Market Report Autodesk
1. Introduction
The impact of the recession years of profits on the construction sector was very strong. Although many commentators are now convinced that the worst is over, most of the architects is far from optimistic.
The RIBA Future Trends Survey revealed that at the end of 2010, the question "What changes are expected in terms of workload in the coming months in his studio? ", over 36% of architects surveyed said they expect a reduction in workload, while 43% unchanged levels of employment and about 78% plan a hiring freeze.
However, since the architectural industry is far from homogeneous, alternating international studies of large companies run by one person, you can also find some positive news.
The survey RIBA rivela, per esempio, che molti studi di piccole e medie dimensioni sono più ottimisti riguardo alle loro prospettive future e si attendono un incremento del carico di lavoro, soprattutto nel settore dell’edilizia residenziale di lusso.
Nonostante la crisi economica rappresenti in questo momento la preoccupazione più grande all’interno del comparto architettonico, ci sono anche altri fattori che stanno influenzando l’edilizia e i suoi processi produttivi. La richiesta di edifici sempre più sostenibili ed efficienti da un punto di vista energetico continua a essere un elemento di importanza cruciale, vista the need to adapt to increasingly complex rules and regulations.
Numerous studies are addressing these new challenges in different ways. Probably the most effective approach has been designed to take advantage of this period of crisis to change and update their working methods.
2. Le sfide
Alla domanda di individuare le tre principali sfide da affrontare, quasi il 40% degli intervistati ha risposto “ottenere nuovi lavori” e circa il 25% “non perdere competitività rispetto agli studi architettonici concorrenti”.
In order to obtain new jobs, studies need to find a way to show their clients that are able to satisfy their request, by giving them exactly what they want. As one respondent said: "I do not just a question of architecture, is also the service we offer to be important for the customer. "
Architects must be more innovative, but success also depends on how quickly which carries out the job without compromising quality. addition, to remain competitive and obtain new projects, it is necessary to have the freedom of action to enable them to reduce costs, if necessary.
When the Respondents were asked to specify the major distinguishing features of their study, the majority (over 60%) chose "relationship with current customers - demonstrating that many architects rely heavily on keeping the status quo, even if, for overcome the challenges of the moment, should be able to attract new customers, rather than simply to maintain existing customers.
3. Implications daily work activities
Alla domanda sulle principali sfide da affrontare durante l’attività lavorativa di tutti i giorni, gli intervistati hanno sottolineato “gestire i cambiamenti nelle fasi finali del processo di progettazione” e “assicurare informazioni coerenti per tutto il processo di progettazione”.
Quando il progetto di un edificio raggiunge gli ultimi stadi del processo di progettazione, ingloba centinaia di informazioni di produzione, oltre al materiale di documentazione. When a change is made, every document relating to the project design and should be checked and revised to reflect the change and ensure consistency.
therefore not surprising that the question "At what stage of the design process efficiencies would have greater impact in terms of profitability?", Over 50% of those surveyed responded to the stage of production of information.
E 'at this stage, in fact, that all the drawings (plans, sections, elevations), the details and work plans are completed and submitted the attention of local authorities to obtain final approval and the way to proceed.
4. How to overcome these challenges?
Some of the most visionary architectural studies for many years understood that to achieve competitive advantage had to innovate their way to work through the Building Information Modeling (BIM).
BIM is an innovative approach to architectural design, originally introduced by Autodesk and now increasingly popular globally. This methodology is characterized by the fact that immediately and continuously make available all information relating to intent, timing and costs of the project, consistent and reliable.
Today there are numerous technologies that support the BIM, but the software based on Autodesk platform Revit are designed specifically for BIM and provide the greatest benefit since they are based on parametric modeling technology. Each design change is automatically applied to any project, and documentation, thus making the process more coordinated and developed more precise.
5. Get new jobs
"The advantage in adopting BIM, especially in the early stages of the design process, is that you can quickly have an idea of \u200b\u200bhow to design the building," said one respondent. "This allows you to immediately go to the customer by offering concrete hypothesis and variations so that it can choose how best to proceed."
This can be a real strength when it comes to attracting new customers rather than having to interpret plans and drawings in 2D, the customer has the opportunity right now to see the final appearance of the building. addition, in some cases it may be necessary to share their projects with different clients, for example if you are designing a school building, teachers, local authorities and even the children could make a contribution. Use a dynamic 3D model means that architects are able to work closely with stakeholders and interact with them meeting their demands and showing them what works and what does not and explain the impact of their suggestions on various parts of the model .
But it's not just the outward appearance of the building. The 3D model, in the earliest stages of design, incorporates detailed information on size, number of doors and windows, etc.., All of which are sufficient to draw up a plan in advance the cost reliable.
6. Optimize workflow
BIM can reduce significant time and risk associated with last minute changes and lack of consistency, thereby offering a solution to the factors that architects have identified as key threats to their competitiveness
Allow architects to provide design information richer and more complete from the early stages of the design process, it means helping to reduce the changes in the final stages of the project and thus free them from the main issues during the production of information.
make these operations less demanding returns architects the freedom to develop new projects and increase the level of productivity and efficiency during this phase of work.
7. Conclusions
The fact that architects are paid to make drawings rather than models, may have deceived many studies suggest that the transition to BIM was not necessary. In fact, those companies are starting to implement it, albeit gradually, will soon be able to offer more innovative, higher quality and more quickly. In other words, it will be much more competitive.
adopt a new technology is always difficult, but from the beginning to reinvent its own method of working may seem an undue risk, especially in the current economic climate. However, the results that follow can make all the difference between success and mere survival.
