Building information modeling (BIM) and the consultant: Managing roles and risk in an evolving design and construction process

Paramount changes are occurring within the building and construction industries, fueled by the ever expanding abilities of computer modeling technologies. This revolution not only impacts our approach to and execution of the physical design of a building, but also the construction and the day to day management of the facilities. Current technologies have allowed the Building Information Modeling (BIM) process to replace many of the time tested design methods of the past. With this shift to new technologies also come new risks which require recognition by the acoustical consultant to ensure our evolution to meet the new paradigm of the current design environment. In this paper the importance of understanding the purpose and role of a BIM implementation/execution plan will be covered inclusive of defining the role, responsibilities, and risks associated with the acoustical consultant.