Paves the path for the adoption and effective implementation of BIM by design firms, emphasizing the design opportunities that this workflow affords
This book expands on BIM (Building Information Modeling), showing its applicability to a range of design-oriented projects. It emphasizes the full impact that a data modeling tool has on design processes, systems, and the high level of collaboration required across the design team. It also explains the quantitative analysis opportunities that BIM affords for sustainable design and for balancing competing design agendas, while highlighting the benefits BIM offers to designing in 3D for construction. The book concludes with a deep look at the possible future of BIM and digitally-enhanced design.
Through clear explanation of the processes involved and compelling case studies of design-oriented projects presented with full-color illustrations, BIM for Design Firms: Data Rich Architecture at Small and Medium Scales proves that the power of BIM is far more than an improved documentation and sharing environment. It offers chapters that discuss a broad range of digital design, including problems with BIM, how readers can leverage BIM workflows for complex projects, the way BIM is taught, and more.
* Helps architects in small and medium design studios realize the cost and efficiency benefits of using BIM
* Demonstrates how the use of BIM is as relevant and beneficial for a range of projects, from small buildings to large and complex commercial developments
* Highlights the quantitative analysis opportunities of data-rich BIM models across design disciplines for climate responsiveness, design exploration, visualization, documentation, and error detection
* Includes full-color case studies of small to medium projects, so that examples are applicable to a range of practice types
* Features projects by Arca Architects, ARX Protugal Arquitectos, Bearth & Deplazes, Durbach Block Jaggers, Flansburgh Architects, and LEVER Architecture
BIM for Design Firms is an excellent book for architects in small and medium-sized studios (including design departments within large firms) as well as for architecture students.
Table of Content
Acknowledgments vii
Introduction ix
1 Digital Design 1
Introduction 1
What’s Wrong with BIM? 7
Leveraging BIM Workflows in the Design and Delivery of Complex Projects 9
BIM in Academia: How BIM Is Taught 15
Conclusion 27
2 BIM Past and Present 29
A Brief History of BIM 29
The Right Project for BIM 33
BIM-Authoring Platforms and Technologies 34
Driving Model-Based Deliverables with the BIM Forum Level of Development (LOD) Specification 42
Industry Foundation Classes 46
Other BIM Interoperability 61
3 What Tools Mean 65
Introduction 65
BIM: What It Is and What It Isn’t 68
The Myth of the Neutral Tool 82
Guiding Principles 85
4 Appropriate Technology 91
Introduction 91
Transitioning to BIM 95
5 Case Studies in Form Making 121
Introduction 121
The Case Studies 122
Conclusion 148
6 Case Studies in Digital Fabrication 149
Introduction 149
Case Studies 150
7 BIM Tomorrow: Trends in Technology 175
A Technology-Rich Future for the Profession 175
Digital Realities: Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Modes 176
Computational Design and Visual Programming Languages 185
Li DAR, Photogrammetry, and Point Clouds 193
Artificial Intelligence (AI) 196
Conclusion 201
Afterword 203
Index 207
About the author
François Lévy (MArch, MSE; AIA, AIAA), has taught digital design, BIM, and environmental controls courses at The University of Texas, UT San Antonio, and St. Edward’s University in Austin at the undergraduate and graduate level. A practicing architect and partner at Lévy Kohlhaas Architects, his projects have attracted regional and national press. Lévy is the author of BIM for Small-Scale Sustainable Design and contributed to The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, 15th Edition, both from Wiley.
Jeffrey W. Ouellette (Assoc. AIA, IES), is a technology and culture progress advocate for the built asset industry. Leveraging his past 30 years in CAD, architectural practice, BIM, software development and marketing, he provides independent consulting services for companies interested in building SMART International (b SI) open BIM standards, adopting modern business practices, and evolving industry culture to execute projects more effectively. Jeffrey acts as a building SMART International ambassador to organizations such as the American Institute of Architects and the Illuminating Engineering Society.