Whileit’sbeingembracedasthenew standardbymostofmycolleagues in education and workplace
design, building information modeling
(BIM) has not been as enthusiastically
received by most retail clients to date. But
as retailers learn about the advantages,
we can expect this to change quickly.
BIM refers to a model-based process
for design and construction, with project elements represented digitally in a
program that enables a design change to
one element to be reflected throughout
the project. The digital model can reflect
time and cost as well as the typical three
dimensions.
Aside from any considerations specific to
your retail niche, here is a quick overview of
what your company might gain by switching from traditional 2D drawings to a BIM
solution:
Scheduling functions for asset management represent the greatest advantage of
using a BIM solution. In a short list, BIM
models give an accurate count for all cabinetry fixtures, lighting fixtures, equipment,
and inventory space. This is inherent to
BIM packages, which don’t require the custom programming and tool development of
most CAD software.
With fixture prototype development, you
can pull a great deal of information out at
a granular degree. When using a properly
developed prototype, a BIM model can give
an accurate count of countertops, legs, handles, grommets, drawer pulls, equipment
mounts, and other elements without additional work from the architect of record.
This can allow a kit of parts to be handed
directly to your casework supplier for quick
turnaround without the extra step of estimation on their part.
For larger retail spaces like department
stores, the BIM model is very effective at
space analysis. Department square foot-
ages, breakdowns of fixtures within each
department, and tables that display leas-
able area against unutilized area are easily
shown and created. These tables and break-
downs do not require the constant manual
updating inherent in CAD and will always
be as accurate as the drawings.
Finish information management holds a
significant advantage over traditional 2D
drawings. In a BIM solution, retail space
is built in 3D, and materials such as paint,
laminate, and wallcoverings are applied to
material objects. With this information,
takeoffs for materials can be incorporated
into the construction set via the included
scheduling tools, ensuring accuracy with
the construction set with no additional
hand estimation. Area of finish surface is
given and converted immediately into an
estimated purchase amount for your construction managers to track.
Graphics information management with
regard to 3D visualization is another big
advantage of BIM. While design and construction professionals read plans and visualize a finish schedule or elevation drawing
in reality, not everyone has this skill. Using
a BIM solution, however, you can readily
create a 3D view that is understandable for
the layperson to see how objects interact.
By incorporating your graphics package
information into a model that shows mate-
rials in a realistic manner, you can create a
graphics package far more representative of
the final product.
This goes hand in hand with
coordination of information. By producing both
graphic and construction documents packages simultaneously, firms can increase
productivity. At FRCH, we leverage BIM
program tools to produce smart graphics
schedules for clients with large graphics
packages that vary per store. Layout coordination is streamlined as elevations and
plans are linked together. When laying out
graphics, design professionals don’t have to
worry about updating elevations separately
in both packages. A ceiling or floor shift
in location that would potentially create
a conflict is much more obvious in a BIM
solution than CAD.
This level of coordination extends
through construction sets. This decreases
construction conflicts and change orders,
resulting in an overall time reduction on
builds.
While CAD has been the standard,
and while existing malls and retail space
information will be in CAD for years to
come, landlords such as Casto and Simon
are already beginning to construct buildings from BIM-produced sets. This emerging trend will undoubtedly transform our
industry, just as CAD did to hand drawing
20 years ago. Do not let lack of existing
building information in BIM make your
decision, but instead decide based on how
best to handle the information you need to
manage in your drawing sets and construction process.
6 advantages of using BIM for retail projects
green notes By Jason Mounteer
“This emerging
trend [BIM] will
undoubtedly
transform our
industry, just
as CAD did
to hand drawing
20 years ago.”
Jason Mounteer,
jmounteer@frch.com, is
design technology manager
for FRCH Design Worldwide.
Assistance for this article
was given by Joe Brumback,
AIA, and Russell Miller, AIA, both of FRCH.
