Consider this. An architect comes up with a set of drawings. Their job is done. A few weeks later, a separate BIM consultant (usually appointed a little later) begins building a federated model from those drawings.
Initially, everything seems fine. But soon, questions begin surfacing. The BIM service provider questions why floor-to-floor heights don’t match, the origin of the structural transfer beam, and why the façade grid doesn’t align with the specification.
Now, you may wonder who is wrong here? The architect or the BIM service provider. Actually, neither. It is just that Building Information Modelling services and Architectural Design Services are separate.
Apparently, hiring two separate agencies for these services might seem feasible. But such a structure drains budgets and programmes in the UK. Companies think they are saving costs. But later, they pay a heavy price!
Design Information Must be Reinterpreted
Architectural drawings communicate design intent. However, a BIM model demands structured, coordinated and sufficiently detailed information.
When the BIM team steps in after the architectural design has already progressed, it may have to interpret drawings, specifications, details and design decisions before building the model. This creates additional work.
Unclear information may require the BIM team to return to the architect for clarification. Even trivial uncertainties can lead to longer dialogues.
An integrated approach enables BIM requirements to influence the design process from an earlier stage. It can help teams with structured information as the project develops instead of reconstructing it later.
Design Changes Become More Expensive
Changes are normal during construction as client requirements evolve, planning considerations change, and technical constraints may demand design changes. But the problem becomes larger when separate teams handle architectural design and BIM Modelling. Delayed communication can have outdated information circulate in project teams.
The more disconnected the workflow, the more time and professional fees can accumulate around relatively simple design changes.
Coordination Problems May Be Discovered Too Late
BIM helps improve coordination between architectural, structural and building services information. However, BIM delivers optimal value only when coordination is considered throughout the design process.
Information reaching the BIM team later can result in obvious clashes, particularly after substantial design work has already been completed. Late clash detection can thus trigger redesign, additional coordination meetings, project disruption and potentially costly changes on site.
Separate Appointments Can Create Information Gaps
Construction projects need a continuous flow of reliable information. But when architectural and BIM responsibilities are with different service providers, information accountability could become a problem.
This is particularly important for UK projects where clients, designers, contractors and consultants may be working under different appointments and information requirements.
A coordinated BIM strategy should establish responsibilities, information exchanges, model requirements and approval processes from the beginning.
The Project Pays for Duplication
An architect spends time producing and revising drawings. A separate BIM team then spends time interpreting them and recreating the information within a model. Later, both teams may have to review changes and coordinate updated information. None of this necessarily adds proportional value.
As a result, the client may pay twice for the same design information to be developed in two disconnected environments.
This is yet another area where an integrated architectural and BIM workflow can make a difference. An integrated approach can reduce duplication by making the digital model part of the design process rather than treating it as a separate production exercise.
Integration Can Improve Cost and Programme Control
Early collaboration between architects and BIM specialists helps identify issues earlier. Teams can structure design information more consistently. Additionally, it can track changes more effectively, making the model a shared source of information for broader project teams.
Of course, this does not mean every architectural practice must deliver every BIM function internally. Specialist BIM expertise can still be valuable.
The important consideration is how both services are connected. A project can appoint separate experts while establishing an integrated workflow, shared information standards, clear responsibility matrices, coordinated review processes and defined information exchange points.
Build Integration Into the Process, Not Just the Contract with Bimacme!
Architectural design and BIM are intertwined deliverables. BIM can support design development, coordination, information management and decision-making throughout a project’s lifecycle.
For UK developers and construction teams, the real opportunity is thus to move from a “design first, model later” approach towards a coordinated workflow. The purpose is straightforward. It is to reduce duplication, identify problems earlier, minimise unnecessary revisions and give every project stakeholder access to reliable information.
If you are looking for such a team that doesn’t just think technically but also commercially, Bimacme is here to serve you. Our integrated Building Information Modelling and Architectural Design Services refer to a strategic approach where you don’t just save time but money, while ensuring less rework and better inter-team coordination.
Want to connect with our experts? Email us at info@bimacme.com.