How information digitisation is transforming the residential sector

1 Digitalisation and the pandemic
2 Can digital technology aid the residential sector?
3 From BIM to better information management
4 About the Author
5 Related articles on Designing Buildings

[edit] Digitalisation and the pandemic

The use of digital technology and innovative processes has been accelerated since the Covid-19 pandemic, with the move towards better information management and automation for planning, design, construction and handover, as well as operations and maintenance, for the residential sector.

We are seeing a sector that is realising the benefits that digital technology brings to information, and embracing it to build a better, more efficient built environment for all. The residential sector.

Building Information Modelling (BIM) has been an important enabler for digital transformation in construction and across the built environment for many years. The UK BIM Framework has provided the current approach to implementing BIM. However, the journey to get there is evolving from a sole focus around BIM to one that now encompasses thinking around the exchange of information requirements – not just model deliverables.

BIM tends to come into its own for larger projects with scale, providing a holistic and comprehensive approach to highly structured data for managing information, with the added advantages of multiple use for standard designs, allowing it to be part of a broader standardisation and automation process for a build and across projects.

However, the future represents an opportunity to take stock and set out information requirements that are aligned to current processes and standards, delivering robust information that will truly benefit the project and team, and make the most of technology to improve the robustness of these requirements and the move to more automated workflows.

[edit] Can digital technology aid the residential sector?

Looking back, the benefits of BIM have always been harder to realise for smaller- scale residential projects, low plot count housing, for example, where the size and individuality of each project is different and variations in design layouts are greater. CAD models in residential builds can also be treated as a statement of intent rather than with rigidity as changes are often needed along the way.

With this mindset, the residential sector has taken a different (and maybe slower) approach to digitisation and while BIM may be part of the solution, there have been other information requirements, with technology now taking a lead role in their delivery.

Not only can technology help set out those information requirements, providing a greater ability to improve the quality of the information being produced and shared, it addresses wider information management needs such as information centralisation, processing, workflows and exchange, which is vital for this sector.

Harnessing data and information in the right way provides greater insight into each residential project and asset, which ultimately improves building safety, performance and sustainability.

From housebuilder, developer, contractor and property owner and manager, BIM enabled information management systems become one configurable platform, providing broader and better building information management that is accessible, available, accurate and compliant all the time.

[edit] From BIM to better information management

As we see requirements for information getting more extensive and complex, a cloud- based database with automated workflows within a common data environment (CDE) can simplify processes while removing errors and ambiguities, and providing a greater connection between the requirements, the project delivery and the stakeholders.

This standardisation of construction processes, as well as centralising and visualising information, data and reporting, has become an essential requirement. Ensuing the right people have the right visibility of the right information across a project at the right time to make the best decisions is critical – driving efficiencies, productivity and cost savings.

The company Zutec was one of the first construction technology companies in the world to be awarded the BSI Kitemark TM certification for BIM software, which represents the international standard for ISO 19650. This not only brings structure to data but also can bring structure to inspections and workflows, centralising information, project management and streamlining digital handover all in one platform.

BIM-enabled CDEs, can brings 3D models, structured data (IFC/COBie) and project documentation under one roof, providing a unique visual index of information and documents to form the “as-built” record of a built environment to achieve ISO 19650 compliance… but that’s not all.

Whether a team is in the office to coordinate clash detection in models, in the field gathering photographic evidence of work done for inspections, or responsible for planning maintenance activities from the asset register and digital handover, a visual index (in 3D) can support the project team by supporting the full lifecycle information gathering of a project or asset.

[edit] About the Author

Maria Hudson is CMO at Zutec

The Zutec BIM solution, for example, offers advantages in the planning stage and ensures work onsite progresses more smoothly and efficiently. With a comprehensive view of a project (as a digital twin), teams can fully visualise and monitor progress, as well as plan maintenance when needed and highlight changes or concerns.

Information can also be managed, captured and updated in the field and attributed to 3D models, using real-time tools for greater accuracy. Data can be viewed directly on site using any device or in the office providing convenience. And with a complete history of all assets troubleshooting problems can be made easy.

Teams can directly enrich data directly and easily provide location information for inspections, update BIM objects with field data such as serial numbers and add in photographic evidence, which are geo- located to plots, of products and materials used. Real-time data feeds also mean teams can continuously monitor asset performance to get complete knowledge and control across the building lifecycle.

As a fully configurable platform, it is easy to maintain a digital golden thread of information across construction projects and capture the exact information and data needed to make informed, and effective, decisions as a construction project progresses. Centralising information, teams can manage their entire project portfolio, from operational efficiency and productivity to configurable analytics to interrogation and reports on asset data.

Zutec also offers out-of-the-box quality management solutions for cladding remediation to Part L compliance. Now housebuilders and developers need to demonstrate that new builds and refurbished dwellings are constructed using the right materials, methods and technology that meet standards with photographic evidence, Zutec can ensure teams stay ahead of the curve by having the right processes in place for compliance.

To complement Zutec, our sister company Bond Bryan Digital can simplify information management requirements. As a leading information management and BIM consultancy, work is centred around best practice (including the UK BIM Framework and ISO19650) – setting out detailed information requirements that clients want, when they want it, removing the complexity to deliver reliable, robust and reusable information.

Additionally, Createmaster, another sister company under the BuildData group can provide a comprehensive Digital Handover service on top of the Zutec platform to allow your team to focus on high-value activities and not chasing sub-contractors for information.

--Zutec 15:51, 27 Sep 2022 (BST)