Darwin proved survival depends on evolution. What if construction projects followed the same path through BIM dimensions?
Building information modeling (BIM) is never considered a mere tool; it is truly an evolutionary leap for the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, just like Darwin’s theory of evolution, species developed and changed to survive. BIM dimensions in construction follow a similar path of evolution, with each stage adding increased knowledge, strength, and flexibility to the project lifecycle.
Additionally, BIM’s ten dimensions illustrate the development from early concepts to a fully developed, industrialized, intelligent construction system, much like the Dashavatara, which represent evolution through the ages.
These are the following dimensions of BIM that define its complete potential:
1D – Scratch Point (Concept Drawing)
• Initial research, feasibility analysis, and concept planning.
• Establishes the BIM execution plan and workflow framework.
• Aligns stakeholders and identifies early risks.
• The fish avatar, Matsya, entered the human religious consciousness through Indian mythology (Dashavatara) as the first life in water and the first life ever. Meanwhile, Darwin tells us that the first life was a water-based unicellular organism, the genesis of survival. Likewise, BIM 1D is representative of this initial phase with the research, planning, and concept efforts that lay the groundwork for subsequent project development.
These are the following dimensions of BIM that define its complete potential:
2D – Vector (Schematic Drawing)
• Creation of enhanced 2D drawings with parametric data.
• Documentation includes material specifications and project scope.
• Supports early sustainability considerations, such as energy strategies.
• Kurma the turtle avatar symbolizes stability and the change from the ocean to the land. In contrast, Darwin emphasizes the evolutionary transition from water to land with an aquatic system moving towards amphibian life. BIM 2D represents stability through a transition from abstract thought to a formal, structured drawing or documented specification.
3D – Shape (Detailed Design)
• Fully detailed 3D model integrating all disciplines.
• Visual outputs like renderings and walkthroughs aid communication.
• Clash detection reduces on-site errors and improves collaboration
- Dashavatara’s Varaha, the avatar of the boar, describes the appearance of a structured, robust land life. Meanwhile, Darwin’s theory accounts for the stage in terms of more complex body structures to attain the advantages of survival. Similarly, BIM 3D evolves quickly to become a powerful, detailed multi-discipline model that promotes collaboration and delivers accessible visualization.
4D – Time
• Links construction sequencing and scheduling to the model.
• Visualizes project phasing to identify potential delays early.
• Improves coordination and ensures timely delivery.
• Narasimha, the half man, half lion incarnation also represents timely intervention and change in Dashavatara for the sake of balance, whereas Darwin’s theory of adaptation is a slow change to survive the environment. Likewise, BIM 4D connects the project with time and scheduling, providing for better sequencing, early discovery of bottlenecks and balanced progression.
5D – Cost
•Integrates cost data with design for real-time budgeting.
• Enables accurate contractor comparisons and cost scenario planning.
• Reduces financial risks and keeps projects within budget.
• The Vamana avatar in Dashavatara represents incremental strategic expansion, similar to how efficient resource use allows for species survival in Darwin’s theory. BIM 5D incorporates these ideas, would bring together the costs with design changes and facilitate budgeting in real-time, allow for controlled growth financially, and to an extent, mitigate risk.
6D – Sustainability
• Simulates energy performance and environmental impact.
• Support detailed energy analysis and sustainable element tracking.
• Helps achieve certification like LEED while optimization building lifecyle efficiency.
• In Dashavatara, Parashurama, the warrior brandishing an axe stands for astute planning and waste removal. At the same time, Darwin’s theory shows how evolution has saved the traits that made survival more efficient. Similarly, BIM 6D enhances projects by energy analysis and environmental simulation, providing the perfect solution for building performance, life cycle analysis, and cost analysis.
7D – Facility Management
• Extend BIM use into the full lifecycle of the building.
• Integrates O&M manuals, COBie data and BIM as builts for seamless facility management.
• Supports predictive maintenance, cost-effective operation and long term asset performance.
• In Dashavatara, Rama keeps his dharma and lives in balance with nature. Darwin’s hypothesis also suggests that species in balance with their environment have a better chance of surviving. BIM 7D follows the theme of sustainability by incorporating design for sustainability into design, lowering carbon footprints, and pointing to environmental and future economic advantages.
8D – Safety
• Incorporate risk management and safety precautions into the concept.
• Guarantee construction safety and post-handover safety by the use of hazard mapping and simulations.
• Ensures regulatory compliance and reduces accidents.
• Usually thought of as a defender and supporter, Krishna in Dashavatara ensures well-being and safety. Darwin’s theory says that species possessing protective adaptations have a better probability of surviving. By integrating safety concerns, risk management, and regulatory compliance, BIM 8D maintains safety for end users and construction workers by means of planning, education, and communication.
9D – Lean Construction
• Utilizes the philosophies of lean construction to create efficiencies and reduce waste.
• Contributes to efficiencies in supply chain and resource management.
• Increases productivity, improves quality and customer satisfaction.
• Darwin’s theory of evolution stresses survival as the most efficient use of energy and resources, while Buddha, in the Dashavatara exemplifies knowledge and character by straightforwardly removing all extraneous desires. In these ways, BIM 9D can relate both ideologies by eliminating waste, streamlining supply chains, providing value, and altering the gaming measures used in construction operations.
10D – Industrialized Construction
• Uses 3D printing, robotics, prefabrication, and modular construction.
• Integrates artificial intelligence (AI), internet-of-things (IoT) and analytics in real-time to provide more thoughtful execution.
• Reducing reliance on workers decreases errors and shortens project timelines.
• The future avatar Kalki of Dashavatra represents change and the final transfer to a new era. Yet, at the same time, Darwin’s theory concludes with the arrival of intelligent, advanced species with complex strategies for survival. This forward evolution is epitomized by BIM 10D’s commitment to innovating the traditional design and build model through the use of intelligent AI technology, robotics, and 3D printing technologies in modular construction.
Conclusion
From one to ten dimensions of BIM, the process is not just the process, but it can be termed evolutionary. Similar to the Dasavatara, which illustrates the gradual change towards peace and stability. BIM dimensions demonstrate how construction evolves through sustainability, accuracy, and resilience, enabling a project to progress from BIM creation to completion.
Designheed’s view of these dimensions is neither in a trajectory nor a step in isolation, but equally as an integrated part of the process that facilitates a more intelligent, efficient, and sustainable project delivery. Our experts translate the BIM concept to completion, ensuring our engagement improves outcomes for clients. Please visit our website for additional details.