Global BIM Adoption around the world

“We’ve seen the future, and it’s BIM shaped”

BIM or Building Information Modelling or Building Information Management is a cohesive system that creates a collaborative medium that allows professionals in the AEC industry to build and design within a single 3D model. BIM adoption not only helps in establishing a common interface but also assists with operation and management through data.

Emerging as one of the most promising developments in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry, BIM is a prominently used platform in many leading countries. BIM is used to avoid mishaps and implement better project management, avoiding unsolicited project failures. When a similar concept is applied to bridges, this process is termed Bridge Information Modelling (BrIM). Let us now move on to discussing the origin of the adoption of BIM on a global scale.

The Rise of BIM

To understand the timeline of BIM adoption around the world, let us go back to the dawn of computing days. It was the year 1962 when Douglas C. Englebart painted a visionary image of an architect from the future in his paper "Augmenting Human Intellect". In a world that was unknown to BIM systems, Computer-aided Design (CAD) and Computer-aided Manufacturing (CAM) emerged as novel technologies in the '60s. Nobody fathomed the technological force CAD and CAM were capable of and where it would lead us. 

The contributions of Christopher Alexander influenced an early school of programming. While these systems were well-planned, they lacked a graphical platform to interact with a Building Model. This further laid focus on accelerating the use of visualisation in conceptual frameworks. 

The first commercial software was developed by Dr. Patrick J. Hanratty, later growing into a significant milestone in CAM. He later created DAC (Design Automated by Computer) in 1961. DAC later paved the way for creating a CAD/CAM system by using interactive graphics. 

“Never generate anything closely coupled to a specific architecture. And make sure you keep things open to communicate with other systems, even your competitors.” - Dr. Patrick J. Hanratty

The Timeline:

1957: First Computer-aided machining software (CAM)

1963: Sketchpad, CAD with graphical user interface

1975: BDS (Building Description System)

1977: GLIDE (Graphical Language for Interactive Design)

1982: 2D CAD

1984: Radar CH

1985: Vectorworks 

1986: RUCAPS (Really Universal Computer-Aided Production System)

1987: ArchiCAD 

1988: ENGINEER/Pro

1992: Building Information Model - officially 

1993: Building Design Advisor 

1994: miniCAD 

1995: International Foundation Class (IFC) file format 

1997: ArchiCAD's Teamwork 

1999: Onuma 

2000: Revit 

2001: NavisWorks 

2002: Autodesk takes over Revit 

2003: Generative Components 

2004: Revit 6 update 

2006: Digital Project

2007: Autodesk takes over NavisWorks 

2008: Parametricist Manifesto 

2012: formit

The Global Wave of BIM Adoption around the world

The global adoption of BIM cannot be left unnoticed, and while many regions are making BIM a mandatory practice, some are on the course of action. Many nations like the US, UK, China, Singapore, South Korea, France, etc. have started using BIM for projects in the public sector. The US is one of the first nations to adopt this technology within several public sector organisations like the US Army Corps of Engineers, the General Service Administration, etc. Countries from Europe are also active users of BIM on a large scale. With the public sector playing a primary role in BIM adoption practices, the UK government is all set to acquire BIM Level 2 by 2016. The practice of implementing applications of BIM has been increasing globally with non-profit agencies and government organisations diving into diverse BIM solutions and standards. 

BIM adoption around the world

1. Europe

EU Plays a significant role in developing, understanding, and implying BIM as a practice. Many efficient structures can be seen being constructed using this interactive interface and leading the AEC industry. 

2. The United Kingdom

The UK is a world leader when it comes to BIM. The UK has not only mandated implying applications of BIM in every government construction project but adopting BIM has led to year-on-year growth. 

3. The United States of America

BIM adoption in the USA has led to design, construct and manage its facilities. Commonly used between contractor and client, the government hasn’t mandated the application of BIM.

4. Australia

Australia shows interest in the technology-based approach and has observed a rise in the BIM process for the public and private sectors. However, with the absence of a standardised method, BIM adoption is different according to the areas of the country. 

5. Singapore

BIM construction is a key technology used in Singapore and observes multiple benefits of BIM. The BCA (Building and Construction Authority) has made a compulsion on submitting BIM plans to get approvals. 

6. Russia

BIM technology is being used diligently in cities like Moscow, Kazan, St, Petersburg, Ufa, and Yekaterinburg. Russia is also switching to BIM for all government projects, with further legislation in progress.

7. China

China is a large country with BIM holding a lot of scope to grow and become standardised. However, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development (MOHURD) has been working on progressing BIM processes since 2001. 

8. India

As one of the fastest-growing construction sectors, India has been catching up with the BIM adoption. Right from recognizing the advantages of implementing applications of BIM on an integrated level, India is on its way to being coloured BIM.

Also Read: Why Is the Government of India Pushing BIM for all Public Projects?

Factors Affecting BIM Adoption around the world

The challenges in the Construction sector are multifaceted and multiple concepts are on their way to making it easier along with establishing interfaces that make collaboration, design processes, and visualisation more efficient. According to studies, three major factors influence the adoption of BIM in the AEC industry:

1. Perceived Benefit: 

Recognizing the gaps, many BIM users have perceived quality improvement as one of the major benefits. Other advancements include improved access to data, better collaboration, and improvement in accuracy.

2. External Forces: 

To stay relevant, one has to stay a step ahead and keep an eye on their competitors and focus on better interfaces. This is where external forces like competitors, collaborators, etc. kick in. 

There are 3 factors to consider in this category : 

• Influences from the competitors
• Influences from the collaborative parties
• The objective of BIM adoption around the world is to remain relevant and ahead of their competition.

3. Internal readiness: 

This covers the internal agility of the team and focuses on the attitude of the management, the financial cost of BIM, training hours, etc. According to surveys conducted, a major part of any adopter's firm supports the usage of BIM and upskilling internally. 

Also Read: How Can BIM Effectively Help End Corruption in the AEC Industry?

But Wait, Why BIM?

People keep talking about making data management better and making better collaborative approaches that can lead to more streamlined workflows. But does anyone talk about how and the benefits of BIM? 

Well, BIM answers your question.

Here are a few reasons why you should switch to BIM technology: 

1. Reduced Risks and Costs

We all understand the hassle of reworking that comes with potential disagreements during the construction phase, which can consume both time and money. BIM-based budget estimation helps in avoiding cost overruns which is a huge red flag when it comes to working through traditional methods. 4D simulations help BIM adopters to identify the challenges and solve them efficiently, saving time and money!

2. Aims at higher sustainability

With the increasing pollution and the rage of waste, shapeshifting towards sustainable practices is the need of the hour. BIM technology helps us provide a digital model that not only identifies potential issues but maps sustainable methods and materials to make construction better. This in turn can help us reduce waste and the environment as a domino effect. 

3. Better Productivity, Better Efficiency

BIM enables stakeholders to view and interact in the same virtual model of the building along with AEC professionals generating 2D drawings from 3D models that optimises time and accuracy. BIM also helps in creating prototypes that help in charting out patterns in different designs and construction scenarios. 

4. Enhanced Communication and Collaboration

BIM adoption comes into the picture with a single integrated model that is open to collaboration and makes it easier for the team to find and share relevant data. An interface like this helps in an efficient collaboration that leads to avoiding potential risks and improving communication between project members. This bags in some time and helps with improving efficiency at the same time! 

The Impact of BIM adoption: A piece of inspiration to get you started

The wave of BIM is steadily colliding with traditional methods, and we are walking the aspirational lane in the construction industry. One such impactful example is the Dongdaemun Design Park & Plaza in Seoul, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects.

Being the first public project in Korea to use 3D BIM, the project has marked its historic value along with stimulating the thought of switching to BIM technology. If we traverse through the design process, it is noticeable that every design requirement taken into consideration involves behavioural patterns and social interactions around the building fabric. These further stitched the framework of design, crafting out derivatives of the project like programmatic requirements, engineering, and spatial context. 

Zaha Hadid is known for her complex designs and her meandering around parametricism. As much as it looks visually appealing, the skeleton behind it can be intense and complicated to understand, which might lead to creating unclear communication and several unrecorded gaps. Challenges like mismanaged communication between subcontractors, labour management groups, MEP specialists, and other collaborators spread across the globe. The fabrication of the building envelope with 45,000 unique aluminium panels in the design was another challenge to be dealt with. The urgency of implementing applications of BIM and creating a streamlined design workflow and efficiency in building management led to the much-needed BIM adoption to complete the project successfully. 

Also Read: Scope Of Bim in the Future and its Global Growth Rate

Conclusion

The AEC sector is struggling to foster in settings, and while it is making diligent efforts to flourish with the current shapeshifting, some gaps need to be identified and filled. One such bridge is BIM. With many sectors going BIM with government agencies and nonprofit organisations in recent years, implementing applications of BIM are only gearing up. As we move ahead, we are only looking at better management, optimised workflows, and efficiency in the AEC industry. We are on our way to embarking upon this journey and making BIM adoption around the world a mandatory practice! 

So, Let's get BIM-ming! 

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