Multi-Housing News - April 2009 - (Page 22)

tech trends Construction Intelligence One hour of Building Information Modeling can eliminate 10 hours of work in the field By Christopher Hosford, Contributing Editor Let’s be clear: BIM is not the new super nutritious breakfast drink, nor is it the latest texting acronym. Rather, BIM stands for building information modeling, a software solution showing intriguing potential for taking the design, costing and construction of apartment developments to a whole new level. Typically, the how and why of design renderings are not of much interest to developers. However, BIM’s ability to create enriched 3D (and even 4D, complete with timelines) models before a project is even begun can help developers and their designers realize significant cost savings and efficiencies. “You can go from having an idea on paper to a complete model on the computer in a pretty quick time period,” says Arno Sandoval, architectural specialist with KAI Design & Build, in St. Louis. “With BIM, you can start looking for decisions early on that will help later in the construction process.” BIM software works in conjunction with the drawing program, such as AutoCAD. And because it packs rich product and cost detail into the rendering, all in rotatable 3D images, planned-for issues and costs are immediately apparent. For example, instead of walls being rendered as merely lines on a computer screen, BIM can add in such elements as electrical, mechanical and plumbing ingredients, or how many studs, trusses, windows and acres of concrete are needed, along with costs. It also can specify color and finishes, with pricing from vendors. Heading off trouble Also easily discernible are looming mistakes that may not be obvious until construction is well along. In the business, it’s known as “clashes.” Imagine cabinetry that overhangs a kitchen wall by an inch, or ductwork that dead-ends into a concrete column. These are the types of things, onlookers say, that arise most dramatically as different sets of drawings are changed without being merged in some meaningful way. From that standpoint, BIM is largely a communication and collaboration tool. “If you have a duct that is running right through a column, you can identify that before it’s almost built,” Sandoval says. By eliminating change orders and through other efficiencies, Sandoval says, “One hour of BIM eliminates about 10 hours of work in the field.” A KAI client is developer McCormack Baron Salazar, whose first phase of the Legends Park redevelopment of a 400-unit mixed-income project in Memphis, Tenn. is the company’s first using the BIM process. Tom Currell, vice president with the developer, says he expects the use of BIM will produce a standardized design checklist, with such ingredients as window and door specs, plumbing fixtures, cabinetry and flooring details to be implemented in other projects and with different architects around the country. “In large part, BIM will be providing quality control for us,” Currell says, “with better cost controls in the long run.” He anticipates it can aid volume purchasing in the future. While Currell has high hopes for the future of BIM in his own firm, he says it’s still in the fledgling stage and has resulted in “some rough spots.” For example, he says the Legends Park first phase was half complete when clashes with structural elements and ductwork were encountered. The problem was traced to an MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) consultant who resorted to 2D CAD drawings because of the steep BIM learning curve. A design caveat Not all designers see the benefit of BIM, however. Some say it is most beneficial for templated, cookie cutter-like projects. “The challenge we see with so many multifamily Renderings courtesy of KAI Design & Build projects is that prices are up and down,” observes Stephen Moore, president of BSB Design in West Des Moines, Iowa. “The price of something in Atlanta may be nowhere near the price of things in Phoenix.” And there are cost hits. Autodesk, whose AutoCAD design tool works with its Revit Architecture BIM software, has estimated that BIM adds one-half of one percent to a building’s cost if few or none of the players are BIM-current. However, with full BIM implementation, design and construction productivity can increase by 25 percent. Currell agrees with Moore to the extent that BIM achieves its fullest potential with scale. But he adds that its implementation may depend more on mindset than on incompatibilities with multifamily realities. “Yes, you have to be doing enough volume, because BIM is an investment,” he says. “It only pays if you have another project right around the corner. But it’s also a feedback process. The software is capable of helping make sense of a project, but somebody has to agree to have the meeting, have the discussion, and generate the report. If you’re of an ilk to change your design process and to implement some quality control measures, you can benefit from BIM.” To comment, e-mail diana.mosher@nielsen.com. Learn how BIM can benefit owners, even after project completion. Visit www.multi-housingnews.com/BIM 22 April 2009 | Multi-Housing News | Official Publication of Multi-Housing World http://www.multi-housingnews.com/BIM

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Multi-Housing News - April 2009

Multi-Housing News - April 2009
Contents
From the Editor
Executive Insight: Sue Ansel
Finance: Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac
Quote of the Month
Market Forecast: Texas
Profile: Affordable Developers
Operations: Green Laundry Rooms
Technology: BIM
Kitchen & Bath: Tile Installation
Perspective: Doug Bibby, NMHC

Multi-Housing News - April 2009