Get Involved in Developing a BIM Research Framework
The National Institute of Building Sciences buildingSMART allianceTM, International Facility Management Association (IFMA), and International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL) are working to develop a research framework for building information modeling (BIM). The three organizations will host a BIM Research Framework Advisory Stakeholder Meeting on Monday, September 19, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., at the Providence Convention Center in Providence, R.I., to be held in conjunction with the Labs21/I2SL 2011 Annual Conference.
High-technology building professionals, including architects, engineers, contractors, building owners, building operators, academic researchers and facility investors, are invited to attend the meeting to discuss the proposed framework. The three organizations are developing the framework to streamline the use of BIM as a facility management tool for laboratories and related high-tech facilities. Ensuring energy and environmental sustainability, as well as human health, in these buildings requires that designed and engineered systems perform as planned throughout the building’s life cycle.
BIM is already transforming how buildings are designed and constructed, but it currently has limited impact on how buildings are operated. While a growing number of architecture and construction management firms are implementing BIM with varying degrees of success, few are using it to its full potential. For BIM to reach its promise, the industry needs a comprehensive and organized approach for research and development of BIM as a facility management tool.
To ensure a more coordinated and integrated system that best utilizes the capabilities of BIM, BIM research activities should be well organized between BIM vendors, design and construction firms, and academic institutions. A primary focus of this meeting is to set the stage to develop the BIM research framework.
During the meeting, volunteers will be asked to participate on an advisory group responsible for drafting a research framework, developing a framework implementation strategy and identifying a means to financially support the research efforts. The advisory group is open to:
- Innovative BIM users from design, construction and facility management
- Interested BIM vendors
- Academic institutions working with BIM
- Public and private sector organizations
The BIM Research Framework Advisory Stakeholder Meeting is free to all attendees. Though not required, pre-registration is preferred. Follow-up meetings are planned for the IFMA World Workplace in October and the National Institute of Building Sciences Annual Meeting in December. Register for the Providence meeting now. Download the agenda.
