3D Building Information Modelling (BIM)
BIM is integral for each project we design and deliver. The power of BIM allows projects to be developed, visualised and analysed in 3D prior to construction. 3D modelling informs the design process and assists the design team with coordination, pro-actively overcoming technical design issues before the project reaches site. We use Autodesk Revit in collaboration with clients and consultants.
‘The impact of BIM on projects is measurable, with project timescales reduced by as much as 15 percent.’ Saxon, Richard G., Growth Through BIM, Construction Industry Council, 2013
‘The impact of BIM on projects is measurable, with project timescales reduced by as much as 15 percent.’ Saxon, Richard G., Growth Through BIM, Construction Industry Council, 2013
Autodesk Guide to BIM
What is BIM?
With BIM, design teams develop an intelligent 3D model of their project that lets them gain a deeper understanding of how a building will perform while they work. Architects and engineers who use BIM get more done in less time thanks to connected, interoperable workflows and more efficient analysis, collaboration, and visualisation. In contrast, CAD-based 2D designs lack the intelligence that enables the efficiency and quality gains seen in the BIM process. When BIM touches the whole project, and everyone on the extended team, you save time, increase quality, and reduce risk even more than with limited approaches.
BIM adoption in the UK:
BIM adoption is being driven by the government BIM Level 2 mandate which was introduced for all publicly funded projects over £5 million procured in England and Wales since April 2016
With BIM, design teams develop an intelligent 3D model of their project that lets them gain a deeper understanding of how a building will perform while they work. Architects and engineers who use BIM get more done in less time thanks to connected, interoperable workflows and more efficient analysis, collaboration, and visualisation. In contrast, CAD-based 2D designs lack the intelligence that enables the efficiency and quality gains seen in the BIM process. When BIM touches the whole project, and everyone on the extended team, you save time, increase quality, and reduce risk even more than with limited approaches.
BIM adoption in the UK:
BIM adoption is being driven by the government BIM Level 2 mandate which was introduced for all publicly funded projects over £5 million procured in England and Wales since April 2016
National Space Standards
This standard deals with internal space within new dwellings and is suitable for application across all tenures. It sets out requirements for the Gross Internal (floor) Area of new dwellings at a defined level of occupancy as well as floor areas and dimensions for key parts of the home, notably bedrooms, storage and floor to ceiling height.
Technical Requirements:
- The dwelling provides at least the gross internal floor area and built-in storage area set out in Table 1 below
- A dwelling with two or more bed spaces has at least one double (or twin) bedroom
- In order to provide one bed space, a single bedroom has a floor area of at least 7.5m² and is at least 2.15m wide
- In order to provide two bed spaces, a double (or twin bedroom) has a floor area of at least 11.5m²
- One double (or twin bedroom) is at least 2.75m wide and every other double (or twin) bedroom is at least 2.55m wide
- Any area with a headroom of less than 1.5m is not counted within the Gross Internal Area unless used solely for storage (if the area under the stairs is to be used for storage, assume a general floor area of 1m² within the Gross Internal Area)
- Any other area that is used solely for storage and has a headroom of 900-1500mm (such as under eaves) is counted at 50% of its floor area, and any area lower than 900mm is not counted at all
- A built-in wardrobe counts towards the Gross Internal Area and bedroom floor area requirements, but should not reduce the effective width of the room below the minimum widths set out above. The built-in area in excess of 0.72m² in a double bedroom and 0.36m² in a single bedroom counts towards the built-in storage requirement
- The minimum floor to ceiling height is 2.3m for at least 75% of the Gross Internal Area
Additional Notes:
- Built-in storage areas are included within the overall GIAs and include an allowance of 0.5m² for fixed services or equipment such as a hot water cylinder, boiler or heat exchanger.
- GIAs for one storey dwellings include enough space for one bathroom and one additional WC (or shower room) in dwellings with 5 or more bed spaces. GIAs for two and three storey dwellings include enough space for one bathroom and one additional WC (or shower room). Additional sanitary facilities may be included without increasing the GIA provided that all aspects of the space standard have been met.
- Where a 1b1p has a shower room instead of a bathroom, the floor area may be reduced from 39m² to 37m² , as shown bracketed.
- Furnished layouts are not required to demonstrate compliance.
- The Gross Internal Areas in this standard will not be adequate for wheelchair housing (Category 3 homes in Part M of the Building Regulations) where additional internal area is required to accommodate increased circulation and functionality to meet the needs of wheelchair households.
| Download the National Space Standard Guidlines |
