ACR Journal

14 COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN Volume 7 No.5 August | September 2021 Go back just a few years and putting together a specification for a building project would have been a long and frustrating headache for architects and designers. Additional costs and overrunning contracts would be almost inevitable as issues arising from the complexity of the build would only become apparent once work was underway. Thanks to digitalisation and advances in technology, many of those problems can now be avoided. At the same time, project management and construction have become more efficient, with significant savings and long-term benefits. The recent introduction of Building Information Modelling, or BIM, means that those involved in the specification process (from architects to surveyors, building services engineers to contractors) can work to a shared virtual model. A model that provides a detailed picture of how each particular unit fits into the overall system or building design, how they interact and if any changes are necessary as a result. It is acknowledged as a more effective way of working than the ‘old’ drawing board method, where design teams worked independently of each other on a series of multi-stage drawings. Building Information Modelling (BIM) is becoming ever more popular as the ‘go-to’ design process for construction projects. Daniel Smith, BIM manager for Conex Bänninger, explains the significant benefits of this form of digital specification and how it can help those tasked with planning ACR installations. Why BIM is the model design process for ACR installations Daniel Smith