Vincent Lambert, a Building Information Modeling (BIM) content modeler, displays a building project on his computer at Inview Labs Wednesday Sept. 10, 2014. BIM is a 3-D computer modeling process used to design, construct, and manage buildings and infrastructure.
Projects that architects and engineers dream up are starting to take shape faster thanks to changes in technology, and Las Vegas-based Inviewlabs is helping lead the way.
Inviewlabs, founded in 2010, offers building information modeling, or BIM. Its software creates 3-D computer images for designers to study, which helps decrease the change of error during the early stages of creating a building, said the firm’s president, Gary Siroky.
Siroky spoke to the Sun about why a technology company chose to set up shop in Las Vegas and why he thinks building information modeling is revolutionizing an industry.
Why build a data center here?
Secure data centers have served as catalysts to bring new businesses to Nevada. The reasons data centers work so well here isn’t one we all necessarily enjoy during the hot summer months. But the hot, dry air is easier on fragile mechanical equipment. Add to the list that Nevada has no known natural disasters. These are the things that make housing billions of dollars in content from around the world in Las Vegas an appealing proposition.
Who uses BIM?
Architects, engineers, contractors, interior designers, facility managers, building product manufacturers, and in many cases, building owners.
What does BIM do differently?
BIM is an acronym for “building information modeling” and it is a process not a program. It involves the creation of digital representations of physical and functional characteristics of buildings or structures and their respective content. In essence, it is a three dimensional model of the physical structure and all the parts and pieces that go into it including furniture, fixtures, and equipment. ... BIM modeling can be done from almost anywhere on the planet. But BNIM content developers in Las Vegas are at the forefront of software and infrastructure trends.
What makes BIM so remarkable?
BIM changes the way we approach design and construction. Any time you change the rules of the game, it takes time to adopt and to adapt. Design and construction (through the use of computer aided design or CAD) has been two dimensional for decades. BIM allows all the parts and pieces to be included in a model along with all the pertinent metadata — making it intelligent, which allows for a truly integrated project delivery. Contractors were the early adopters of BIM but now were seeing and equal amount of designers and engineers. It is just a matter of time before 100 percent of all projects utilize the BIM process. ... BIM has distinct advantages over older industry methods, most of them having to do with efficiency. BIM, for example, can make building a more collaborative effort. In years past, there’s been this adversarial relationship between contractors and architects due to scheduling, plan changes and the costs associated with both. But BIM makes it possible for all changes to be reflected across associated schedules.
What are the types of problems your company is asked to solve?
Designers and contractors are not software developers and shouldn’t have to spend countless hours learning how to use a software product. A screwdriver doesn’t typically come with a set of directions as people inherently know how to use one. In a similar way, by keeping it simple, our software solutions are designed to allow the user to focus on his or her trade rather than how to use the product.
InviewLabs creates 3-D models of real-world products. What sort of products?
Any product that goes into a building, however we specialize in mechanical, electrical, and plumbing-related products and complex architectural products. Examples would be generators, pumps, light fixtures, valves, security cameras, fire alarm devices, electrical devices, etc. Most of our clients are Fortune 500 building product manufacturers.