Welcome to the December 2024 edition of BIM Today. It’s a time of year to take stock and to look ahead to what the future may bring
In the BIM Today December 2024 cover story, Luc Lefebvre of Vectorworks gives the crystal ball a hammering as he explores the key trends for construction tech in 2025, from moving AI beyond visualization to the emergence of immersive technologies for client-centric design and sustainable architecture.
Our ghost of Christmas past is infrastructure and digital transformation expert Iain Miskimmin. A decade on from his book Plain Language BIM, he casts a critical eye over BIM’s place in the industry and argues that we are still struggling to get the right information to the right people at the right time.
In the present, Tom Jennings, senior consultant at the BRE, looks at the landmark BuildAudIt initiative. This Innovate UK-backed project brings together experts from the built environment, artificial intelligence and academia to develop a proof-of-concept platform that can provide a clear data overview of existing buildings to inform the reuse of materials in retrofit and new builds.
Alex Brihac of Hexagon discusses its recent research looking at the expected outcomes and realised benefits of digital twins, and what they mean for the AECO sector.
Meanwhile, Ryan Hood, digital highways leader at global engineering consultancy Arup, looks at pioneering research for the Department for Transport on the transformational impact data-driven digital twins could have on the way we design, manage and experience integrate transport networks.
Akin Akinbode, Mark Macaulay and Tracey Summerell of law firm Dentons unpack the findings of their new report, Laws of AI Traction, which examines how the construction industry is getting to grips with artificial intelligence, while Richard Ceeney and Kyle Sethi of Reed Smith consider the future for AI systems in the built environment and Andy Steele of Buildots makes the case for AI progress monitoring as a means of supercharging the principles of lean construction.
There is much more besides. Here’s a selection of articles and you can download the full BIM Today December 2024 publication for free.
1. 2025 AEC trends: Shaping the future of design
Luc Lefebvre of Vectorworks looks at the key trends in AI, BIM and immersive technology shaping the future of design and construction.
2. 10 years on from Plain Language BIM: Why are we still struggling?
A decade on from his book Plain Language BIM, infrastructure and digital transformation expert Iain Miskimmin argues that we are still struggling to deliver the right information to the right people at the right time.
3. Net zero refurbishment: Understanding what’s already in our buildings is key to reaching targets
Tom Jennings, senior consultant at BRE and consortium member for the Innovate UK Build AudIt project, outlines the importance of addressing data insights for existing buildings and how to drive forward the circular economy ahead of net zero refurbishment.
4. Exploring the true potential of digital twins in the AECO sector
Adopting a digital twin strategy can lead to significant emissions reductions and cost savings. Alex Brihac, VP of AEC strategy and execution at Hexagon’s Geosystems division, discusses the findings of research from Hexagon and what they mean for the potential of digital twins in the AECO sector.
5. Digital twins in transport: Enabling a revolution
Ryan Hood, digital highways leader at global engineering consultancy Arup, looks at pioneering research for the Department for Transport on the transformational impact data-driven digital twins could have on the way we design, manage and experience integrate transport networks.
6. Showcasing the next generation of construction innovation
The Construction Start-up Competition recognises a range of construction innovation from eco-friendly materials and productivity-enhancing tools to advanced supply chain systems and robotics.
7. Construction-focused AI: Is the sector ready?
A new report, Laws of AI Traction, from law firm Dentons explores how the construction industry is getting to grips with artificial intelligence. Authors Akin Akinbode, Mark Macaulay and Tracey Summerell discuss its findings.
8. Can AI progress management supercharge lean construction?
Andy Steele, chief strategy officer of Buildots, looks at how AI progress management is a powerful partner for lean construction principles, bringing more projects in on time and on budget by helping project teams to work smarter, not harder.
9. AI data centres are cranking up pressure on the supply chain
AI is sparking a data centre boom – now the sector must meet new demands, writes Lisa Duignan, director and data centres sector lead, Europe, at Turner & Townsend.
10. Sport & the City: Inspiring a new approach to stadium design
The design approach of stadiums needs to shift from inward-looking facilities to places that have an inclusive and engaging relationship to their surrounding urban context and become hubs of community activity.
