BIM is 'Building Information Modelling' and as far as we are concerned, its going to be a hugely positive thing for the construction industry. BIM is the process of constructing an intelligent 3D model of the building inside the computer, and then using it to extract huge amounts of useful information for all sorts of different purposes. At the simplest level it ensures full coordination of our drawings, and allows us to present our clients with 3D images of their project. At the more advanced end of the spectrum, BIM allows for accurate energy evaluation, take-off of quantities (measuring each element of the building for pricing), and the model can even evolve with the building long after completion to provide a detailed repository of useful information for facilities management, all of which can be accessed using free software.

Having recently purchased our own licenses for the BIM authoring software ArchiCAD, we have taken our first few steps on BIM ladder and we can already see the huge benefits it will bring to us and our clients. The immediate benefit we have noticed is the accuracy of coordination between drawings, and the improved communication with our clients - using the model, we can present the design in a way that is much easier to understand - meaning we can spend more time on what we are actually being paid to do (i.e. to come up with creative ideas and deliver sustainable and beautiful designs).

However, this really is only the tip of the iceberg and in time as we develop our BIM skills and get to grips with national standards, we intend to really embrace the 'I' in BIM. David Holland, our technical director and BIM manager, is overseeing the transition to being fully BIM ready over the course of the next twelve months.

"The Government mandate for BIM may only be for publicly funded projects over a certain size, but I can easily see a situation where  private sector clients will quickly see the benefits of BIM and insist on its use. We want to be at forefront of BIM development in small practice and our intention is to deliver projects using BIM whether the client specifically requests it or not, because it actually benefits us. As far as we're concerned, BIM shouldn't be something that comes as an 'optional extra' with inflated fees. On the contrary, it should be an opportunity for practices to deliver better value." David Holland

If you're considering a project and are interested to find out how BIM might benefit you, please do get in touch with us.

Since acquiring John Bradley Associates in Shipston-on-Stour in 2007, we are pleased to say that we have enjoyed continuing success, expanding the range of project types we work on, and building on our reputation as a creative and professional practice in the Cotswolds. At the same time the Bromsgrove office (David Edwards Partnership) has continued to develop a strong portfolio.

Off the back of this success, and with younger members of the practice developing into competent professionals in their own right, the time is now right for us to combine the two practices so that we can pool resources and make significant improvements to the way we deliver our services, with the intention that clients receive a more seamless experience. This step will also allow us to expand into new sectors and have sufficient resources to take on larger projects so that we can continue to grow as a business and local employer.

"This is an exciting time for the practice. In recent years, we have continued to see the quality of our projects improving and the time is now right to begin thinking about how we can continue to build on those developments. Over the next 12 months or so, we are making significant investments in our IT systems and in making the transition to BIM (building information modelling) so that we have the capability to deliver larger projects and work with public authority clients, as well as continuing to deliver the same types of project we currently are involved with." - David Holland

As part of the process, one of the first changes you will notice is that we will shortly be re-branding both David Edwards partnership and John Bradley Associates as Studio 27 Architects, which we hope will unify the two offices, and reflect the practice's ambition to become more prominent as a creative, contemporary practice throughout the whole of the Midlands region.

At around 2.00pm today our system reached the 1000kWh total output since installation back in November 2011. In the first quarter of 2012, the system has generated 605kWh of power and it on target to reach the estimated annual output of 2880kWh. To date we have saved 703Kg of Co2 by generating power through the photovoltaic system.
 

As part of our ongoing programme to reduce our carbon footprint a 3.6kW photovoltaic array has been installed on the roof of our Blackwell Practice. Supplied and installed by IMS Eco, in the 3 days it has been in operation it has generated over 5kWh of power resulting in a Co2 emission saving of 3.32Kg. In the long term it is projected to save 1,126Kg of Co2 per annum, We will be publishing updated figures from time to time to track the systems progress.