In today’s tech-driven AEC workplace environment, the only constant, it seems, is change. Firms are scrambling to keep up with the latest BIM/VDC-related tools and are searching for ways to more effectively implement and manage those tools on their projects. There’s a thirst for knowledge of all things BIM.
The following collection of feature stories, case studies, and Web-exclusive content is based on the number of BDCnetwork.com readers who clicked on the article during the past 11 months. For more BIM/VDC articles from BD+C, visit www.BDCnetwork.com/BIMit.
1. “5 tech trends transforming BIM/VDC”
By Jeff Yoders, Contributing Editor, BD+C
As BIM/VDC continues to evolve the work processes of AEC firms, promising technologies are being applied to take 3D coordination to the next level. This report covers five breakthrough ideas: energy modeling on the fly, laser scanning, prefabrication of building systems, advanced data management, and computer-aided manufacturing. www.BDCnetwork.com/BIMtechtrends
2. “Hyper-speed rendering: How Gensler turns BIM models into beauty shots in seconds”
By David Barista, Editor-in-Chief, BD+C
The rise of BIM and 3D rendering technology has raised client expectations and placed additional pressure on Building Teams to produce visually striking artwork that accurately depicts the very latest iteration of a project’s design. Turnaround time on artwork has to be in hours, not days or weeks. In search of a fast rendering solution, Gensler looked to the gaming and moviemaking industries for the next breakthrough tool: Octane Render. www.BDCnetwork.com/Octane
3. “7 ways to cut waste in BIM implementation”
By David Barista, BD+C
More than two decades into the building information modeling movement, AEC firms are still discovering ways to utilize BIM/VDC tools more effectively. One major current area of focus is how to cut waste in the BIM implementation process. In this report, several BIM/VDC power users offer their top tips for eliminating waste in BIM/VDC workflows. www.BDCnetwork.com/BIMworkflow
4. “Firms enhance BIM/VDC with advanced collaboration tools”
By David Barista, BD+C
A special to the BD+C Giants 300 report, this article highlights BIM/VDC innovations by the nation’s largest AEC firms, including SOM, Stantec, and Thornton Tomasetti. Among the breakthrough ideas featured: cloud-based data sharing, rapid iterative design, and cross-discipline collaboration. www.BDCnetwork.com/BIMGiants2014
5. “Super BIM: 7 award-winning BIM/VDC-driven projects”
By AIA Technology in Architectural Practice Knowledge Community
Thom Mayne’s Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas and the Anaheim (Calif.) Regional Transportation Intermodal Center were among the seven projects named 2014 AIA TAP BIM Award winners by the AIA’s Technology in Architectural Practice (TAP) Knowledge Community. This slideshow recaps the winning projects. www.BDCnetwork.com/SuperBIM
6. “Perfecting prefab: 8 tips for healthcare construction projects”
By David Barista, BD+C
Healthcare projects across the U.S. are being built in record time, thanks, in part, to the implementation of advanced multi-trade prefabrication techniques. By assembling components like MEP infrastructure, headwalls, and bathrooms offsite in a controlled environment, Building Teams are able to compress project schedules by performing multiple construction activities in parallel. This report offers helpful advice for using BIM to pull off prefabrication. www.BDCnetwork.com/BIMprefab
7. “Total immersion: Has virtual reality’s time finally come?”
By David Barista, BD+C
Virtual reality technology is a natural fit for the AEC industry. Many firms are already building highly detailed BIM/VDC models of their most complex projects, so VR looks like the logical next step. But, as our experts reveal, pulling off VR is not so simple. www.BDCnetwork.com/VR2014
8. “5 ways virtual modeling can improve facilities management”
By Jennifer Macks, Vice President, Skanska USA
BIM has become standard practice for design and construction, but often little attention is paid to what happens to model data post-construction. This blog post details practical applications for BIM/VDC tools for the operation and maintenance of buildings, including space management, maintenance scheduling, and retrofit planning. www.BDCnetwork.com/BIMom
9. “How architects at NBBJ are using computational design to calculate the best views on projects”
By Andrew Heumann, Computational Design Specialist, NBBJ
In an ideal world, every employee would have a beautiful view from his or her desk. Using computational design, architects like NBBJ can help building owners, developers, and tenants maximize views from every angle and position within a tower. In this video, NBBJ’s Andrew Heumann demonstrates a custom computational design tool the firm is using to improve views on a Seattle high-rise project. www.BDCnetwork.com/BIMviews
Related Stories
| May 11, 2012
CRSI appoints Brace chairman
Stevens also elected to board of directors and vice-chair.
| May 11, 2012
Dempster named to AIA College of Fellows
Altoon Partners’ technical and construction services leader honored for his contributions.
| May 11, 2012
AIA launches education and training portal
New portal to host Contract Documents training, education resources in one convenient place.
| May 10, 2012
Chapter 7 When Modern Becomes Historic: Preserving the Modernist Building Envelope
This AIA CES Discovery course explores the special reconstruction questions posed by Modern-era buildings.
| May 10, 2012
Chapter 6 Energy Codes + Reconstructed Buildings: 2012 and Beyond
Our experts analyze the next generation of energy and green building codes and how they impact reconstruction.
| May 10, 2012
Chapter 5 LEED-EB and Green Globes CIEB: Rating Sustainable Reconstruction
Certification for existing buildings under these two rating programs has overtaken that for new construction.
| May 10, 2012
Chapter 4 Business Case for High-Performance Reconstructed Buildings
Five reconstruction projects in one city make a bottom-line case for reconstruction across the country.
| May 10, 2012
Chapter 3 How Building Technologies Contribute to Reconstruction Advances
Building Teams are employing a wide variety of components and systems in their reconstruction projects.
| May 10, 2012
Chapter 2 Exemplary High-Performance Reconstruction Projects
Several case studies show how to successfully renovate existing structures into high-performance buildings.
| May 9, 2012
Chapter 1 Reconstruction: ‘The 99% Solution’ for Energy Savings in Buildings
As a share of total construction activity reconstruction has been on the rise in the U.S. and Canada in the last few years, which creates a golden opportunity for extensive energy savings.