The Role of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in Education and Practice
The following abstract was presented by Laura Floyd and Douglas R Seidler at: The Interior Design Educators Council 2010 Annual Conference - Atlanta, GA: March 26, 2010.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present the findings of a graduate thesis study on the Role of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in Interior Design education and the professional design industry. The research model was developed in the Spring 2009 semester and implemented in the Fall 2009 semester.
Literature Review
The National Building Information Model Standard Project Committee (part of the National Institute of Building Sciences) defines BIM as:
… 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. (www.buildingsmartalliance.org/index.php/nbims/about)
While an overwhelming body of literature on BIM technology exists in the architecture, engineering, and computer fields, very few papers have explored BIM in Interior Design. This study was modeled after the exploratory research done by Professors Julie Temple and Holly Cline, Radford University, entitled, Integrating Building Information Modeling (BIM) Technology into Interior Design Curriculum: The Reality of Technology. Results and findings from DesignIntelligence’s 2008 and 2009 Technology Surveys were also used in developing the research model.
Methodology and Findings
The authors explore BIM adoption in design firms and BIM integration in academic curricula to determine: 1) if a gap exists between formal BIM education in academia and the technology adoption in design firms and 2) the perception in each group of who is responsible to close any gaps. Through two online surveys, the authors explore the attitudes, use, and requirements of BIM in both design firms and academia.
The first portion of the research consisted of curricular analysis of 33 CIDA accredited Interior Design programs representing ten states, (from Florida to New York). This information, when combined with the initial results of a questionnaire distributed to full-time and part-time faculty at CIDA accredited schools shows that eight out of every ten schools researched don’t offer any BIM instruction
Findings from questionnaires to academia, architects, and interior designers from the Washington DC metropolitan area show that:
- 70% of designers use BIM software on projects
- A gap exists between formal BIM education in academia and the technology adoption in design firms
- Over a third of programs anticipate adding BIM
- Practitioners are most likely to utilize BIM in the design development and construction documents phases of design
- Academia and practitioners believe they share the responsibility for teaching/training BIM.
Relevance to Interior Design
This research is significant to design educators because it provides both current and future adoption trends in CIDA programs. This information provides a baseline comparison for programs considering modifications to their design technology curricula. The research also explores how industry uses BIM, which is helpful in developing learning objectives for new and existing courses. Finally, the research is significant to interior design firms because it identifies the extent current and planned BIM adoption at CIDA programs in the regions surveyed.
Reference List (MLA)
Barista, Dave. "BIM Adoption Rate Exceeds 80% Among Nation's Largest AEC Firms." Building Design & Construction. 28 July 2009. Web. 29 July 2009. http://www.bdcnetwork.com/article/CA6668193.html?q=top+170+bim+adopters
Bender, PhD., Diane M. "Building Information Modeling in the Top 100 Architecture Firms." Conference Proceedings. 2009 Annual IDEC Conference, Maryville University, St. Louis, Missouri. Interior Design Educator's Council. Web. 23 Sept. 2009. http://www.idec.org/events/documents/2009ConferenceProceedingsFINAL.pdf
Crumpton, Amy, and Beth Miller. "Building Information Modeling: State of the A&D Industry and BIM integration into design education." Www.idec.org. Proc. of Annual IDEC Conference, Interior Design Education Council, Canada, 5-8 Mar. 2008. Interior Design Education Council. Web. Oct. 2008. http://www.idec.org/pdf/idecProceedings.pdf
DesignIntelligence 2009 Technology Survey. 3rd ed. Vol. 15. Norcross, Georgia: Greenway Communications, 2009. Www.di.net. Design Futures Council, 2009. Web.
DesignIntelligence, Technology Survey 2008. May/June 2008 ed. Vol. 14. Norcross: Greenway Communications LLC, 2008. Print.
Dye, Jennifer Anne, and Julie Kay Charlson, PhD. "3D Design Concept Comparison: Google SketchUP vs Autodesk Revit." Conference Proceedings. 2009 IDEC Annual Conference, Mayville University, St. Louis, Missouri. Interior Design Educator's Council. Web. 23 Sept. 2009. http://www.idec.org/events/documents/2009ConferenceProceedingsFINAL.pdf
"National BIM Standard." Www.buildingsmartalliance.org. National Institute of Building Sciences. Web. Nov. 2008. http://www.buildingsmartalliance.org/index.php/nbims/committee_members.php
Temple, Julie A., and Holly L. Cline. "Integrating Building Information Modeling (BIM) Technology into Interior Design Curriculum: The Reality of Technology." Conference Proceedings. South Regional IDEC Conference, Interior Design Education Council, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama. Interior Design Educator's Council. Web. Fall 2008. http://www.idec.org/regions/documents/SouthRegionConferenceProceedings2008.pdf
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