BIM and multistorey buildings: the winning combo
Building information modelling (BIM) has revolutionised the design, planning and execution of construction projects. Multistorey buildings are complex structures: BIM helps meet the challenges of designing, building, operating and maintaining them – while optimising project management, controlling costs and saving precious time.
Flexibility and adaptability
Multistorey buildings involve specific technical challenges, in particular the management of the client’s installations – such as the process, automation and storage equipment & robotics – and the building’s own operational infrastructure. Thanks to the digital model, BIM centralises all project information and simulates every aspect of a construction project before work begins, ensuring perfect coordination between the various trades.
The first step in this process is to create a detailed 3D model of the building. It includes the architecture, structure, mechanical & electrical equipment and safety features, enabling better coordination between the design and build teams. By visualising the entire project in a three-dimensional, virtual environment, the various stakeholders can detect potential inconsistencies, avoid errors and adjust plans early on.
What’s more, BIM enables us to monitor the project in real time, its collaborative tools sharing information with all parties. For a multistorey building, this collaboration is crucial, because each floor or unit may have specific architectural and technical features. BIM facilitates the fluid management of changes and updates, guaranteeing maximum responsiveness to unforeseen circumstances.
Energy performance and sustainability
One of BIM’s major benefits when designing a multistorey building is the optimisation of space. We simulate various options for the layout and installations to maximise the building’s efficiency and profitability. BIM also improves the management of energy, ventilation and safety by modelling complex systems and analysing their performance over the building’s entire lifecycle.
BIM facilitates the integration of energy-efficient solutions – such as heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems – and renewable energies, such as solar panels and geothermal energy. Thanks to its ability to model and simulate various scenarios, BIM enables us to analyse each solution’s energy performance in depth. This helps us maximise the building’s energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. By testing various configurations and technologies in a virtual environment, the project team identifies the best options to achieve sustainability and energy performance objectives. These projections help us design greener facilities and can considerably reduce long-term operating costs.
Management and maintenance optimisation
BIM centralises all data relating to the building, providing valuable information for its management and maintenance. By facilitating the planning, resource management and coordination of maintenance work, BIM preventively identifies any weak points in the building, reducing the risk of breakdowns and repair costs. This proactive management ensures the installations’ sustainability and continued performance. What’s more, BIM effectively coordinates the various trades involved in the construction of technically complex multistorey buildings, guaranteeing that the teams stay in sync and reducing the risk of mistakes.
In operation, BIM becomes a priceless tool for building management. The digital model gives building owners and managers access to all the information they need for upkeep, equipment maintenance and space management. This extends the life of the building and reduces repair costs.
In short, BIM and multistorey buildings are a winning combination, offering significant benefits throughout the project’s lifecycle. From design to maintenance, BIM improves the quality, sustainability and profitability of a modern multistorey building.
