Manchester Central Library and Town Hall Extension Project : the BIM journey so far of a public sector client

May 2011 witnessed the UK Government’s commitment to support a transformation of the construction industry through the launch of their Construction Strategy (2011), which mandates BIM (Level 2) on all public procured projects by 2016. Since its launch the UK construction sector has witnessed a momentum build in the awareness and adoption of BIM. The 2014 NBS report indicates an increase in the awareness and current use of BIM from 13% in 2010 to 54% in 2013 with a decrease in neither being aware of BIM nor using from 43% in 2010 to 5% in 2013. However, the report also identified that one of the key barriers for wider adoption perceived by the industry is the lack of clients demanding BIM, which is considered in part due to limited/no awareness/understanding of and drive for BIM, i.e. clients being uninformed. This chapter aims to explore the BIM journey so far of a local authority public sector client, Manchester City Council (MCC), and to show the transition from being an uninformed client to becoming an informed client through collaborative engagement with their supply chain on the prestige exemplar Manchester Central Library and Town Hall Extension project. The influences of key decisions during this journey and on behaviours that enhance collaboration and cooperation in understanding of BIM requirements are discussed. Furthermore, the challenges, drivers and enablers as well as the key roles, e.g. a visionary champion are explored. Two empirical studies with a local university to that measured improvements of their BIM maturity and capability, which served as a further driver for MCC in their adoption of BIM are presented. Lessons learned from the project, recognised as an exemplar, and which are being transferred to other projects are shared, and finally recommendations are provided.