The SketchUp Workflow for Architecture: Modeling Buildings, Visualizing Design, and Creating Construction Documents with SketchUp Pro and LayOut

Chapter 2

Building Information Modeling

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is the latest buzz in architectural design and drafting. Is BIM a revolution or just the way the industry works these days? In this chapter, you will be encouraged to contemplate and challenge the popular assumptions and standard definition of BIM. By doing so, you should realize that integrating the benefits of BIM into your workflow is easier and cheaper than you ever thought.

What Is BIM?

“Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility. A BIM is a shared knowledge resource for information about a facility forming a reliable basis for decisions during its life-cycle; defined as existing from earliest conception to demolition.” (National BIM Standard--United States) A building information model (BIM) is an intelligent model that integrates design, visualization, simulation, and collaboration into one process. The model is a physical representation, but it can also be informative. The model not only shows a client what a building will look like, but it also gives the client and designer a better understanding of how the building will function. A BIM is essentially a shared, digital building prototype that helps everyone on the design team make better decisions.

Stages and Uses

A building information model is intended to be used during every phase of the design process, and by every member on the team.

Architects typically create the ...