The BIM4Housing work group, set up by the government’s BIM Task Force earlier this year, is launching a a series of introductory BIM workshops for the house building sector around the country this autumn.
The half-day workshops will feature case studies from recent best practice examples in housebuilding and a series of presentations on different aspects of BIM application.
Examples of case study projects include a London apartment block by Telford Homes, and a Level 2 BIM-compliant scheme for Nottingham City Homes that will be run in parallel with an almost indentical non-BIM “control project” deisgned and project managed conventionally.
Both schemes are also featured in the new BIM+ wesbite, to be launched by the CIOB shortly.
Other projects due to be showcased at the BIM4Housing events include schemes from Crest Nicholson, Barratt and Wates.
BIM4Housing aims to help drive BIM adoption amongst the new build community and the wider housing world, and is chaired by Andrew Carpenter, chief executive of the Structural Timber Association.
The deputy chair is PRP Architects’ Rick Burgess, partner for BIM and technical. Other housing organisation s reporesented in the group include NHBC, the House Builders Federation, the National Housing Federation, the Housing Forum.
In a statement, Carpenter said: “The workshop series is intended to introduce the big ideas behind BIM adoption for the housing industry. Through case studies and the testimony of early practitioners, we will begin to spell out the benefits of BIM at all stages in the housing supply and development chain.”
David Philp, head of BIM implementation for the Cabinet Office and BIS, said: “As most people in the construction industry are probably aware 2014 has been denoted the ‘Year of Level 2 BIM’. We need to bring the housing industry with us, and the BIM4Housing workshops are a great way to kick that off.”
Speaking to CM, Carpenter also said: “Housing comes to the table late, however, we are working hard on catching up, and we’ve now got a great sense of momentum.”
“The workshops wil look at what we perceive to be the benefits of BIM, but they will also link to the actual case studies. These will be warts and all – we want to advise people on what to look out for.”
Carpenter explained that the Homes and Communities Agency would not be “mandating” BIM on projects it funds or part-funds, but was neverthless “embracing” it as a means of driving up efficiency and output.
And he said that a future aim for BIM4Housing would be to established closer linkages with the BIM4M2 manufacturers’ group and the BIM4FM asset managers working group.
Workshops are to be held in Leeds, Bristol, St Albans, Birmingham, London and Edinburgh, as follows:
- Leeds 15 Oct Woodlands Hotel, Gildersome, Leeds
- Bristol 16 Oct University of the West of England, Frenchay, Bristol
- St Albans 23 Oct Thistle Hotel St Albans,
- Birmingham 30 Oct Arden Hotel, Bickenhill, Solihull
- London 12 Nov 12 Great George Street
- Edinburgh 8 Dec Holiday Inn, Edinburgh
