Building Information Modeling - BIM

New technology, called building information modeling (BIM), is making it easier and cheaper to develop new buildings, especially ones using green, sustainable principles.

BIM software easily links with sustainable design software programs helping architects and developers analyze a building before it's built. The analysis is guaranteed to be more effective and easier to do with BIM.

The ability to link with green building programs is a recent innovation made possible through the rollout of BIM software that addresses structural and mechanical issues in addition to design.

Historically, design and development professionals couldn’t transfer building data without sending blueprints and other papers back and forth. BIM software acts as a repository for all data related to a specific project, integrating all elements of building design and engineering from the floor heights to the weight of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.

BIM software allows design professionals to create 3-D models of buildings that behave identically to the finished building. They can also explore many iterations of a building design (with different engineering requirements) to maximize performance. The software can also help reduce costs related to material waste and the use of recycled materials. With BIM software, design and development professionals can get a better handle on the costs of green design techniques and materials, enabling them to make smarter decisions and maximize their profits. The software helps with the hundreds of decisions that you need to make to be green. It's a very important tool to determine the benefit and cost of each green strategy. BIM can even gauge the costs of making tiny changes in the design process. You could pinpoint the exact costs of the buildings if they were shifted three degrees to deflect sun, or if the amount of glass in the building was decreased. BIM also projects the costs of using a different type of window.

Productivity increases by 30% to 40%. BIM has changed the way we're doing architecture because it does all the things that everybody hated doing before.

- Filo Castore, AIA LEED AP
- Kimberly Hickson, AIA LEED AP