leverage BIM’s ability to generate accurate quantity take-offs, enabling them to estimate material requirements and costs more accurately, leading to optimized procurement and cost control.

Furthermore, BIM technology enables contractors to manage construction progress in real-time. By integrating BIM with project management ERP software and cloud-based CDE systems, contractors can track the progress of different construction activities, identify bottlenecks, and make data-driven decisions to optimize productivity. BIM’s visualization AR/VR capabilities and 360-degree images also aid in communicating construction plans to workers, enhancing safety and reducing errors on-site.

As per each new workflow implementation or business process optimization, requirements must be fulfilled.

There are three critical prerequisites to maximizing the efficiency of BIM technology throughout all stages of construction project management.

• To ensure the optimal effectiveness of BIM technology throughout the project lifecycle, initiating its continuous usage from its inception is crucial. If project phases or stakeholders’ tasks are omitted from utilizing BIM technology, the value of BIM data for all project participants may be compromised.
• The second crucial requirement is standardization. We have to provide arrangements for standardized software implementation. Ensure that a process flow for model development, exchanging information, archiving, and updating data in real-time is established so that no critical information is lost or corrupted.
• The third necessity is proficient BIM and digital skills among all stakeholders. Each project role should receive appropriate training to efficiently execute tasks using relevant digital tools.

Drawing from our experience in adopting and implementing digital technologies in the construction industry, engaging all stakeholders and establishing effective project management workflows can be challenging. However, once these fundamental digital requirements are successfully implemented, every participant will experience substantial value and enhanced work efficiency, benefiting each stakeholder involved in the project.

About Author:

Our guest Viewpoint contributor is Nikita Pospelov. He is the Head of the BIM Department at SIGNAX. Please click here to learn more.

The post Viewpoint: BIM Technology for Construction Project Management appeared first on Architosh.

The Case for BIM

Structural engineers and pre-casting firms using 2D CAD drawings face many challenges in planning, fabricating, and installing prefabricated members. The inability to visualize prefabrication in the pre-construction stage prompts inaccurate manufacture of prefabricated units. It also causes higher onsite clashes between prefabricated members due to inaccurate shop and installation drawings and other issues. 

Non-adherence to fabrication standards leads to rework and low-quality manufacturing. Silos or unconnected workflows cause gaps in communication and collaboration between pre-casting teams and other stakeholders. All these challenges lead to higher material wastage, greater rework, project delays, and cost overages.  

From initial design to production, precast concrete detailing supports pre-casters with visualization, simulation, and documentation through graphical representation. All of this is why BIM workflows matter. Here is a more detailed breakdown of the issues:

Smart scheduling and detailing through customization

Accurate precast concrete detailing brings about improved prefabrication of beams, columns, slabs, insulated walls, etc. Realizing what the actual building will look like before construction begins results in efficient planning and implementation. Through BIM, floors can be divided into regions; slabs can be split with layout and spacing; floor segments, including hollow-core, solid, distributed slabs, can be modeled in virtual space. Accurate construction planning for the exact size and weight for casting can be gained through BIM at the initial coordination stage.

Smart details can be added in Revit models through the rule-based batch insertion of anchors, cuts, plates, etc., for in-depth customization. 

Greater dimensional accuracy and precise BOQs

Software-based precast concrete detailing supports the creation of element views and sections through automation to generate dimensions, create accurate BOQs, etc., for quality prefabrication and assembly. Precast concrete detailing for building prefabrication provides stakeholders with accurate time schedules, precise material takeoffs, and reduced errors. This helps to speed up the planning and prefabrication process through precast concrete detailing. 

Comprehensive IFC integration eliminates boundaries in 3D space to design, develop, quality check, transport, and erect prefabricated modules. (see: Architosh, “Solibri Inside and Vectorworks—Advancing BIM for Users,” 20 Jul 23)

Reduction in carbon footprint and reduced labor requirements 

Precast construction elements are deployed widely to reduce labor requirements and drive higher quality standardization and cost-effectiveness. When precast concrete detailing is used to model prefabricated buildings, it reduces the environmental impact of onsite construction. This is because precast members are manufactured in offsite factories. The data in 3D models is used to identify clashes before actual construction begins. 

Also, stakeholders can leverage a single source of truth to generate reports, drawings, fabrication data, etc. Reduced human intervention yields greater data consistency for collaboration between teams engaged in planning, manufacturing, and onsite installation.  

Improvements in productivity and workflows 

Accurate material export to ERP systems and model tracking of precast objects or products improves external and internal workflows and productivity. In precast concrete detailing, comprehensive information on each prefabricated member is stored in the 3D models. Pre-casters use BIM to generate finalized project drawings for manufacturing units and clients. (see image below).

Precast concrete manufacturers benefit across multiple dimensions of design, engineering, and production when workflows are completely BIM-centric.

Precast concrete detailing for prefabrication for design and structural detailing

Companies involved in precast structures, from structural engineers, contractors, and other teams, can leverage precast concrete detailing to generate feasibility studies based on stability, BOQs for concrete, design basis, and more. These feasibility studies drive improved detailing for stability through an extensive range of global standards. Precast concrete detailing for element connections and joint designs can be produced, and structural viability can be ensured with improved cost-effectiveness. 

Using 3D models for accurate mold and erection drawings with precast detailing  

Accurate mold and erection drawings can be extracted from coordinated and clash-free information-rich 3D BIM models. They promote verification, integration, and operations. Layout drawings, framing plans, elevation drawings, and foundation plans complete with accurate dimensions, component locations, height, and stability calculations are calculated. Floor plans, reinforcement plans, and bar bending schedules can be extracted from an interference-free 3D model. 

Production and shop drawings with BBS and precast concrete detailing enhance fabrication

Modeling and detailing precast concrete for prefabrication units brings greater consistency to precast elements. The existence of HVAC drawings and section drawings with equipment layouts promotes higher fabrication accuracy. Elements, including solid walls, sandwich walls, reinforced beams and slabs, hollow core slabs, and stair flights, can be fabricated with coordinated and clash-free shop and production drawings. 

Complete and high-quality documentation from 3D IFC BIM models improves the construction

Construction documentation is crucial for the prefabrication and installation of prefabricated members. A comprehensive list of drawings, revision logs, erection materials, erection simulations, and more can support pre-casters and contractors to visualize and resolve onsite challenges. All this is achieved through a single source of truth — a 3D IFC BIM model.  

In Conclusion

Complex and time-bound construction projects require the capabilities of prefabrication for faster construction, cost reduction, and quality enhancement. The future of precast concrete detailing will involve AR/VR capabilities to view precast 3D models from various angles. Getting pre-casters to communicate and collaborate early in the pre-construction phase will set the pace for effective and efficient fabrication and installation. 

All of this only is possible when the entire process is conducted through a full BIM workflow, eliminating the inherent disadvantages associated with non-BIM 2D CAD workflows lacking the capacity for a single source of truth (SSoT) 3D model of the intended structure.

Moreover, automation tools like Dynamo will speed up precast modeling and detailing to produce high-quality prefabrication members, while component customization will ensure a standardized prefabricated product.  

About Author:

Bhushan Avsatthi is a talented architect with over 22 years in the field. He oversees the BIM division of TrueCADD (A subsidiary of HitechDigital Solutions), managing multiple teams of architects, structural and MEP engineers, LEED consultants, and energy modeling experts. He has spoken at various international BIM conferences and is deeply involved in green initiatives. His thoughts on global best practices in building design have been published in multiple architectural and engineering journals.

The post Viewpoint: The Case for BIM in Precast Concrete Prefabricated Buildings appeared first on Architosh.

For generating high-impact outcomes regarding cost and time savings in construction, BIM services are proving their worth. BIM for contractors means more than streamlining construction workflows. It is also helping to reuse knowledge by transforming CAD-based drawings into 3D model visualization. A report by Smart Market suggests a 50% increase in projects for contractors using BIM over the next two years.

Today, BIM solution providers are also providing MEP BIM modeling, clash detection, quantity takeoffs, scheduling, cost estimation, and other services. Even smaller general contracting firms are achieving exceptional cost efficiencies through 3D BIM Revit models.

In this article, we discuss why contractors are adopting BIM services to save project costs and time.

Adoption of BIM services over the last decade 

Although the use of BIM services has increased over the past few years, many stakeholders are still hesitant to adopt BIM for their construction projects. Much of the reluctance stems from fears of disruption in routine operations and inconsistent brand experiences that any system change may create. However, with clients moving to BIM, contractors are hiring expert support to manage the change.

The figure below shows the increase in BIM adoption over the last decade. UK contractors have been at the forefront of adopting BIM, followed by those in other countries where BIM has been made mandatory in construction projects.

Interest in BIM in AEC has gone steadily up for well over a decade. (click on image to enlarge)

“The UK is seen as a world leader in BIM – not just in its implementation of it – but in its approach to purpose-driven information management,” says Adam Matthews – Head of the International Construction Innovation Hub and Chair of the Global BIM Network. “I see BIM becoming a business-as-usual, to a point where we will not call it BIM anymore, but the journey is still long, and we do not need to jump the steps,” says Marzia Bolpagni, Head of BIM International, Associate Director, Mace.

However, since BIM is object-based and reinforced with parametric Revit modeling, changes made to a single object or component are reflected within all the aspects of the 3D model. BIM streams every piece of data into a single source of truth within the 3D model.

General contractors and specialty contractors can access endless layers of information through enhanced BIM workflows. With BIM, a project is built at two different levels: the virtual world and the physical world. Because of this advantage, contractors are rushing to find experts to integrate BIM into their workflows. The ease of resolving clashes and finalizing designs at the pre-construction stage is not available through other means.

BIM for cost savings: How contractors stand to gain

Many problems plagued construction projects in the past whenever speed and scale were required, and projects that demanded high accuracy took decades to finish. Manufacturing every building component or object on site led to inaccurate fabrications, erection clashes, and low-quality construction. General contractors and specialty contractors working solely with 2D shop drawings, construction drawings, and other 2D documents have always experienced collaboration issues in the field.

BIM has removed these ambiguities with model-extracted shop and construction drawings. Using accurate and complete shop drawings to manufacture components for prefabrication improves on-site installation. Fabricating components in a controlled environment, moving them to the site, and assembling them in the field is now faster, more accurate, and more efficient for general and specialty contractors.

A study conducted in 2021 found that contractors using BIM gained the five top benefits. A high percentage of successful projects topped the list, followed by improved stakeholder engagement, a greater range of service offerings, higher bid efficiency, and an increased win rate.

55% of BIM users have brought down the time required to communicate, collaborate, make decisions, and build and run workflows.

Business benefits from BIM are reportedly increasing from study data based on success rates, stakeholder engagement, bid efficiency, and more. Moreover, cost control is also reported at high/very high for nearly 50% of general contractors (middle image). Click on the image to zoom to a large view. (Image: Dodge Data & Analytics)

Besides quality gains, contractors have pointed out four critical cost-control benefits of using BIM. The ratings were fairly consistent across the four cost-control parameters.

How do BIM services help contractors save project costs?

Adopting BIM services for a construction project can enable contractors to save costs right from the initial stages of planning. BIM is extremely crucial in the pre-construction phase, as it brings contractors, subcontractors, and every other stakeholder to the same page early in the planning stage. Being in a single room collaborating on a single model with 360 visualizations in a virtual space leads to preemptive conflict detection and resolution. With clashes taken care of, rework and project delays are reduced, leading to savings in project costs and time!

BIM also helps contractors design and visualize inaccessible areas, which is difficult, if not impossible, with a primarily 2D setup. 3D BIM models are visual and data-rich, giving contractors a complete snapshot of the actual space.

In an instance of cost optimization using BIM, a general contracting company from Muscat, Oman, could achieve $7 million in cost savings with 100% installation of MEP systems, reduced change orders, and eliminated field conflicts.

BIM makes problem identification and resolution simple early in the building process – before you even get the mud out of the ground on the field.

A survey by Autodesk suggests that 61% of BIM users can lower project errors and data ambiguities.

“The biggest thing about BIM is that it is moving us back to Interdisciplinary work,” says Kathleen Liston, president of Moderna Homes and author of several acclaimed books on BIM. A contractor can eliminate clashes between electrical wiring and HVAC systems by using simulations to find the best location for streamlined and interference-free installations. Exacting material quantities with accurate BOQs and BOMs reduces material waste and construction costs. Traditionally, contractors have used 2D drawings to calculate takeoffs, leading to erroneous construction outcomes. But BIM has changed all that.

Wrapping it up

BIM has become the most powerful tool for contractors to achieve high-impact building outcomes. In the present day, it isn’t only large contractors and big projects that are leveraging BIM tools; medium-sized contracting firms have begun exploring the capabilities of BIM for multiple projects. BIM not only helps in material cost and planning but also improves communication and collaboration. The verdict is clear that investing in BIM will help contractor companies meet project deadlines, reduce costs, and foster high-quality construction.

About Author

Bhushan Avsatthi is a talented architect with over 22 years in the field. He oversees the BIM division of HitechDigital, managing multiple teams of architects, structural and MEP engineers, LEED consultants, and energy modeling experts. He has spoken at various international BIM conferences and is deeply involved in green initiatives. His thoughts on global best practices in building design have been published in multiple architectural and engineering journals.

The post Why Builders use BIM for Cost Savings appeared first on Architosh.

The fact that BIM software has migrated into a comprehensive set of tool options has moved it from being an asset when designing and planning to indispensable.

Here is how BIM software offers greater efficiency in a project’s design and construction phases.    

More Complete Input

At its most basic, BIM software streamlines the planning processes by allowing every stakeholder of a building project to see the planning process in action and in real-time. Issues with sustainability, scheduling, logistics planning, labor, and even materials procurement can be anticipated and addressed before they become obstacles.

If a particular part of a design presents an immense challenge to any of the stakeholders, BIM lets all involved undertake the following process:

• Look for design alternatives
• Look for materials alternatives
• Look for labor alternatives
• Reformulate designs to address issues before construction begins

Before architects or planners create a single design or project managers draw up project timelines and plans, a life-like computer model in 3D can help every participant troubleshoot all but truly unforeseen issues. In addition, every participant can provide input into the design of a project. They also can modify their initial input to reflect challenges and issues brought up by others.

This aspect of BIM helps with the planning stages and helps immensely with scheduling once the project is approved. All stakeholders can see what is required and modify their plans accordingly. Project managers can anticipate where bottlenecks in crew allocation or work schedules will occur and modify work orders and schedules to address the conflicts.

Tighter Project Management

Greater input and more transparent plans and processes make project management much easier. For example, BIM allows for multi-contributor data input. That is invaluable when mapping out schedules, work duties, staff, equipment, and resource allocation.

BIM technology offers more to AEC/O industries than just Architecture. Construction, engineering, and operations also benefit from BIM. (Image: Adobe Standard License / All rights reserved).

With BIM, project managers have at their fingertips exactly what every other contributor has at their avail. For instance, a project manager can instantly see a design change or a change in the type of materials required versus reading about it in an email that might get overlooked or hearing about it secondhand because they missed a meeting.

BIM also shows project managers’ work status and progress as it happens. If a work challenge appears, the project manager can see where the problem is, what workers get impacted, and alternatives to fix it. Seeing work status also lets project managers shift duties across staff based on specialties, expertise, and availability.

Speed Increases

Another efficiency benefit BIM brings to the table is speeding up processes via adequate planning. A materials list, for example, can be drawn up before a project commences, saving time ordering supplies and materials as well as scheduling work that is supplier dependent.

BIM creates opportunities for the pre-fabrication of units and components. As soon as a project is approved, pre-fabrication plants can start work on various components weeks or months before they are needed. By using pre-fabrication, whether formal or informal, project managers can save time and money when assembling the components necessary to start building.

The design stage accelerates as well. Building plans can be shared in real-time with real-time updates, allowing all stakeholders to process a feature or change and formulate a timely response. The days of waiting for someone out in the field to weigh in on a proposed design change are in the past. All that person in the field needs is the technology to access the BIM software.

Reduced Errors

Being able to see everything at once in a 3D format with associated critical data helps planners and project managers catch errors before they happen. Reducing errors makes any project more efficient, but being able to anticipate an issue or respond to it in real-time and see how it impacts the entire project is invaluable.

For example, if a conflict is looming between two construction project components, that conflict can be seen via 3D modeling.

If, for example, a particular feature will mean delays with other facets of the project, the issue can get fixed before the project starts. The same principle applies to supply chain issues. If planners can see that specific material is scarce, they can modify their plan, and stakeholders can react to it immediately.

Better Crew Planning

Being able to see an entire project and all its components is also an immense gain in efficiency as it pertains to scheduling labor. A project manager can see workflow based on the approved design and can use crews in the most efficient manner possible. Redundancies in staffing are no longer a problem because managers have the entire schedule at their fingertips. 

Additionally, BIM allows project managers to see when labor shortages will be an issue. Suppose a work schedule has a crew working on two different parts of a project simultaneously. In that case, the project manager can see the conflict in the planning and modify the planning or find additional labor resources. Schedules can be easily juggled, and the impact on a project is minimized before anyone gets into crisis mode.

Sustainability

One trend that has affected almost every aspect of construction is the push to use sustainable products, materials, and processes. BIM makes that process easy. Planners can now see in 3D how the utilization of different types of materials affects a project and can select the best sustainable materials available.

The utilization of sustainable products is also easily managed by BIM, which can result in lower maintenance costs for the client over the long term. BIM can also narrow options when a sustainable material is not available or will cause a delay in construction. Finally, keeping track of LEEDS or WELL compliance is simple with BIM.

Final Word

BIM has reinvented design and construction processes. It has done so piecemeal over the last four or five decades, but tying it all together under one software package has taken a good planning and management tool and made it a must for every construction project.

About Author

Pook Villegas is an AEC Application Specialist at Microsol Resources. She is responsible for providing the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) clients with BIM health checks, developing and implementing BIM standards, assisting with BIM Execution Plans (BEP), training, technical support, and other BIM-related services. She brings extensive architectural design and technological skills, having worked with BIM technology in various project types, including K-12 facilities, residential, and interior projects.

Pook received her Master of Architecture from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, as well as a Bachelor of Architecture and Interior Design from the University of Oklahoma. She is also a LEED Green Associate and WELL AP and has a thorough comprehension of green building principles and practices. In her spare time, she loves to play ice hockey and spend time outdoors. She is fluent in Thai as well as English.

The post Viewpoint: How BIM offers better efficiency during design and construction phases appeared first on Architosh.

Editor’s note: The views expressed in Architosh Viewpoint Series articles are those of the contributor authors alone and do not represent the views, opinions, analysis, and commentary of Architosh editors and news writers. 

OVER THE YEARS, building information technology has significantly impacted the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. Engineers and designers use it to identify, eliminate inconsistencies and facilitate speed and productivity.

However, just like everything else, the Building Information Modeling (BIM) market is evolving. So, traditional desktop BIM tools aren’t as efficient in meeting current industry needs. And this is where UX design comes in. It allows designers to test the usability and functionality of BIM tools to improve user experiences.

This article dives deeper into why UX design is critical in the BIM software industry.

Let’s begin.

What is BIM Software?

BIM software is a 3D design and modeling software that optimizes the design processes of architecture, engineering tools, and construction projects. It does this by giving designers insights to make improved decisions on building structure, tools adoption, managing the design process, predicting outcomes, and profitability.

BIM software running on Lenovo ThinkStation P620 with the very latest AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO processor.

BIM software offers a model-based process for designing and managing buildings and infrastructures, going beyond construction drawings to generate a digital representation of the functional properties of a facility.

The BIM software process involves different procedures to develop comprehensive designs. Generally, it includes the following significant steps:

• Planning: It uses accurate data to capture and generate BIM models.
• Design: It performs conceptual procedures, documentation, analysis, and updates on processes such as schedules, logistics, etc.
• Building: It provides a detailed representation of plans, and designs, allowing designers to monitor progress and make necessary improvements.
• Operation: It transports data BIM to operations and maintenance that can be used for future renovations and constructions.

Further info about what BIM software is can be found here.

Why is UX design necessary in BIM software industry?

Point 1 — It improves BIM tools for better product development 

The dominant BIM solutions are desktop solutions. Compared to the present needs and requirements of the BIM software industries, older players like Autodesk Revit and Graphisoft ArchiCAD will need to evolve their UX and UI design to meet the demands of the evolving industry.

Snaptrude is a modern web-based take on a design and BIM application for the AEC industry and is just one of an evolving landscape of young new solutions.

The future of rapid data exchange in architecture, engineering, and construction is web-based. Therefore, there are changes in the UX of BIM tools and the BIM environment.

As a modern concept, UX design helps developers and designers increase users’ desirability to meet their expectations and experiences.

So, by adopting UX design in the development and improvement of BIM tools, designers can develop and improve BIM tools to meet web-based demands and users’ current expectations. Essentially, UX design enhances BIM tools by considering the following factors:

• Functional design: It adopts the newest features during development to increase tools functionality.
• Aesthetic design: It considers the outlook of the product to ensure users find it usable (including buttons and switches).
• Experience design: It considers users’ challenges and expectations to design tools that improve their experiences

UX design is critical in the BIM industry to help engineers develop customer-centric software users find more valuable and enjoyable. With it, developers can take cues from previous user experiences with BIM tools and identify their shortcomings.

They can identify the challenges of BIM implementation using Revit, Graphisoft, and other BIM-related tools. They can also examine other frustrations relating to features and ask fundamental questions.

This may include: what are the inadequacies and users’ most prominent features? Does anybody need them, and what can be done to make these features more desirable for users?

For example, several features and tools in Revit perform only one function when they can perform multiple functions. Additionally, the tools’ interfaces can be improved for a faster learning curve and a more effortless user experience.

Adopting UX design to evaluate factors like this is a game-changer for the BIM software industry. It enhances new product development to meet present demands. It also increases the adoption rate and enables seamless user experiences.

Point 2 — It will enable users to adjust effectively to the current changes 

The newest solutions in the BIM software industry have gone beyond desktop solutions. They are now a combination of web browsers and modern applications. Therefore, UX design is required to test the usability of BIM tools across these platforms to identify common bottlenecks and fix them.

For example, a usability testing tool like Maze can test new users’ experiences using BIM software on a web browser or mobile app to track their activities, note their pain points, and improve. Doing this helps users have better experiences using web browsers and applications. Also, they can navigate each BIM tool on a web browser or mobile application successfully.

Contrarily, without UX design, developers won’t have the insight they need to identify bugs on web browsers and mobile applications and fix them. Additionally, they won’t be able to update interfaces and features of BIM tools across platforms to satisfy users’ needs.

Point 3 — It simplifies processes

Usability is an essential factor of successful BIM tools. The newest and highly demanded UX tools are coming via the web and are simplified and directed at users. These tools target specific audiences and needs. In addition, they are not all-encompassing tools for everyone. They also streamline workflow and simplify user experiences.

Usability is enhanced with an improved UX design. Therefore, BIM software without good UX design suffers from usability. BIM software companies that focus on technology development only and not other crucial factors like usability and experience build software that doesn’t cater to users’ demand for simplified experiences, reducing the adoption rate.

This is because when users encounter challenges of low usability with a BIM tool, they become reluctant to use it. Users are looking for software to facilitate their design and development processes. However, using a tool with complicated interfaces and features won’t help them achieve this.

Therefore, BIM software companies must adopt UX design practices during development and streamline engineers’ activities. Excellent UX design will improve the interfaces, develop responsive features, and enable smooth workflows, improving usability.

Point 4 — It promotes safety

The growth in the BIM industry demands a smart working environment. The market is dominated by projects requiring advanced and complex technologies and aging facility improvement. These project types require higher safety practices to reduce accident rates.

Therefore, companies can adopt UX design practices to improve BIM tools. Usable BIM software promotes a brilliant working environment, enabling automation and digitalization that facilitate safer work processes.

Common BIM software issues and how UX design improves them

Designers and engineers experience specific issues with BIM tools. Let’s examine the challenges and how adopting UX design can fix them.

Point 1 — Complicated user-interface

User interfaces are a vital aspect of BIM software applications. However, many users encounter challenges with an interface that gets in their way, from an unresponsive UI to an interface that is not targeted at specific functions.

BIMx by Graphisoft is an award-winning solution in good part because of its incredible technology married with a compelling UX and streamlined UI.

Introducing UX design into the process helps BIM software companies develop intuitive and responsive user interfaces.

For example, they can understand common end-to-end concerns that users experience and improve them. They can also configure the interface to match their needs. Since BIM tools have different applications, it’s best to tailor the interface to meet several requirements.

For instance, a project owner may want an overview of their project outlook only. They may not be focused on the plumbing or the HVAC system. Therefore, packing these details into the user interface may be unnecessary and overwhelming for these users. However, these intricate details would be helpful for mechanical, electrical, and HVAC engineers.

UX design enables BIM software companies to identify their target users and their needs. Understanding what they are most concerned about guides them in creating a user interface that works best for them. Therefore, it allows them to create a functional and usable interface that facilitates operations on the BIM software.

Point 2 —  A one-size-fits-all BIM user experience 

Some BIM tools attempt to solve every user’s problems and needs, leading to complications and affecting users’ experiences. An excellent UX design allows companies to target their applications to meet specific users’ requirements.

Rather than overwhelming users with different functions in one application, they can develop several applications to meet each architectural, engineering, and construction company’s needs. Companies can also ensure every segment has a seamless workflow to enable smooth processes for users.

Point 3 — Complex BIM visualization

BIM tools offering complicated and inadequate visualization experiences prevent the outcome of users’ production. For example, suppose users can’t explore their design models effectively. In that case, they may have an impaired version of what the final product may look like, leading to errors and complications with the design process.

On the other hand, an effective UX design helps companies test visualization features before launch to ensure it is exactly what users want.

Conclusion

UX design is an integral aspect of the BIM software industry. Companies need it to upgrade, streamline, simplify user experiences, and adapt to market changes. This article discusses why UX design is crucial in BIM software and its impact. This includes enhanced product development, streamlined processes, and safety, among others.

About Author

Lydia Iseh is a writer with years of experience in writing SEO content that provides value to the reader. As someone who believes in the power of SEO to transform businesses, she enjoys being part of the process that helps websites rank high on search engines.

The post Why Good UX Design Matters in the BIM Software Industry appeared first on Architosh.

Technology has come a long way and offers many alternatives. Digital analysis has developed to such an extent that designs can be evaluated in only a few seconds. Moreover, algorithms can adjust the geometry of parts between simulations automatically. New generative design systems have come up with many new solutions for designs, even ways you can’t even imagine. Let’s not wait any further and find out how generative design can change the process of product development in the future! 

How will generative design change the product development process?

A material reduction in the manufacturing phase

“Generative design” brings immense relief to engineers only because they need to use less material during product development. However, depending on the material used, this directly affects the expenses made for manufacturing a product. 

Lightweighting is the term used in product design to use generative design tools to reduce the weight to increase performance.

Disregarding the type of material used, using less amount of material will always result in saving more money. Some companies that completely shifted to using generative design are Under Armour, Airbus, and much more. The new designs require less material and weigh much less than before, making the manufacturing process more straightforward.

We can use Airbus as a great example to define the generative design innovations made. Since Airbus started using generative design, they emit much fewer carbon emissions, up to nearly 500,000 tons!

Most companies similar to Airbus are working towards a greener design, firmly concerned about protecting the environment and increasing their environmental regulations. 

Product development optimization

Generative design makes a tremendous difference in the process of product development. It simplifies the operations that are involved in reducing the design time. Most companies will be digitalized 2D drawings with 3D modeling, allowing them to aggregate all designs that both architects and engineers come up with. Thus, the designs are now classified as digital models. 

Altair’s Inspire software supports optimization and simulation on both lattice and solid-lattice compound components and parts as part of it generative design features.

Let us take an example of a design-build company that can develop modular housing concepts alongside hundreds of components through generative design.  After this, companies can standardize their components and modules with unique prices and codes. In short, this can immensely benefit all clients who are seeking to build a new house. 

Thanks to generative design software, companies can save significant amounts of money on the product development phase and serve more clients faster.

Generative design can flex well

Most of them can see additive manufacturing technologies (AM) and generative design as partners in crime. All because they work so well together with organic and complex shapes. Yet, additive manufacturing can hardly be considered a requirement for implementing a generative design. Furthermore, the latest generative design can make up for the limitations accounted for in the manufacturing process. 

This type of flexibility broadens the range of parts that generative design can target and makes it much easier for design teams to consider alternative options in the manufacturing process. 

Autodesk Spacemaker is generative design software for urban planners, architects, and real estate developers.

Moreover, a considerable benefit of generative design is that it isn’t limited to structural-design tasks. It’s already used in different engineering domains like thermal design, fluid-flow optimization, optics, electrical design, and more. 

Additionally, urban planners and architects adopt generative techniques to optimize building and city space layouts. Many similar algorithms are applied to other complex optimization issues outside the product-design space.

CAD software

While engineers and product developers continuously create and design new products, large constructions and components use recent CAD software and computers. In contrast, generative design turns computers into the new driving force of product development, also, considering the fact that CAD has been around for more than 50 years!  

Before getting to work, engineering designers will define their functional requirements and design parameters by measuring the weight, material type, load capacity, costs, manufacturing process, and maximum size. The computer will do the work later by calculating optimal geometry and creating many design drafts that meet the specified criteria. Therefore, simulation integrates into the product development process through generative design. 

Unit types inside a multi-family building type inside of TestFit’s software—a popular new generative design tool that is supplanting CAD tasks.

The advantages that companies achieve by using generative design are significant in number. As a result, product development productivity will increase tremendously, and only by saving more time innovations and creative ideas will arise in the research phase. 

For example, robust designs have less weight and much more durability. This promotes product optimization of new products created and improves the manufacturing phase, thus reducing production times and material costs and offering a higher degree of personalization.

The use of AI

After hundreds to thousands of design drafts have been created, the AI will select the most suitable designs based on the requirements stated. On the other hand, the developer can suggest different design variants and use parameters such as the ones that are the lightest models, suggestions for different types of materials, and more. 

The AI has an excellent level of technology that allows developers to have optimized design targets quickly. After the designs that will be used are chosen, the first prototypes will be produced in 3D printers or milling machines, or results will automatically be passed on to the test based on supply chains, quality data, cost calculations, and more. This doesn’t only increase output but saves time as well. 

Customization options

Industries are always under lots of pressure for keeping up with customer needs and habits, only to survive throughout their industries. Therefore, those who operate in different industries and want to do better continuously must find new ways that best fit customer needs and stand out from their competitors. 

Industries need to offer the required customer care to attract and retain customers with different tactics. However, keeping up with the needs and wants of customers regarding customization may become costly and time-consuming.

For example, Adidas has started to use 3D printing and is producing customized 3D printed mid-soles to support customization options. Moreover, they plan to continue doing this even in more significant numbers to promote a personalized experience to the maximum level.

Wrapping It Up

Well, that’s about it for this article. Hopefully, you understand how well generative design approaches are evolving and bringing a whole new level of innovation to the product development phase. It’s making companies change how they operate, to reconsider their investments in tools, product development, and more. 

All we can say is that if you haven’t started to use generative design in your business and are thinking twice about it, consider using it in order to stay updated with the latest trends in the product development phase. Moreover, it is an excellent idea for reducing the weight of your product and reducing production times. Especially if you are an engineer or experienced designer, time needs to be on your side and so do cost reductions.

Figure out how it may work for you in your business and what kind of innovations it may bring. After all, we did mention it’s cost-effective and saves time, so that is an upper hand for you

About the Author

Tony Ademi is an SEO freelance copy and content writer with three years of experience. With hundreds of SEO-optimized articles written, Tony is proficient in writing for the digital marketing industry and tries to always stay up to date with different SEO algorithms. His love for writing began at a young age when he wrote a book at the age of 16, but never managed to publish it. In other words, for every article he writes, his main focus is to do in-depth research and make sure the article is easy to read and clear to understand, providing great value to the target audience.

Image Credits

Format equates to “party with copyright” / “party with reserved rights of use.” (eg: image: JPW / Architosh. All rights reserved.) 

Title image credit: Screenshot from YouTube video on Autodesk Generative Design /  Architosh. All rights reserved.

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This article will explore the ways that the UK is encouraging young people into engineering careers, from stimulating interest at a young age to creating an inclusive space for underrepresented groups in STEM and equipping students with transferable skills they will use for life.

Stimulating STEM Education Early

Many organizations are encouraging STEM learning within primary education. A continuing professional development (CPD) program, STEM learning supports primary school teachers in its endeavor to inspire the next generation of engineers. It offers regional and remote courses, bursaries, and other online materials. The Institute of Engineering and Technology also offers free material for children between 5 and 11 years of age, such as lesson plans and education videos. This equips teachers with the tools to inspire the next generation. 

Efforts to make STEM studies and careers more inclusive are helping to lead girls and underrepresented groups into engineering and science fields.

In addition to this, children can begin their STEM education outside of the classroom. To encourage this, parents can teach their children to question the world around them. Even the toys children play with can be used for this purpose. Educational toys, such as coding robots, enrich children with life skills as well as the tools to excel in STEM subjects.

STEM and Underrepresented Groups

In order to inspire the future generation of engineers, we must continue to offer educational tools to underrepresented groups. In 2021, women accounted for just 14.5% of the engineering sector. The number of girls taking STEM subjects in school is significantly lower than boys. This is apparent in A-Level technology subjects, such as computer science. In 2021, the number of A-Level students taking computer science rose from 12,428 to 13,829 across the UK. Out of these, 11,798 were boys, and 2,031 were girls. This gender gap within STEM subjects can be partly explained as a result of harmful stereotypes. According to Women In Tech, early socialization and classroom culture can deter girls away from STEM subjects, as they are traditionally portrayed as boy-dominated subjects.  

Computer science and technology subjects are a great way to inspire the next generation of engineers. The skills that young men and women will learn in these subjects can form foundational knowledge to succeed as an engineer. This can lead to the cultivation of multiple skills, for example, the development of engineering software such as building design software.

Today’s building design software, such as ARUP’s Oasys Ltd.’s MassMotion Flow, brings the power of leading-edge pedestrian simulation and analysis to a wider group of architects and engineers in a more affordable product. In many ways, the gaming environment young people are already familiar with resembles the software environments that power professional software used to solve numerous engineering problems in the real world.  (image: Oasys Ltd.)

Furthermore, students from low socio-economic backgrounds are less likely to choose STEM subjects in school. Research from In2ScienceUK shows that students from disadvantaged backgrounds can be 2.2 times less likely to take triple science at GCSE when compared to other students. This could be due to a number of factors, from individual student interests to counter-culture within disadvantaged youth. 

To tackle this, the UK government is investing money and resources into initiatives. These schemes encourage underrepresented groups to take part in STEM education and inspire the next generation of engineers. It intends to improve the accessibility of computer science to female students at GCSE and A-Level. This corresponds with other incentives, such as the Gender Balance in Computing Programme. 

Thankfully, the efforts to make engineering an inclusive space is paying off. The number of people within these underrepresented groups undergoing a degree in a STEM subject has increased. Between 2010–2020, the number of women accepted onto undergraduate courses rose by 49%, and the number of people from disadvantaged backgrounds achieving places on such courses increased by a staggering 79%. This is an encouraging sign for the future minds of engineering!

Transferable Skills from STEM

STEM education equips children and young adults with transferable skills which will aid them in their future endeavors. These skills transcend the ability to solve an equation or design a building. By highlighting the importance of these transferable skills, students will realize the value of STEM education and how it can help them in multiple careers, from business management to teaching.

STEM education requires students to think for themselves. Tasks often involve problem-solving, and this encourages critical thinking. This skill is highly important in STEM careers, but it is also a well-respected transferable skill. Any career involving research and development would benefit from this. 

Another transferable skill students learn from STEM subjects is teamwork. Working in a team will develop their communication skills, which is vital for practically any career path. Finally, STEM education requires management skills, from overseeing a project to delegating tasks. This is particularly beneficial for careers in business, as well as any engineering role.

Overall, the UK is taking the necessary steps to encourage the younger generation into STEM careers. This can start as early as childhood, from the toys they play with to the subjects at primary school. Although STEM subjects are predominately made up of boys, more and more girls are choosing to study science, technology, engineering, and mathematics subjects, such as computer science. As STEM begins to create an inclusive space for more underrepresented groups, students will gain transferable skills that can be used within engineering and a plethora of other careers. 

About the Author

Natasha Bougourd is a copywriter working with the engineering software company Oasys.

The post Inspiring the Next Generation—Young People in Engineering appeared first on Architosh.

Most architects and architectural firms have capitalized on the advantages of three-dimensional visualization and multiple design prototypes delivered by BIM tools. However, a few challenges have been observed in BIM implementation, which has led to architects not taking the next step. Whether it is the complexity of using new technology or the investment costs, architects are often reluctant to adopt BIM. (Image 1)

(Image 1) Based on a survey made by Connecting Teams Study, 44% of architects have found the cost of Collaboration to be an impeding factor towards BIM adoption.

Despite numerous advantages and opportunities provided by BIM, these identified challenges are broadly classified as technical, financial, legal, cultural, and managerial.

Let us understand the BIM implementation concerns from an Architect’s perspective.

Two Sides of the Same Coin—The Factor of Duality

A study by Connecting Teams has stated that 50% of Architectural companies aren’t confident about BIM-based data security for “intellectual property”. (Image 2)

(Image 2) 50% of architects say data security is a concern in the adoption of BIM.

On the other side of the coin, 56% of US Architects have claimed greater client satisfaction with the implementation of BIM collaboration. (Image 3)

(Image 3) Greater than 50% of architects report increased client satisfaction after using BIM collaboration solutions.

Nevertheless, as the global AEC industry, continues to strive forward in the implementation of BIM, architects need to navigate around challenges to leverage a suite of capabilities offered by BIM.

BIM Implementation Anxiety

Predominantly, challenges in adopting BIM for architects begin with implementation anxiety. Transitioning from a 2D CAD approach to a 3D model-based process requires skillset confidence, greater adoption time, and resource investment. Architects are skeptical about investing in BIM implementation as they may not have an existing team with the required in-house technical expertise. Other implementation anxieties include:

• Complex terminology
• Limited BIM advantage for smaller projects
• Unsuitable for every project type
• Unrealistic client demands

The construction industry is fast-paced, and it all begins with architectural design. 2D CAD processes aren’t as accurate and detailed [compared to BIM], yet they serve a purpose for some architects or architectural firms to get the job done. The old framework works for clients including owners, contractors, engineers, etc. who are apprehensive of adopting BIM for a myriad of reasons: in simple terms- low client demand.

Inability to change mindset to embrace new BIM processes and tools resistance by other team members.   

The drive to seize new capabilities and opportunities that BIM delivers requires a fresh mindset. Clients wanting to embrace BIM will push architects to adopt BIM from the early design or architectural stage. Furthermore, architects wanting to adopt BIM or already working with BIM tools require a voluminous clientele for better business growth, efficient resource utilization, and greater ROI.

2D CAD drawings to BIM conversion can be challenging for new or smaller architectural firms. Getting a firm grip of BIM processes to plan, design, construct and manage buildings using tools like Revit Architecture is cardinal. CAD-based 2D drawings are challenged as a reliable source of information for complex and large-scale projects. A change in mindset to 3D BIM models can help architects extract accurate architectural construction drawings with detailed views to set the groundwork for construction and operations.

MORE: Is ARES the neXt AutoCAD?

The third challenge is the most crucial, and sets its sights on “Trade Collaboration”.

More is Less: greater the collaboration, better the project outcomes – yet not championed by Architects.   

The above statement holds true for modern AEC projects. Time and again collaboration has proved to produce exceptional outcomes with lower rework, cost savings, and projects completed within timelines. Architects unwilling to collaborate with structural engineers or contractors to coordinate on various structural elements like walls, stairs, roofs, and MEP systems can never leverage complete BIM capabilities to drive their business forward. Again, a change in mindset is cardinal.

As mentioned above, the cost of collaboration seems to be another challenging factor for architectural firms to accept BIM. Other factors that act as walls for Architects to adopt collaboration include the following.

• Complexities in adopting BIM processes and tools
• Lack of understanding in terms of project scope or design intent
• Performance unreliability or instability based on online storage or access. (“The answer to this obstacle could be wrong BIM implementation of the Common Data Environment (CDE) leading to underperforming outcomes.”)
• Data security concerns
• Interoperability issues between various systems impede software functionality

The fourth challenge seems to be a global hit-out – expensive software pricing models.

Expensive Software like Revit Architecture – a fact, yet the long-term dividends are far greater than initial investment costs. 

Based on a survey, the cost of Revit products was elevated up to 70% in a five-year duration. There was no significant productivity improvement that mirrored upgraded costs. Architects were bottlenecked based on software constraints leading to lower productivity. The global design also reached out to Autodesk for cost stability and greater attention to Research and Development for design professionals (Architects).

MORE: Autodesk Responds to Open Letter on Revit

Big architectural firms like Zaha Hadid Architects, Allies and Morrison, Aukett Swanke, BVN Architectural Services, and dozens of other architectural firms had shown great concern at increasing costs of Revit products and its underperformance regarding its feature suite. (see: Architects Journal, “Big-name architects hit out at cost and performance of Revit,” 28 July 2020)

Software pricing being a snag for architects can still reap good dividends for architectural design services that cost in the thousands or millions for large-scale projects.

Time for architects to lay the foundation for sustainable building with generative design

With everything being said about architects facing BIM implementation challenges, it is time for architectural firms to work around obstacles to achieve sustainable design. The global AEC community has embraced BIM at high penetration levels, beginning from level 1 to level 3. Generative design enriched with Revit automation extensions like Dynamo, APIs, and other plugins will continue to make the design process quick and cost-effective for architects.

In this context, the value BIM delivers for architectural firms will become clear to streamline design workflows, collaborate better, make informed decisions, and achieve client expectations.

About Author

Kaushik Gajjar is a licensed architect working as a BIM manager at Hitech CADD Services.

With a work experience of over 10 years, Kaushik has successfully delivered various architectural projects to clients globally. As a “Best Young Architect” awardee, his creative architectural designing, planning, and knowledge of BIM tools and techniques ensure optimum client satisfaction.

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Title image credit: Adobe Stock Photography / Architosh. All rights reserved.

The post Viewpoint: Challenges of BIM Implementation from an Architect’s Perspective appeared first on Architosh.

There are several complex factors at play when it comes to the provision of affordable housing, from planning and development to budgeting. But one surprising way in which the UK could pave the way for more affordable housing is investigating heating oil versus LPG.  Here, we explore how LPG assists in providing affordable housing for UK buyers and why it could be an open goal for the sector and government in the desire to hit targets and meet housing demands. 

Affordable Housing: The state of play

Affordable housing has been a contentious issue in recent years, from the failed government initiative to build 200,000 affordable homes to the recent news that the cost of building new affordable homes in London has trebled since the first programme. A recently approved plan to build 1,000 new rentable homes in London has been criticised because they don’t meet the affordable housing criteria. Recent research has also shown that house prices have hit a record high this year.

The new Affordable Homes Programme is set to deliver “up to” 180,000 new affordable housing properties, “should economic conditions allow”. To further boost availability, the government stated that councils that don’t build enough new homes would lose the right to determine the location of subsequent new houses. This ruling is part of a planning policy framework that details regulations regarding the number of homes that each council must construct—which considers localised aspects of an area, including local house costs and average wages. Essentially, if a location has a particularly high level of unaffordability, that council will need to build more new, affordable homes. 

The knock-on effect of this is that councils may be pushed towards building new homes in rural locations instead of packed cities and towns. This focus on building affordable homes in rural areas has been accepted positively by CPRE. This countryside charity published guidance in summer 2020 about what is needed to make this a reality.

MORE: Viewpoint: Megacities—A Risk to the Masses? 

The provision of affordable rural housing is one solution to the problem of availability, but it poses another question around how those homes are powered. 

How can LPG support the building of new affordable housing?

According to the Climate Change Committee, the number of homes in the UK not connected to the mains gas grid is around four million. The Non-Gas Map, created in collaboration with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, says the reliance on the main grid varies significantly across the UK. Certain locations—such as Northern Scotland and Mid Wales—appear to show less dependence on being connected to the main network. In contrast, others, including North-East England and the Home Counties, have a greater percentage of homes that rely on energy provided by mains gas. 

A sufficient energy supply is one of the foremost concerns around building new homes in rural locations. However, we can see that there is an opportunity to construct homes in areas that aren’t connected to the mains network, granted that an equally efficient alternative is implemented in its place. But how will this encourage affordable housing growth? 

The ability to power homes with LPG may provide development and construction companies with more opportunities to build affordable housing in rural areas. Currently, a small number of major commercial developers create the majority of the UK’s housing. Using LPG as an easy alternative to the main network connection, we can widen the number of locations where a housing project can occur. Consequently, more small- and mid-size companies should have a greater chance of securing a plot for development in the sector, and we may see a growth in affordable housing as a result. 

Through oil to gas conversion, LPG can also make building affordable housing in rural areas more cost-effective due to its easy portability and storage solutions. Keeping production costs as low as possible is essential. The ease of supplying and stockpiling LPG may help developers keep track of energy costs and ensure that mains grid issues, such as power cuts, won’t affect productivity — another potentially costly side-effect. 

MORE: Viewpoint: International Climate Change—Is it a Turning Point for World Architecture?

With a number of government commitments to climate change in place, including the ambitious target of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050, there’s a UK-wide focus on reducing our carbon footprint. In an industry like construction and housing, it’s easy to adopt less environmentally friendly products and practices. LPG is a relatively clean form of energy, releasing just 81% of the carbon dioxide that oil does and 70% of the carbon dioxide that coal emits. With tax relief offered to energy-efficient businesses, it’s helpful to be as eco-friendly as possible. If affordable housing developers choose to utilise LPG, this could also work towards more significant numbers of affordable housing projects.    

About the Author

Andrew Richardson is a copywriter working in a variety of sectors, including the clean energy and building industries.

The post Viewpoint: Could Switching to LPG Help Increase Affordable Housing? appeared first on Architosh.

It is fair to say that in the last 5 to 8 years, new and disruptive technologies have emerged that have fundamentally altered the linear path of innovation that has dominated engineering graphics for CAD and particularly the field of Architecture for the preceding 20 to 25 years.

Virtual Reality

While some iterations of VR have been around since the mid-’90s, we have finally reached a point where the hardware has become more than practical. Putting on a VR headset for the first time can be a jaw-dropping experience. Despite lofty initial expectations, VR has clearly not taken over the world, yet there has been a steady rise in adoption.

The benefits of entertainment and e-commerce are obvious, but VR’s advantages are clear even for architecture and industrial use-cases. Being able to virtually walk around and immerse yourself in a building long before it has been constructed or designing a car in a virtual 3D environment where the model appears in realistic proportions in front of you with real depth perception are obvious game-changers. Similarly, the ability to train your workforce remotely in a simulated environment simply by shipping a $400 device can result in massive cost savings.

Of course, challenges remain. VR headsets require the 3D scene to be rendered twice per frame with consistently high framerates to avoid discomfort, making it difficult to use with complex CAD or building models unless time-consuming preprocessing is employed to reduce triangle and entity count, a process that is hard to scale and automate. In addition, traditional input methods have limited use in a VR environment where the user cannot see his “real” keyboard & mouse, not to mention the ergonomic challenges of wearing a large bulky headset over extended periods of time.

Augmented Reality

Often grouped with VR, Augmented Reality has its own challenges and opportunities. It is fair to say that AR has broken into the mainstream on phones with entertainment-focused applications like Pokemon Go or Snapchat’s AR experiences and filters. While clearly being an inferior way to experience the technology compared to dedicated headsets, the mobile platform holders have invested heavily in AR. Apple and Google both offer their own AR libraries that utilize advanced hardware features like lidar to allow for more robust tracking. 

Remote Support is possible with Vuzix’s M-series smart glasses enabling technical field professionals to tap into engineering support back in the office with integrated voice navigation, advanced Waveguide Optics with full-color LDP display, and more. This is an example of AR technology. (Image: Vuzix)

David Heppelman from PTC often describes AR as “IoT for humans” with its ability to layer information on top of the real world, giving users virtual “superpowers,” allowing them to look through walls in a building and “see” the state of devices around them.  AR can help the plant supervisor quickly assess the maintenance state of machines in a factory with live data streaming into his vision via IoT, aid the facility management employee doing service work in a building, or the hotel worker inspecting a room. It can be used to “preserve” and pass on knowledge from “experts” to the rest of the workforce, guide new employees in training on their first days of work or offer assistance in repairing broken machines in the field.

From a Visualization perspective, AR in the industrial setting can often be useful without any real 3D graphics by overlaying data like text or graphs on top of the real world.  Many more interesting use-cases like virtual work instructions benefit greatly from pulling in the underlying CAD data. AR also relies heavily on advances in computer vision and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for scanning features in the environment or reliably detecting a 3D model under different lighting conditions or when partially obscured.  

Those advances in software and hardware will continue to drive innovation in this space and enable scalable experiences that will make it easier to go beyond prototypes and proof of concepts. On the hardware side, it will be the introduction of more powerful, comfortable, and cheaper AR headsets that promise to leverage AR’s value and utility fully.  

Real-Time High-End Rendering

In engineering graphics, there used to be two very distinct paths. First, the functional” 3D was used by most engineering applications, which evolved from wireframe to simple flat shading to somewhat more advanced texturing and lighting. The other was the high-end offline rendering used largely by marketing departments.  

About 5 years ago, a new technology derived from gaming and entertainment came along called PBR (Physically Based Rendering) that represents materials as a series of equations that model how light reflects off the surface and can be implemented very efficiently shader code running on the GPU. This technology makes it much easier for CAD applications to leverage vast material libraries to visually convey individual surfaces’ “real-world” characteristics much more realistically.

While PBR got CAD closer towards realism, there is still a vast chasm between real-time CAD and the glossy high-end renders traditionally created for marketing purposes, often utilizing applications like 3D Studio Max, Maya, or dedicated components like VRAY. 

Physically-based-rendering was a big step forward, but now real-time raytracing technology is again accelerating visualization with both NVIDIA and AMD producing GPU-based real-time rendering acceleration.

Two years ago, Nvidia announced a technology called RTX that fundamentally changes that equation, allowing for real-time raytracing on consumer-level PCs, basically putting the visual quality of offline rendering within reach of any 3D engineering application. While it will take time for this technology to be adopted and graphics engines to be retooled to take advantage of it, the potential is there for making photorealism a commodity in the same way 3D graphics has become commonplace in the last few decades.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) plays an important role in improving this technology, allowing for up-scaling of images without loss in quality and better framerates with its ability to intelligently add details by understanding the content of a 3D scene based on training the AI on vast collections of real-world images.

Cloud and Connectivity

The shift to the cloud has been ongoing for some time, driven by the need for better collaboration and access to data for all stakeholders. That trend has only accelerated due to covid with remote working becoming the norm, at least for some companies. All this is only possible due to steady advancements in connectivity infrastructure culminating in technologies like 5G that vastly increase the available bandwidth and reduce latency.

Many of the technologies mentioned earlier are enabled or benefit directly from the rise of the cloud and connectivity.  Deep learning algorithms operating on huge amounts of data in the cloud pulled from IoT devices are one example; smooth streaming of 3D content to any class of devices is another. In particular, for AR and High-End visualization, remote rendering on powerful servers in the cloud with dedicated GPUs is often used to overcome the limited power of mobile phones or AR headsets.

Tieing It Together

After conquering mobile and web (a shift that is still ongoing), 3D Engineering Graphics has broken out of the confines of the traditional flat 2D screen with VR and AR in the last few years, offering unparalleled levels of immersion while also becoming an extension of the real world, unlocking the power of IoT and the Digital Twin not only for knowledge workers but also for the people doing the actual physical work on the construction site or the shop floor. We are in the middle of this shift that is slowly making its way past the prototype and pilot project stages. Still, there is no doubt that everyone’s workplace will look very different in the next five to ten years, and the innovations happening in engineering graphics will be a big part of that shift.

About the Author

The post Viewpoint: The Exciting Future of Engineering Graphics appeared first on Architosh.

In fact, the fall in output represented the largest drop on record. However, construction has been allowed to continue since the first national lockdowns in England and Scotland. This means that workers such as laborers and site managers have returned to the worksite. However, some roles continue to work remotely. Surveyors, architects, and engineers can complete some of their work from home.

But as the end of the pandemic appears to be in sight, some industry leaders worry that the remote working abilities of many in construction industries may withhold an efficient recovery for the sector. Here, we look at why all construction workers must eventually return to the site and how this can be achieved safely.

The Suitability of Remote Working

According to one employee experience index, 49 percent of people working in UK construction and engineering had no experience of working from home before the pandemic. Furthermore, 91 percent of those who have remote working experience would usually work from home for only one day or less per week.

Add this to the fact that only 32 percent of home-workers have a dedicated working space at home, the evidence creates a clear determination: the construction industry is not suitable for remote working conditions.

While the construction industry evaded the compulsory closing of non-essential businesses during the second and third national lockdown in England, social distancing regulations and expectations of who can work on-site remain. The guidance prioritizes those who cannot work from home. In construction and engineering, this may be limited to laborers and infrequent visits from engineers when on-site reviews must be completed.

However, while working from home has been possible during the pandemic, there is little motivation to maintain this culture. Construction must remain focussed on safety and quality, which can only be achieved through in-person assessment.

Making Space A Priority

Despite the vaccine rollout, experts agree that social distancing will continue for the majority of 2021. However, as construction workers continue to return to sites, these regulations must be adhered to. As a consequence, additional working space is essential.

While this space can be employed as a temporary measure, site managers may look for a storage container for sale to create a portable and easy shelter for workers. As an office, the space is versatile, allowing engineers to review plans and make appropriate amendments in the vicinity of the construction work. Office spaces are valuable for collaboration, and with a variety of roles in construction, office space is central in curating innovative decisions which can help improve the quality of work, regulate safety on site, and help reduce costs.

Construction storage containers make for versatile and affordable portable shelter for construction workers on-site, offering “scale-up” and “scale-down” optionality for construction firms mitigating social distancing requirements on active construction sites.

Working from home prevents this collaborative effort. While objectives such as CAD and steel detailing may be compatible with remote working, doing this in isolation prevents co-workers and other departments from contributing to the planning stage.

Recovering the Work

There is a consensus among construction workers that normal working circumstances should return as soon as possible to help the sector recover. The Office for National Statistics states that while construction output has achieved a seventh consecutive month of growth and has finally recovered to meet pre-pandemic levels, aspects of the sector such as “new work” are still 3.1 percent below output in February 2020. This represents £282 million of output in the sector. New public housing construction, which requires efficient processes, is still 22.1 percent below its pre-pandemic level. There is a clear need for normal work processes to resume.

Continuing into 2021, a clear majority of construction businesses do not intend to maintain remote working capabilities. According to the ONS, only 5.5 percent of construction businesses want a permanent increase of home working, as opposed to 83.5 who do not want remote working to increase after the pandemic. 11 percent of businesses were not sure.

While the construction sector makes it clear that remote working should be avoided in the future, only one in five businesses show any real desire to increase these capabilities. Business leaders in the construction sector have proved that attending the workplace is best for productivity and output.

While all industries have taken a hit during the past year, confidence in construction is at risk of not returning to its full potential unless appropriate action is taken. Resuming normal working conditions is essential and doing this while adhering to social distancing and health guidelines is important. Accommodating as many workers back into construction sites and offices may be the saving factor for the sector.

About the Author

Thomas Brady is a copywriter for Mobile Mini, with over seven years’ communications and copyrighting experience. He has extensive experience within the energy, construction, financial, auto industry, and services sector.

More Resources

Construction output in Great Britain: November 2020

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To meet these goals, the construction industry needs to adopt new technologies and find ways to work smarter. There are many answers to be found in digitalization – using digital methods and technologies to remove manual, error-prone, and wasteful activities. According to McKinsey, whether through employing rapid, higher-definition surveying techniques, using advanced, 5D Building Information Modeling (BIM), implementing digital collaboration and mobility tools, improving asset management with Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and advanced analytics, or using ground-breaking new construction materials and methods, digital solutions can make a significant impact on construction productivity.

Many of these solutions have begun to be incorporated into existing processes. However, often they are implemented ineffectively, keeping work activities in silos rather than sharing information amongst the project team. For example, Building Information Modeling (BIM) software often aims to keep the modeling and analysis within a proprietary ecosystem, or IoT-enabled equipment is disconnected from broader workflows. This siloed approach makes collaboration and information exchange incredibly difficult.

Queensferry Crossing (the bridge) was realized with Nemetschek ALLPLAN software. (Image: Nemetschek Group / Architosh. All rights reserved.)

One of the biggest challenges to progress in this area has been the inherent conflict between proprietary software – which focuses on the task of a single project participant – and the dynamic nature of construction – where all professionals and trades must work together temporarily to deliver the end product. This requires software that supports open data and communication interfaces that prioritize interoperability and supply chain flexibility over protecting one software provider’s competitive advantage. An open approach enables accelerated innovation by allowing specialized software to do a task exceptionally well and feed the result back into the whole – it is about building bridges, not fences.

MORE: Viewpoint: Accelerated Efficiency with Data-Driven Design

We believe that open standards are key to the AEC industry successfully adopting BIM, and to improving workflows and collaboration for all those engaged in the building process. The transparent communication and data exchange that open standards provide are critical for teams to work together effectively and innovatively, enabling them to address the sustainability challenges that face the industry. This approach implies building bridges – between our own solutions, but also across the entire design and construction ecosystem, including established rivals and start-ups.

About the Author

Matt Wheelis, VP Industry Strategy at the Build & Construct Division of the Nemetschek Group about the importance of open standards for the construction industry.

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Title image credit: Queensferry Crossing. Nemetschek Group / Architosh. All rights reserved.

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However, it’s equally critical for any architect to keep their eyes on the budget, schedule, and overall project plan. Design variations due to inaccurate dimensions, unmanaged revisions, schedules going haywire and data inaccessibility often prove to be major impediments in project construction.

Robust tools for accurate and optimized design, integrated workflows, modeling, coordination, and project documentation can help overcome these challenges.

BIM enables architects to gain greater project insights early on in the construction. BIM’s detailed three-dimensional view of the project along with sequencing and cost estimation capabilities allows architects to revisit and revise plans if needed. With BIM, architects are better positioned to enhance collaboration and productivity, while keeping costs under control.

An Architectural BIM Model.

Structural BIM Model.

MEP BIM Model.

An architecture firm from Manchester, UK required a 4D BIM coordinated with construction sequencing and project introduction video. The challenges included understanding technical instructions in a foreign language and an inter-woven building with five levels and a lack of MEP drawings. Using Autodesk Navisworks, a 4D BIM model simulation was created that helped improve design-intent, communication with stakeholders, cost reduction, and rework. Read the case study here. 

7 Reasons for BIM

So what are the seven reasons for BIM for architects?

The current need to include remote workflows is challenging for construction projects, and BIM is the perfect solution to support that change. With BIM at the forefront, architects can create new assessment options, de-risk projects, and produce superior processes and outcomes. Let’s go through seven key reasons for BIM.

1 – Quick modeling and testing

BIM offers a host of opportunities for 3D modeling and structural assessments. Architects can use BIM to experiment with new designs and materials. 3D elements like doors, walls, et cetera that appear on elevations, sections, views, and schedules help architects save cost, resources, and accommodate client timelines. BIM makes building design and testing quicker wherein the construction process can start earlier. It also helps project stakeholders make informed calls early in the design process.

2 – Improved communication with the client

BIM provides a strong way to pitch projects. In addition to building 3D models for structural applications, these models can be used to showcase designs. These designs help clients to explore the building before it goes onsite through improved communication and collaboration. Creating stunning visualizations through 360 renders, illuminance studies and VR model walkthroughs gives clients a clear perception of the project. Architects can even explore powerful BIM tools to increase the possibilities of business performance and growth.

3 – Enhanced coordination and collaboration

BIM creates an enhanced collaborative workspace with processes that enable reduced administration and an improved focus on project development and deliverables. Using new standards for best practice design, cost-effective construction, and efficient material use is the result of an error-free 3D coordinated model. Architects can coordinate and collaborate with specialist trades and teams to ensure every design, system, and structure is well-coordinated.

4 – High-quality error-free parametric models for buildings

Before architects adopted BIM, there was a significant possibility of human error that could lead to massive project complications. BIM has the potential to significantly reduce these problems through quick information transfer, better design documentation, parametric modeling for objects, et cetera. With detailed visualization for height, width, depth, scheduling, and cost estimation, all in harmony, the highest quality of buildings can be achieved.

5 – Quick quantity takeoffs

BIM eliminates the need for manual processes and working in silos. Information-packed 3D models help generate quick and accurate takeoffs to provide a precise cost estimate for better decision making. It also enables better communication between the architect and the subcontractor to accurately generate quantities of the required material. Based on parametric modeling capabilities, architects can evaluate alternative design capabilities based on the cost aspect.

6  – Highly detailed models with LOD covering every aspect of buildings

Traditional 2D or 3D drawings don’t distinguish between various elements. BIM incorporates the ability to manage information in greater detail through the entire lifecycle of the project. It includes conceptual and detailed design, analysis, documentation, operations, logistics, manufacturing, and other information. The 3D model can be used as an underlay to produce details that makes the process very efficient.

MORE: New report by Asite on optimizing construction industry’s digital engineering

Architects can check these 3D designs and monitor design development. The level of detail for BIM models holds crucial information about the exact make, model, specifications, material, and quantities. With real products and materials included, architects can leverage improved work quality, better decision making, and reduction in project costs.

7 – Accurate environmental impact analysis

Using the sustainability or sixth dimension, architects can analyze the impact of buildings on the environment. This helps architects make data-driven decisions about the usage of energy-efficient materials and effective regenerative designs. BIM can also be adopted through energy modeling for better reliability, consistency, and usability of energy, accurate energy estimates, improved cost analysis, etc.

BIM Holds The Key

BIM has proven to be a highly reliable construction technology for architects with advanced features and a comprehensive set of digital tools. Customized scripting allows users to build powerful and bespoke programs to make design processes efficient and sustainable. Dynamo, integrated with Revit, perform calculations, builds complex shapes, and automates processes. Adopting Revit to automate Revit families for façade, families, framing or panels helps generate a fully-realized BIM model.

Architects can use automation to easily create repetitive designs, build custom forms and prepare project-specific reports. With the host of benefits that BIM provides to architects, architects can truly think out of the box and cater to their client’s needs underpinning the various features of BIM.

About the Author

Bhushan Avsatthi is an Associate Director at Hitech iSolutions. Bhushan imbibes the prophecy of efficient and prudent use of energy in his day to day life and encourages his team to do so as well. He is also involved in green initiatives like the nonprofit Tree Plantation Project and promotes using cycles for commuting small distances. Bhushan manages a team of Architects, Structural and MEP engineers, LEED consultants, and Energy modeling experts.

The post 7 Reasons Why BIM Adoption is Important for Architects appeared first on Architosh.

But what exactly is data? Data basically represents a collection of facts, whilst information is how you understand those facts in context—organized, structured, accessible, and reusable by others. In the context of buildings, this implies that building data follows a data schema that can be utilized dynamically across different software applications. Non-graphical data can drive the entire value chain. This is what we in the Nemetschek Group call Building Lifecycle Intelligence™. The approach needs an open, connected ecosystem, centered around data that dynamically connects models and documents. Working in an open cloud environment allows anyone to connect and communicate through open protocols and standards, generating real value for all parties.

Model-driven design versus Data-driven design—why data-driven design is more efficient than model-driven design and what this has to do with Building Lifecycle Intelligence.

By securing a structured, cross-discipline dataset that connects both multiple graphical models from various sources and required documentation for all assets and systems, we ensure easy access for all stakeholders, including the non-BIM professionals. Life would be so much easier if—for example—you could click on a 2D drawing in a PDF file and get the building material of the represented element, the specified thermal properties, or its construction status information. Or if you could use an Excel-style interface to filter the MEP objects in the BIM project and access all properties, with the ability to easily add and edit information. For example, imagine manufacturer and pricing details, without having to learn and use a BIM authoring tool. Or imagine using business intelligence tools to analyze and monitor overall and detailed construction progress across all disciplines.

I believe that interoperability and information sharing between industry stakeholders should not be a ground for competition, but rather the basis for everything we do. This also has a positive impact on asset information requirements; in other words, the data and information about the assets in the building. With a data-driven design approach, this information is generated in a structured, consistent format, and is easily accessible by the facility manager. Perfectly usable for any renovation works, for example.

MORE: The Evolved Office — Smaller and More Collaborative

In return, the data and intelligence that is created during the operation phase of a building—we are talking about 30 years or more, in many cases—can be reused when planning and designing the next building. We just need to look at the construction industry as a perpetual loop, not only when it comes to the reuse of materials (the circular economy), but also when it comes to the reuse of data. Having access to the entire set of “intelligence” is key to optimizing operations and to driving better decisions in the next project. With Building Lifecycle Intelligence™, we are at the beginning of an exciting journey towards increasing efficiency and quality. A journey with tremendous potential.

About Viktor Várkonyi

Viktor Várkonyi is the Chief Division Officer Plan & Design Division, Nemetschek Group, and a Member of the Executive Board of the Nemetschek Group. Prior to this role, he was the CEO of Graphisoft.

About the Nemetschek Group

The Nemetschek Group is a pioneer for the digital transformation in the AEC industry. With its software solutions, it covers the complete life cycle of building and infrastructure projects and guides its customers into the future of digitalization. As one of the world’s leading corporate groups in this field, the Nemetschek Group increases quality in the construction process and improves the digital workflow of all those involved in the construction process. This revolves around the use of open standards (Open BIM). The innovative solutions of the 16 brands in the four customer-oriented divisions are used by approximately six million users worldwide. Founded by Prof. Georg Nemetschek in 1963, the Nemetschek Group today employs more than 3,000 experts.

Publicly listed since 1999 and quoted on the MDAX and TecDAX, the company achieved revenue in the amount of EUR 556.9 million and an EBITDA of EUR 165.7 million in 2019.

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There have been some positive signs since the initial peak of the coronavirus in summer. For example, the second national lockdown in England allowed for the construction sector to continue working. The economic growth of 15.5 percent between July and September was the biggest on record, after a flash recession. So, are things looking brighter for one of the country’s biggest industries?

Are we recovering?

From an economic perspective, there were early signs of recovery back in June. The HIS Markit/CIPS Purchasing Manager’s Index (PMI) rating reported a jump of 11.4 index points. At this point, the index which tracks global economic trends in the manufacturing and services industry was at a five-month high. This correlated with the initial lockdown easing.

But with the global index covering much more than just the UK, it’s important to dig a little deeper to see what the current state-of-play looks like for the country’s construction industry.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that construction output suffered a 40 percent collapse in April this year, with the pandemic behind a 41.2 percent decrease in new work and a 38.1 percent decrease in repair and maintenance. Not only do the dramatic falls represent a financial hole of £5.1 billion, but they also account for the most significant drops since records began 10 years ago. May’s figures show a small sign of improvement for construction output, with an 8.2 percent increase—compared to April’s figure—being accredited to the easing of lockdown restrictions.

However, the ONS has now reported growth in construction output, resulting in the fifth consecutive month of growth. In September, construction continued to grow by 2.9 percent in comparison to the previous month. While this still falls 7.3 percent below February’s output figures, the continual recovery should bring optimism for the sector.

However, even the ONS admits that it’s difficult to quantify the exact impact of the coronavirus alone, with the unpredictability of a virus that has already instigated a second wave with further working restrictions. The construction sector has only just avoided a return to the working restrictions seen in the first lockdown in England.

The need for safety

Whilst construction output and economic recovery will take time to reach levels seen before the virus hit. The construction sector narrowly avoided the restrictions of the second lockdown in England, allowing workers to continue with a greater emphasis on the new guidelines for health and safety in the working environment.

Not only must workers be able to carry out work under standard health and safety regulations, but there’s the added caveat of following social distancing and hygiene measures—putting an even greater focus on health and safety in the construction industry.

On one hand, you have the introduction of the Building Safety Bill, which takes forward reforms of the building and fire safety system—for how a building is built and how safe it is once the structure is complete. On the other, the Construction Leadership Council’s Site Operating Procedures during COVID-19 are aimed at protecting workforces from the virus.

The former is a notable introduction since the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower disaster, and the latter will develop over time, as the guidelines have already had five iterations, with plenty more issues to be produced if the pandemic continues to change at a speed that feels like it’s overnight.

Both are positive steps for improving conditions within the industry and pivotal if the world of construction is to move forward positively.

Although not directly connected, the two pieces of legislation do work in tandem. Without the Safety Bill, you run the risk of unsafe buildings built in an unsafe way, and without the guidelines for working during COVID-19, you can’t implement the new ways in which buildings have to be built, all the way from design to completion. And among all of this is the workers and their working environment. Life on a construction site can be challenging. It’s less collaborative working spaces and more using the land on which the building is being built on.

Safe On-Site Facilities

There’s a huge range of on-site facilities needed during projects–often housed within storage containers—including offices, canteens, drying rooms, toilet blocks, and storage facilities in a variety of sizes and layouts.

The close proximities of workers make social distancing a tough measure to get right, with the threat of site closure if guidelines are not implemented correctly.

But the good news is that a course for safe working during the pandemic has been launched by industry specialists. CovCert is an online programme designed to provide employees with an understanding of how to work safely and minimise the risks from COVID-19.

On-site facilities are in high demand on construction sites in non-pandemic times, but during 2020 and Covid, they pose a threat to site closures if strict safety guidelines are not followed. (Image: Mobile Mini / All rights reserved.)

The initiative is a collaboration between industry expert Green Hat Consulting and construction workforce specialist Sphere Solutions—and will serve to educate and ensure that construction sites continue to be safe and compliant.

Speaking about the course, Andrew Warring, managing director of Green Hat Consulting, said: “CovCert is aimed at employees who are returning to work on construction sites. The courses are intended to raise Covid-19 awareness and provide employees with the knowledge required to minimise the risk of transmission and infection within the workplace, as well as providing an induction for new employees and informing on up to date guidance.”

It’s another positive step in the right direction and will help those who’ve been unsure of going back to work to be more confident on the construction site, which will no doubt benefit the company they work for and the project they’re helping complete.

Overall, there are slight indications that the industry is starting to see a positive upturn in its fortunes, although there’s still a lot of work to be done and the unknown of what the actual impacts of Brexit will be. Optimism continues to grow, in light of new vaccine effectiveness, for the pandemic to end. But in the construction sector, small steps must be made as frequently as possible to avoid another decade in the doldrums.

About the Author

Thomas Brady is a copywriter for Mobile Mini, with over seven years’ communications and copyrighting experience. He has extensive experience within the energy, construction, financial, auto industry, and services sector.

More Resources

https://www.mobilemini.co.uk/storage-containers/container-hire/

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A Needed Paradigm Shift

The construction industry is the largest industry in the world. Yet it has been practically stagnant with one percent productivity growth annually over the past two decades. But aren´t we in the age of digital transformation? An age where anything seems possible and other industries such as transportation, manufacturing, or even agriculture multiply their productivity? Why has this not been reflected in the construction industry as well?

Processes need to be challenged occasionally. That’s when old paradigms are thrown overboard to fundamentally change an approach. iPhone, SpaceX reusable rockets, or something as revolutionary as international money transfers without actually sending any money across the borders, are just some examples. So, what is it in the construction industry that needs challenging?

We are seeing impressive, creative signature buildings rise across the globe. But we are also seeing most of these being finished later than planned, with costs exploding. Buildings are becoming more and more complex, involving many professions. Currently, massive time on a construction project is spent on the coordination between architects, structural and MEP engineers, energy experts, and others. An architect wasting 30 percent of her time is too much. It is clearly time to challenge the industry and call for a paradigm shift.

Towards Integrated Design

Looking at the development that has taken place over the past 30 years, the direction becomes clear. In the late 90s, the industry collaborated by sharing and exchanging files. Then the professions started to collaborate on the same file or data set by reserving and exchanging individual elements or sets of elements. And today, design professionals are still working in silos, in a data-protective way, rather than in “agile” and “cross-disciplinary teams.”

It is my clear belief, that the industry needs to move to an “integrated design” approach. This is not about losing one’s data sovereignty, it is about forming teams to improve workflows and outcomes. All disciplines can work with their preferred solution and on their own tasks and parameters, but in a centralized model.

MORE: Nemetschek Integrated Design—A Paradigm Shift for AECO

This disruptive approach will significantly change the way the different design professions work together. Today, about five percent of architects and structural engineers already work in an integrated design manner. They are the role models for what is required to make the construction industry accelerate—finally!

About Viktor Várkonyi

Viktor Várkonyi is the Chief Division Officer Plan & Design Division, Nemetschek Group, and a Member of the Executive Board of the Nemetschek Group. Prior to this role, he was the CEO of Graphisoft.

About the Nemetschek Group

The Nemetschek Group is a pioneer for the digital transformation in the AEC industry. With its software solutions, it covers the complete life cycle of building and infrastructure projects and guides its customers into the future of digitalization. As one of the world’s leading corporate groups in this field, the Nemetschek Group increases quality in the construction process and improves the digital workflow of all those involved in the construction process. This revolves around the use of open standards (Open BIM). The innovative solutions of the 16 brands in the four customer-oriented divisions are used by approximately six million users worldwide. Founded by Prof. Georg Nemetschek in 1963, the Nemetschek Group today employs more than 3,000 experts.

Publicly listed since 1999 and quoted on the MDAX and TecDAX, the company achieved revenue in the amount of EUR 556.9 million and an EBITDA of EUR 165.7 million in 2019.

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Designing with Social Distancing in Mind

It will come as a relief to learn that raw materials for greater certainty, and the flexibility to keep up with a dynamic situation over the months, and possibly years, are all readily available. The likes of 2D and 3D CAD drawings for your building can be used to render a 3D model of the building which can be populated with realistic, intelligent agents whose behavior is modeled by pedestrian movement software.

One example of technology that can be used to help map social distancing in a building is MassMotion, which is used by global consulting engineers and architects. It’s rather timely that the software world’s ubiquitous move towards subscription rather than outright licensing has come now, just as professionals across the built environment are grappling with the need to understand pedestrian behavior in more detail than ever before.

Pedestrian simulation software like MassMotion is now being used to model social distancing requirements in buildings.

MassMotion implements proximity modeling tests and visualizes scenarios within computer models. Its native 3D design means that crucial potential pinch points like stairs and elevators are also modeled accurately and can be observed in animated visualizations. Its sheer power means that new parameters can be entered into the model and a new simulation will run to test new ideas within minutes. Proximity modeling tools are used to show how close people are likely to get and for how long and highlight risk areas.

Oasys added proximity modeling to its pedestrian simulation software and explained: “What the team has done is to produce a new set of analytics that can be drawn from the software. We have also accelerated some experimental research to give customers the ability to test personal space preferences.”

Technology for Existing Buildings

Technology such as MassMotion will be crucial in designing and building future structures to ensure social distancing is far more achievable for the building’s occupants. But how can other technological solutions help support social distancing measures in pre-existing buildings? After all, spatial awareness cannot be accurately relied upon.

Currently, personnel distancing systems known as PDS are being trialed around the country. These proximity warning gadgets can be fastened to a person’s arm or belt, or in the case of construction sites, onto a hard hat. The technology can also be added to lanyards or wrist bands. Once the exclusion zone has been programmed, these tags will sound an alarm and vibrate if the wearer gets too close to another wearer.

The Future of Building Management

Understanding and optimizing how people use space is increasingly recognized by architects, but can it also inform smart environmental and energy management?  As well as wearable smart sensors for people, there had been an innovation of smart sensors for buildings that detect the number of occupants in a space that would suggest that there is a growing overlap here.

Pedestrian movement analysis could be a long-term addition to our toolbox, not just an interim response to the pandemic.

About the Author

Amy Hodgetts is a content writer on behalf of Oasys, a leading commercial developer of engineering software. Ms. Hodgetts is a graduate from the University of Glasgow, with an undergraduate MA (Hons) in English Language

Key Resources

Interserve trials new social distancing warning technology on Birmingham hospital job

Technology to support social distancing in the new workplace

The post How Technology Can Support Social Distancing appeared first on Architosh.

Focus and Collaboration

The office, as it turns out now, is not only a place for focused work but also a place for collaboration, creativity, and informal discussions. In-person meetings and unplanned encounters create opportunities for innovation, knowledge exchange, and informal mentoring. A lack of those is not only negative for the workers but can also have serious consequences for businesses. And although many people report that they feel more productive working from home, have a better work-life balance, and certainly don’t miss the commute, the attraction of working from home turns out to be short-term for many. Productivity increases are mainly due to working longer hours, increasing the risk of burnout. And culture, trust, and relationships erode over time through a lack of face-to-face communication.

What is even more tangible, is that a physical office provides direct control over assets—both in terms of ensuring the quality of infrastructure and equipment necessary to support business operations and in terms of security. Back-office programs such as integrated workplace management systems (IWMS) can facilitate asset tracking and management, but employers will need to review their policies and protection of company assets. Also, IT security can be extremely challenging to manage in a remote working environment, when, for example, employees are copying classified data onto USB drives to take home.

Koen Matthijs, Chief Division Officer, Operate & Manage Division, Nemetschek Group (Image: Nemetschek Group / All rights reserved.)

A hybrid approach that allows workers to work remotely some of the time and evolves the office to maximize its social benefits would, for many, represent the best of both worlds. But two aspects are essential, in my view, when reimagining the function and layout of the office.

Evolving the Office

Firstly, smaller is beautiful. Offices are likely to shrink their physical footprint to reflect a smaller in-office workforce. But this creates logistical challenges to be prepared for peaks whilst avoiding wasted space. IoT-enabled offices that use sensor data to track real-time space usage can collect extensive, anonymous data about how many people use what types of spaces over prolonged periods of time. Agile concepts with flexible or shared seating will save space but require data to function smoothly, such as real-time space monitoring. Those tools allow employees to make reservations, book services, and enhance the user experience in a variety of ways. Reducing the footprint in this way can lead to substantial cost and even energy savings.

Secondly, beyond simply reducing the size of the office, employers need to think about what types of activities will take place in the new office. In a potential hybrid model, home offices could become centers for focused, concentrated work. The company office then becomes a center for collaboration, with individual workspaces replaced by a variety of shared spaces, like meeting rooms, huddle rooms, and lounges. Most offices will still need to offer spaces for concentrated work as well, as many people, especially the younger generations, don’t have spacious homes with a separate home office. Again, this collaborative redesign will be most effective when it is data-driven. Understanding how often employees use different spaces and to what capacity they are occupied can result in better office design.

Smaller offices, more collaboration, and agile working concepts—while the implementation may have to wait for now in light of social distancing guidelines, preparing for this transition should not. In order to anticipate and plan for the workplace of the future, companies need to embrace technologies for monitoring and managing space utilization. If this data is stored in Building Information Modeling (BIM) systems, it can be leveraged across the entire lifecycle of a building—from planning to management—for architects, engineers, and office managers.

About Keon Matthijs

Koen Matthijs was appointed as Chief Division Officer, Operate & Manage Division, Nemetschek Group in February 2019. In this role, he focuses on creating a strong portfolio for his division, including the further development of the solutions from Spacewell and Crem Solutions.

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