Vol. 1 2012 Productivity and Efficiencies of BIM Families
How does BIM work?

BIM is essentially a comprehensive digital simulation of graphical and non-graphical information of a building’s entire life cycle. It differs from “2D AutoCAD” in the parametric nature, as it uses 3D, real-time, and dynamic building modeling software. Information such as material, budget pricing, schedules, number of units, etc. are attached to the model/file. Whereby, the file may be utilized by many stakeholders involved in the project. As it contains all the necessary details of a particular product, users are able to save time and have the ability to extract the specific information that is needed for their trade.
BIM Productivity
“The AIA believes that all industry-supporting software must facilitate, not inhibit, project planning, design, construction, commissioning and life-cycle management.
Overall productivity loss and fragmentation in the capital facilities development industries is no longer tolerable. Architects need to practice the best way they know, and practice profitably; software interoperability problems must not hold them back. Potential of loss of competition in the software market is not acceptable.
Without software interoperability the AIA further states several problems the AEC industry, owners and architects in particular will face due to lack of interoperability.”
Anthony Frausto-Robledo, “AIA Board of Directors Approves Statement on Interoperability,“ Architosh, 10 Feb. 2010,
How is BIM Green?
“BIM provides the capability to design efficient “Green buildings”, allowing designers to measure water and energy usage from mechanical equipment and plumbing fixtures based on calculations. This allows designers to optimize their systems while achieving green building objectives such as LEED certification.”
– Christian Tiora, B.Eng, LEED Green Associate.
When used properly, BIM has incredible potential to assist the construction industry designer with their project. More specifically, it allows firms to effectively address the challenges of streamlining processes, updating, and forecasting information.
For example, a BIM user has the ability to access their project and with a few clicks of the mouse (or a few touches on a SMART Board), so that they can compare the benefits of specifying green products, such as
- Pint Urinals or Waterless Urinals
- Dual-flush flush valves or Dual-flush low-consumption toilets
- Solar powered faucets or metering faucets
- Thermal efficient commercial gas water heaters or electric water heaters
- Etc.
The potential and comparisons are endless. BIM is software that allows designers to visualize the efficiencies or inefficiencies of their complete building construction. By creating a BIM project, the designer can weigh their options, and select the best product for their application.
Final Thoughts
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