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<\/p>\nConsulting the mobile or tablet on site and in maintenance operations is close to becoming something usual, the same way as we\u2019re already using these devices to find parking space or confirm a reservation.<\/p>\n
The reason is that the built environment is also being digitized, finally taking the train of modernization. The methodology that will make this transformation possible is BIM (Building Information Modelling).\n<\/p>\n
Let’s start by saying that BIM is the opportunity to do things better in the AEC sector.<\/p>\n
Those of us who didn’t learn BIM in the university and have developed much of our professional life using the “traditional” method know it . For many of us, BIM means the answer to our concerns at that time, when the profession had barely changed substantially in 50 years, was alien to the evolution of other sectors such as the automotive industry and we wondered if there was not some way to improve it.<\/p>\n
Now we can say that BIM is a fact, many projects and numerous standards support it. We can see how the approach of professionals to the acronym has changed, from its use without much knowledge or confidence, to an understood and accepted reality.<\/p>\n
The design phase was the first to benefit from the new methodology. BIM helps to lighten drawing tasks, to present project documentation without contradictions, to coordinate the different disciplines and therefore to anticipate and resolve incidents on screen and not on site.<\/p>\n
Contractors, traditionally conservative are beginning to embrace the BIM with enthusiasm. Construction teams are giving up on the evidence of improved cost control, change management and the benefits of visual planning verification.<\/p>\n
But where the transformation is most motivating is in the operational phase. From commissioning to daily maintenance, digital twins are an essential tool for the operation, the renovation or the building sale.<\/p>\n
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BIM offers control, consistency and accessibility to real estate asset information to all agents involved. Fear of sharing information is banished in this collaborative framework.<\/p>\n
We see that digitalization is beneficial whatever the stage of our asset. It should be clarified that it is not necessary for a project to have been developed in BIM in order to obtain the digital twin of the property. We can make that twin directly on a building already built.<\/p>\n
Regarding typologies benefiting from digitalization, we should not limit to thinking just about buildings as the B for Building in BIM may seem to indicate, infrastructure came into the BIM at the same time and in fact much of the development of BIM has been in engineering projects rather than architectural projects. On the other hand, the already existing BIM integration solutions with GIS systems indicate that we will be able to incorporate the assets in territorial scale environments.<\/p>\n
\nBut why are all the above-mentioned enhances possible? What is the reason for a change?\n<\/p>\n
BIM is a methodology supported by technological development, in other words, BIM is a new way of working that uses digital tools.<\/p>\n
Digital tools build BIM models as 3D virtual models based on parametric and intelligent objects. The project or asset is no longer defined by lines and unconnected numbers, but by a set of graphic and non-graphic data, which are structured, interconnected and computable.<\/p>\n
\nThe computation of such data allows for example automatic clash detection, quantities extraction, generation of complex geometries or verification of compliance with regulations.<\/p>\n
\nHowever, BIM models are not everything. Not all the information can be in the models, not if you don’t want them to be unmanageable because of their weight. And not all the information must be in the models, a BIM model may not be the best platform for editing or controlling certain data.\n<\/p>\n
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\nThis brings us to the concept of the Single Information Repository. By Single Information Repository we understand the set of platforms that incorporate all the relevant information of a project, a construction work or an asset in an integrated way. This condition makes the information reliable: we are eliminating uncertainty which means a reduction of risks and costs.\n<\/p>\n
\nIt does not end here, the bet of digitalization does not cover only the definition of a Single Information Repository of the projects or the built environment but also the processes on them. The new methodology also means efficient information management.\n<\/p>\n
\nFacility Managers indicate the need to approach the management of an organization’s services from an integrative perspective of departments and processes. Digitalization seems to be the appropriate methodology to achieve this, since, as we have seen in the previous paragraphs, it meets these expectations by allowing both a transversal and a detailed control over the property portfolio.<\/p>\n
If it is sensible to indicate that the more and better information is kept about the built environment of an organization, the better it will be managed, it seems obligatory that the control of Information must be added as a fundamental tool in Facility Management.<\/p>\n
Therefore, asset information must be a support service to the organization. And like all other services, it must be maintained. We must add Information Maintenance to the list of services supported by Facility Management, knowing that this concept will have direct positive consequences for the vast majority of other services.<\/p>\n
\nThe desired transversal control of the set of assets will demand consistency in the codification and classification of the data that represent them. This order will allow the analysis of different properties under the same metrics, as well as the establishment of a standardized normative framework: let’s avoid inventing the wheel in each new project.<\/p>\n
\nTo embrace this new methodology is to be aligned with the present and the future.<\/p>\n
The digital transformation provides value throughout the entire life cycle of the asset to all participating agents, not just architects or engineers: owners, maintainers, suppliers, occupiers and users will be able to update, modify or consult the information according to their interests and roles.<\/p>\n
The digital transformation involves much more than making digital twins. Modeling must be accompanied by a plan for the consumption of that information, how it is reviewed, how it is shared, how it is used.<\/p>\n
\nIf Architecture has always had a component of social responsibility, digitalization only supports it. With the digital transformation we promote a collaborative and transparent environment with efficient real estate assets.\n<\/p>\n
\nThis post was published as a chapter in the book “Architecture and Facility Management” edited by Colegio Oficial de Arquitectos de Catalunya and Escola Sert.<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The digitalization of the built environment Consulting the mobile or tablet on site and in maintenance operations is close to becoming something usual, the same way as we\u2019re already using these devices to find parking space or confirm a reservation. The reason is that the built environment is also being digitized, finally taking the train […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":27045,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[654,655,657,662,411],"class_list":["post-14824","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guidelines","tag-industry-architects-engineers","tag-industry-construction","tag-industry-developers","tag-industry-owners-operators","tag-technology-revit"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n