Building Information Models and complex healthcare infrastructure delivery: Development, application, benefits and challenges.
Start Date: January 2010
End Date: December 2011
Project Status: Current
Building Information Models (BIMs) represent an integrated and interoperable collection of various information production, modelling and management tools. By using BIM technology, the various aspects of design, construction and operation are digitally coordinated with information exchange mediated through shared technology platforms across projects. The effective utilisation of BIM across complex construction activities requires a significant shift away from current practices and forms of organising construction work. The translation of activities from being based around paper, printouts and informal communication to digital mediation and coordination is a significant challenge. Also, the coordination of different practices across various professional disciplines is not a simple task.
But the potential benefits of using BIM technologies are considerable, and in highly complex projects such as healthcare infrastructure such coordination may not only produce cost savings but also allow more effective delivery of services.
In order to understand and address the potential and challenges of utilising BIM, this research is investigating and reporting on the development and implementation of BIM oriented technologies on healthcare project. The first case is the Barts and the London hospitals project; a £1 billion refurbishment and new build programme across two sites. A newer hospital, the New Karolinska Solna in Stockholm, is the second case. This is Sweden’s first PFI funded project, construction of which begins in Summer 2010. Our aim is to provide insights into the challenges of implementing such technologies within interdisciplinary contexts and across the whole supply chain in complex healthcare settings. We will also provide practical feedback on supporting their future development and implementation.
The objectives of the project are
1. To undertake detailed case studies of the development, implementation and use of new information coordination technologies on two major healthcare projects.
2. Investigate ways of capturing emerging practices and of measuring the benefits of these new technologies and new ways of working.
3. To investigate use of these technologies extending beyond design through construction and into operation and facility management.
4. To provide practical and policy oriented insights based on assessing the emerging benefits of technology use in construction healthcare projects.