BIM + Healthcare: Utilization of BIM in the Design of a Primary Healthcare Project

Abstract

Currently Building Information Modeling (BIM) is at the forefront of the building industry. The process of BIM involves building industry professionals and client users groups using available 3D applications and other digital media for synchronized and continuous data sharing. The BIM process includes all cooperative actions among these professionals in a design project. In contrast to a traditional design process in using 2D representative CAD applications, BIM supports 3D design and modeling with correlated information identifying object properties, calculated data and other detailed information. While useful for various building types the definitive nature of healthcare design benefits from the BIM process largely in comparison to other building types. Healthcare design focuses on the development of a healing environment. Investigation of the environment of healthcare facilities reveals some level of evidence concerning the affect of atmosphere on the wellness of patients, caregivers and other user groups. At this time, the available credible reports supporting evidence for improving the healing environment is developing. Implementing BIM for healthcare projects is a liaison in the pursuit of Evidence-based design (EBD). The availability of solid data contributes to EBD in reaching an ideal for designing healthcare facilities. Exploring the relationship between the BIM process and the nature of Healthcare design reveals connections between the sharing of information and the gathering of information as a large contributor for the pursuit of healing environments, leading to overall advancements in healthcare design. For this research, a case study of a design for a healthcare facility project is reviewed in its traditional process. Adopting the design project with application of a BIM process of design, rather than the traditional process, establishes a level of comparison highlighting the results of BIM in healthcare design. With regards to critical aspects in the nature of healthcare BIM strategies are utilized for the investigation of the case study project. In this document BIM is employed with a couple of detailed studies for phasing the design process of the healthcare project, creating modeling prototypes, and making reference to a baseline model in order to increase the overall success of the healthcare design project.