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An intelligent model

Building information modelling (BIM), is transforming the way that we design buildings to perform throughout their entire life cycle. BIM can be thought of as a virtual prototype – whether of a building, a site, an infrastructure system or a city. It allows any aspect of a design’s performance to be simulated and assessed before it is built – helping us to understand the design more completely and much earlier.

That virtual prototype becomes a reference for better construction. And it continues to evolve, even after it passes to the asset’s owners and operators. BIM achieves all this because it is not simply a 3D animation: it is an intelligent project model in which information is embedded so it can be shared between stakeholders throughout the whole process.

That information helps the project team understand the implications of their choices, constraints and opportunities. An intelligent model brings greater precision to project feasibility, cost and schedules – becoming a 4D model when factors of programme and time are added in, and 5D with quantity and cost. It also helps us make considerable gains in sustainability of construction and operation.

By advancing BIM with exceptional rigour at Archmap, we are closer than ever to realising the ‘total design’ of systems and structures.

Shared knowledge, expanded possibilities

We build on Archmap’s integrated working to shape BIM as a positive collaborative method. At its best, this method allows information to flow freely – between architects, engineers, technical specialists, owners and operators – to promote productive, open working relationships.

Using modelling for more joined-up working is helping our teams worldwide to reduce design conflicts, to produce more efficient designs and to fast-track schedules, to optimise layouts, even in tight spaces and to align efforts to achieve greater energy-efficiency.