8 minute read
Scoop behind the foliage: How information shapes landscape
LI Digital Practice Group member Thomas Yunqing Bai CMLI charts the what, why and how of information management in landscape practice.
Landscape architecture is often seen as a profession focused on the beauty of plants, nature and outdoor spaces, with designs traditionally communicated through drawings, images and photographs. However, there’s much more to the field than meets the eye. Behind the delivery of every garden, park or public space lies a complex system of information management. Handling this information is crucial not only for ensuring the successful completion of projects, but also for meeting industry standards and fulfilling contractual obligations.
In the past, landscape architects managed this information mostly on paper. Contracts, drawings and project details were stored in large filing rooms and communication often relied on physical documents, with some firms still using fax machines until relatively recently. While these methods worked for a time, they had many drawbacks. Finding specific information was often difficult and revising or updating designs could be a slow, manual process, but as digital technology advanced, the landscape architecture industry began to shift towards more efficient ways of managing information.
The shift to digital
Our practice, Ares Landscape Architects, is a good example of this transformation. Like many other practices, we initially relied on manual processes for our design work. We stored documents on paper and while we created 3D models, they were mainly for visual presentations rather than being part of a larger information system. This approach was common across the industry, where information management was often inefficient.
In 2016, we took a significant step forward by adopting Vectorworks, a drafting software compatible with Building Information Modelling (BIM). Integrating BIM into our workflow allowed us to manage information in a more organised way, aligning with new industry standards. By 2018, we had fully embraced BIM Level 2 compliance, which was later replaced by the UK BIM Framework, incorporating both 2D and 3D modelling along with alphanumeric data. This shift wasn’t just about using new software; it fundamentally changed how we approached design, documentation and working with others.
Challenges of BIM integration
Transitioning from traditional methods to a BIM-based process came with its challenges. One of the biggest was resistance to change. Moving away from familiar ways of working required a shift in working culture. Employees needed training not only on the new software but also on new ways of managing and thinking about information. Another challenge was the sheer amount of data that needed to be included in the BIM models. Beyond the 3D geometric data, requirements also include alphanumeric information such as facility, object and specificationrelated asset data. Ensuring that this data was accurate, up-to-date and accessible required the development of new workflows and the adoption of data management practices.
The landscape industry also faced the challenge of adapting BIM – originally designed for building and architecture– to the specific needs of landscape projects. Many existing BIM standards didn’t directly apply to landscape work, leading to gaps between the available tools and what landscape architects actually needed. This often meant that landscape architects had to find creative workarounds to make BIM work for their projects. On one hand, the standardisation required by BIM extensively streamlined the design and delivery process of projects. On the other hand, it also restricted the flexibility and creativeness of the information output.
New digitised practice also brought new risks, such as the possibility of data corruption, ownership of changes, cybersecurity threats and the loss of important information by technical failure. While digital systems made it easier to store and share information, they also increased the chances of hoarding unnecessary information, mistakes and security breaches. This required firms to implement new protocols to treat and protect their data.
The benefits of BIM
Despite these challenges, the benefits of adopting BIM and digital information management have been substantial. One of the most important advantages has been the improvement in the accuracy and quality of project delivery. By bringing all relevant information together into a single model or from a single source, landscape architects can produce more accurate designs, reducing the likelihood of errors and ensuring that the final product meets the client’s expectations. Adopting BIM can be driven by the need to comply with public sector project requirements. Our work in the education sector for the UK’s Department for Education (DfE) required us to follow strict BIM standards. The standardised processes enabled by BIM allowed us to efficiently manage multiple school projects, ensuring that each one met DfE’s design requirements within tight deadlines. The implementation of Common Data Environments (CDEs) has also made it easier for the design team, DfE and contractors to find information and track the progress of each project, providing greater transparency and accountability. However, BIM has also led us to more efficient workflows as a practice. The adoption of hybrid drafting and compliance with BIM information management standards, including the use of CDEs, has streamlined the design and documentation process for Ares. This has made it easier for the team to collaborate, share information and ensure that everyone is working from the latest and same set of information. It dramatically enhances efficiency and makes project information easily accessible. Moreover, the ability to ‘pre-build’ projects in a digital environment has been revolutionary. Creating detailed 3D models allows landscape architects to spot potential issues and clashes with other consultants before construction begins. This proactive approach helps reduce costly mistakes, saves time and ultimately enables us to make better decisions.
The future of BIM in landscape architecture
Looking ahead, the landscape architecture industry is likely to further embrace BIM and other emerging technologies to improve information management and project outcomes.
The landscape industry must remain vigilant to the potential risks associated with digital practice and information management. Cybersecurity will be an ongoing and increasing concern, not only in terms of protecting data from external threats but also in ensuring that information is properly managed and protected within the practice.
While BIM has already had a significant impact, there is still much potential to be unlocked, especially in landscape architecture, where its use is still relatively new. The data assets in the model could offer benefits not only for construction, such as quantity take-off and costing, but also for laying the groundwork for future facility maintenance and management by the end users.
One promising area for future development is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) into BIM workflows. These technologies could help automate daunting tasks like data entry and checking, freeing up time for landscape architects to focus on more creative and strategic design work. Additionally, data-driven processes by AI and ML could be used to generate multiple design options based on set criteria, allowing professionals to explore a wider range of possibilities and find the best solutions for each project.
Sustainability and carbon calculation are also likely to be key areas of focus for the future of BIM in landscape architecture. As the industry continues to prioritise environmentally friendly practices, BIM can play a crucial role in modelling the environmental impact of different design options by utilising integrated data and optimising resource use during construction.
As BIM and related technologies continue to evolve, all practices will need to keep up with the latest developments to ensure their processes remain in line with best practice. This will involve ongoing training and a commitment to continuous improvement.
The landscape industry must remain vigilant to the potential risks associated with digital practice and information management. Cybersecurity will be an ongoing and increasing concern, not only in terms of protecting data from external threats but also in ensuring that information is properly managed and protected within the practice. As digital tools such as AI become more integrated into the design process, the industry will need to develop new protocols to safeguard against copyright, data loss, bias and corruption, ensuring that information remains fair, accurate and secure.
As the industry continues to evolve, by embracing new technologies and prioritising sustainability, the role of BIM will become more central to the practice of landscape architecture. However, it is crucial that the industry remains adaptable and continues to rethink how these tools can be used not just to meet client requirements but also to genuinely improve the design process and project outcomes.
Something I learnt at the LI’s Digital Practice & Technology for Landscape conference was, ‘It’s not about how the tech works, but how it works for us’. With a focus on collaboration, innovation and security, the future of landscape architecture in the digital age looks bright and promising.
Thomas YunQing Bai CMLI is a Senior Landscape Architect at Ares Landscape Architects
