BIM (Building Information Modeling) has been trying to radically transform the construction and architecture industry for some time, offering innovative methods for the design, planning, management, and execution of real estate projects. In the current scenario of the real estate sector, technological innovation represents a key factor for competitiveness and efficiency. Nevertheless, the adoption of this technology is still far from being a common practice among architects, engineers, and builders. These fields, in fact, still struggle to collaborate towards greater efficiency and waste reduction.
This article aims to present how BIM can revolutionize the entire real estate sector, from basic concepts to the advantages of its adoption.
What is BIM, a paradigm shift
BIM is not simply software or a set of digital tools; it is rather an integrated process that allows professionals in the building sector to collaborate in the design, realization, and management of a building through a digital model. This model contains geometric, temporal, cost, environmental, and maintenance information, making BIM a holistic solution for the real estate sector.
The advantages of bim in real estate design
The adoption of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in real estate design brings a wide range of benefits, from cost and time optimization to promoting greater environmental sustainability, with a better quality of the final product. One of the main benefits is BIM's ability to offer a detailed 3D visualization and accurate simulations of the project even before its physical realization. This early visualization capability helps to identify and resolve potential structural conflicts or inefficiencies, thus reducing the risk of costly errors and delays on-site.
In addition, BIM promotes collaboration not typically usual among the various professionals involved in the construction process. Architects, engineers, builders, and clients can access and share the BIM model, ensuring that all parties are constantly updated on the project status and can work based on the same information. A collaboration that improves teamwork efficiency, reducing the chances of misunderstandings and errors.
From a sustainability perspective, BIM acts as an essential tool for the design of eco-compatible buildings, allowing designers to make informed decisions to minimize energy consumption and material waste, leaning towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions.
The automatic generation of project documentation and the possibility of managing the entire lifecycle of the artifact in a digital key are additional valuable factors produced by using the BIM model.
Areas of application
BIM finds application in various sectors of construction, from architecture to civil engineering, from construction management to facility management.
In the design of complex infrastructures, such as bridges and tunnels, as well as in the residential and commercial sectors, BIM manages complexity, optimizing (i) construction processes and (ii) the managerial planning of the real estate heritage.
Monitoring and control
BIM allows real-time monitoring of work progress, comparing the designed model with the one under construction. This helps to keep control over costs, timings, and modes of realization, reducing waste and improving efficiency.
Case study: Citylife Milan and BIM
A project carried out in Milan that made extensive use of BIM technology is the redevelopment and expansion of the historic Fiera di Milano headquarters, known as "CityLife."
This vast urban regeneration project is one of the largest in Europe and represents an emblematic example of how BIM can be used to manage complex design, construction, and management operations of urban spaces.
The CityLife project involved the demolition of old fair structures and the creation of a new district that includes residences, offices, commercial areas, and public green spaces.
Challenges and perspectives of BIM
The use of this tool in design and execution continues to represent a potential revolution in the construction sector, marking the step towards a more integrated and technologically advanced future.
BIM represents, for real estate operators, an opportunity to improve the quality of constructions, reduce the time and costs of realization, and increase the value of the properties which translate into greater attractiveness for investors.
Technological innovations
Although on an experimental basis, the integration with augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), for an even more immersive visualization of projects, as well as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, offer interesting evolutionary ideas for the future.
