CONVR2011, International Conference on Construction Applications of Virtual Reality, 2011 BIM – HISTORY and TRENDS Madalina Wierzbicki (author) UBC madalina@interchange.ubc.ca Clarence W. de Silva, (co-author) UBC desilva@apsc.ubc.ca Don H. Krug, (co-author) UBC don.krug@ubc.ca ABSTRACT: This paper examines the history and the components of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in the context of the industry and market dynamics. We discuss the key technologies and their chronology to explain the inception of BIM. We identify the dual role of BIM as practical tool and idealized concept. As a tool, BIM is responsible for many documented Architectural, Engineering and Construction industry (AEC) achievements. We emphasize its importance in setting the direction toward computer-aided collaborative environments and integrated workflows. As a concept, BIM symbolizes the AEC activity, and stimulates a discourse about the architectural profession and its future. It engages both the academic community and professionals and provides a converging point for their perspectives. We use this concept for theorizing the future capabilities and limitations of BIM. BIM is a symbol of collaboration yet the adversarial nature of corporate branding and market domination has resulted in many mutually incompatible BIM offerings. BIM inherits from CAD’s paradigm of numerical precision. Consequently, it interfaces poorly with early ideation stages. We propose that the continuing progress in computing technologies is driving the trend toward complex, highly integrated tools and workflows. In this context, BIM has the potential to expand along, and across, workflows and processes. We examine the internal and external weaknesses of BIM, and discuss the possible directions of BIM evolution. We conclude that the unique contribution of BIM lies in establishing the milestone and the direction for the AEC industry. BIM’s inception has oriented the AEC industry toward becoming the media of regional and global collaboration in planning and developing built environments. KEYWORDS: Building Information Modeling, BIM, AEC, architecture, construction, collaboration, workflow. 1. INTRODUCTION In this paper, we adopt a factual approach while tracing the development of BIM. The chronology of technological milestones and the dynamics of market decisions bring out the image of BIM as a collection of disparate marketing strategies rather than a universal AEC language. Nevertheless, the concept of BIM as the tool of collaboration across teams and across workflows is strongly established. We use this concept in an abstract and idealized sense to theorize potential directions of BIM’s future development. We explore a hypothetical scenario where the nucleus defined by the current BIM expands constantly across related activities, workflows, processes and into the future. Through these transformations, we probe the concept of BIM and its potential. 2. CHRONOLOGY Figure 1, maps the timeline of software technologies over the context of market activity. The key industry players followed different strategies. Some relied on their traditional main CAD platforms and built BIM solutions around them (Bentley, Nemetschek). Others developed entirely new modeling engines (Autodesk). In all cases, a complex blend of CAD and AEC technologies established the foundation of 3d parametric modeling. Once integrated with an Information Management system of choice, it becomes the final BIM solution. IM technologies took off in late 1990s.