UK AEC Industry Makes a Significant Move Towards..

13 August 2010, 9:35am

UK AEC Industry Makes a Significant Move Towards Building Information Modelling

Upsurge in support for new working methods as industry challenges intensify

“The building design, construction and infrastructure industries must improve productivity, while at the same time completing complex projects on time and at or under budget,” said Jay Bhatt, senior vice president of AEC Industry Solutions on a recent visit to the UK. He was speaking at a time when a string of big-name contractors and architects including Aedas, WSP, Architype and Halcrow have made investments in Autodesk Revit Software, alongside other products from the Autodesk building information modelling (BIM) portfolio.

One of the main drivers for these firms has been the need to accelerate productivity. In a benchmarking project the large architectural practice Aedas found it could do this by up to 50% by using Autodesk Revit Architecture Suite.

“With the new government determined to cut spending, a significant proportion of committed investment in building and infrastructure will be up for review – and any project that does go ahead will be scrutinised for waste and over-spending, says Pete Baxter Autodesk senior director Northern Europe. “BIM methods of working have been shown to create major efficiencies by eliminating inaccuracies, waste and clashes – and at the same time maintaining transparency and accountability. It’s no surprise that new working challenges have tipped the balance in BIM’s favour.”

BIM is an integrated process for exploring a project’s key physical and functional characteristics digitally - before it is built. Using co-ordinated, data-rich information created as part of the building model, designers and engineers can more accurately analyse and simulate the performance of new and existing buildings and make better-informed decisions earlier in the design/build process. This new method is driving a significant shift in working practices – at a time when change is badly needed to address the important challenges the industry faces.

“We believe the time is right for us to apply BIM methods to our work and expect a fast return on our investment, despite the continuing uncertainties in the economy,” says Aedas production director, Alan Robertson. Aedas has recently invested in over 300 seats of Autodesk Revit Architecture Suite, together with Autodesk Ecotect Analysis.

The Glasgow-based architectural firm, ARM has come to the same conclusion about BIM. Despite the economic downturn, this small practice has remained steadfast in its policy of using the best available design software and last year moved to Autodesk Revit Architecture. “We have recognised the way the market it going,” says partner Douglas McKirdy. “To be honest, this move has actually helped us to win work by revolutionising the way we present our ideas.”

Autodesk’s new 2011 BIM portfolio is designed to help further increase industry adoption of the BIM process. This new range of software specifically addresses the urgent need for better efficiencies and multi-disciplinary collaboration across all types of project – from new construction and renovations on residential and business projects to large-scale infrastructure renewal.

It’s complemented by a major new BIM resource centre with online videos about industry issues, white papers, customer stories and product information at www.autodesk.co.uk/lessismore.

“Autodesk is committed to helping the UK industry develop the right way of working to help it through this challenging economic period,” adds Pete Baxter of Autodesk. “We believe the 2011 BIM portfolio includes the right products to do this.”

www.autodesk.com

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