BIM Show Live 2014 - BIM for residential from Nick Clements at Bisco

1. DRAFT
(c) bisco Ltd 2014
Value Proposition
Design Build Inspect
The application of BIM technology in
residential house construction
Building Integration
Software Company Ltd

2. My presentation
• Residential construction in NZ
• Impact of IT on improving productivity
• Challenges of implementing BIM into SMEs
• See what we have done to overcome these
This is our Story

3. Residential Construction in NZ

6. Companies that build new houses
NZ doesn’t have a large
Local Authority or
Housing Association
sector

7. So the typical house builder is small
• So tend to lack sound internal processes
• Have a low adoption of IT
• But represent bigger potential for gains that bigger companies (who do
have systems)

8. Construction has a big impact on the
economy
• Is about 10% of NZ GDP
• So a 10% productivity improvement adds 1% to GDP
• The government has set a target of a 20% productivity improvement
by 2020

9. And productivity isn’t good
What does this mean?
Lower wages – employers can’t afford to pay more
Lower profits – a struggle to make a buck
Expensive houses – when compared to other goods
Less innovation – business focused on survival don’t invest
Sources: NZ Treasury
Productivity in NZ 1988 – 2002
The NZ Institute

10. There is a connection between ICT
uptake and productivity
• Chris Hector, researcher in economics at Waikato Management School
“but it has a lag in it”
• Grant Florence, CEO Certified Builders

11. Why IT collaboration works in
manufacturing
• Standardisation. Houses are generally different
• Long production runs and long term supply. One off
• Long term relationships with investment in communication. Transient

12. BIM capable authoring tools are
widely used for design
Masterspec National BIM Survey 2013

13. With BIM, typically we are talking
large commercial projects
• Projects are large / long enough to warrant communication
investment
• Teams dedicated to a single project
• PAS1192, BIM Handbook
• BIM is becoming more common
• Still a long way from universal

14. Different issues in Residential
Mr Builder
Mr Plumber
Builder 2
Builder 2
Builder 2
Builder 2
Builder 2
Other Builders
Ms Electrician Builder 2
Builder 2
Builder 2
Other Builders
Designer Designer
Designer
• Often builder isn’t known at design phase
• Builders deal with a range of designers
• Often builders regularly use the same trades
• But those trades deal with multiple builders and projects in parallel
• No one invests much in communication

15. The industry is still fundamentally
paper based

16. The good thing in NZ is over 50% of
NZ houses are designed using BIM
capable tools

17. Our vision is to unlock these models
• Transparent information
• Construction is a complex process
• We can’t make it simpler but we can
hide the complexity from the user
• Very much the BIM story everyone
is talking

18. BIM = GST (or VAT)

19. There are challenges to doing this
• Multiple data sources
• IP and liability issues
• Varying construction methods
• Lack of understanding of true construction costs

20. 2D drawings are still the standard
• Main communication mode is still paper or electronic
paper (PDF)
• 3D CAD BIM models don’t contain all of the required
information
• It isn’t practical ot model everything

21. The designers BIM isn’t always right
• Using the designers BIM model assumes that it is right
• Reality is, it can’t be
• 2D communication provides a process break so allows user
to resolve specific details

22. Our competition is a spreadsheet and
highlighter• Drawings
• Highlighter pen
• Spreadsheet
• Human error prone
• Time consuming
• Skilled resource required
• Difficult to scale
• 2D based
• Spreadsheet Guru dependent / IP Issues
Typical errors
• Translation to spreadsheet
• Missed items
• Scaling
• Typos / Overtyping formulas

23. So all we need to do is
• Handle BIM from variable sources and of variable quality
• Take 2D and paper
• Have a system that largely works out “of the box”
• Is easy to use
• Easy to support
• Doesn’t cost much

24. So we came up with biscoPro™ to
manage the process
Planning
Specifications
Costs
Inspections
AI Selection
Engine
Database
Proprietary
CAD Models
(ArchiCAD
Revit
AutoCAD)
Web server
Apps
Browser
bisco RapidBIM

25. How do we fill the 3D CAD BIM gaps?
• Our first attempt….
Footing
Footing
Corner
Wall
Wall
Corner
Slab
Site
Window
Door
Column
Beam
Project

26. Recipes are a common approach
• Stores a recipe or classification code on BIM element
• Recipe contains breakdown of materials and labour
• Any change in element characteristics needs a new recipe
• Works well when designer and builder agree codes and materials don’t
change
• Therefore not so good
with residential

27. Our solution is to use a parametric
methodology
• Elements have properties and property sets
• Reuse as many decisions from the 3D CAD BIM model as possible
• Use the properties to make decisions about the element
• Working with buildingSmart Australasia to define a property
structure for residential elements

28. Allows for activity based costing
• Using square meter or linear metre labour rates are only an average
• Activity based costing looks at what attributes drive the tasks and
labour times
• Much more sensitive to design differences

29. Intel New Unit of Computing
• SME builders tend lack robust and repeatable IT processes
• System as an appliance
• Couriered with software pre-
installed
• Remote help software loaded
• Included in software price

30. Go to market strategy
• Cost per won project
• Regional support providers
• Offer a range of services giving customers the option of having
take-off or other tasks done for them

31. Customer feedback
• Paint is still drying on the residential BIM product
• Feedback very positive
• One early adopter is quoting savings of $2,000 per house
• A manufacturing customer reduced waste from 12% to 5%
• Council has increased inspections by 12%

36. Add 2D images to the model

37. RapidBIM

38. v

39. Questions?
Thank you for your time and attention
Nick Clements
Managing Director
bisco Ltd
nickc@bisco.co.nz
www.biscopro.com