cad methodology vs. bim philosophy

Technocentrism within the AECO industry hastens digital architecture's progress and leads to low end production because advanced technology doesn't become implemented fast enough. CAD technology isn't being rolled over, expediently, to latest versions (or beyond) because complacency impedes CAD technologies from looking outside its own discipline - obstructing access to more standardized applied systems.

Post modern CAD (VDC [Virtual Design & Construction]/BIM [Building Information Modeling]) is THE system that will be the primordial digital structure to future architectures and better standardizations. Not to mention, the experience of utilizing BIM can be quite liberating over the toil and repetitiveness of 2D/3D CAD.

In witnessing BIM implementation over the past 3 years, the hardest sell sometimes seems to be the culturally perceptive one - it's too radical; too much of a departure from what one is used to. Ironically, the use of BIM programming is being quickly absorbed because of how easy it is to learn and use.

Or, how about this one: "we're afraid it's going to make the modern day architect obsolete." Well, I've asked plenty of architects I know who were practicing at the advent of CAD - and they all said the same thing then. Now, 25 -30 years later...well, did it? Exactly, it did not. They were never replaced by the Orwellian robots they once feared, but they had to evolve and adapt to an advanced technology in order to compete. It shouldn't be hard to do this again, especially since learning BIM is a lot more pleasurable than I ever thought learning CAD was.

There is a methodology to it, yes, IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) is largely responsible - a successful practice developed by the IAI (International Alliance for Interoperabilty). However, when describing methodology, it only goes so far when talking about the vast building philosophy behind BIM. No longer are we just moving lines around, as with CAD. We're realizing the greater potential of a virtual construction technology while producing, by far, more variability, more complexity, and vastly advanced geotechnical and geospatial relationships between buildings and landscapes - all at a greater value to key players.

Still, not a lot of professionals are embracing this, or even plan on it soon. Procrastination is not the way to go, really. As one helping to implement this technology, it must be noted and summed up in a matter of words (borrowed from Zack DeLaRoche, of Rage Against The Machine;) "If we don't take action now, we'll settle for nothing later...if we settle for nothing now, then we'll settle for nothing later"! Except, when he said that, he was screaming at the top of his lungs. I'm merely announcing it - in a raised voiced.

The point is, don't wait until everybody else is passing you by with advanced technologies. It's foolish not to get the ball rolling. Of course it will hurt to change, but the payoffs will be there.

It must also be said that a post modern digital architecture is like nothing I've experienced in my 8 years of CAD use. BIM is being philoshophized about worldwide, now, as a result of its broad scope of understanding, experientially. Blog spaces, as this one, are one of many (technorati.com has logged BIM as a very hot topic these days with more bloggers registering daily) which is a good response and indication of where it's heading. It's no surprise, some of the best information on the subject is being written about by BIMers as this cultural philosophy surfaces and permeates extensively in the AEC industries.

In anticipation of a polemical cultural shift of CAD to BIM, this space is designated for the discussion of theories surrounding the philosophies of BIM as they overcome CAD's anxieties (these next several years). This potential forum should be treated as a ground to share insight on perceptions of this change. Remember, people intuit the creativity beyond mere computing and with that the technology incorporates their imagination. So please, let's have less of the technical-jargon-ambition and more of the techno-theory one (if commenting,) thanks.

be sure to stay posted for more...

spatia3