BIM implications in the design process and Project-Based learning: Comprehensive integration of BIM in architecture

Abstract

This paper tries to reflect on the advantages and disadvantages of the BIM paradigm in the context of university education, on the one hand, and the way in which its potentialities could benefit architectural teaching, on the other. A comprehensive implementation of the tool within the architectural degree curriculum can enhance students’ learning process, taking advantage of the cross-disciplinarity inherent to BIM as well as relying on the project-based learning model, especially suitable in architectural tuition. Truly digital design studios could benefit and be nurtured with the contents of other disciplines such as construction, structures, building service systems or architectural representation. Students could work on the same models during the same academic course across their curricular matters, adding layers of information and detail to the project depending on the subject content’s. Besides, collaborative work could also be improved with team work allowing the use of collaborative BIM tools to make the students familiar with the kind of work they will find once they finish their studies.