Building information sharing needs improvement

Organisations involved with the design, construction and operation of buildings are lagging behind when it comes to using technology to share information, according to John Mitchell, director of BuildingSMART, the International Alliance for Building Interoperability.

“The Australian construction industry has a low rate of IT technology take-up to date when compared to other industries such as manufacturing,” said Mitchell.

This results in a lack of interoperability: the ability to share information, from the inception of a project to when the users occupy the new facility and expect data about the building for asset or facility management.

BuildingSMART is hosting a series of seminars to examine how Building Information Modelling (BIM)—the process of generating, managing and sharing building data during its lifecycle—is becoming the technology of choice to respond to increasing pressures such as planning and infrastructure, energy consumption, and sustainability.

A study commissioned by the Built Environment Industry Innovation Council (BEIIC) reveals that by using BIM, organisations involved with the design, construction and operation of buildings can significantly increase productivity by 6-9%. According to the BEIIC study, BIM reduces time, cost, material consumption and carbon emissions while improving building quality.

“Increasingly, local authorities, state and national governments will be demanding that planning for construction projects is created using BIM, driving the take-up of the technology throughout the industry and signalling a new era in Australia’s built environment,” said Mitchell.

Brisbane seminar
Tuesday, 29 March 2011
The Grand View Room, Hillstone St Lucia,
St Lucia Golf Links Carawa Street
St Lucia QLD

Sydney seminar
Monday, 4 April 2011
Ground Floor Accenture Building
South Wharf, Darling Island Wharf
48 Pirrama Road
Pyrmont NSW

Melbourne seminar
Wednesday, 6 April 2011
Maia Room, Shed 15,
9 Central Pier, Atlantic South Wharf
161 Harbour Esplanade
Docklands VIC

For more information, or to buy tickets, see www.buildingsmarteventregistration.com.au.