At a panel discussion hosted by construction consultancy Faithful+Gould, participants spoke about challenges in adopting latest modeling practices and how technology could help drive efficiencies in project delivery
The panel spoke at length about how Building Information Modeling (BIM), a 3D model-based design process, is changing project delivery in the construction industry.
Nic Jacobs, head of business systems at Faithful+Gould, said that BIM is seeing an improving uptake in the Middle East with Dubai being the leader by making the practice mandatory.
Shane Eldstrom, chief executive of Al Farwaniya Property Developments, which is involved in the development of Reem Mall in Abu Dhabi, noted that the modeling technique was seeing resistance from sub-contractors but that more of them were taking it up for their own needs.
Marc Durand, digital disruption director at consultancy Atkins, pointed out that the practice of outsourcing the 3D model to a contractor would hurt project efficiency as there would be a lack of continuity with the design process.
Participants said that analysis of data about labour costs and supply chain could be used to help clients drive cost efficiencies.
Durand said that clients could also prevent project completion issues from analysis of past trends.
Drone technology to survey construction sites was among the latest tech interventions highlighted by Eldstrom.
