Architectural BIM Training with Real Project Delivery

1. Architectural BIM Training with Real Project Delivery An idea germinates with a unique thought. This thought is then put on paper and made into reality with a set of processes. Similarly, when customers approach architects to remodel their homes or design a new home based on the land purchased, architects pen down their home designs on paper and present the final model through a series of processes. Architects must go through four important processes before they present their final drawings, or the 3D model design, to a customer. They are: Programming (pre-Design Phase) Known as the stage of requirement gathering, in this phase, architects interact with customers to understand what they are looking for in their new home. The architect, at this stage, collects information about the land on which the home will be built and its surroundings. The scope, features and functionality of the new home are identified. Functionalities, such as indoor and outdoor requirements, physical amenities, health and safety requirements, layout of rooms, etc., are discussed with the customer. Schematic Design At this stage, based on the requirements provided by the customer, architects prepare drawings of the new home. These drawings are known as schematic design drawings. They include vital information, such as the construction budget and resources required on site for final construction. These drawings provide insight to the customer about the layout of their new home. At this stage, changes to be made in the design based on the customer’s requirements are incorporated. Design Development The stage after the Schematic Design stage is the Design Development stage. A 3D view of the drawing is provided and finalised in the design development stage. The 3D model presented at this stage includes a virtual representation of the interior and exterior of the home to be built. It also includes information regarding mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems and structural elements to be incorporated in the final construction documents known as CD sets. These drawings are used by contractors on the construction site. Before moving to the next stage, any changes to be made in the 3D model, as requested by the customer, need to be addressed at this stage, since changes made after this stage can be quite expensive and time-consuming, especially if the changes are related to the structural (beams, columns, etc.) aspects. Construction Drawings Based on the model finalised in the previous stage, architects provide construction drawings. These drawings provide detailed information regarding individual mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, along with structural analysis of the home to be built. At this stage, the architect coordinates with contractors, engineers and interior designers, who use these drawings to build the home as per the finalised design. Established architects deal with building multiple homes on huge plots of land. In this case, architects usually outsource the Schematic Design stage services and Design Development stage services to CAD/BIM companies. Professionals working in such companies go through architectural internship courses to further understand the requirements of actual architectural drawings and 3D models.

2. To create such drawings and models for architects, CAD/BIM professionals enroll in architectural internship courses, since it provides an opportunity to work on industry-based projects that have been previously worked on by industry professionals. Working on an actual architectural project helps professionals learn about building codes required in drawings by the architect. Furthermore, they learn how to incorporate the changes mentioned by the customer into the final drawings. An architectural BIM internship course covers vital concepts that help in delivering accurate construction drawings and 3D models. Some concepts include BIM process and LOD concepts, schematic drawings, 2D designing, site and conceptual design, document sets, as-built drawings and much more. Architects working with a team of CAD/BIM professionals, who have undergone architectural BIM training based on actual architectural projects, save time in training professionals to understand international construction standards. Thus, candidates looking to enter the field of CAD/BIM services can enroll for an architectural internship programme and gain professional work experience before applying for CAD/BIM jobs.