Walker-Elders - B3 Advantages of Revit/BIM

There are many benefits of using Revit/BIM considering the alternatives, either drawing plans by hand or drawing plans using CAD software, the ability to model potential buildings in 3-dimensions resolves many logistical issues that come from 2-dimensional designing.

The first benefit is the ability to model components in parametric form, meaning that alterations that are made in either 2-D and 3-D views are communicated throughout the software and automatically update other views of the components. The second benefit is that Revit/BIM cuts back on the amount a designer has to repeat certain reoccurring instances. Instead, they can input the task once, then automate the software to repeat where necessary. The third benefit is that Revit allows for better presentation design, and allows the architect to show the building's surroundings, how it interacts with its environment. This is particularly helpful when trying to pitch your building designs to a potential client. The fourth benefit to Revit/BIM is the integrated technology to be able to run reports on building efficiency, and where a potential low-performing area is. This allows for more energy-efficient design of a building from a holistic view, rather than trying to analyze the building post-build. The fifth benefit is the serious reduction of paper documentation for construction. As Dr. Fiori said on Thursday, construction sites rarely have very much paper on them anymore, but people are working off of their phone or tablet, due to BIM's ability to be mobile. Another benefit of Revit/BIM is that many companies have made it very easy to use their product in a drawing, so there is a huge library of components to put into your Revit drawing so you don't need to draw them from scratch.
https://academy.archistar.ai/the-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-revit

I know that in my experience in the construction world, BIM has greatly improved the communication between fields and has led to a better understanding of building design as a whole. Although there are still some definite drawbacks to the feasibility of working with Revit/BIM, it is clear that this is the way of the future and the road to bringing better buildings to fruition.

Comments:

Amanda,

I think that although drones in construction may be the more obvious building-related advancement of BIM technologies, it is definitely the most convoluted as well! I wonder if due to the growing need for drones in high-rise construction will lead to different FAA rules regarding drones, or if more construction companies will spend to have a BIM team member gain licensure to be able to legally operate drones. Even in that case, flying unmanned aircraft within city limits is highly against flying regulations, so I wonder if those will change as the industry pursues this more.


Spencer,

I think of the Co-ops I have had, all of which have claimed to use "BIM" but in actuality, are still running everything off of CAD. At best, they are using BIM inefficiently but still using it in order to track data and business information on a Facilities Management level. My hope and wish would be that there is a turnover point where firms can actually take time to train their employees in the technology of BIM, but now the industry seems to be trying to play catch up with Revit/BIM which has not been implemented across channels very well.

Varsha,

I agree with what you said about both Revit and CAD having distinct purposes, therefore not making CAD replaceable by Revit. I see that often when I work with civil engineers, they use CAD in ways completely foreign to me, that I never would have even thought possible. Personally, I function more in Revit these days, but my base is CAD and it will continue to be a software that I use on a near-daily basis. What I have to keep in mind is that its functions are so much more than general floorplan and section drafting, but that it is like the conversion factor between different forms of BIM, such as Revit and Civil3D.