The United States was among the first countries to recognize the significance of BIM and the advantages it offers.
In 2006, the US Army Corps of Engineers introduced a 15-year BIM roadmap aimed at advancing infrastructure and military construction across the country. By 2011, they released a comprehensive BIM implementation plan focused on cost reduction, schedule optimization, and quality control through BIM technology. According to McGraw Hill, BIM adoption in the US AEC/FM industry grew rapidly—from less than one-third usage in 2007 to over two-thirds by 2009. Today, three major federal agencies—the General Services Administration, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the National Institute of Building Sciences—have developed standards or guidelines for BIM.
Several European countries, including Germany, Denmark, Italy, and Finland, also embraced BIM technology relatively early. Italian architect Le Corbusier observed that “the management and application of information technology throughout the entire industry chain in prefabricated buildings is the future trend.” He highlighted how BIM and related technologies create an information exchange platform that integrates consulting, planning, design, construction, and management processes for prefabricated buildings, enabling efficient information flow across the entire industry chain. Similarly, Franz Lampard, an architect at the Darmstadt Institute for Prefabricated Building Research in Germany, noted that “the future of prefabricated buildings lies in network-based customization.” This interconnected approach between project stakeholders facilitates the sharing, combining, and optimized use of information, construction resources, and management methods.
The United Kingdom, home to numerous renowned design firms and the European headquarters for leading design enterprises, has been a front-runner in BIM research and application. Starting in October 2007, Finland’s largest state-owned asset management organization, Senate Properties, mandated BIM requirements for all building designs in publicly funded projects. Furthermore, in January 2014, the European Parliament issued a directive instructing all 28 member states to promote, designate, or require BIM use for publicly funded construction projects by 2016. This directive underscores the widespread recognition of BIM’s benefits across Europe.
Must log in before commenting!
Sign Up