Building Information Modeling

First some definitions for those who need them. For this post, let’s consider that multi-family housing is a type of housing facility where multiple housing units are built within one building or a few buildings within one complex. In some cases, units in a multi-family residential building are classified as condominiums. Here typically the units are owner individually instead of renting from a single apartment building owner. Many communities incorporate multi-family residences such as cohousing projects. From the perspective of their construction though, let’s consider that some common parameters apply to all multi-family housing. The residential space and particularly the multi-family sector holds incredible potential for development. In most developed nations the residential multi-family market is responsible for a significant portion of all construction activity. Of course, such a project has its complexity. The sheer size, scale, and delivery pressures are obvious iss...

The construction industry goes as far back as human existence itself. I can almost imagine the first “developer” putting a few skins, branches, and some leaves as a roof over a crude lean-to and asking the folks wanting to get in out of the cold for some fruits and perhaps an arrowhead or two for the privilege of owning their own home! The evolution of homo-sapiens brought in the industrial age. That progress led to the establishment of many industries – agriculture and construction were, almost certainly, the first ones to be discovered to cover the basic needs of food and shelter for survival. So, the industry has probably been around well before the term ‘industry’ was coined. We have come a long way from building huts to constructing massive structures like the Burj Khalifa. And this was made possible only with technological advancements. Since completing my architecture over 25 years ago, I have been fascinated to witness the evolution of the industry. So, here are...