For the First Time,
More Contractors are using BIM than Architects
McGraw
Hill just published results of its new SmartMarket Report: The Business
Value of BIM in North America. The report presented highlights
of its new research showing the rapid advance of Building Information Modeling
(BIM) usage by architects, engineers, contractors and owners in North America.
Some of the key findings include:
- The percentage of companies using BIM jumped
from 17% in 2007, to 49% in 2009, to 71% in 2012;
- For the first time ever, more contractors
(74%) are using BIM than architects (70%);
- All users report increased business benefits
from BIM including better profits, more accurate documentation, less rework,
reduced project duration, fewer claims and the ability to offer new
services; - Almost 40% of BIM users are heavily committed
to it, doing over 60% of their work in BIM. This group has surged by 44% since
2009; - Most owners, architects, and engineers give
good ratings to accuracy, completeness and quality of models they receive from
others.
This study also points to important trends in the AEC
industry:
- The strong growth of BIM in construction. Per
McGraw Hill: “BIM, an innovative approach to design and construction for
pioneering early adopters just a few years ago, is now taking its place firmly
in the mainstream of the North American construction industry.” - Growth during recession. Per McGraw Hill:
“Counteracting the instinct to cut back during a recession, a quarter of the
industry invested in a more efficient and productive future by embracing the
technologies and processes of BIM.” - Leveraging BIM for green design:
“Quantification of carbon footprint will begin to drive decision making,”
according to Tom Nelson AIA, principal with Mithun. - Owners’
critical role. Patrick MacLeamy, CEO of HOK and chairman of buildingSMART
International predicted, “Over the next ten years, building owners will demand
ever-increasing usage of BIM as a precondition, ushering in a new era of
accuracy, quality and sophistication for the building industry.”
For more information on the report, please go here.