If you’ve worked with an architect recently, you may have heard the term building information modeling, often shortened to BIM. While BIM has become increasingly common in the architecture industry, many homeowners are unsure what it actually means — or how it affects their project.
This post looks at building information modeling from a homeowner’s perspective, including how it can improve visualization, coordination, and communication throughout the design process.
What is Building Information Modeling?
Building Information Modeling is a database of building elements (such as walls, windows, doors, and roofs) that architects use to create a detailed digital model of a building or renovation project.
How is BIM different from traditional architectural drawings?
Traditional architectural drawings typically consist of separate plans, elevations, sections, and details. With building information modeling, architects develop the project within a single coordinated 3D model and generate the drawings directly from that model instead. This allows the design team to work on the project as a complete digital building rather than as a collection of separate drawings.
Does BIM make it easier to visualize a project?
Yes. Traditional plans, elevations, and sections are important architectural tools, but they require homeowners to mentally translate a series of 2D drawings into a real building. BIM allows clients to experience the project as a three-dimensional space from the very beginning of the design process, which often feels much more natural and intuitive.
Because the model develops in 3D from day one, clients can explore the project from different viewpoints and better understand the scale, spaces, roof forms, windows, and relationship to the site. The model also allows the design team to study things like sunlight and shadows at different times of day and throughout the year, helping homeowners understand how the house will actually feel and function once it is built.
I can see how BIM would help with a new house, but can it help with remodels too?
Absolutely. BIM can be especially useful for additions, renovations, and whole-house remodels because the design must respond to an existing structure rather than a blank site. The design team develops both the existing house and the proposed changes within the same 3D model, making it easier to study how the new work will connect to and relate to the original structure.
This allows homeowners to compare the existing house and the proposed design much more directly during the design process. During meetings, the design team can toggle between the existing and proposed conditions to help clients understand what will remain, what will change, and how the new spaces will connect to the original house.
Are there any other advantages to BIM?
Another major advantage of BIM is that the drawings all come from the same coordinated model rather than from a series of separate drawings. When the design team makes a change within the model, the related plans, elevations, sections, and schedules update from that same information as well.
This helps maintain better consistency throughout the drawing set as the design develops and changes over time. BIM is especially helpful on large or complex projects with many interconnected details and systems.
Does BIM cost more?
Not usually. Architects still need to design and document the project regardless of the software or workflow they use, and many firms now use BIM as part of their standard design process.
For homeowners, the bigger difference is usually not cost, but the ability to better visualize, study, and coordinate the project throughout the design process.
Can I explore the model myself?
Yes! At Christie Architecture, our BIM software allows us to generate an interactive version of the model that clients can explore at home on their own computer or device. Clients can move around the project, study the house from different viewpoints, zoom in and out, and continue exploring the design between meetings.
Many clients find this especially helpful during the design process because it allows them to spend more time with the project and revisit ideas after a meeting ends. The shared model is a separate viewer version of the project, so clients can explore freely without affecting the working model used by the design team.
Could Building Information Modeling help with my project?
Every project is different, but we find BIM especially helpful for homeowners who want to better understand and engage with the design process. Being able to study the project in 3D throughout design often leads to clearer conversations, more informed decisions, and a better understanding of how the house will ultimately look and feel.
At Christie Architecture, we use BIM on most of our projects, including new homes, additions, and major renovations. If you’re planning a project and would like to learn more about our design process, contact us to start the conversation.