With 75% of British architects predicting Building Information Modelling (BIM) will become an integral part of how they write future specifications, and with BIM usage being Government mandate on all projects from 2016, to meet growing demand Forbo Flooring Systems has launched a comprehensive range of BIM components, created in partnership with Bimstore, the UK’s-leading BIM component library.
Heralded by many as the future of the construction industry, BIM is essentially a data-rich 3D model of a building, which allows all those involved in the construction process to work from the same coordinated, highly detailed and consistent plan, resulting in higher quality buildings and a reduction in the associated construction costs. At the heart of BIM are ‘objects’ – digital representations of the component parts of the building.
Forbo was one of the first manufacturers to upload carpet tile models for Bimstore users, which are to be used in Autodesk Revit. Bimstore users can access all models for free and build up a library of their favorite components. Additionally, Forbo’s models hold all key technical data and green building properties, as well as containing links to installation information, product webpages and download sections.
A wide range of products from Forbo’s portfolio are now available as BIM objects, including its Tessera and Westbond carpet tiles, Eternal vinyl, Flotex and new Coral entrance flooring system, as well as its own brand of linoleum, Marmoleum. What’s more, Forbo’s rigid entrance system, Nuway, is also available on Bimstore as a custom parametric model, whereby users can build up the construction of the mat according to the available choices of that range. For example, users can select from different depths Nuway is available in, whether it is surface mounted or recessed, as well as change the wiper strips and inserts.
Paul Rogers, technical specification manager at Forbo, said: “With the use of BIM becoming mandatory on all government projects by 2016, we took the decision to become an ‘early adopter’, in order to become a recognised supplier of BIM objects – and we’re excited to be involved in this significant change to the way in which interior products are specified.
“Since launching our range of BIM components at the end of 2013, we have already had over 3700 downloads and, therefore, we look forward to launching further product collections on Bimstore later this year, which will include our new Allura, Flex and Step ranges.”
