Re: Scott Simpsons forecast, I'm a bit wary of somewhat abstruse sentences such as the following, declaring a break from the past - a past which in spite of its failings, has produced some very good buildings, and augmented significant profits for owners:
"Instead, the design process will be based on value propositions pegged to business metrics and will rely on true cross-functional collaboration in which all the players have a stake in mutual success."I'm not clear on what the sentence adds to our expectations, nor that the overall exposition is more than futurist prognostication that goes beyond available data. As I understand it, BIM is not really being tested much outside the rarified atmosphere of large firms with big and often leading edge projects, and that the technology and process require a significant learning curve and financial investment.
I believe it is also true that the liability exposure issues, which will ultimately be tested in tort actions, are not entirely worked out. Historically, contractual language has sprung from legal precedents, so a full realization of effective contracts relevant to BIM agreements will have to stand the test of time as all problems cannot be fully anticipated. We are a litigious culture, and I would anticipate a somewhat rocky road even with so-called integrated delivery process. In short, I doubt the promise will be as rosy as forecast, nor the conversion by the industry as smooth a transition as the piece suggests.
Wonderful results are only possible when great clients who understand the value of design and have well informed expectations of performance, both for users and in the marketplace, hire great architects who command a broad technical data set, maintain a well trained staff, and use the best specialized consultants - whereafter great contractors complete the essential triumvirate. It seems to me that BIM will only work to the extent that it reinforces that sort of "culture" of superior building.
I'm not sure that the remaining smaller practices, still standing outside BIM, assuming the projected seismic shift occurs, will wish to be classified as "...talent-driven boutique practice". Frankly, I find the phrase a little offensive.
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Gary Collins AIA
Principal
Gary R. Collins, AIA
Jacksonville OR
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