Building Information Modeling (BIM) Consulting

Building information modeling (BIM) is to the property sector what Industry 4.0 is to mechanical engineering: the digital networking of all processes, products and stakeholders. BIM bundles all relevant data, which helps make the constantly increasing requirements of construction projects manageable. Whereas architects or engineers used to have to create their own plans and obtain information about the smallest of changes separately, BIM means all information is stored in a digital model. This creates a digital twin of the future building with a great depth of detail.

Enriching this digital twin with all the data initially increases the planning effort but saves a lot of calculation work for later on as the building calculates the following itself at the touch of a button: How does the building geometry change if additional office space is added? What impact does a green facade have on energy requirements? And how much will tiles cost instead of vinyl flooring?

In the BIM model, such design variants can be simulated quite early in the planning stage. If the planner changes, for example, the building floor plan, the number of windows or doors with all the necessary components is automatically adjusted, and if the designs no longer fit together, these clashes are noticed far in advance of the construction process, where they would lead to expensive delays. The model automatically points out planning errors and therefore ensures maximum planning reliability.

Drees & Sommer BIM Solutions has a team in the DACH (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) region with a wide range of skills and experience for the successful realization of complex tasks relating to the BIM method. We also use digital visualization tools and methods such as model-linked digital room books, virtual reality or LCM digital to make BIM-based processes transparent for everyone involved. Integrating all stakeholders into customized processes—from requirements management to project planning and commissioning—increases planning efficiency, quality, and reliability in the project. The BIM experts at Drees & Sommer Switzerland also ensure from the outset that your data can be used consistently and you can profit from it during operation or subsequent utilization.

Ideally, the BIM model supports a building throughout its entire service life—from the design and construction phase through the utilization phase to dismantling. Whether for maintenance work, conversion, or refurbishment, all operating data is recorded immediately and facilitates communication between the owner, operator, and service providers. The building uses BIM to develop a kind of digital memory in which not only planning and construction, but also all process data for ongoing operation is recorded. And at the end of the life cycle, the model then enables demolition planning to be timed precisely.

Planning new buildings using BIM-based planning methods opens up new possibilities for owners, users, and future facility management operators. The main focus here is on structuring and transferring operationally relevant information and data into the future IT system landscape of building operations.

This offers crucial added value, especially when considering the entire life cycle of a property because a cleanly structured information framework established during project planning can ensure the streamlined transfer of information gathered in the BIM planning model into the CAFM system and prevent the repetition of individual tasks. In addition, early coordination between planning and operation leads to a significant improvement in data quality during commissioning and to increased efficiency over the entire operating period.