tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68678346777376956412024-03-14T03:10:53.299+00:00Architecture, Technology & BIM - ArchiTEC_BIMWithin this blog I will be producing articles on all things to do with the Built Environment, giving my thoughts and discussions on a wide variety of topics which include BIM, Architectural Technology, Architecture, Building, Construction and Education. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03523265347189288361noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6867834677737695641.post-61600459613627908282013-05-30T11:26:00.001+01:002013-06-19T21:26:05.706+01:00New Website, Up and Running - ArchiTECT-BIM!<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thank you for visiting Architect-BIM and I hope you continue to follow us over at the new site- <a href="http://www.architect-bim.com/">www.architect-bim.com</a></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03523265347189288361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6867834677737695641.post-81307346564444422692013-05-25T09:31:00.000+01:002013-05-30T11:28:40.023+01:00Why should we bother with Renewable Technologies?<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; line-height: normal;"><b>This week’s article </b></span><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; line-height: normal;"><b>is</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; line-height: normal;"><b> a guest article from Gary O’Neill </b></span><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; line-height: normal;"><b>BSc(Hons) MRICS,</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; line-height: normal;"><b> Chartered Building Surveyor, Senior University Lecturer and RICS APC Assessor</b></span></span></div>
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<b style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: large;">If
you are hoping that in the future fuel costs will reach a peak and then start
to reduce then I am afraid you are going to be bitterly disappointed. There may well be short term reductions,
however it is inevitable that fuel cost
will not only continue to rise, but rise significantly.</span></span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QP-do8i3eJ8/UV25nQmjPvI/AAAAAAAAAEk/tZdFceGWIyg/s1600/pylons+and+chimneys+-+www.kilmacenergy.co.ukEnvironmental+Impact+Assessment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QP-do8i3eJ8/UV25nQmjPvI/AAAAAAAAAEk/tZdFceGWIyg/s320/pylons+and+chimneys+-+www.kilmacenergy.co.ukEnvironmental+Impact+Assessment.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://www.kilmacenergy.co.uk/Environmental+Impact+Assessment/</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: large;">There is no shortage of media coverage in respect of
the impact of global warming, climate change, energy conservation,
sustainability, greenhouse gas emissions an so on........ An individual’s
understanding and concern about these issues will vary significantly from those
who have a genuine concern about protecting our planet for future generations
to those who’s work may be directly related to these issues, right through to
those who know very little and even those who make a conscious choice to ignore
them! The problem is however that even
if you are one of those who fall into the latter categories, it does not change
the fact that you are effected in exactly the same way as everyone else. This is no more starkly demonstrated than in
the increased cost of energy over recent years, which have soared to record
levels.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: large;">Over the last two hundred years we have become
dependent on fossil fuels such as gas, oil and coal, which have allowed us to
develop our world at a staggering pace.
All of this development in terms of infrastructure, buildings and the
like requires large amount of energy, to heat, cool, ventilate, provide light
and power etc. If we are to maintain or
more than likely going to increase the rate of development around the world
then we also need to consider alternative ways of creating this energy. The problem with fossil fuels is that it is a
depleting resource and at some point in the future it will run out. Now this is unlikely to be in our generation
or possibly even a number of generations in the future, but one thing is for
certain in that it will actually run out.
If you are under the impression that we should not be concerned about
this now, as it will not have any major impact on us in our lifetime then think
again!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">The problem with anything that is in short supply is
that basic economical principles come into play. Fossil fuels are a prime example of
this. Remember they are a depleting
resource and therefore a commodity in short supply. The impact of this is that when demand is
high </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">(which it always is) and supply is limited (which it is), then market
conditions allow energy providers to increase costs as they know that they are
providing something that people actually need.
The market then adjusts to these increased costs. The graph below demonstrates the cost
increase of oil, gas and electricity over the next twenty years:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r1OH8P3mC9k/UV27DmguhtI/AAAAAAAAAEs/Ua34HQUqF2Y/s1600/www.castlecover.co.uk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="385" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r1OH8P3mC9k/UV27DmguhtI/AAAAAAAAAEs/Ua34HQUqF2Y/s640/www.castlecover.co.uk.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://www.castlecover.co.uk/historic-home-utility-prices/</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">‘</span><i style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">Rather
unsurprisingly, all four demonstrate price hikes over the period, though some
are more dramatic than others. Electricity and gas - the two most-used
household energies - have nearly doubled over the last seven years of the
index, owing to their ties with oil prices, as well as a number of other factors.
The industrialisation of foreign nations, plus growing international prices for
the commodity, has forced coal costs higher for UK citizen’ </span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you are hoping that in the future fuel costs will
reach a peak and then start to reduce then I am afraid you are going to be
bitterly disappointed. There may well be
short term reductions, however due to the economical principles described above
it is inevitable that fuel cost will not only continue to rise, but rise
significantly. Of course, the majority of articles that you will see in the
media focus on the damage to the environment caused by greenhouse gas
emissions, particularly carbon, from the burning of fossil fuels. This is something that we need to deal with
immediately, however I would suggest that if you were to talk to most people on
the high street they would be more concerned about the increase in fuel cost
rather than the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The positive thing however, is that if we can
create energy by using alternative renewable technologies then we can deal with
both issues at the same time!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6muO_TUCTJU/UV278ci7cPI/AAAAAAAAAE0/8EqfbhrjtFM/s1600/www.link2portal.com-no-more-pv-subsidy-energy-inefficient-buildings-greg-barker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6muO_TUCTJU/UV278ci7cPI/AAAAAAAAAE0/8EqfbhrjtFM/s400/www.link2portal.com-no-more-pv-subsidy-energy-inefficient-buildings-greg-barker.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://www.link2portal.com/no-more-pv-subsidy-energy-inefficient-buildings-greg-barker</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">For the remainder of this article I will continue to
demonstrate the financial effect of creating and using energy from fossil fuels,
which is happening and impacting on us all right now! The Fuel Property Advisory Group’s 2011-12
annual report, in its executive summary states <a href="http://www.consumerfocus.org.uk/files/2012/12/FPAG-annual-report-2011-12.pdf" target="_blank">(link)</a>: ‘</span><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The
average domestic dual fuel bill is now at a record high of £1,365 per annum
creating severe additional hardship for some six million UK fuel poor
households. The problem is even more acute for many living off the gas grid
using Oil or LPG, where average fuel bills are circa £2,100 per annum. </span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The reference to ‘fuel poor’ is more
widely described as fuel poverty, which is defined by Poverty.org.uk <a href="http://www.poverty.org.uk/80/index.shtml" target="_blank">(Link)</a> as:
‘</span><i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Households are considered by the Government to be in 'fuel poverty' if
they would have </span></i></span><i style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">to spend more than 10% of their
household income on fuel to keep their home in a 'satisfactory' condition.
It is thus a measure which compares income with what the fuel costs 'should be'
rather than what they actually are. Whether a household is in fuel
poverty or not is determined by the interaction of a number of factors, but the
three obvious ones are: The cost of energy, The energy efficiency of the
property (and therefore, the energy required to heat and power the home) and
Household income’</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is abundantly clear that many in the UK are already suffering
financial hardship as a result of increasing energy costs, and unless we can
find alternative ways of creating our energy, then this situation is likely to become
critical. Increased demand of a
depleting resource is a recipe for disaster.
We therefore have to introduce alternatives, which is now a necessity
not a choice. If you are in one of those
categories described at the beginning of this article who have not really paid
much attention to these global issues, perhaps it is now time to think very
carefully about how you individually and all of us collectively can save energy
and also be open new technologies. This will not only provide benefits from a
financial viewpoint, which may not be immediate (although costs associated with
enhancements is an article in its own right!), but also from an environmental
viewpoint, where we can start to have a real impact on reducing greenhouse gas
emissions. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I’ve migrated to gain further control to expand the content; you can find my new polished website at;</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> <a href="http://www.architect-bim.com/">www.architect-bim.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Please feel free to come over and look at the new set up and design as well as the latest article on <a href="http://www.architect-bim.com/2013/05/415/#.UacpDbU4uSo">Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems for Green Roofs (SUDS)</a>. The article is a follow up to the previous article on To Green of Not to Green? This article will be focusing more on the technical aspects, in particular Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems, otherwise known as SUDS.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">All the previous articles on architecture, tech and BIM are over at the new site</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thank you for visiting Architect-BIM and I hope you continue to follow us over at the new site- <a href="http://www.architect-bim.com/">www.architect-bim.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><i>Danny McGough</i>- A big thank you this week to </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Gary O'Neill for this guest article.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;">You can follow Gary over at his personal blog 'Surveying
Property' where he posts articles on a weekly basis on topical issues in
Surveying and Property related areas and also within the wider Construction
Industry at - </span><a href="http://surveyingproperty.blogspot.co.uk/" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 150%;" target="_blank">http://surveyingproperty.blogspot.co.uk/</a></span><br />
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<i style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Information/opinions
posted on this site are the personal views of the author and should not be
relied upon by any person or any third party without first seeking further
professional advice. Also, please scroll down and read the copyright
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03523265347189288361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6867834677737695641.post-61733092217040571692013-05-09T10:21:00.000+01:002013-05-30T11:29:06.517+01:00To Green or Not to Green? Article on the Viability of Green Roofs.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"><b>Modern beautiful architecture is on the rise within the more vibrant sectors but with the recession still firmly in our lives and conscious new inner city buildings are not exactly popping up at a rapid pace. With this in mind for the most part, what buildings do we all have to enjoy today? How does your city scape look, beautiful and architecturally stunning or grey, drab and dull?</b></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bVpHUrEUkB0/UYtho7mMKOI/AAAAAAAAAIA/cxYbyX9OhRc/s1600/www.freeelectricitygenerator.co.uk-+Coventry_City_Centre_aerial_view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bVpHUrEUkB0/UYtho7mMKOI/AAAAAAAAAIA/cxYbyX9OhRc/s320/www.freeelectricitygenerator.co.uk-+Coventry_City_Centre_aerial_view.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">www.freeelectricitygenerator.co.uk- Coventry_City_Centre_aerial_view</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We may not be able to knock every grey Brutalist building down within some of the concrete jungles we live in, and some may even appreciate the grey backdrop to their workplace or residence but there are some retrofits that could help to make the environment we live in a greener and more pleasant one. I’m not out right knocking concrete, yes it is a useful versatile material but after the post-war construction drive to repopulate many of our cities what we are now left with 50-60 years on is a multitude of grey. One possible way to work with the stock we have is to retrofit the buildings with green roofs. This may be something which in new builds is often at least considered if not implemented but why not in the case of retrofits, the benefits are multiple.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">For retrofits then intensive and simple
intensive green roofs will pose a much greater problem in regards to structural
stability of existing structures, whereas extensive design on the other hand
presents a far greater opportunity in that the loadings are pretty much
comparable to a standard flat roof construction. Extensive green roofs
generally consist of a thin layer of soil, generally 100mm or less with
relatively simple vegetation such as Sedum or Moss’s. Intensive green roofs
have an increased level of depth, and hence more consideration is required in
regards to structural support.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TBiiqptXLhU/UYtZSAOs99I/AAAAAAAAAH0/iONyaPeL_Hg/s1600/www.worldchanging.com+green+roofs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TBiiqptXLhU/UYtZSAOs99I/AAAAAAAAAH0/iONyaPeL_Hg/s320/www.worldchanging.com+green+roofs.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">www.worldchanging.com - green roofs</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Firstly let’s consider the technical and
environmental impact of green roofs. Green roofs can be seen as one way to help
with the global issue of climate change, however small an impact overall they
may have, for global low impact buildings to become a reality every effort is
needed no matter how insignificant it may appear in the wider context. One of
the ways in which a green roof can help in this aspect is through increasing
the thermal performance of a building. This is achieved through the green roof
substrate and vegetation layer acting as a natural insulation barrier keeping
unwanted heat during summer months whilst at the same time reducing heat loss
during colder times. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As stated by CIRIA, Building Greener (2007),
“Green roofs have a substantial thermal mass, a moderate insulation value and
some cooling effect through evapotranspiration. These combined properties
significantly reduce daily range of temperatures at the boundary between green
roof and building structure” Making for a greater level of stability and comfort in regards to the internal
environment.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cAWl_GlY-1w/UYtZQwOfjbI/AAAAAAAAAHk/9lptu2zeUcM/s1600/www.ecogeek.org+goatsonroof.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cAWl_GlY-1w/UYtZQwOfjbI/AAAAAAAAAHk/9lptu2zeUcM/s320/www.ecogeek.org+goatsonroof.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">www.ecogeek.org goatsonroof</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The vegetation that is provided through
having a green roof can help increase the biodiversity of the surrounding
context. By using a mix of vegetation, not only can the overall maintenance of
the roof be reduced but the biodiversity can be increased. Now...I'm not suggesting that we should be farming goats on our urban green roofs as per the image to the left but you get the idea. To improve the
biodiversity the simple step is to move away from the standard moss or sedum blanket
and move closer towards the use wild-flowers which can be regional and hardy. Wild-flowers will help to reduce the impact of
higher winds whilst also enabling the roof to cohesively integrate with the
natural wildlife which currently strives in the local habitats. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Green roofs which include SUDS management can
have further beneficial effects in terms of Carbon Sequestration and Storage (CSS).
Looking at studies carried out by Getter and Rowe (2009),
who carried out a study over the space of 2 years on 32 extensive green roofs
in three US cities. The average CSS rates which they calculated was 0.375gC m<sup>-2</sup>.
Through this research they calculated that if the city of Detroit were to
install green roofs onto the 15,000ha of their rooftops then, “55 252 tons of
carbon could be sequestered in the plants and substrates alone (not including
avoided emissions). This is similar to removing more than 10 000 mid-sized SUV
or trucks off the road for a year.”</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GJGwArZ_sus/UYto2SKmN2I/AAAAAAAAAIY/Sz8j_1qblUQ/s1600/detail+green+roof.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GJGwArZ_sus/UYto2SKmN2I/AAAAAAAAAIY/Sz8j_1qblUQ/s400/detail+green+roof.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As stated by Dr Charlesworth in (2010) a
University lecturer specialising in SUDS, “Whilst there are many studies of the
(CSS) abilities of certain SUDS devices, such as constructed wetlands, these
would not necessarily be installed into urban centres. Green roofs, on the
other hand, offer great potential both for new build and retrofit.” I
will cover SUDS in greater detail within a later article as the details and
benefits of specifying SUDS drainage are vast. So with all these benefits why
don’t we paint the town in green roofs?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Retrofitting
existing roof structures will obviously have a cost impact however if the roof
needs repairing or upgrading regardless than obviously the impact of the costs
is reduced. In a new development project
however the cost difference between specifying a green roof or not is
far less or even non-existent in some cases. If we assess the green roof over
the whole life instead of just the initial outlay then significant economic
benefits can be seen. As stated in Green
Roofs – Benefits and cost implications (2004) “As whole life costing for
new development is emerging as an
important tool for sustainability, the
fiscal benefits of a green roof during the life of a building after
construction are likely to become more relevant.” Green
roofs can also extend the life of a roof and reduce the service and maintenance
that is normally required. This is achieved by the substrate and vegetation
layer acting as a protection layer over the top of the roofing membranes,
protecting them from UV light and frosts. Savings can additionally be made
through the reduction of fuel costs through increasing the thermal performance
of a building. This is achieved through the green roof acting as a natural
insulation barrier reducing the variations in temperature within the building,
keeping the building cool in the summer months and insulated further in the
winter months. By reducing the heating and cooling load through the
installation of this additional insulation layer, the demand on the energy
required to heat and cool the building is thus reduced. With the targets for
hitting carbon reductions looking tougher and tougher every small step that can
be made is important to the overall grand scheme of things. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zv0NLfE9z0o/UYtZRCVaZhI/AAAAAAAAAHo/UVqWRh5fEgg/s1600/www.greenroofstoday.co.uk+green-rooftop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zv0NLfE9z0o/UYtZRCVaZhI/AAAAAAAAAHo/UVqWRh5fEgg/s400/www.greenroofstoday.co.uk+green-rooftop.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">www.greenroofstoday.co.uk green-rooftop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Moving
beyond the technical jargon of the benefits of green roofs I also think it’s
important to consider the social impact that a green roof can have on the
people who inhabit the surrounding environment. With urban regeneration the
focus can sometimes<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6867834677737695641" name="_GoBack"></a> be on creating more robust and
versatile spaces rather than creating more visual and natural spaces. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">A local space that I work near in Coventry has gone
from this (1930’s):</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TS6Fay-BGFY/UYtZQvIDOYI/AAAAAAAAAHg/OrbOpW55yUc/s1600/www.bbc.co.uk+_49909091_broadgate1939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TS6Fay-BGFY/UYtZQvIDOYI/AAAAAAAAAHg/OrbOpW55yUc/s400/www.bbc.co.uk+_49909091_broadgate1939.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">www.bbc.co.uk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">To
this(1970’s):</span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OFbL_jl-JCc/UYtZQRALwJI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/KLdiB5uxpxY/s1600/1970+broadgate+google++images+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OFbL_jl-JCc/UYtZQRALwJI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/KLdiB5uxpxY/s400/1970+broadgate+google++images+2.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sourced from- Google Images</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vcmLdpragqo/UYtZPwt5kGI/AAAAAAAAAHA/904thnYDvzo/s1600/1970+broadgate+google++images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vcmLdpragqo/UYtZPwt5kGI/AAAAAAAAAHA/904thnYDvzo/s400/1970+broadgate+google++images.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sourced from- Google Images</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">To
this (2012):</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MgFeHFKtQPg/UYtZRTpHA7I/AAAAAAAAAHs/qNk76uFmbu4/s1600/www.newsrt.co.uk+New_look_braodgate_normal_858151361+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MgFeHFKtQPg/UYtZRTpHA7I/AAAAAAAAAHs/qNk76uFmbu4/s400/www.newsrt.co.uk+New_look_braodgate_normal_858151361+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">www.newsrt.co.uk New_look_braodgate_normal_858151361</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I’ve migrated to gain further control to expand the content; you can find my new polished website at;</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> <a href="http://www.architect-bim.com/">www.architect-bim.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Please feel free to come over and look at the new set up and design as well as the latest article on <a href="http://www.architect-bim.com/2013/05/415/#.UacpDbU4uSo">Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems for Green Roofs (SUDS)</a>. The article is a follow up to the previous article on To Green of Not to Green? This article will be focusing more on the technical aspects, in particular Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems, otherwise known as SUDS.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">All the previous articles on architecture, tech and BIM are over at the new site</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thank you for visiting Architect-BIM and I hope you continue to follow us over at the new site- <a href="http://www.architect-bim.com/">www.architect-bim.com</a></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 150%;">Now,
granted the vehicle traffic has been removed which improves the robustness,
versatility and openness to footfall fair enough, but could the planners not of
kept some of the greenery? With us losing or have already lost plenty of green spaces in our urban areas could green roofs be the answer to creating a more
enjoyable and visually appealing urban environment, which in most cases is an urban grey cloud?</span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 33.33333206176758px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Information/opinions posted on this site are the personal views of the author and should not be relied upon by any person or any third party without first seeking further professional advice. Also, please scroll down and read the copyright notice at the end of the blog.</span></i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 33.33333206176758px;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03523265347189288361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6867834677737695641.post-30878007012519088862013-04-21T14:51:00.002+01:002013-05-30T11:28:03.180+01:00What does openBIM, IFC's and COBie actually mean for BIM?<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>This weeks article looks at giving a brief explanation of OpenBIM, COBie and IFC's whilst also asking a few questions on what all this means for the future of software vendors.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">With
Autodesk holding a 63% (<a href="http://www.thenbs.com/topics/BIM/reports/index.asp" target="_blank">NBS National BIM Survey</a></span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">) share of
the CAD drawing market what affect will this have on open BIM for the future? <span style="background: #FDFDF9;">What does open BIM actually mean and what are these
COBie files that we keep hearing about? With these points in mind this week’s
article will focus on open and closed BIM and the interoperability of BIM
software as well as asking one or two questions about what all this means for
the future of an open BIM collaborative working environment.</span></span></b><span style="background-color: #fdfdf9; color: #272727; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfdf9; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="color: #272727; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Closed BIM generally refers to when BIM
processes are carried out on a single platform whereas open BIM refers to when
the BIM environment crosses multiple platforms regardless of the software
vendor, in essence an ‘open’ shareable design environment using open standard
data.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #fdfdf9; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #272727; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">To achieve an open BIM project environment information
needs to be shared/exported to a non-proprietary format, such as IFC’s. Currently
there are strong opinions and voices behind the drive towards open BIM with the
Government specifying in the <a href="http://www.bimtaskgroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/BIS-BIM-strategy-Report.pdf" target="_blank">BIS-BIM-strategy-Reports</a></span><span class="MsoCommentReference"> </span><span style="background-color: #fdfdf9; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #272727; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">that Maturity Level 4
BIM should achieve “Fully open process and data integration enabled by IFC/IFD.” Many individual BIM experts are also pushing for the drive towards an
open standard BIM future.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g5UCQXhMdZE/UXPqm2p8Y5I/AAAAAAAAAFM/-THnFRa0R9s/s1600/COBie+levels.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g5UCQXhMdZE/UXPqm2p8Y5I/AAAAAAAAAFM/-THnFRa0R9s/s400/COBie+levels.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #fdfdf9; color: #272727; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 14px;">Sourced from - BIS-BIM-strategy-Report (2011)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #fdfdf9; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #272727; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">To briefly explain what IFC data formats are,
they are in essence an 'open' and neutral data format which set a data standard
which if utilised can assist in the 'interoperability' between software
packages. As stated by <a href="http://www.buildingsmart-tech.org/specifications/ifc-overview" target="_blank">BuildingSMART</a></span><span class="MsoCommentReference"> </span><span style="background-color: #fdfdf9; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #272727; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> “Industry Foundation
Classes (IFC) are the open and neutral data format for openBIM.” The data</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> standard which has
been developed by Building SMART international, if adhered to enables for the
exchange of models and information between multiple software types, in essence
achieving interoperability. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Interoperability
is a significant word which if involved in BIM already you will be more than
familiar with, if not it’s something that you will begin to understand the
significance as you progress further into the world of BIM. For files and
models to be shared and merged amongst multiple analysis tools and offices they
need to be ‘interoperable’. If software packages have the ability to be
interoperable then it means that time can be saved through not having to
continually redevelop new building geometry for each tool that you wish to
utilise to carry out your various analysis.
The importance of this interoperability of files and models across all
the teams involved within a BIM project is a pressing concern within BIM which
is continually being intensely developed.
Interoperability is a key factor that needs to be drummed home when
considering BIM and is seen as being a key component in the future success of
BIM projects and needs to be carefully considered at every step.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fdfdf9; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #272727; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">If the work produced by varying teams is
carried out and outputted in an interoperable manner then it allows for
multiple teams to work collaboratively on a project without necessarily holding
the same software skills and licences. When reading and encountering BIM these
are key words that you will soon become familiar with; interoperability,
collaborative working, shareable data, data integration, IFC’s, data sharing
protocols to name a few….all of these words and terms hope to lead the
construction industry to one place, a ‘fully open process’ and working
environment.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #fdfdf9; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #272727; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">COBie is another tool that is also vastly
becoming</span> <span style="background-color: #fdfdf9; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="color: #272727; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">synonymous with BIM. COBie is a tool which
allows for a multitude of non-graphical data and information to be stored in an
organised manner, in essence a spreadsheet. All of this data can then be handed
over to the client/facilities management department allowing for easy access to
a multitude of details post-completion without having the unenviable task of
sifting through a mass of fragmented documentation looking for specific details
such as the manufacturer’s contact details of a door handle! With COBie the
intention is that all of this information can be kept in an up-datable database
which can be easily accessed and kept up to date throughout the whole life
cycle of a building, from concept through to demolition. Interesting further
reading on COBie can be found at NBS by <a href="http://www.thenbs.com/topics/BIM/articles/whatIsCOBie.asp" target="_blank">Stephen Hamil.</a></span></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gzlRqFbsCD0/UXPqm9eOsmI/AAAAAAAAAFI/DHOT9XbWKCk/s1600/COBie.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="284" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gzlRqFbsCD0/UXPqm9eOsmI/AAAAAAAAAFI/DHOT9XbWKCk/s640/COBie.gif" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Sourced from <a href="http://www.bimtaskgroup.org/cobie-uk-2012/">http://www.bimtaskgroup.org/cobie-uk-2012/</a></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It
is argued that this topic of interoperability of file formats and software
packages will be a major factor in determining BIM's success and whether it’s a
smooth transition from isolated design practices to a truly collaborative BIM
environment. </span><span style="background-color: #fdfdf9; color: #272727; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Software programmes
such as REVIT can sometimes be referred to as closed BIM, but I feel this is
not a clear defined point as REVIT does have the capability to export file
types in the ‘open’ BIM IFC format which allows for interoperability between
designs and models. For instance REVIT can export all of the information and
modal data from REVIT in the IFC data format which can then be imported into
various other software packages, beyond the Autodesk circle of software. So with this in mind you have to be careful
when considering what is truly open BIM and what is closed BIM as the
boundaries are not always clear.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The
voices behind 'open' BIM are actively encouraging BIM practitioners to utilise
the IFC data formats and open BIM standards, with part of the hope that no one
software vendor will have a monopoly on the market. According to the recent <a href="http://www.thenbs.com/topics/BIM/reports/index.asp" target="_blank">NBS NationalBIM Survey 2013</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">, within the scope of their research pool Autodesk
currently hold a 63% share of the CAD drawing market so clearly they have a
large proportional share of the market. What will be interesting over the years
to come will be to see how this large market share affects the progression and
evolution of BIM in the coming years. Will Autodesk’s share open up or close
down the interoperability of BIM? Are Autodesk going to be happy to push
forward with open BIM or is it in their interest to actually tie practitioners
into their product package? This is something that will be interesting to see
how it pans out and how far down the open BIM road BIM can progress with
Autodesk and the other software contenders a clear defining factor in how
‘open’ BIM becomes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">To
collaborate efficiently with a goal at reducing cost, time and carbon central
to the ethos of BIM then in my opinion surely we need to push forward with an
open approach to BIM sharing standards. I feel that with the research being
continually progressed by the likes of <a href="http://www.buildingsmart.org/" target="_blank">BuildingSMART</a>, <a href="http://www.thenbs.com/" target="_blank">NBS</a> and the <a href="http://www.openbimnetwork.com/index.html" target="_blank">OPEN BIM Network</a> as well as many others a collaborative open BIM future is possible and with the likes of the
big guns within the software industry supposedly on board than surely it’s just
a case of how do we get there rather than should we head in that direction?<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Do you feel
an open BIM future is or should be the only way forward for BIM or do you think
one software vendor will end up ruling the roost and lock down the market?
Please feel free to add to the discussion further.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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the end of the blog.</span></i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03523265347189288361noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6867834677737695641.post-36399582228242986312013-03-26T18:34:00.000+00:002013-05-30T11:29:19.987+01:00The Challenges in Integrating BIM into Higher Education<b><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">BIM will be a
major aspect in the future of the construction industry I think that’s clear; I
also feel that Higher Education will play a major part assisting to prepare
Graduates with the relevant skills required. Is however, the current structure
in place sufficient enough to provide the industry with BIM ready, or at least
reasonably BIM skilled Graduates today though and if not what challenges may Higher Education face?</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2DFK7lJUF7s/UVHnwlnK6uI/AAAAAAAAAEI/Nk-AI8RmOYk/s1600/www.prospects.ac.uk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2DFK7lJUF7s/UVHnwlnK6uI/AAAAAAAAAEI/Nk-AI8RmOYk/s320/www.prospects.ac.uk.jpg" width="312" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sourced from- www.prospects.ac.uk</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This week’s article will be looking at the
challenges that Higher Education Institutes will or may be facing in the near
future. BIM is clearly on the rise within the construction industry as covered
in my previous article on BIM maturity levels, which referenced that according
to the NBS National BIM Survey 2013, 47% of you out there in the UK have
already at some point reached BIM ‘Maturity Level 2’. But where do we really
stand in education? With this in mind I’m going to be concentrating this week
on Higher Education at an undergraduate level.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Looking across the spectrum of Higher
Education in the UK it doesn’t take long to establish that there clearly are
some institutions that are ahead of the game in regards to BIM content and
courses. This is at least true at Post-Graduate level, with an increasing number
of Higher Education institutes offering BIM courses at Masters Level, with a
selection of institutions beginning to offer some BIM content at undergraduate
level as well but not as prevalent. It is at undergraduate level that
personally I feel needs to be improved in the majority of cases.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">To look at the challenges which we may face
I’ve very loosely utilised a framework which was initially developed by Charles
Hopkins (2006), which has been worked on and developed over a number of year
looking at the ‘Challenges and Barriers to Education for Sustainable
development (ESD)’. Even though the framework developed by Hopkins was focusing
on the challenges faced by ESD, many of the issues identified are applicable to
the challenges that will be faced in the adoption of BIM in education. I’ve
took this base and then run with it! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">One of the first challenges I feel will be to
increase the awareness of BIM amongst the existing teaching staff within institutions.
If BIM is to be developed and integrated into undergraduate courses then members
of staff who may not be directly impacted by BIM still need to be made aware of
it and understand why institutions are pushing forward in the direction of BIM.
Additional to this more specialised individual professional learning will more
than likely be required by staff to ensure that all those involved in the
delivery of BIM are competent and understand what they are preaching. This may
sound like an obvious point but one I feel needs highlighting. This is an area
where I feel government needs to work together with Education institutes and
cohesively come up with and progress a clear plan which can then be rolled out
and communicated to all Higher Education Universities and Colleges teaching
Built Environment courses. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The next issue concerns how BIM is integrated
across the Built Environment curriculum. Personally I feel that all
construction students should at least leave university with an awareness of
what BIM actually is and what it means to them; not only as an individual but
also as a part in the overall spectrum of the industry. The difficulty will be
in ensuring that the differing disciplines who are studying in their fields of
expertise gain the appropriate amount of skills which are needed, beyond that
of an initial ‘BIM awareness’. This is something which needs to be continually
developed and accessed as BIM in the industry naturally develops, education
should follow suit and adapt its processes to ensure that Graduates are leaving
with the right skills. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Another issue in teaching BIM is dealing with
the complexity of some BIM concepts. It
is paramount that the skills and theory that are to be taught do not confuse
students more than when they started. When something is hard to define it can
also be difficult to teach, an aspect which BIM can be guilty of on occasion! Teaching
needs to be clear that BIM goes beyond that of the 3D model, with efficient
information sharing a critical factor which needs to be adopted and understood.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Another challenge to be considered will be
how far should, and could current courses be changed in regards to integrating
BIM. Built Environment courses are set up carefully to cover many specific
learning outcomes which are required to ensure that the courses have content within
them that is education and industry applicable. One of the major issues which
Higher Education institutes face is the congestion of courses. There a lot of
content which already exists in specific courses which quite simply can’t be
removed as the timetables are designed in such a way to cover discipline and
accreditation content requirements which are generally clearly set out and
defined. Currently there is a lack of
knowledge in regards to BIM which prevents clear standardised accreditation;
once this is achieved or defined it may make it easier to incorporate BIM into
courses. The solution or challenge, depending how you look at it may be for education
to integrate BIM seamlessly within the structure of existing courses and
modules rather than attempting to create brand new BIM specific courses or
modules which will directly compete for timetable space with existing modules. </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4ynI4XczU6I/UVHnyLVRSmI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/KchBfidCq_o/s1600/BIM-GCCGcover-209x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4ynI4XczU6I/UVHnyLVRSmI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/KchBfidCq_o/s1600/BIM-GCCGcover-209x300.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Sourced from- http://www.bimtaskgroup.org</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">An important criterion concerning the success
of the adoption of BIM will be the sharing of the responsibilities. The
adoption of BIM into an educational department cannot solely be the work of one
BIM initiator, as experienced by many industry drivers in BIM’s early days. The
correct framework and desire needs to be in place amongst all staff. Support for BIM in education has to be
provided right form the top down; through Government to university heads, department
heads to lecturer’s and then dissipated from the lecturers to the students
accordingly. I feel a clearer path
forward needs to be outlined by all parties on what Higher Education’s part
will be in the integration of BIM across the construction industry, beyond that
of ‘It has an important part to play’. This will ensure that everyone involved
is pushing in the same direction, it’s no good education flying off with ideas
and learning outcomes if it’s not what the Government, education or industry
require. Education shouldn’t be solely designed to fulfil industry’s needs but
it is part of Higher Education’s institutions responsibility to ensure that
Graduates have a good chance of employability when they leave university, and
if BIM is an industry required skill then it falls on education to assist in
instilling this skill into their Graduates. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="NormalWCCM" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">To do this Higher
Education institutes will need to continue to develop new ways of engaging
students and improving their soft and hard skills, relevant to successful
practice in a multi-disciplinary field of construction. The aim should be to
teach more efficient design processes which lead to reduced costs and time
whilst also enhancing student’s skills of design integration, analysis and
collaboration. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="NormalWCCM" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The next steps for Higher
Education should be to continue to develop new BIM integration strategies
whilst at the same time continually assessing the effects of the current
strategies that have been implemented. Is what we are teaching today
sufficient? Personally I don’t think it is, at undergraduate level at least, but I do know first hand that big strides are happening across various universities who've adopted a progressive attitude towards how we teach BIM at undergraduate and post-graduate level which is a big step in the right direction. BIM will be a major aspect in the future
of the construction industry I think that’s clear; I also feel that Higher
Education can assist in preparing Graduates with the relevant skills and
knowledge to be able to succeed within a continuously developing and
collaborative industry. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I’ve migrated to gain further control to expand the content; you can find my new polished website at;</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> <a href="http://www.architect-bim.com/">www.architect-bim.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Please feel free to come over and look at the new set up and design as well as the latest article on <a href="http://www.architect-bim.com/2013/05/415/#.UacpDbU4uSo">Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems for Green Roofs (SUDS)</a>. The article is a follow up to the previous article on To Green of Not to Green? This article will be focusing more on the technical aspects, in particular Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems, otherwise known as SUDS.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">What
challenges do you think Higher Education faces? Maybe you have first-hand
knowledge of how you've</span><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"> succeeded in integrating BIM into you’re courses? Success’s
or challenge’s; University Lecturer’s, Industry or Student’s, please feel free
to comment with your thoughts below.</span></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Information/opinions posted on this site are the personal
views of the author and should not be relied upon by any person or any third
party without first seeking further professional advice. Also, please scroll
down and read the copyright notice at the end of the blog.</i></span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03523265347189288361noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6867834677737695641.post-59654316250992690722013-03-19T11:33:00.001+00:002013-05-30T11:29:33.244+01:00What is BIM? (Part 2 - Building Information Modelling) A look at the BIM levels of maturity and the possibilities for BIM tools to assist a differing selection of professionals.<br />
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<b style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It’s clear
that BIM’s popularity is on the rise, with an estimated 47% of the participants
who took part in the NBS National BIM Survey 2013 stating that at some point
they had reached Level 2 BIM. What I'm interested in hearing this week is how far down the BIM maturity levels are you today and what gains do you feel BIM
tools and protocols are bringing to your design and management processes?</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">How
we use BIM tools can differ depending on each each party involved, whether you’re coming from
an Architects point of view or whether you’re looking at it from the Facilities
Management angle, what gains you take away from following BIM practices can
vary. Some of you out there may see and use BIM tools purely to enhance the communication of 3D designs
in an isolated design environment. While
others may be at BIM ‘Maturity Level 1’, still preferring to work in 2D yet adopting
the ‘Information’ protocol aspects of BIM to enhance file based collaboration.
According to the </span><a href="http://www.thenbs.com/topics/BIM/reports/index.asp" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" target="_blank">NBS National BIM Survey 2013</a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> 47% of you out there have
already at some point reached BIM ‘Maturity Level 2’, which is great news for
BIM. Within the same </span><a href="http://www.thenbs.com/topics/BIM/reports/index.asp" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" target="_blank">NBS National BIM Survey 2013</a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> 8% stated that they have
reached the iBIM Level 3 of maturity at some point, working within a fully collaborative
and integrated environment, does this mean the future is surely bright for?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">The
UK Government has mandated that all public building projects will have to be
using BIM design processes at level 2, fully collaborative 3D BIM with Library
Management, or higher by 2016. To briefly outline the levels of maturity to
give you a general idea of what all this means here is the <a href="http://www.bimtaskgroup.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/BIS-BIM-strategy-Report.pdf" target="_blank">BIS-BIM-strategy-Reports</a>
maturity level definitions;</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XOmsdImu22A/UUhGtazC7EI/AAAAAAAAADo/ltjhMvwlHBU/s1600/BIM+levels+of+maturity.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XOmsdImu22A/UUhGtazC7EI/AAAAAAAAADo/ltjhMvwlHBU/s400/BIM+levels+of+maturity.png" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Sourced from - BIS-BIM-strategy-Report (2011)</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>0.</b>
Unmanaged CAD probably 2D, with paper (or electronic paper) as the most likely
data exchange mechanism.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>1.</b>
Managed CAD in 2 or 3D format using BS 1192:2007 with a collaboration tool
providing a common data environment, possibly some standard data structures and
formats. Commercial data managed by standalone finance and cost management
packages with no integration.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>2.</b>
Managed 3D environment held in separate discipline “BIM” tools with attached
data. Commercial data managed by an ERP. Integration on the basis of
proprietary interfaces or bespoke middleware could be regarded as “pBIM”
(proprietary). The approach may utilise 4D Programme data and 5D cost elements.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>3.</b>
Fully open process and data integration enabled by IFC / IFD. Managed by a
collaborative model server. Could be regarded as iBIM or integrated BIM
potentially employing concurrent engineering processes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">This
week additional to briefly discussing the Levels of BIM I'm going to be giving
a brief outline of how BIM tools can assist a differing selection of
disciplines;<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">BIM for Architectural Design
and Modelling<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">As
many are aware BIM models can be used to allow the designer to present and
communicate 3D designs in a clear, easily accessible way for all to see. BIM
models and information analysis packages provides a platform for multiple
discipline teams to analysis, interrogate and navigate the project further,
beyond the limitations of 2D design. Once the information is data dropped to
the core model further clash detection analysis can take place, reducing issues
and conflicts. As discussed earlier having all of the information centralised
in one core model will inevitably lead to improved design and document
efficiency. It is these added values that take BIM beyond that of a simple 3D
visual model.</span></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hgAfNLpQlNg/UUhImIte_oI/AAAAAAAAADw/wpyRwn4KjfA/s1600/Arup+steel+ec+fame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="234" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hgAfNLpQlNg/UUhImIte_oI/AAAAAAAAADw/wpyRwn4KjfA/s320/Arup+steel+ec+fame.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sourced from- www.arupassociates.com</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">BIM for Structural
Modelling and Analysis</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">BIM
software can assist the structural designer in their analysis of the structural
performance of a structure. Employing one core structural model means that there
is no need for multiple models to be created for each different structural
analysis that's needed. Time is saved through not having to continually
transcribe information from one design package to another. All the related
information to the project can then be easily shared and accessed by multiple
project disciplines.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">BIM for MEP Modelling,
Detailing and Energy Analysis</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Creating
MEP details in a BIM model allows building service engineers' and Architectural
designers alike to be able to visually appreciate how the services within a
design relate to the building as a whole, ensuring that clashes and issues are
identified early on. Using MEP and energy analysis software many analytical
programmes can be run to test the overall efficiency of the design. This should
result in a circle of design – analysis – redesign, with an aim at establishing
the most energy efficient design at as early stage as possible.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">BIM for Programming and
Scheduling (4D BIM)</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">BIM
3D models can be utilised to assist contractors in the programming and
scheduling of BIM projects. This is achieved by adding programming and time data
to a BIM project, once the data is married to the building project then the 4D
programming schedule can be established. The 4D programme can then be used to
assist contractors and designers to improve and refine the schedule of the
project.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">BIM for Quantity Schedules
and Costing Information (5D BIM)</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Quantity
Surveyors and Designers are able to produce accurate quantity schedules and
cost information for building projects. Standardised data can also be
integrated into BIM models ensuring that all the building components meet the
required Building Regulations. Your probably picking up on the theme here....
all of this information can then be stored and accessed within the BIM core
model by all those involved in the project.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">BIM for Facilities and
Asset Management (6D BIM)</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">The
management processes and time that it takes for a facilities management team to
continually assess and maintain their asset stock can be considerable. For instance if you think of a University
estates team, with tens of buildings to manage trying to find a detail
specification of a fixture or fitting in a building that was built 40 years
previous you can imagine, it can be a tough task. Having all of the information
available within one core model could be invaluable, at the click of a button
the details, manufacturer, performance criteria and cost could be accessed
almost instantaneously.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Please feel free to come over and look at the new set up and design as well as the latest article on <a href="http://www.architect-bim.com/2013/05/415/#.UacpDbU4uSo">Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems for Green Roofs (SUDS)</a>. The article is a follow up to the previous article on To Green of Not to Green? This article will be focusing more on the technical aspects, in particular Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems, otherwise known as SUDS.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thank you for visiting Architect-BIM and I hope you continue to follow us over at the new site- <a href="http://www.architect-bim.com/">www.architect-bim.com</a></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>How far down
the road of the BIM maturity levels do you feel you or your offices are at today?
What gains if any, do you feel that BIM tools and protocols are bringing to
your design and management processes within your working environment? </i><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Feel free to
comment and discuss the topic further.<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 19px; text-align: start;"><em>Information/opinions posted on this site are the personal views of the author and should not be relied upon by any person or any third party without first seeking further professional advice. Also, please scroll down and read the copyright notice at the end of the blog.</em></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 19px; text-align: start;"> </span></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03523265347189288361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6867834677737695641.post-20405731090830114382013-03-15T22:55:00.001+00:002013-05-30T11:29:51.695+01:00What is BIM? (Part 1 - Building Information Modelling) <div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></span></span>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the context of Architecture</span><span style="color: red;">, </span></span></b></span><b style="color: red; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Building
Information Modelling (BIM) is a design methodology, which enables all of the
design details, decisions and characteristics to be held within a collaborative
digital model and information package. Having all of the information
centralised in one core model will inevitably lead to improved design and
document efficiency. It is this added value that takes BIM beyond that of a
simple 3D visual model.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-goS5yZ8woFo/UUO0TLM658I/AAAAAAAAABA/BisZxxWaBjY/s1600/3D+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="153" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-goS5yZ8woFo/UUO0TLM658I/AAAAAAAAABA/BisZxxWaBjY/s640/3D+2.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Designed by and Property of Danny McGough</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm going to open with a few statistics but don’t be too frightened, 4 stats and I'm done!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">The
knowledge of BIM within the construction industry is on the rise, the recent NBS
National BIM Report 2013 states that only ‘6% of the industry were neither
aware nor using BIM’ in 2012, compare this to previous years of 21% and 43% in
2011 and 2010 respectively it is clear that the awareness of BIM amongst
construction professionals is rising. Looking at these particular statistics it
does paint a promising future for BIM. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="184" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nk33oWN8a_I/UUO02VS_kII/AAAAAAAAABM/mx3u23bjoXg/s320/cut+through.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Designed by and Property of Danny McGough</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">However
following on from this, in the same NBS BIM Report 2013, the statistic that
‘74% of the industry is not clear enough on what BIM is yet’ does mean that we’re
not completely past the ‘What’ stage just yet for all construction
professionals. It’s with this in mind that has led me to write this week’s blog,
‘What is BIM?’ </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">In the context of Architecture Building
Information Modelling (BIM) is a design methodology, which enables all of the
design details, decisions and characteristics to be held within a collaborative
digital model and information package. </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">All of the design and
project information can then be shared, accessed and even altered live,
facilitating an efficient and fluid collaborative design and asset management
process across the whole life cycle of a building.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"> For the wider range of parties involved the concentration may be more on the 'Information' sharing aspects of BIM. </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A predominate aspect of BIM which continually needs to be expressed and driven home is that the 'Information' side of BIM is just as important as any design model. Working within a BIM environment, adopting BIM information sharing protocols, collating the data in an interoperable format, and utilising documents such as BuildingSMART's 'Project Execution Plan' into a project aims to improve how information is shared amongst all varying parties involved in an efficient interoperable manner, regardless of whether you're the Architect or the contractor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />A
core feature of working within a BIM environment is the drive towards
encouraging multi-disciplinary collaboration from the very outset of a project.
The benefits of all disciplines working together within one core BIM
environment are multiple. A major issue that is experienced within non BIM
design processes is the matter of conflicting design issues; the ethos of
having a core central BIM model is to facilitate a smoother transition through
these issues by identifying conflicts earlier on in the project stages thus
reducing the negative effects on schedule and costs. From an early stage
projects can be visualised allowing the client and designer alike to gain an
appreciation of how the design is going to materialise, this allows for
important design decisions and alterations to be made at an early stage where
the cost repercussions are little cost or even zero. The efficiency of the
effects of changes within documentation or design is greatly improved as any
changes made which are linked to the main BIM package will be carried through
and updated to all corresponding linked documents and models automatically.</span></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cA-QOWpSjH0/UUOjSnDhYLI/AAAAAAAAAAs/olJy3eTyksM/s1600/Independent+Separated+Design+Environment.tif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cA-QOWpSjH0/UUOjSnDhYLI/AAAAAAAAAAs/olJy3eTyksM/s320/Independent+Separated+Design+Environment.tif" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Designed by myself, Danny McGough</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">To the right you can see a graphical example of an 'Independent Separated Design Environment'. This simple graphical representation expresses the chaos when all parties are working independently of the others. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Having
the design process completed within a BIM environment using 3D BIM models with
a core 3D BIM model at the centre of the project leads to multiple benefits
post model creation. The models can be analysed allowing for a multitude of
model interrogations to take place including; energy analysis, structural
analysis, accurate schedules and quantity take-offs to name a few. It is argued
that by using BIM processes for building projects it will improve the energy
efficiency, improve the scheduling, facilitate a reduction of waste and possibly
paramount to this, a reduction in costs.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Below is another graphical </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">representation</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">, of a </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">'BIM Collaborative Design Environment' showing how</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> a BIM core model and digital information package can assist the project team to deliver a fluid fully collaborative project.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-46djM0reOjs/UUOjSvADTcI/AAAAAAAAAAw/6v4GlZxat0A/s1600/BIM+Collaborative+Design+Environment.tif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-46djM0reOjs/UUOjSvADTcI/AAAAAAAAAAw/6v4GlZxat0A/s320/BIM+Collaborative+Design+Environment.tif" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Designed by myself, Danny McGough</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: large;">In
summary, through carrying out all of this pre-construction design analysis and
interrogation the result will be a reduction in conflicts and changes made
during the construction phase which usually will have a detrimental effect on a
project in terms of wastage, quality, time and costs. At the same time the
stringent energy analysis that can take place in the early stages of a BIM
project aims to improve the performance of a project in regards to low impact
design. And finally post project completion the BIM model can continue to be
utilised by the FM team to assist in the management of their assets in an
environmentally conscious manner.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Please feel free to come over and look at the new set up and design as well as the latest article on <a href="http://www.architect-bim.com/2013/05/415/#.UacpDbU4uSo">Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems for Green Roofs (SUDS)</a>. The article is a follow up to the previous article on To Green of Not to Green? This article will be focusing more on the technical aspects, in particular Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems, otherwise known as SUDS.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thank you for visiting Architect-BIM and I hope you continue to follow us over at the new site- <a href="http://www.architect-bim.com/">www.architect-bim.com</a></span><br />
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<br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: large;">What are your thoughts and experiences on BIM today? Is BIM something that is completely new to you, a foreign confusing topic or are you in the, we love it and were flying with it category?</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: large;">I'd be really interested to hear your thoughts below in the comments as it would be great to hear where you are all coming from so we can keep the discussions and articles moving.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03523265347189288361noreply@blogger.com7Coventry, West Midlands, UK52.406822 -1.519692999999961152.2518545 -1.842416499999961 52.561789499999996 -1.1969694999999612