WHAT IS BIM?
Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a new exciting process that brings transparency, collaboration and efficiency to construction by combining 3D design, visualization and data management. This data is important because it can be used to model a building’s functionality as it is built, carry out energy simulations, access its impact on the environment and offer insight into areas such as thermal or acoustic performance.
WHO USES BIM?
Specifiers, engineers, architects and construction companies all use BIM to generate models that allow clients to create an overview of a building and make changes before work begins. Tackling issues at the design stage also helps avoid costly mistakes during construction. In the future BIM will allow everyone in a project team to work on all stages of a building’s development to ensure it is kept on course. BIM information can also be used after a building has been completed to assess areas such as maintenance.
WHY IS KNAUF INSULATION PIONEERING BIM SOLUTIONS?
We believe BIM is the start of a digital revolution that will transform the construction industry and soon allow building data — such as R or U-values — to be managed and shared at the touch of a smartphone. Easy access to shared data is becoming increasingly important because building construction is now more complex, Green Building Rating Systems are demanding more digital information and real performance needs to be reliably audited.
HOW IS KNAUF INSULATION HELPING SPECIFIERS TACKLE BIM CHALLENGES?
We have carried out BIM training across our company and created an expert team to help specifiers with any BIM requests. We also host feedback sessions with BIM users around the world to ensure our support meets any challenges.
HOW IS KNAUF INSULATION VISUALISING A BIM FUTURE?
Innovative solutions such as our Green Roof System UrbanscapeR, Mineral Plus and SUPAFIL Blowing Wool are now available in the most common BIM formats on our country-specific websites. We have also published product and system BIM libraries from North America to Australia and are constantly reviewing our content to ensure it is useful and relevant. Sustainability also being important, we include environmental data in our BIM files.
HOW WILL BIM IMPACT GREEN BUILDING RATING SYSTEMS?
BIM could become influential in GBRS as it could be used to assess the entire sustainable performance of a building. It’s not part of any GBRS criteria yet, but DGNB is working on how the “interlinking of BIM solutions and sustainability certification for buildings can work”. Perhaps in a few years’ time the data collected from Lifecycle Assessments and Environmental Product Declarations could be fed into BIM formats. How appealing would it be to know how to achieve your LEED or BREEAM rating simply by checking your phone?