News

Fittingly held in London's Hatton Garden, the CIBSE BIM (Building Information Modelling) Conference (15^th May 2012) was unambiguous that BIM is poised to set a gold standard for the design, development, procurement and operation of buildings worldwide.

Keynote speaker David Philp, Head of BIM Implementation at the Cabinet Office, demonstrated how the UK is in the vanguard of rolling out collaborative BIM processes on projects to enhance the whole life performance and value of buildings.

Past CIBSE president Rob Manning, BIM Delivery Director at CIC (Construction Industry Council), was clear that it's all about outcomes - BIM is not just about a new technology, and it is not just about visualisation (as it is commonly conceived); it is a planned process that enables the development and sharing of data throughout a building project's life that, as reiterated by CIBSE President-elect George Adams, is as important to building operation as it is to the design and construction phases.

There were a significant number of manufacturer delegates at the conference - a sign that BIM is waking the whole industry supply chain and a realisation that not to be actively involved could have serious consequences for future profitability. Paddy Conaghan, of Hoare Lea and chair of CIBSE's BIM Group was unequivocal and contended the industry must work together to produce workable standards that allow the building professions and clients to reap the rewards of this golden opportunity.

The CIBSE BIM Group is currently working with client groups, manufacturers, designers, contractors, and building operators to establish accessible, quality assured, building services component data that can be used to provide a reliable basis for BIM.

Presentations from the conference are downloadable at www.cibse.org/bim2012

Contacts

PRESS OFFICE SERVICE - Samantha Dawe or Louise Gough, The Think Tank

T: 020 7831 2225 Email: samanthad@thinktank.org.uk or louiseg@thinktank.org.uk

CIBSE HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS - Tina Cardy, MSc, MCIM

DL: 020 8772 3630 Email: TCardy@cibse.org