VIDEO | Revolutionizing Landscape Architecture with BIM

As our landscape architects note, there are six big reasons why the industry is evolving towards incorporating building information modeling (BIM) into their project workflows:

1. Informed site analysis
2. Greater creativity
3. Multifunctional, purpose-built tools
4. Smarter documentation
5. The need for intelligent coordination and collaboration
6. Flexibility offered by designing with data

In this video, Tony Kostreski and Eric Gilbey of Vectorworks sit down for a discussion on the benefits of BIM in landscape architecture and why they think it’ll be a part of each firm’s workflow. Let’s summarize! →Related Content: Why BIM Is Taking Over Landscape Architecture

1. Informed Site Analysis

 Most practitioners don’t expect to use their design software for the predesign process. Vectorworks Landmark excels here with its ability to import Revit and DWG (standard and Civil 3D) files, as well as the range of site analysis features to fully understand the site and its needs before getting to work. The ability to import an existing tree survey, for example, allows you to start thinking about an informed tree preservation plan at the beginning phases of a project.

2. BIM Leads to Greater Creativity

Maybe you've heard that BIM is too rigid and stifles your creativity. A BIM workflow helps automate tedious processes, so it actually affords you more time for creative endeavors. Automating data management processes and coordinating your file with others frees up time for you to focus on the more creative aspects of design with more informed decisions. “BIM has allowed us to really straighten out our design process,” said Eric Berg of Pacific Coast Land Design. “Instead of committing tons of resources to Illustrator and InDesign and having to update the CAD drawing simultaneously — which was very tedious — we’re producing the CAD drawing in Vectorworks and producing renderings and reports directly from that drawing. It’s a much more linear process.”

3. Multifunctional, Purpose-Built BIM tools

You can start a project creating shapes and forms just as you always have, and then those objects can quickly be converted to smart BIM objects containing important data. For instance, you may draw a 2D shape in schematic design that you convert to an intelligent hardscape object in the design development phase. Using the right BIM tools in this way allows you to reap the benefits in every design phase.

4. Smarter Documentation

Creating a 3D model that operates as a project’s single source of truth allows you to generate multiple views and types of drawings directly from the model instead of having to create them separately, which is a huge time saver.

5. The Need for Coordination & Collaboration

The variety of import, export, and reference options makes Vectorworks Landmark a great collaboration tool. Automatic IFC designations on BIM objects sets you up to participate in Open BIM processes with other consultants.

6. Simplified Revision Management

The “information” aspect of building information modeling grants you some tremendous benefits when it comes to revision management. In Vectorworks Landmark, appended data are editable later at any point in the design process, and changes will be automatically reflected across the entire file. It In this way, a BIM process with Landmark drastically lowers the time it takes you to make revisions.

Do More with BIM in Vectorworks Landmark

It’s easier to get started with BIM than you might think. The webinar linked below expands on this concept — you’ll see plenty of tips for adopting these intelligent workflows. WATCH: STRATEGIES FOR ADOPTING BIM IN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE