INTERVIEW
BIM Benefits For Architects
Angela Spathonis Photo credit: Gensler
Vignesh Kaushik Photo credit: Gensler
SEAB: Can you briefly touch upon the benefits of BIM for architects? Angela and Vignesh: Our increasingly complex world offers an ever-expanding number of factors to consider when designing. Environmental influences, constantly evolving business models, and a new generation of employees can all mean rapid change for the way space is used. At Gensler, design is the heart of our offering, globally. The opportunity to develop solutions that are informed, purposeful, and compelling is the overriding reason why our architects have embraced integrated delivery so enthusiastically. Yet every project we design and implement with our clients is part of an ongoing relationship that is rooted in collaboration and trust. Our BIM models are designed to be digital twins of physical spaces, but they are also used to visualize and analyse the complex symphony of data created
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SEAB
BIM software offers great advantages to the architecture, construction and engineering community. In this interview, Angela Spathonis, Principal and Managing Director of Gensler and Vignesh Kaushik, Regional Design Technology Director, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Greater China of Gensler tell us the benefits and the key challenges to its adoption.
by the network –thereby serving as a tool to inform the future of spaces. Gensler’s predominant line of business involves architectural design projects which includes placing a great extent of building elements into a complete BIM model for virtual visualisation before project sign-off. Previously, this involved considerable manual efforts and also generated errors due to maximum human intervention. Using BIM, architects can deliver projects in a reduced time frame. Not only does this cut costs and resources, but architects are also able to accommodate clients with tight deadlines due to faster turnaround times. Additional benefits include round-the-clock design collaboration and quality control. It allows us to communicate design intent clearly to the client and collaborate with other stakeholders like structural and MEP engineers in real-time. This leads to reduced
errors, inconsistencies and ensures predictable outcomes and highly reduced risk at the construction site. SEAB: Can you share with us a notable project where you were able to present your BIM capabilities? Angela and Vignesh: Design is the heart of Gensler’s offering, worldwide. The opportunity to develop solutions that are informed, purposeful, and compelling is the overriding reason why our design teams have embraced integrated delivery so enthusiastically. Yet every project we design and implement with our clients is part of an ongoing relationship that’s rooted in collaboration and trust. The headquarters for Meta APAC is a landmark project that sets a new benchmark for Meta’s office projects globally. Located in Marina One in Singapore CBD, this project truly reflects Meta’s core values whilst incorporating t h e S i n g a p o re c u l t u re t h ro u g h i t s
MAR-APR 2022
24/2/22 3:07 PM