How to get the most out of Building Information Modelling (BIM)

Author: Neil Dady, Director, EVORA EDGE

BIM (Building Information Modelling) is driving change in the property management sector moving us increasingly from an analogue age to a digital one.

 

The BIM vision is to create a platform where information can be easily shared and utilised during design, construction and operation, making building performance an integrated part of the already established BIM ‘on construction’ process.

Although BIM is well established in the new build sector, the possibility of managing information for existing properties has been largely ignored. This has mostly been due to property managers not seeing the need or benefits of having a collaborative building model.

The introduction of the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) has seen greater focus being placed on building modelling and the quality of Energy Performance Certificates (EPC). The opportunity therefore exists for high quality EPCs to be produced in the BIM environment allowing for resultant energy and improvement modelling to become an extension to the EPC process.

In response to this increasing need for a more holistic approach, EVORA EDGE has created a methodology for combining BIM technologies with strategic asset management (SAM) processes into a ‘one stop shop’ solution that informs the building management process, resulting in a useful transferable asset – the building information model. We call this approach BIM:SAM – Building Information Modelling for Strategic Asset Management.

Acting as a technical manager, we use this model to manage commercial real estate and developments. This means that the BIM can be created for a number of solutions, such as a high-level MEES risk assessment, a Health and Wellbeing study, or as part of a building services design project.

BIM has evolved from a ‘new build’ tool into a a ‘digital passport’ for existing buildings recording data and information of the building and its services – one model, multiple functionalities. 

“BIM:SAM is nothing mysterious or untested. It’s our way of delivering a connected, intelligent approach to designing, maintaining, monitoring and reporting asset performance within the Commercial Real Estate sector.”

Neil Dady is Director of EVORA EDGE (part of EVORA) whose remit is to support clients to implement sustainability at both fund and asset levels.

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