BIMulus: The Stimulus for the rest of us.
Or so my story goes.
It's clear from my travels, meetings and calls to architects that BIM (Building Information Modeling) is beginning a critical upswing within the profession. Clients, both public and private, are asking for BIM models or for teams to work within a BIM process. Contractors are starting to ask architects if they have a BIM model available and even peer pressure from fellow architects (you doing BIM yet?) is taking hold. And with all that we can start to see a future where there are the BIM have's and have not's-and projects will go to those that can provide the services clients are requesting. So in these times of reduced workload it's time to start thinking about becoming a BIM have.
Ramping up your skills now will have a big payback as projects begin to come back on board through either stimulus money or the opening up of credit markets. You'll be competing against a few BIM early adopters but by being able to show your firm has the skills in place and can meet the clients needs you're much more likely to be shortlisted. And many of the public projects receiving stimulus money will require BIM-both GSA and state government funded. In the private sector the ability to provide BIM service, at even a basic level, will set you apart from much of the competition in your marketing and business development efforts. So get BIM'ing!
Here's a few ways to start:
-Download Graphisoft's "BIM Learning Studio":
It's a 30 day trial of ArchiCAD 12 plus a number of tutorials to get you started on your way. Graphisoft invented the Virtual Building technology 25 years ago that we know today as BIM. And it's free!
-Learn ArchiCAD better:
The Virtual Tutor for ArchiCAD 12 DVD will assist you in learning ArchiCAD on a project from start to finish while watching video tutorials. Get the popcorn started!
-Read some BIM books:
It's not just about the software you know? You need to be able to speak about the process and do it if you win the work. So here's a few titles for you:
Building Information Modeling, by William Kymmell
BIM Handbook: A Guide to Building Information Modeling, By Chuck Eastman & others
Green BIM: Successful Sustainable Design with BIM, by Ed Krygiel and Bradley Nies
Those will provide you with more then enough ability to talk the talk while inducing minimal naps.
-Learn another new tool:
Now that you have yourself a fancy little Building Information Model gussy it up with Artlantis Render. A good rendering tools can help you sell yourself and your projects. And really, do you think the client just wants a big old data filled model? They want the pretty pictures too!
-If the entry price of BIM software is holding you back consider a few options:
ArchiCAD 12 PayPerUse (PPU)
Get started with a 300 hour use key for under $500. And credit up to 3 keys towards a full license through the end of 2009.
BIM for the sole practitioner, small firm or builder with an entry level price.
So wake up tomorrow and say to yourself "I'm going to put a little BIMulus in my firm"
Greg
