Building Information Modeling: a career field for the future

(ARA) - Think of how many people contribute to designing a building: Architects, engineers, builders, interior designers and clients all play a role. Not surprisingly, with all the stages of involvement, problems can occur. Building Information Modeling, or BIM, is a fairly new career field within the construction industry that is gaining in popularity for its ability to improve the flow of communication through all parties, and to help project managers and decision-makers visualize a project from start to finish.

Building Information Modeling is the most innovative idea to affect the building design industry since Computer-Aided Design (CAD) in the 1980s. With BIM, the pre-constructed design project is shown in real life, which can include everything from the strategically placed steel supports and the layout of the plumbing, to the chemical safety systems and the "green" recyclable floor tiles. BIM encompasses all aspects of the building project, from the design concept to the interior office decor.

By using the Building Information Modeling concept in building design, more environmentally sound decisions can be made, even giving ease to future structural expansion or changes for the life of the building. Advantages of BIM technology include:

* Allows everyone to communicate throughout the project.

* Keeps projects on track.

* Reflects changes in all layers of the design.

* Makes environmental evaluations.

* Saves money, time and the environment.

Building Information Modeling used in New York City:

The 1 World Trade Center (also known by its former name of Freedom Tower) building project is using Building Information Modeling to take advantage of the ease of collaboration, environmental assessments, decreased project time and increased cost-effectiveness. This building will stand 1,776 feet into the sky of New York City to honor the victims of Sept. 11, 2001. It will also be one of the most recognized representations of futuristic building designs, which have caught on all over the world.

Information in this article was provided by International Academy of Design and Technology - Online. Contact IADT - Online today if you're interested in developing marketable knowledge and career-relevant skills with its Building Information Modeling program. (IADT - Online does not guarantee employment or salary.)

Courtesy of ARAcontent