For us Building Information Modelling is an adaptable process - we do not think of it as BIM for Healthcare, BIM for Education or BIM for Research Facilities; it is a communication and production tool that we tailor and deploy to maximise efficiency and benefit for all of our clients from commercial developers to specialist clinicians.
The 3D environment is no longer just about design; it plays a key role in the ongoing monitoring of building projects post completion. In order for the contractor, client and end user to experience the full benefits that the available systems can bring it is crucial that all members of a project team, across all disciplines, are BIM enabled. It is also essential that there is flexibility in terms of modelling platform being proposed for use on the project. An increasing number of packages are compatible within the 3D (and 4D) BIM environment. As a company we use general industry standard platforms such as Autodesk Revit and ADT but also more discipline-specific tools such as PDMS, PDS, CFC 3D Plus, Autoplant all of which are able to coordinated into a single model using project review software such as Navisworks. This is a similar approach adopted by many of our contractor clients - pooling 3D design into a single location to then run phasing sequences. It is important to recognise that BIM is not dependent on a single platform being used such as Revit; flexibility must be maintained in order to maximise the benefit of true 3D working right across all disciplines of the design team.
This flexibility is the key to us continuing to develop our business through serving our clients and their unique needs.