BIM or Building Information Modeling is actually a new acronym for what Graphisoft calls Virtual Building technology in its ArchiCAD, the true world leader in parametric (intelligent object-oriented) 3D model CAD technology.

Integrated CADD Services -- a leading reseller of ArchiCAD in the United States -- and Graphisoft hosted a special VIP Breakfast Event for the presentation of the Eureka Tower project by Fender Katsalidis, an award-winning architecture firm in Australia. David Sutherland, director of planning at Fender Katsalidis, presented one of the strongest and most cogent arguments yet for the benefits of building information modeling. I've attended numerous ArchiCAD and other BIM and CAD presentations over the years and David's presentation was by far one of the most compelling -- likely because he's a practicing architect and not a software developer.

David discussed a number of interesting aspects about BIM and contemporary architectural practice, the most interesting of which was the firm's orientation in thinking about the design and production document phases of the project delivery cycle. Although counter-intuitive to the daily demands and contemporary pressures in architectural practice, David argued that BIM enables architects to keep a building's design more fluid for a longer period of time relative to the contract document (working drawings) phase of the process. This in turn allows architects to focus on their core value in society.

Today architects increasingly face shorter duration's of time in which to complete both "design" and "contract construction documents" and are often forced into "Fast Track" delivery approaches. However, traditional electronic drafting (2D CAD) cannot offer the "change-management" technology that BIM employs to allow architects more time to design, thus design phases are increasingly under time pressure. With this contracting of the design phase architects increasingly struggle with working through all the issues of a building, much of which must be dealt with during the costly contract document production phase...or even worse -- the construction phase.

David's presentation touched on numerous points that I must discuss in a later article. What I want to say now is that the Eureka Tower ArchiCAD Event is a must attend event for any architect, architectural principal or IT director trying to understand more about BIM and its advantages over traditional 2D CAD technology. Because David is a practicing architect his discussion of BIM has layers of meaning and insight that no software developer producing a BIM application can truly bring to the table. This was a great presentation and I highly recommend the event!