What do you mean?

We mean BIM. From the beginning. Why should we settle for developing only new projects in BIM?

Because that’s the Government mandate.

Why would we stop there? We are an industry that constantly challenge ourselves, pushing forward with greater and greater advances in terms of design, engineering, cost and speed. So, shouldn’t we be pushing the digital boundaries too?

When such a large proportion of construction and infrastructure projects in the UK are in relation to existing structures – either through repairs and maintenance, or redevelopment and renovation – it makes sense to expand the uptake of BIM into these areas of the industry. Especially considering the costs involved in these areas. In addition to this, why would we introduce BIM into new projects only when there is a new element to design? There is, after all, an existing site and surrounding context; site and surroundings which, in any traditional construction project, need to be considered from the very start.

Point taken, so how can it help and in what situations?

Well for example, having an accurate topographical model of the site or a massing model of the surrounding area from a specialist survey, into which you can place your design, can help you in many ways. Not only can it help with project visualisation and understanding it’s contextual relationship with the site, but it can inform planning applications and rights to light. It can assist in the development of the landscaping, help to visualise the impact of project orientation, makes it easier to develop an access strategy for construction and planning for ground works.

If there are existing buildings on site then demolition works can be accurately scheduled with a model of the existing, and any retained elements can be easily incorporated into the design, safe in the knowledge that the information is accurate. Again, where existing structures are retained, having them surveyed and modelled means that developing an aesthetically pleasing and technically plausible solution to encompass them in the design is quicker and easier.

A full building survey and 3D model of a project for renovation purposes is also extremely useful. Although you may feel that if the building is not being demolished or significantly changed then this is not so relevant, in fact having a model, even for planned minor changes, can enable the changes to be done quicker and more accurately, reducing costs and saving time. This is because the changes can be planned in the existing model before any work commences. Just like clash detection in new projects, using the model in this way means that you can check where the changes may impact on the existing building, and ensure they can be successfully implemented, or if further works are necessary they can be planned accurately.

“We are an industry that constantly challenge ourselves, pushing forward with greater and greater advances, … so, shouldn’t we be pushing the digital boundaries too?”

It also helps greatly to have a model in this situation so that any future modifications can be planned in the same way from a central model, saving time later too. These models can also be developed by the project team so that they can be used to assist in ongoing facilities and asset management.

So how can we digitize like this?

At Laser Surveys Ltd we offer the option to have a digital model created for you from survey data of your project. We can also convert existing 2D data that you have into 3D for you.

Interesting, so what’s the process?

Firstly, of course, you get in touch with us. We discuss your requirements with you and determine what service(s) you need.

These services could include:

• Existing topography and building models
• Context models
• Underground models
• Point clouds
• 2D to 3D conversion

We will arrange a survey date and time to suit you, where our experienced surveyors will arrive to carry out the necessary surveying works.

This data is then processed before being used by our dedicated BIM Team to create your 3D model. From this model, any 2D drawings and data can be extracted, ensuring an accurate and consistent output.

We then provide you with the 3D model along with any other requested outputs from the survey. It’s that simple.

Email us: worcester@lasersurveys.com

Visit:        www.lasersurveys.co.uk