FEATURE: CONSTRUCTION SOFTWARE
Designs on BIM How BIM is becoming a reality for post-frame construction
F
or decades, building information
continued his quest to improve construction
Although, that is something that we may
modelling (BIM) has been touted as
through technology.
include down the road.”
the future of the construction industry.
Dietzen travelled to Germany and returned
Ironically, BIM continues to prove
with a Hans Hundegger computerised linear
quite elusive in the residential and
feed saw. Armed with his Whole House
Custom database SmartBuild works because it creates
commercial segments. Instead, disintegrated
design software, Dietzen was able to model a
a relationship between the buyer, the
functions are the norm with architects
complete structure and figure all the framing.
contractor, and the distributor.
drawing one model, structural engineers
The data downloaded to the saw to pre-cut
using a different set of tools, and suppliers
and pre-mark everything for the project. All of
distributor setting up a custom database
performing multiple material takeoffs in
it could then be packaged up and sent to a job
with all their inventory, part numbers, colour
a variety of ways. There is one exception,
site along with the entire set of plans.
schemes, and sales documents. The distributor
however, from a surprising corner of the
The team at SmartBuild works with the
“That’s why when I saw how the post-
empowers the contractor, who is now able to
timber construction market. The promise of
frame industry worked, I was just enamoured
sit face-to-face with the buyer and build a 3D
BIM is becoming a reality for post-frame with
of it and just said, yeah, I know we can do this.
model before their eyes. When the buyer is
SmartBuild Systems.
I know we can do it,” he said.
happy, the contractor pushes a button and the
Knowing it might be a hard sell to the
Why BIM is MIA Of all the programs released over the past 30 years, none have addressed the
homebuilding industry, Dietzen focused on post-frame where one company typically builds the structure from start to finish.
structure of the industry. BIM works when each segment is on a complete design system
process is automatically completed and sent back to the distributor. Everyone wins. In just the last three months, using SmartBuild as a sales tool, Burrow’s Post Frame Supply has increased its sales by 15%.
SmartBuild Systems
that seamlessly manages every stage of the
SmartBuild is a state-of-the-art, web-based
Burrow’s administrator, Brandon Hamilton, said: “With SmartBuild we get
project, saves money, reduces errors, and
system that creates a 3D graphic model of a
quotes turned around extremely fast, it’s
increases everyone’s bottom line.
post-frame structure. Easy enough for almost
blown my mind!”
anyone, the system guides the user through a
The complete design system In 2002, Keith Dietzen, founder and CEO
And the contractors love it too. “We set up
series of prompts that automatically:
a guy yesterday. He said he’s used every kind
•
Frames custom structures
of software and SmartBuild does things that
of SmartBuild Systems, was commissioned
•
Builds cutlists for sheathing and trim
nothing in the industry has ever been able to
to work on the Pulte Home Sciences project.
•
Compiles bid and order using a custom
do,” he said.
The idea was to use the world’s best building
database
technologies to produce home foundations,
•
Generates construction drawings
floors, and walls. When the factory opened in
•
Calculates the price of labour, materials,
Detroit, it was Dietzen’s software that drove the operation.
What’s next Post-frame has proven that BIM can work
and sales tax
in construction, but is the rest of the industry
•
Populates sales documents
onboard? When asked if he’d be willing to
“We went through the whole process of
•
Creates building descriptions
work on a program for the residential industry,
automating and made tremendous strides in
•
Emails and prints copies for the customer
Dietzen anwered: “Sure. That’s a distinct
Admittedly, says Dietzen: “The one thing
possibility. Right now, we are consumed with
terms of the design time,” he explained. When the recession hit, and the factory closed, Dietzen remained undeterred and
we don’t do in our application that BIM
our post-frame effort, but you never know
really should, is automate the engineering.
about tomorrow.”
Spring 2020
19 www.timbermedia.co.uk
