Building the Future in 3D
Why is BIM and in particular 3D modelling an essential part of our building future?
To put it simply 3D modelling allows everyone involved in a project to see what they will get before they get it. We can sort
out most problems before they get to site and before you get involved in the expensive building exercise can't we?
The 3D modelling of almost any structure can help engage the future users & give us all the better buildings we deserve!
We can discuss materials, reduce heating requirements & hence CO2 emissions solve maintenance issues before they
occur and as a team develop a more understandable & useable building.
For many centuries the 'Designers of Buildings' kept the visualisation work mainly to themselves. Of course they attempted
to share information with clients artistically but generally in 2D which can sometimes make things more complicated, for
people not used to working in this way, than they are in real life.
So the "design interpretation & understanding of all design elements" became the remit of a few experts & in some
respects an industry in itself. Visualisation has always been where the expertise lay (2D or 3D) & on the majority of
projects the only partially understandable interface for the others involved (except for the bottom line of course) was the
project drawings & the designers' vision of what the client wanted. However since not everyone understands drawings &
in particular the complex overlays of architectural / structural design elements within these drawings surely it is better to
give the client a representation of what he actually does want? So I believe a "3D model or 3D walk through" can be a powerful
tool in representing the building before it gets built also changes can be made before they become 'Constructively Expensive'.
In the medium and long term working in 3D can be very cost effective especially if phased correctly and putting things right
on the '3D Model' before it gets built will become the normal way of working, for all building work. Can you afford not to start
using 3D soon on your new build or extension?
Of course the next question is which package to use? But that is too big a question for now, I believe the jury is out on that
one for the moment.
