From CAD to BIM: The Experience of Architectural Education with Building Information Modeling

Abstract

In the spring of 2006, Montana State University began to include a Building Information Modeling (BIM) program in its digital graphics and design curriculum. Since then, an increasing number of students have had the experience of designing with BIM programs and comparing their processes and final products with other students who are using traditional Computer Aided Design (CAD) programs. While 2-dimensional CAD and 3dimensional BIM models may simply be tools to accomplish the same end, they provide two radically different approaches to learning architectural design. This paper discusses the implications of BIM with respect to the student experience. Within this topic, the paper describes the classes in which students are using BIM software and exactly how the experience of designing with BIM is different than the experience of designing in two dimensions. The paper also outlines the ways in which we can expect BIM to alter architectural education in the near term as well as in the future. Lastly, the paper addresses the concern that many have that Building Information Modeling hinders creativity. The paper concludes with some recommendations as to how BIM can be used to the greatest advantage in the classroom. Opportunities in the Curriculum The architectural curriculum at Montana State University currently offers students the opportunity to learn Building Information Modeling programs in two separate classes. The first is a digital graphics course for sophomore-level students. In this class, a variety of software programs are introduced in the hopes that students will get a sense for which of these tools they would like to become more familiar with and use during the course of their design education. Drawing programs, such as AutoCAD, free-form 3-d modeling programs such as 3D Rhinoceros and BIM programs like ArchiCAD and Revit Building are introduced along with rendering programs and several components of the adobe creative suite such as Photoshop and InDesign. The second course, offered in the final year of the undergraduate program, is a required construction documents class emphasizing BIM modeling programs and providing students with another opportunity to learn and use BIM programs. This course involves the creation of a small set of construction documents and also covers cost estimating and specification writing. In this course, the time saved by using a BIM is significant and therefore it is at this time that many students genuinely learn to use a BIM program. In the design studio however, students at Montana State use a broad array of rendering and drawing methods. Some create 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional presentation materials by hand. Others handdraw or use AutoCAD for 2-dimensional drawings and render free-form digital models for perspective views of the building. A growing number use BIM modeling tools in the studio. In the final years of the program these tools are especially useful in the design studio; by this time, we are required to integrate electrical, mechanical and plumbing