For a number of years, Building Information Modelling (BIM) has been a topic of conversation between many design and construction professionals in Ireland. Numerous conferences, presentations, water cooler discussions, and social media musings take place across the country, making BIM a well debated topic. At RKD, we have taken the leap from talking the talk to walking the walk. With several significant BIM-enabled commercial and industrial projects currently on the digital drawing boards or on site, RKD is positioned as leading the implementation of BIM technology in Ireland.
So what is ‘BIM’ all about anyway?
Rather than attempting to define the concept of BIM, it is more important to highlight the design environment and benefits that BIM allows RKD to deliver. By harnessing the opportunities presented by BIM, we are placed to provide added dimensions of enhanced coordination, more effective communication, and an information link throughout a project’s lifecycle. From a client’s perspective, RKD has the potential to facilitate long term project gains at the design stage.
How are we making BIM happen at RKD?
Step 1: Planned Implementation – The extent of BIM adoption is assessed on a project by project basis. A balance between mature and progressive technology is planned to address specific project, client, and design team collaboration requirements.
Step 2: Skill Development – Our people are the backbone of our organisation, and the way we use technology is aligned with our creative desire to deliver positive results for all aspects of our projects. In order to achieve this, we promote BIM education for staff and are on the lookout for BIM enabled talent.
Step 3: Working with our partners – By engaging with our design and construction partners in a BIM based design environment, we seek to improve collaboration in order to deliver truly integrated projects.
Step 4: Continuous Improvement – As a learning organisation, we are committed to deepening our understanding of BIM technology and processes. Through regular project auditing, retention of a lessons learned knowledge bank, and an active BIM Practice Group; our capabilities grow on a daily basis.
Do we share our knowledge?
In addition to expanding our knowledge internally, we also look outside ourselves to promote best practice in the design and construction industry. This approach has led to RKD staff lecturing at the one of a kind Collaborative BIM Technologies post graduate course at the DIT Dublin School of Architecture.
Where are we going?
Our BIM goal is simple. The purpose of our BIM journey is to harness the technology in new ways and achieve performance excellence for our clients.
