A brief account on BIM’s expansion over the years

What is the role of BIM in retail projects?

Overview

Retail construction requires long-term efforts, efficient design, and smooth construction phase. Retail construction is currently in the state of repetition. Retail construction began from early 1859. The look and feel of a retail building can be crucial to the company’s success. Retail store’s atmosphere must have a loyal customer base and going out of business as here the design and construction of space can repeat throughout the lifespan.

Retail spaces in the world today have an extensive scope of retail design that is of utmost importance to the retailers. In the early days, the retail plan was prepared in the form of 2D Drawings but as digital technologies have been evolving in the construction industry 3D BIM Services ease the effects of retail design in several ways.

Retail spaces are essential for brand awareness and for increasing sales. The environment in which the retail spaces provide their services must be aesthetically appealing to get repetition of footfall. Retail Construction compromises of collaborating with the client for creating drawings in the form of 2D CAD Drafting Services or 3D BIM Model carried out for the projects. 

Look into what needs to be produced, such as layout design, furniture modeling, signage, displays, graphics, and other artifacts. It must integrate construction, installation; the material used, and fit-out requirements. Retail model created must be constructed, keeping in mind sustainable architecture and energy analysis.

Role of BIM in the Retail Projects

In the retail design, the BIM process helps in creating the drawing that include Bill of Materials, Schedules, and 3D Renders, which are crucial for the client’s approval. Design stages such as schematic design, design development and creation of the construction drawing sets that are covered within BIM Process and retail clients can get architectural services part as narrated below:-

- Production Drawing Sets

- 3D Models                                                                                                         

- Equipment Libraries

- Manufacturing/Assembly Drawings

- Floor Plans

- Computer-generated Images

BIM Models are beneficial for the creation of rendered images, which include fittings, wall finishes, laminate, and furniture as they are used heavenly in retail design approvals. Rendering Models can be created from Revit with texture, colors, lighting, and shading.

It provides a realistic depiction of spaces, allow executives to view and approve new sites, ease and speed of creation and use for marketing and project approvals.

Benefits of using BIM process for Retail Projects

BIM Model is creating a design, managing it, and constructing with project elements that are represented digitally in a program that enables design change into the project. There are many advantages of shifting from traditional 2D drawing to a BIM Model solution as stated below:-

• Scheduling functions: - BIM here can be used for getting high-end solutions for asset management. With proper scheduling, we can get accurate information on cabinetry fixtures, lighting, and space.
• Fixture prototype development: - BIM Model when gets integrated with developed prototype drives information such as grommets, handles, equipment mounts, and other elements.  It helps to provide suppliers with direct parts to be handled, causing quick turnaround time and fewer cost estimates.
• Space Analysis: - It works for larger retail spaces using BIM Model. It controls the sq.ft of space, breakdown of fixtures within each department, and other elements of space allocation. These space allocations do not require manual updating inherent in CAD and will be accurate as drawings.
• Information management: - Retail design is made as 3D BIM Model where materials such as laminate, ply, paints, etc. are applied to material objects. Quantity take-offs can be incorporated into the construction via digital tools for schedule and estimates.
• Visualization flow: - Earlier the construction professionals had to read plans and visualize the final schedule, a skill which not everybody would have. Using BIM Solution, the 3D view is created to see how the objects interact. It helps to have a realistic view of the model on being constructed.
• Coordination: - BIM tool produces a schedule for large graphics that might vary per retail store. Layout coordination will be linked with plans and elevations of the store.

Conclusion

Retail design is diminishing with the presence of online stores in today’s world, but those retail space that is already existing needs to aesthetically sound to have repetitive customers. BIM is widely used in construction for Residential, Commercial and Industrial spaces and hence can enhance the look of retail construction too. 

BIM helps to create a design as a 3D model, which provides a smooth flow of communication, collaboration, and coordination among owners, stakeholders, and designers. Designers can easily update any changes in the model; work with different options in real-time and editing their thoughts using Revit Software.