BIM (Building Information Modeling)

What is BIM (Building Information Modeling)?

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a collaborative process that creates and manages digital representations of buildings throughout their lifecycle. Unlike traditional CAD drawings that represent buildings with lines and shapes, BIM models contain intelligent objects—walls, doors, windows, and systems—that carry data about their properties, relationships, and behaviors.

The power of BIM lies in its information-rich nature. A door in a BIM model isn't just a graphic symbol; it's a database object with properties including dimensions, fire rating, hardware sets, manufacturer, cost, and maintenance requirements. This data can be extracted for schedules, specifications, cost estimates, and facility management systems.

BIM enables unprecedented coordination between project team members. Architects, structural engineers, and MEP consultants work in coordinated models where conflicts between systems can be detected automatically. This clash detection capability identifies problems like ductwork running through structural beams before construction begins, reducing costly field changes.

Beyond design and construction, BIM models serve as valuable assets for building operations. Facility managers can access model data for maintenance planning, space management, and renovation projects. This lifecycle value proposition has driven widespread BIM adoption and increasingly stringent BIM requirements from building owners and government agencies.