A nationwide group of Building Information Modeling users, known as the BIMForum, is seeking industry input on a proposed set of standards establishing how complete Building Information Models (BIMs) need to be for different stages of the design and construction process.
Once finalized, the new standards, known as Level of Development Specifications, will allow everyone to clearly articulate how complete model elements for the different building systems are or need to be throughout the design and construction process.
“Nobody benefits if everybody has a different idea about how much information should go into each element of a building model or for what uses those models are suitable,” said Dmitri Alferieff, the director of the BIMForum. “These specifications will allow everyone using Building Information Modeling to accurately define what will go into a model and prescribe its intended uses based on the completeness of its content.”
Alferieff noted that the new development specifications will allow model authors to define what their models can be relied on for and allow other users to understand the value, and limitations, of models they receive. A team of contractors, engineers and architects co-chaired by Jan Reinhardt with Pittsburgh, Penn.-based Adept Project Delivery and Jim Bedrick with San Francisco, Calif.-based A/E/C Process Engineering has been working on the draft specifications since early 2011, Alferieff added.
Officials with the BIMForum are asking members of the construction, design and engineering communities to review the proposed specifications and submit comments by June 7. (The specifications, and directions for submitting comments, can be found at www.bimforum.org/lod.) The specifications team will review all comments submitted as they work to finalize the Levels of Development Specifications document, name added.
Once finalized, the BIMForum will make the specification open to the public and encourage them to use it as a reference standard in Building Information Modeling agreements and execution plans, Alferieff added.
Related Stories
| Aug 11, 2010
AIA to Congress: Act now to jump start building sector of economy
Tampa-based architect, Mickey Jacob, FAIA, unveiled the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) Rebuild & Renew plan for both short- and long-term economic recovery to the House Committee on Small Business at a hearing October 7th.
| Aug 11, 2010
National Intrepid Center of Excellence tops out at Walter Reed
SmithGroup and The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund (IFHF), a non-profit organization supporting the men and women of the United States Armed Forces and their families, celebrated the overall structural completion of the National Intrepid Center of Excellence (NICoE), an advanced facility dedicated to research, diagnosis and treatment of military personnel and veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury.
| Aug 11, 2010
Jacobs, HDR top BD+C's ranking of the nation's 100 largest institutional building design firms
A ranking of the Top 100 Institutional Design Firms based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit http://www.BDCnetwork.com/Giants
| Aug 11, 2010
Walt Disney Family Museum planned in San Francisco
Construction is under way on a new museum dedicated to the man behind the Disney empire. Set to open this fall in San Francisco, the Walt Disney Family Museum will feature 10 galleries, starting with Disney's beginnings on a Missouri farm.
| Aug 11, 2010
SAFTI FIRST hires Tim Nass as National Sales Manager
SAFTI FIRST, a leading USA manufacturer of fire rated glazing and framing systems, is pleased to announce the addition of Tim Nass as National Sales Manager. In his new role, Tim will be working closely with architects and contract glaziers in selecting the appropriate and most economical fire rated glazing solution for their project. He will also be coordinating SAFTI FIRST’s extensive network of architectural representatives throughout the United States.
| Aug 11, 2010
NCARB welcomes new board of directors
The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) introduces its Board of Directors for FY10, who were installed during the culmination of the Council’s 90th Annual Meeting and Conference in Chicago.
| Aug 11, 2010
Berkebile wins $100K award for commitment to environment
Robert Berkebile, the founding principal of BNIM Architects and a founding member of the U.S. Green Building Council, has been selected to receive a $100,000 Heinz Award. The award honors his role in promoting green building design and for his commitment and action toward restoring social, economic, and environmental vitality to America’s communities through sustainable architecture and planning.
| Aug 11, 2010
Polshek Partnership unveils design for University of North Texas business building
New York-based architect Polshek Partnership today unveiled its design scheme for the $70 million Business Leadership Building at the University of North Texas in Denton. Designed to provide UNT’s 5,400-plus business majors the highest level of academic instruction and professional training, the 180,000-sf facility will include an open atrium, an internet café, and numerous study and tutoring rooms—all designed to help develop a spirit of collaboration and team-oriented focus.
