Mass Customization

Model-based design and fabrication are already well-established in major manufacturing. One benefit of computer controlled manufacturing is the decreasing cost of short-run production, heading towards true mass-customization where there will be no more "specials."

Assemblies and Systems as Products

Manufacturers of products, materials and finishes that are ultimately installed and function as assemblies or systems will create assembly-friendly content and multi-BPM offerings enabling specification of larger and larger pieces of buildings as a single "product." This will include a blending of civil, landscape and architectural elements, supporting an integrated building-and-site approach.

Owner Standard Prototype Buildings

Owners that do repeat projects will develop BIM versions of their prototypes for local design and construct teams to site-adapt. They will make enterprise-wide product selections and incorporate them into their BIM programs, likely taking advantage of the trend towards larger assemblies and systems as single "products."

Facilities Management BIM

The turnover of information to Owners after construction will become fully electronic, with an accurate FM BIM model serving as the "digital double" of the constructed facility. BIM objects in the model will integrate with their actual counterparts to monitor performance, trigger maintenance and manage warranty issues. They will also stay in contact with their manufacturers and serve as a point of communication for product updates, scheduled maintenance, replacement needs, etc.

Design Decisions Informed by In-place Performance Data from FM BIM

As FM BIM monitors in-place performance of installed products, materials and finishes, design professionals will access this data for product evaluation on new projects. This transparent, full-circle information loop will become critical to the industry and greatly enhance BPMs product design processes to everyone's benefit.

Conclusion

As BIM continues to revolutionize design construction and operations of facilities worldwide, the role of BIM-complaint building product content will become increasingly important, serving as the vessel in which mission-critical data is carried and accessed by multiple users over the lifecycle of the asset. Architects will be developing no less than the genetic DNA of a building when they assemble and configure these objects and elements. And the manufacturers responsible for their creation and maintenance will bear an ever-greater responsibility in supporting them with current, accurate, comprehensive and flexible content. The partnership between design professionals and manufacturers will continue to evolve as both move forward into this exciting future.

Steve Jones researches, writes and speaks globally about the impact of economic, technological, business and environmental changes on the future of the design and construction industry. He also leads McGraw-Hill Construction's initiatives in developing alliance relationships with major companies for technology and content.