A smart building is defined as any structure or facility that uses automated processes to control the building’s operations. The key focus is on reduction in the use of non-renewable sources of energy and relying more on renewable sources of energy thereby reducing the impact on the environment. That apart, business benefits like optimized operations, better management, reduced operational costs, and less effort can accrue.

Though this definition encompasses various factors it is not restricted within these parameters. There is no single standard definition available to describe a smart building or structure in the construction and infrastructure industry. The common parameters amongst the smart structures are better resource utilization and reduced effort.

Constructing a smart building involves linking the core systems of the structure such as lighting, power meters, heating, cooling, pumps, fire alarms, and plants with sensors, and easily accessible integrated control systems.

The conventional structures remain just structures, unlike smart structures which could improve with time and external factors to provide more than just shelter and safety to its inhabitants.

Smart Buildings & Building Information Modelling

According to the experts, the future of the construction industry lies in building smart structures that will evolve with the ever-evolving technology. It is not technology alone that makes a structure smart. A smart structure is an amalgamation of technology, processes, and standards – the guiding force behind this paradigm shift in the construction and infrastructure industry today.

If smart structures are the future, then one cannot overstate the importance of BIM in this endeavor. Constructing a smart building involves the integration of several different aspects that go into the construction and BIM specializes in doing that.

BIM can be extremely vital in the initial stages of a project. The digital graphical representation of the facility helps in identifying and eliminating any shortcomings before beginning the construction of the facility. A building plan can be optimized with the assistance of the consolidated streamlining of data provided by the BIM software.

BIM can play a crucial role in the inception, execution, construction, and maintenance of these smart buildings. Here is how:

1.    Integrated Design

One of the highlights of the BIM approach is the integration of data that is easily accessible to architects, engineers, designers, and builders. Every change that is made in the design gets automatically updated across the project. This helps in avoiding conflicts and gets everyone on the same page.

2.    Digital Representation

The graphical representation of the design in the form of a 3D model helps in understanding and thereby eradicating conflicts in the design. This is done during the inception phase which helps in avoiding loss of time and curtailing costs during the construction phase. This assists in the smart utilization of resources and in reducing wastage of time as well as materials.

3.    Integrated Data

The digital platform of BIM helps in centralising the data for all the involved stakeholders. It provides a single source of truth. The availability of information to every party helps in eliminating errors of judgment and miscommunication that commonly happen during large-scale construction projects. Information regarding the quantities of the required material to be procured, and estimates of proposed and current usage help in keeping a lid on over-ordering and unbudgeted expenses.

4.    Security System

BIM software provides a base that can be leveraged for a comprehensive and cohesive security apparatus. This can be the foundation for consolidating and generating data points with the help of smart sensors and systems installed throughout the facility. The advanced security system is not targeted to be used by the inhabitants alone. It can ensure safety during the construction period as well, by restricting unwanted maneuvering on the project site, and by assisting the management team with an overview of the activities being carried out on the site.

5.    3D Modelling

3D modelling in BIM helps in understanding not just the construction plan for a facility that we can see but also the underground construction (unseen or buried). It provides useful information to the construction team regarding existing pipelines or fiber-optic cables. The information also helps in knowing how far to dig without causing any damage to the existing underground structure. Adding in the 5D, 6D, and 7D dimensions helps to map the scale, scope, and state of construction at various project stages with respect to critical cost parameters during construction and on an ongoing basis post-construction too. This provides invaluable information for planning, execution, and management of the building.

6.    Enhanced Project Visualization

BIM-modelling promotes enhanced and more accurate visualization of the facility post-construction. This can become the foundation for creating management plans for the facility. This is especially critical as it captures the as-built condition of the building including providing for the changes in the plan that would have been made during the construction phase. This becomes an essential foundation to build automation strategies on. It removes the guesswork from the automation strategy and helps create a better, more comprehensive, and more tightly-integrated plan.

The future is digital, and BIM is accelerating technological advancement and innovation in the construction industry. The journey to a Smart Building starts well before the construction starts – and BIM can drive that Smart journey from day one!

Every infrastructure construction project comprises different teams of varying sizes working together at any given point in time of the project. Coordination between the groups of architects, designers, engineers, contractors, and specialist contractors has always been a major challenge in the construction industry. Streamlining the work, especially in large-scale projects, is vital. Errors in judgment or execution can result in loss of time and money -both scarce commodities.

Let me paraphrase from a NICMAR report that I found. Studies across various construction projects in many different countries found that the major causes for delays in projects were:

• Design changes by the owners during construction
• Errors in the planning stages
• Poor site management
• Delay in producing design documents
• Lack of effective communication

And what’s the impact? The same study says that (at the time of the examination) 49.6% of the time in construction was devoted to wasteful activities.

A developing country like India cannot afford to lose out due to such preventable issues. Today, the country is undergoing significant public infrastructure development in every town and city. Over the next 5 years, India plans to turn a whopping 50 cities into smart cities, and infrastructure work for it has already begun.

The Nagpur Metro Rail Project is one such major infrastructure project undertaken by the Maharashtra Government. Under this project, an elevated metro corridor, spanning over 40 km across the city with 36 stations and 2 depots is being constructed. The project is well on the way to completion and trial runs have already begun. It’s fair to say that it is one of the fastest infrastructure projects being carried out in the country today.

Controlling cost in such largescale projects is a herculean task. The most effective way of managing cost is by planning and collaborating better and eliminating discrepancies in the design and estimated time and raw materials required for the completion of the project.

Nagpur Metro is also one of those major public infrastructure projects which have successfully used and implemented Building Information Modelling (BIM). I have been personally involved in this aspect of the project, and I am sure that BIM has allowed Nagpur Metro to reap benefits in the form of cost-cutting and time-saving.

Nagpur Metro Rail Project leveraged BIM to accelerate work and control costs. During a conference in Singapore in 2017, Mr. Brijesh Dixit – MD, Nagpur Metro Rail Project highlighted the following points:

•   Cost savings of around 12% has been achieved concerning logistics travel and staff days. It is expected to grow up to 15% by the end of the completion of the project.

•    Savings in time around 8% have been achieved which is likely to rise to 11% by the end of the project.

•   The end of the project anticipates a reduction of overhead costs from 5% to 3.5%.

•   Cost savings of around 8% is expected over the DPR projected costs.

How did BIM help in achieving this?

Just repeating that BIM is software that helps in generating a digital representation of the physical and functional characteristics of a facility. The 3D representation allows architects, engineers, and builders to plan, design, manage, and execute the project efficiently. The data related to the facility is saved in the form of digital files that is accessible to all the stakeholders in the project. This centralisation of data helps in eliminating duplication, thereby avoiding confusion during the execution phase. BIM uses six dimensions (6D) to create a holistic construction plan. These six dimensions are:

•   Width/Length

•   Depth/Breadth

•   Height

•   Time

•   Cost

•   As-built /Facilities management

The inclusion of the 4th and 5th dimension helps in making accurate projections about the time and estimation of costs required to complete the project. The 6th Dimension, As-Built/Facilities management helps in having accurate information of any updates during construction which will help with facilities management. Every infrastructure project evolves during construction, and it becomes difficult to keep track of these changes. The As-Built is the final drawing of the facility which incorporates every small little change that is made in the actual design during the construction process.  This becomes precious information for the ongoing maintenance of the project even after construction is completed.

Why make BIM Mandatory for Public Infrastructural Work?

Before answering the why, let’s look at the benefits of implementing BIM:

•   Helps in accelerating the completion of the project by facilitating better planning

•   Helps in saving and cutting down construction cost through clash detection

•   Helps in saving through construction process simulation

•   Helps in eliminating unbudgeted changes

•   Helps in reducing the request for information or missing information

•   Helps in reducing the time required to generate estimates

•   Helps in better collaboration between the various stakeholders

Think of all the extensive public infrastructure work going on in the country today. Now, think of executing those infrastructure projects with the help of BIM. BIM will not only help in cutting costs but will also help in driving faster project completion. UK made the use of BIM mandatory in public infrastructure projects a couple of years ago. Last year a report by PwC estimated that on a projected public infrastructure spend of GBP 31.7 Billion on 2018/19, public funds to the tune of GBP 429 Million could be saved. That’s in 1 year!

The Nagpur Metro Rail Project is an example of how effective BIM-driven construction can prove to be for public infrastructure projects. Today, the Metro work in Nagpur has been more than 40% complete. This has been achieved within 2 years.

To me the choice is clear, and it is inevitable, I appeal to the Government of India to make BIM mandatory for every public infrastructure project being carried out in the country today. It’s the need of the hour!

Reference:

https://www.nicmar.ac.in/pdf/2012/Oct-Dec%202012/07%20Communication%20II%20-%20Time%20Waste%20And%20Delays%20In%20Construction%20Projects.pdf

We would like to start by painting a picture. India’s construction industry contributes the most to India’s economy, just behind agriculture. It’s also the second-largest in terms of employment and provides thousands of jobs around the country. According to estimates provided by the government, the construction industry has grown by 80% over the past 4 years and has gone from generating $78 billion in 2013, to around $140 billion in 2017. Explosive growth is great, but growth should also come to greater social consciousness. And sure enough, an aspect that is getting ever-more attention is the safety of construction workers and safe practices on construction sites.

It is, unfortunately, true that each year, many workers die on construction sites, either due to falls, electrical mishaps, or accidents at the workplace. The labor Ministry figures (reported by NDTV) show that 450 workers were killed and 212 injured on site in 2013. Between 2013 and 2016, the numbers almost doubled, to 1,092 deaths and 377 workers injured.

A sector that’s as relevant and promising as real estate must include better safety regulations. We believe that technology and innovation can solve many problems, and Building Information Modelling (BIM), in particular, has a lot of potentials to solve many problems. Let’s take a look at how BIM can help improve construction safety.

Focus on innovation in safety

When it comes to construction, the most effective forms of safety programming occur during the planning and preconstruction phases of a project. Till recently, pre-construction safety improvement techniques, such as designing for safety (DfS) have faced many issues which are caused due to design flaws. What BIM does is that it allows the opportunity to detect and predict hazards from an early stage. It’s a collaborative effort because our designers need to be aligned with all the other project stakeholders to identify, isolate, and fix the hazards and risks early.

Leveraging data to improve safety at the pre-construction level

BIM can effectively make use of data to improve safety at various stages. Risk analysis and safety evaluations that would previously only be carried out at the site can now be automated, thanks to BIM. Designers are able to identify hazards way before they come into play. The design-driven storage and indexing of documents and certificates make referencing a lot easier. This allows designers to plan out their safety measures with greater precision and in accordance with all the regulations and compliance mandates.

Visualisation and prediction

One of the very cool applications of BIM is that it allows you to configure the digital information so that one can preview a range of potential (what-if) scenarios. Consider how useful it would be to do this with reference to health, safety, and hazards. Designers are able to play out all kinds of scenarios so that when it’s time to construct, everything is in place and one is well prepared.

Advantages of BIM on-site

The superior material-planning abilities of BIM allows us to fully utilize the prefabrication of materials off-site, in a highly safe and controlled way. It also facilitates automated compliance checking, which means that one can swiftly check if everything is up to mark in terms of regulations with little effort. Scenario-planning once again comes into play, where BIM becomes the fundamental blueprint for the contractor on-site.

Training workers in safety

Most construction workers in India are from low-income backgrounds and are mostly uneducated. This means that there is sometimes a language barrier when it comes to communicating rules, regulations, and best practices. BIM’s ability to communicate information visually and in an interactive manner can be leveraged to visually showcase critical elements, plans, and developing situations. This helps ensure that the workers get a better training experience and are better prepared for any kind of scenario.

Reduction of rework

Since BIM has a holistic approach, it factors in everything, from electrical plans to plumbing and everything else. This means that there is greater synergy between teams and very few clashes between tasks. Fewer clashes mean less rework and also a reduction in accidents that may occur when people onsite try to find “on the fly” solutions to address such clashes.

The role of advanced tech within the BIM framework

BIM also mixes well with futuristic technology such as simulation, augmented reality, and virtual reality. Not only do these help provide a better user experience, but they also help to visualize forthcoming challenges better and to plan better to reduce the risks on site.

It is said that during the design of the empire state building in New York, the design team infamously allowed for ‘one death per floor’ in the report for the project. During the construction, “only” seven people lost their lives which was actually viewed as a good thing. In an age where technology can be used to enhance almost every aspect of our life, it is time that we use it for the betterment of all, including the staff on the construction site. The real estate industry is beginning to embrace modern technology to make the process of construction more efficient, faster, and resource-conscious. We suggest that technology should also play a role in improving construction safety.

Can BIM be the core of your Green Building strategy?

Sustainable/green design is driving a sea of change in the construction industry across the globe. A Smart Market report says that Green Buildings enjoy an 8% savings in operating cost in the first year itself and that the building asset value also goes up by as much as 7%. This World Green Building Trends 2018 Smart Market Report projected that while 27% of the industry was doing “more than 60% of their projects green” in 2021, this number would grow to 47% -i.e. nearly half of all construction projects.

This can be seen in a couple of different ways. One that the trend of Green Buildings is growing. These buildings are designed to be inherently more conscious and sustainable in how they use resources. They are typically LEED-certified and the focus is more on running them “green.” From our perspective, there is, of course, another angle to this too. That is, how can the process of construction itself be more environmentally conscious and green. This post is about how the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry can, and indeed already is, leverage BIM to support and promote the cause of green buildings in all ways.

What is sustainable construction?

The word ‘sustainable’ has been so overused in the past decade that people have started to cringe at the mere mention of it. Everything from buildings to farming is shifting towards sustainability. Let’s look at what sustainability in the construction industry means.

Sustainable construction can be best defined as an attempt to meet the challenges and requirements of present-day infrastructure needs without adding a dent to the already stressed environment. It is far more than installing energy-efficient electrical systems or appliances. It is an attempt to meet the current needs without comprising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

The sustainable or green design focuses on every aspect and element of the design and construction phases along with the future needs of operation and maintenance of a facility.

BIM and Green Design

The recent discussions in the U.S. between the American Institute of Architects Committee on the Environment (AIA/COTE) and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) reflects the growing focus on green or sustainable design. Perhaps it’s no coincidence that the US along with other countries like Finland, the UK, and Denmark have adopted BIM for the majority of their public infrastructure work.

This focus on sustainability is visible elsewhere too. India’s current focus is on building smart cities. Public infrastructure development is underway in many Tier-II cities. Among the main focus areas of any smart city, the project is sustainable living. Sustainable living demands green buildings that thrive on optimum and intelligent utilization of the resources at hand.

Role of BIM in Green Design

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a cutting-edge technology that is widely adopted by the construction industry worldwide for better planning, resource utilization, collaboration, and cost control. These attributes suggest that BIM could be leveraged for creating sustainable projects too. Here’s how a connection can be established between sustainable construction and BIM:

1.    Transparency during the design phase

The shared model feature in BIM software helps in providing easy access to the design data for all the involved stakeholders. This allows the architects, engineers, builders, and designers to brainstorm upon the proposed materials and products that are going to be used in the project. In focus can be issues like whether the proposed options are environmentally conscious while delivering the needed functionality or whether an alternative can work better. The entire team can bring in their knowledge and expertise to find a sustainable BIM solution.

2.    Greater efficiency during designing and construction

The real-time sharing of data through the multidimensional model generated by BIM allows collaboration, simulation, and reviewing of workflows at every stage from inception to execution. This helps in increasing efficiency by saving time through clash detection and thereby reducing the overall likelihood of possible human errors or the need for rework. This saves resources, reduces wastage, and ensures work gets done faster -all helping to reduce the environmental footprint.

The better planning that BIM promotes also helps drive better material procurement and utilization. Only as much material as is needed is ordered, only that much is stored on-site, and material wastage is less. This drives more conscious consumption of construction material and a reduced impact on the environment.

3.    Performance monitoring during the operations phase

The projects in the past faced difficulties in maintaining data about the changes made to the design during the construction phase. This created much trouble for those tasked with maintaining the building since they did not have a final design of the facility. However, the real-time data sharing feature of the BIM makes it easy to maintain a list of all the changes executed during the construction phase. This assists the building owner or manager to carry out maintenance work efficiently once the building is operational. This optimizes the ongoing resource utilization of the building and, hence, the environmental impact.

The construction industry worldwide is being swept up in the global movement to be more environmentally conscious. This is also a regulatory imperative. As this article should show, Building Information Modelling (BIM) could help construction companies achieve these green goals.

The construction industry is in the middle of a paradigm shift in the designing and execution of construction projects. Part of this change is being driven by an increasing reliance on Building Information Modelling (BIM) – a digital representation of the physical and functional characteristics of a facility. The BIM software provides a comprehensive view of all the elements of the construction before they are physically built. This helps the designers, architects, and builders to eliminate any shortcomings in the design ay the inception itself, thereby cutting costs and saving time.

Time and cost are the two most vital elements in a construction project. A minor deviation or a clash detected late in the game can mean increased costs and time spent. The digital representation in the BIM software allows all the involved parties and stakeholders to understand the practical implication of the design.

Why BIM?

The benefits of using BIM are many:

• Saves time

• Effective cost-control tool

• Collates and streamlines data making it easily accessible for everyone

• Uses technology to eliminate human error

• Helps in extracting an accurate estimate for the construction materials

• A more comprehensive approach to a design

• Saves construction time through clash detection

• A view of the practical implication of a proposed design

So, the benefits of BIM established, how do you go about selecting a BIM partner for your specific construction effort?

How to choose a BIM partner?

BIM services have gained importance in the recent past, and there are quite a few service providers in the market today. It can be hard to choose a BIM partner. To make the choice just that bit easier, here are some key points for you to consider:

1. Experience

The most important thing to consider when selecting a BIM partner is the experience. What makes the BIM partner under consideration stand apart? It must be the experience. How many projects have they worked on? What specific role did they play? How large were the projects? How deep was their involvement? These questions will help give you an insight into just how skilled your potential partner is.

2. The Clientele

Experience alone cannot be the parameter to finalize a BIM partner. A look at their clientele will help you in understanding the BIM partner’s portfolio and their nature of work. Every construction project has its unique requirements and choosing a BIM partner with the right experience relevant to your own requirements could prove crucial.

3. References and Feedback

There’s no better publicity than word-of-mouth publicity. If a BIM partner is as good as they claim to be, you will hear it from their clients in the market. Their reputation will be driven by the word-of-mouth publicity they are able to drive. That apart, do a reference check. Get in touch with the client references they provide. No one can give accurate insights into a service provider better than the clients they have been associated with. This feedback from the clients they have previously worked with or are currently working with will help you understand aspects like their professionalism, ability to meet deadlines, and other aspects important to you.

4. International Presence

A BIM service provider with an international presence and experience will bring a greater depth and breadth of expertise that a purely locally-based BIM partner cannot. The international experience should mean that the BIM partner would have gained exposure to international best practices, cutting-edge tools and techniques, and ways of working. International projects are also likely to have driven this provider to create stronger processes for documentation, collaboration, and communication. This can add richness to your own project planning and execution as well.

5. People

An experienced team with proper knowledge of BIM technology and its application is an essential asset. It is critical to find out about the team of your BIM partner and their overall experience with the various tools, techniques, and software. This is, of course, only part of the story. The people should have experience in the science of construction and in the details like building codes and rules too.

6. Latest Technology

BIM software has also undergone a few evolutions over the years that it has been around. It is essential to know and verify whether the BIM partner under consideration is using the latest software and tools or not. It’s not just about the BIM tools -what about their knowledge of the other technological advances in the field of construction?

7. Aligning Expectations

Before making the final call, it is essential to define exactly what you are expecting from your BIM partner. Start with the end in mind and seek a path to that objective from your BIM partner. Define milestones and deliverables as tightly as is practically possible. This helps you and your BIM partner to stay on the same page. This will help you keep track of the success of this effort.

Benjamin Franklin has said, “Be slow in choosing a friend, slower in changing.” It’s easy to see that advice applying to your choice of BIM partner too. The right choice will help you derive cost benefits, save you time and effort, and help you excel in your project execution. When you get all that, there’s really no reason to change then, is there?

• India will invest Rs. 5.97 Trillion in creating and upgrading infrastructure in the current Financial Year!
• Mandating the use of BIM in public sector projects has saved the UK over $ 2 Billion in just 3 years.
• The Top 100 Contractors operate at a profitability of only 1.5%!

World over, industry segment after industry segment is benefiting from adopting technology, and the construction industry has no choice but to follow suit. This is where Building Information Modelling (BIM), is revolutionizing the way the construction industry works worldwide. While internationally BIM has gained mass popularity in recent times it has been around in one form or the other for years now. Even in construction projects in India, both public and private, BIM is making an impact. This post is a call to all engaged in the construction business in India to embrace BIM.

But first, for those who are still unsure about what BIM is, here’s a refresher. BIM is a multi-dimensional graphical representation of a construction project. It is the visual representation of the infrastructural design that highlights the physical and intrinsic features of a plan. In a very real sense, it allows one to build virtually before you have to build physically.

The BIM approach helps in understanding and eliminating any issues that might arise during the construction phase. The three dimensions of BIM when married with parameters like time, cost, and the project lifecycle management create a 6-dimensional model that becomes a common frame of reference for all stakeholders. This allows the architects, engineers, and builders to plan and execute the work efficiently by eliminating or minimising likely obstacles they may face during the construction process. It facilitates sound decision making thereby making the project management efficient by curtailing the various project costs.

Dr. Anil Sawhney, Associate Dean, RICS School of Built Environment has this to say, “BIM adoption will be crucial for real-estate and infrastructure development in India. Increased competition, pressure on margins and stiffer regulatory environment require that we embrace BIM as it extends the capacity of the project team to start thinking about time, cost, quality, sustainability and other pragmatic parameters in the early stages of a project.”

Why adopt BIM?

Time and money are the most critical aspects of construction or infrastructural project, and BIM helps the stakeholders – engineers, architects, and builders to work in tandem and derive an accurate estimation for both. This helps in controlling project costs and facilitates efficient project management.

Here are the top 5 reasons why the Indian construction industry should adopt BIM:

1. A real view of the project

A drawing on paper has its limitations which BIM surpasses by creating a real-life model of the incepted design. This real-life model helps in providing an accurate vision of how a particular building or an infrastructural design will look upon its completion. The designs carved out on paper tend to undergo modification during the construction process due to their inability to cater to the issues of the actual construction. The digital design provides much deeper insights into the nitty-gritty of carrying out the construction of the design.

2. Eliminates unbudgeted changes

Building a virtual model through BIM helps in creating a single system of record that all the stakeholders subscribe to. This common understanding helps to drive all discussions and plans. That, in turn, helps in curtailing the unbudgeted changes made on-the-fly during the construction phase. The virtual model provides a practical view of the construction progress. Comparing the actual site as-built with the BIM model projected at that point in time provides a transparent data point for identifying deviations. This means that there are no last-minute changes made to the design during the construction period. This also helps in controlling construction costs due to unforeseen changes in the actual design.

3. Cost monitoring

The biggest challenge in a construction project is to curtail the project cost. The project cost is dependent upon the estimation of time, quantity of materials required, and labor. We have spoken of how time can be saved with BIM. That apart, it becomes easier to control costs through the accurate estimate derived from BIM. The virtual model provides the most accurate estimations that cannot be calculated otherwise. Materials can be ordered only for the quantity required only at the time required. This eliminates wastage through over-ordering, and delays due to under-ordering, and also eliminates material loss and costs of storing on-site.

4. Streamlines work

An infrastructural design is bound to see thousands of changes until the construction work is completed. Paper drawings become a hassle while trying to maintain and record the changes made to the proposed design. BIM reduces the chances of extra work or re-work. The model can be updated easily due to its digital nature. All the changes that need to be made to the actual design are instantly adapted into BIM. This record is available to everyone all the time as it is accessible to all the concerned parties.

5. Resolves potential conflicts by use of clash detection

One of the significant issues to arise during construction is clashes. There are several activities that could end up getting in each other’s way over the process of construction. For eg. consider electrical conduit or piping going thru a beam. Such clashes can also occur with plumbing, HVAC, and other such activities too. Under normal circumstances, the only option is to redesign and re-work at a late stage in the project. The BIM model can help identify these clashes during the design process itself. This helps in saving time as schedules can be modified and plan changed to ensure that there are no clashes.

It’s clear that adopting and implementing BIM can smoothen the way for effective project implementation in the construction industry. This is driving BIM adoption in the developed economies of the world. Given the vast scale of the infrastructural projects underway in India, it is time for the Indian construction industry to welcome BIM technology with open arms. There are at least 5 solid reasons to do so!

Major countries have been adopting and implementing Building Information Modelling (BIM) in their public infrastructure projects. The UK can be regarded as the undisputed champion of the same with a mandate that all centrally-procured construction projects have to achieve BIM Level 2. Finland has been implementing BIM since 2002. Denmark has mandated all state clients to adopt BIM practices. The U.S too has policies in place mandating BIM adoption for certain categories of public-service projects.

So why are countries across the world adopting BIM? It’s simple -BIM facilitates better information exchange between all project stakeholders and enables collaboration between teams working on these construction projects. By allowing you to build virtually before you build physically, it eliminates information leaks and keeps design, operation, and maintenance costs in check by preventing wastage. And that should make it indispensable in Smart Cities.

BIM and smart cities

Smart city projects are complex. There are several teams involved, design, project, construction, and supervisory teams all need to work in tandem to achieve the best outcomes. Smart city design is based on bringing together smart buildings and structures and ecological sustainability. Smart Cities are built to make the most intelligent use of the resources at hand, to ensure quality, and to minimize resource consumption. Given this objective, Smart City construction too must ensure minimal wastage, reduce the environmental impact, and ensure optimal resource utilization. Advanced construction technologies such as BIM can help make Smart City projects successful by giving the involved stakeholders all the information they need at the right time.

BIM is not just a technology– it is a set of processes supported by technology, that ensure efficient asset allocation. This may be crucial to creating a Smart City. Here’s my view of how BIM could lie in the heart of Smart Cities

Greater collaboration

Smart cities are concerned about three broad areas – smart living, smart safety, and smart sustainability. To build such an infrastructure, there are many design touchpoints. Construction and project teams have to collaborate closely as well. There is the technology aspect to be considered too. The volume of asset information is heavy in any Smart City project and all these teams have to work together to ensure that the information exchange happens seamlessly. Also, the volume of information continues to increase as the project progresses.

By implementing BIM, all the project stakeholders can ensure that no information is lost during any exchange. With BIM forming a common platform for a shared understanding of the plan, these stakeholders can work collaboratively. The architects and engineers have access to informed design options, the construction team can reduce waste and ensure timely project completion etc.

Easier integration

A smart city project depends on integration to develop an intelligent integrated infrastructure for transport, communication, energy consumption, etc. -at the building, as well as on the city scale. In such projects, the buildings remain permanently integrated with these other bases. Putting this jigsaw together is a complex task to manage.

By employing BIM, invested teams enable a free flow of standardized information between systems and open up collaboration channels that facilitate these integrations easily. Again, there is no information loss, every party is aware of their KPI’s and anomalies can be identified easily.

Easier project visualization

Obviously, converting a design masterpiece into physical structures requires great precision. BIM’s highly detailed, precise, and constructible 3D structural models help in project visualization from conception to completion. BIM models can also easily test building constructability in advance and ensure that errors, rework and any wastage is minimized. BIM can also be used to determine the exact amount of material needed and thereby reduces wastage to negligible amounts. By reducing waste associated with construction, not only can the cost of construction and time be reduced but the environmental impact of the construction process can also be curtailed.

3D modeling

Of course, 3D modeling isn’t just for design. 3D modeling also allows us to level the model infrastructure that needs to be built underground. The construction team thus know how far to dig to not break an existing pipeline or a fiber-optic cable. Drainage, bridge, and highway designers can also leverage the same immersive model to optimize the Smart City infrastructure as everything here is geo-referenced. BIM also facilitates the study and visualization of darkness, lighting, skyline studies, line of sight, etc. to enable more data-driven decisions regarding Smart City construction. This will help improve the operational efficiencies of the Smart City when it’s up and running.

Data convergence

Connectivity and data lie at the heart of any successful Smart City project. Consider a future not too far away, where BIM meets data points such as location data from mobile phones or satellites. Think how this could impact ongoing maintenance, issue reporting and fixing, and repair operations by making them more proactive. BIM could essentially provide a Smart City nervous system. The Smart City could leverage this to communicate information, improve environmental performance and the utility and transport network, and increase sustainability both during construction and building maintenance.

I saw a quote from Lean Doody, Smart City Lead, Arup, on the role of BIM in the Smart City context. In this statement he says, “BIM is transforming, not only the way buildings are designed and constructed, but also how they are managed and developed in the light of changing customer needs. In so doing, BIM is changing relationships and business models across the whole value chain. Meanwhile, at a city level, the technology-enabled city is an untapped source of sustainable growth and represents a powerful approach for tackling unprecedented environmental and economic challenges. By unlocking technology, infrastructure, and public data, cities can open up new value chains, spawning innovative applications and information products that make sustainable modes of city living and working possible. The data delivered through BIM at a building level will be an important enabler of these new value chains.”

I could not agree more.

A few days ago, I had the great fortune of being invited to CEPT in Ahmedabad. My interactions with the extremely talented students there were energizing for me personally. In the time since that visit to Ahmedabad, I’ve been thinking about the discussions I had. I realized that there were some common threads with the interactions that I have had previously with architecture students in other places too.

If we look at the world of architecture pragmatically, an architect’s ultimate aim is to turn his or her vision into reality. For this, stalwarts like Frank Lloyd Wright used 2D and pencil drafting for designing their masterpieces. Frank Gehry, on the other hand, used 3D modeling tools. The objective was the same. The path to reach them was different.

The past couple of decades have seen such a proliferation of technology that now we can hardly imagine a world without tech. Whatever we do, technology seems to come up with a better way, or at least an easier and more convenient way, of doing things. Clearly, nothing has made a more defining impact on the everyday lives of the people as technology. The world of architecture is no different and technology has fundamentally changed the way we do things. In my career in architecture which spans over 25 years, I’ve benefited from adopting technology much of the time. Over that span, I’ve gone from 2D AutoCAD to using 3D modeling tools. I can claim that I have been an active witness to the benefits that technology brings to architectural design.

When it comes to the construction industry, we can see the immense progress this industry has made. Once upon a time, this industry wouldn’t be seen as the space that lent itself easily to new-age, disruptive technology. Time has proven otherwise. Today, there are a multitude of options being employed by this industry to speed up project execution as there are a plethora of options in building materials. Construction technology is being employed extensively to not only drive sustainability but also make project management and execution smoother and more streamlined. Extensive research is driving the emergence of new building materials such as self-healing concrete to reflective self-cooling paint. Modular and pre-fabrication (prefab) construction methods are being employed to produce buildings in lesser time and technologies such as BIM (Building Information Modelling) are helping the industry with better planning and design, reduced costs of errors, prefabrication support, and savings on materials.

I have come to believe that most students struggle to resolve two dilemmas – first, does form follow function or function follow form? The other one is architecture an artistic science or a scientific art? I believe we need to add one more question to this list – “Does technology aid creativity or kill it?”

With the wave of change coming across in this industry, I feel that the education system needs to keep pace with the pace of technology adoption. We, therefore, need to enable students to explore new design tools which aid visualization. While creating an aesthetic edifice is essential it is equally important to make students aware of all the technology options that can play a role in making the design executable and operational. This holistic approach can perhaps be emphasized more in today’s architectural education, more so at the undergrad level.

My interaction with the students of construction technology and management at CEPT threw light on what they are learning at an academic level. While the course content is quite comprehensive, I feel that continuously tying up academic knowledge to real-world examples will keep such courses fresh and relevant, especially since technology applications keep expanding.

Talking about using technology to understand what happens after the design is done is a good starting point. However, we also need to consider how to employ technology to hasten execution and ensure that the same is done within defined timeframes. We need to evaluate how to use technology to eliminate or at least reduce wastage – of time, effort, and of materials, and ensure that projects are completed within the allocated budgets. We need to start evaluating how technology can be used to maintain these aspects during the project lifecycle.

Students also need to know that the operations and maintenance costs of any building are more than double the design and construction costs. They would do well to work on identifying ways to keep this in check. Technologies such as Facilities Management Solutions and BIM are of great utility here. They can help us realize how to efficiently operate a building and understand that such effects can only be unleashed when construction is done keeping those methods in mind right from the drawing board stage. Using technology, we can build without guesswork and with clear and specific data.

Clearly, with the plethora of technology tools available today, we are at an advantage as we can analyze building performance over its lifecycle. And what, I feel, is really pertinent in today’s day of stringent timelines and faster execution is the ability to build virtually before we start building physically.

My advice to architecture students would thus be to look at technology and the various technology options, available and emerging, to assess how to build better, build faster, and build without wastage. They must assess how and where technology can be adopted to bring about change in the entire building ecosystem for greater sustainability.

The biggest challenges in the construction industry are probably estimating and controlling the project cost. Changes in the plan can result in a considerable difference in the final cost of the project. An efficient planning system is essential for a successful construction project. One key is, that the project management effort needs to have access to all the required information at the right time. This will help to deliver projects faster, manage resources better, and save money. One straightforward way of achieving this is by implementing effective construction planning techniques like Building Information Modelling (BIM) over the project.

So, what is BIM?

For the veterans who are here just to hear the stories of how cost savings can be achieved, do feel free to skip ahead if this information is not new to you!

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is an intelligent digital representation of all the physical and functional characteristics of a facility. The process involves the generation and management of the 3D model-based representation that allows architects, engineers, and builders the insight to plan, design, manage and build efficiently. They are digital images that help in describing every aspect of the project. Essentially, it’s building virtually before building actually. At its most comprehensive, BIM involves five dimensions to create a holistic plan.

These five dimensions of BIM are:

• Width

• Height

• Depth

• Time

• Cost

The 4th Dimension, Time ties in with how the construction will look in all aspects at specific points in time. Since this helps to identify the raw materials and other resources that will be needed at each stage, this brings in the 5th Dimension, cost. This comprehensive view helps in making precise cost estimations for the project, better estimates of what resources are needed and when, and also allows for better financial planning.

The advantages of BIM technology are aplenty. Some significant benefits of BIM are:

• Acceleration of project completion

• Saving on construction cost through early clash detection

• Better resource planning through construction process simulation

• Reducing unbudgeted changes

• Reducing time to generate estimates for changes

• Better communication and collaboration between teams since everyone is on the same page

All these come together to drive faster project completion and reduced costs of operation. Here are some live examples that we have seen at close range that show how projects have benefitted from BIM:

Nagpur Metro Rail -cost savings

The Nagpur Metro Rail Project is one of the most prominent infrastructure projects in the country today – an elevated metro corridor that spans over 40 km, 36 stations, and two depots.

A huge task at this scale is controlling costs. The project used BIM for eliminating design issues, smoother execution, and better estimation of required raw materials. Mr. Brijesh Dixit – MD, Nagpur Metro Rail Project, during a presentation at a conference in Singapore in 2017 highlighted the specific savings the project achieved:

• Savings in time around 8% has been achieved which is expected to rise up to 11% by the end of the project.

• The end of the project anticipates a reduction of overhead costs from 5% to 3.5%.

• Cost savings of around 8% is expected over the DPR projected costs.

• Cost savings of around 12% have been achieved with respect to logistics travel and man-days. It is expected to grow up to 15% by the end of the completion of the project.

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) Mumbai, Andheri -time saved

The IT giant – TCS was looking to redo a significant portion of their Andheri campus spread over 74,000 sq. ft. The challenge was that the designs they had available to them were from the planning stage, whereas the campus as-built was substantially different. They used BIM to build a model focused on the architectural, structural, and service components. This was designed to be used for Clash Detection and Resolution (CDR) as the new designs and plans took shape. The estimated time frame for the completion of the CDR phase of the project through the conventional method was over three months. By using BIM, this phase was completed in 1 month -a time saving of 66%!

Cost control with a better estimation of material

Calculating inaccurate quantities of construction material is one of the primary reasons contributing to cost and budget overruns. Poor estimates usually lead to over-ordering or ordering too early. That means tying up funds in material for longer than is required. There is also a steep cost associated with storing the materials.

An accurate estimation of the required construction material, how much is needed, and when it is needed, can help in diminishing these costs considerably.

Here are a couple of examples of just such savings.

1. For a residential tower project of 28 floors in Mumbai, the difference between the quantity extracted from the BIM plan, and the consumed quantity of steel was only 2.96% per floor. Better estimation allowed close to just-in-time procurement and limited wastage.

2. The estimated concrete quantity for an IT company in an SEZ, as extracted from the BIM model, is compared with the quantity mentioned in the Tender and the claimed consumed quantity by the contractor. The comparison helped the project management agency accurately validate and certify the actual work done for the contractor. This helped ensure accurate billing and prevented cost overruns.

It’s clear that using BIM can significantly help in controlling project costs through better planning and estimations. Having such accurate estimates of the required construction materials, timeframe, and other required resources could help you save big in your next construction project -and you could have BIM to thank for that.

The construction industry, for long traditional, may well be witnessing the dawn of a new era owing to new technology. From designing, planning, and project execution, there hardly remains an area that is now untouched by technology. Economic growth, greater access, and the ease of use of technology tools and application are some of the drivers of greater technology adoption in our industry.

Engineering and construction companies are embracing construction technology and making them an integral part of their daily work practices to improve efficiencies, reduce costs, and shorten timelines. Statistical evidence also shows a growing trend of construction technology adoption. In 2018, $1.05 billion has been invested in construction technology. This investment volume has increased by 30% over 2017. In light of this, here’s a look at some construction technology trends to watch out for as we await 2019.

1.     Building Information Modelling (BIM) comes into its own

Statistics reveal that the Building Information Modelling  is “prognosticated to grow from USD 3065.5 Mn in 2017 to USD 8123.5 Mn by 2023-end”. Building Information Modelling is assuming its rightful place as a pillar of the construction industry. BIM has evolved from its genesis as an intelligent 3D model-based process that provides a digital representation of the physical and functional characteristics of a facility. It is now a shared knowledge resource for information that gives all the stakeholders such as the engineers, architects, contractors the insights and tools to efficiently plan, design, construct and manage the buildings and the infrastructure. It stands to become the common platform to promote more efficient and effective construction.

The benefits of BIM now span from improving building performance, making better design decisions, and implementing connected workflows to improving predictability and productivity. BIM is helping drive better MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) design, enabling real-time collaboration for timely project delivery, and deeply exploring construction monitoring. Digitizing the construction sites is helping to completely connect project information from design, and construction to handover….BIM has more than proven its value in the construction industry. In fact, its value now goes beyond geometry and covers “spatial relationships, light analysis, geographic information, and quantities and properties of building components” (Eastman, 2009).

2.     The continued rise of Construction Management Software

The Construction Management Software market is expected to reach $1.8 billion by 2020 according to recent market research. The primary drivers for this are the growing need for large-scale project management for efficient product and on-time execution, increased process automation, maximizing resource output, and better resource management.

Construction management software, essentially a construction-specific project management tool, helps construction companies plan, estimate, and manage project schedules, tasks, and costs. It makes communication more transparent, aids better decision-making, and improves resource management and job scheduling. In case of delay’s in execution, it helps with catch up planning and identifying the cascading effect of delays. Along with this, construction management software helps in better documentation, ensures that no paperwork is lost as all documents are stored in a central location, helps in risk assessment and management, and aids efficient service delivery. It helps construction companies plan, control, and coordinate the project proactively from the beginning to the end.

3.     Big Data and Artificial Intelligence makes its presence felt

The construction industry is set to feel the Big Data impact as well. Driven by increased connectivity, internet use, the proliferation of connected devices and wearables, GPS systems, job site sensors, and telematics, construction companies are generating and capturing more data than ever before. With advancements in AI and Machine Learning, big data is giving construction companies access to real-time, data-driven predictive modelling to speed up design processes, eliminate waste, and save time. With big data analytics, construction companies are getting that bird’s eye view of everything they need to simplify tasks, evaluate performance, and identify risks. External data, meteorological reports, for example, can be leveraged to make more accurate assessments on how factors such as weather conditions can impact construction, the project delivery timelines, the risk of errors, and impact the economics.

4.     Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality shows what could happen

Slowly moving from the realm of movies to the real world, Augmented and Virtual Reality are gradually making their impact felt in the construction industry. VR and AR are attractive options here as they can be employed for virtual walkthroughs even before construction begins. Other use-cases include the ability to provide safety training and to prepare workers for certain tools and machines using simulations. These technologies also have immense potential to improve project planning and to test project viability.

5.     Cloud and Mobile technology, as with all other business sectors

The construction industry is also warming up to cloud technology. In fact, in many ways, the Cloud is emerging as the foundation of this industry’s digital revolution. With the cloud, this industry has mission-critical business applications available on demand. The Cloud is also enabling collaboration and providing a high level of transparency and accountability by connecting all project team members on one central, if virtual, platform. The cloud also assists in powerful data-processing by making more computing power available.

Harnessing the power of the cloud, mobile technology is also making an impact here by making the job site more connected. Mobile technologies are being used to gain real-time access to construction documentation and specifications, and to enable real-time data collection and transmission between the job site and project managers. This is helping ensure that things get done right the first time around.

The space is vast and there are so many other trends to watch out for. For eg., we will see the continued growth of green construction technology to build in a resource-efficient and environment-friendly manner, especially since presently this industry accounts for 20% of global emissions.

The construction industry, much like manufacturing, is becoming more technologically enabled. The promise of better outcomes, reduced waste, better resource utilization, lower carbon footprint, and greater profits are clear motivators. It will be interesting to see how these technologies unleash the wave of efficiency in this sector in the years to come – starting in 2019.