BIM Regions set out stall as DCW15 showcases new ideas

The revamped BIM Regions set out their ambition to take a more visible role in pan-industry debates on BIM, skills and diversity at the inaugural Digital Construction Week show yesterday.

John Eynon, co-chair of the south-east BIM Region was speaking at the launch of the BIM4Village seminar programme, sponsored by BIM+.

Eynon said that the BIM4 regions hoped to pursue joint projects and interaction with any industry organisation that interfaced with BIM, with a view to raising standards in digital construction, skills and training as well as promoting the industry appeal to students and young people.

He also revealed plans to hold a conference in May jointly with the BIM4 groups to discuss the implementation of the government BIM mandate in April, and revealed that the BIM Regions will also launch a new website at www.bimregions.com.

In other news from Digital Construction Week:

• Los Angeles-based “smart helmet” company Daqri has set up an office in Dublin to target the European market and is planning to ship the first batch of helmets to “early adopters” in construction and other industries this January. The helmet, which incorporates a “Google Glass-style” visor and front and rear cameras, could be available to purchase from October 2016. 

• Autodesk told BIM+ it had not yet committed to a launch date for Project Alexandria, its forthcoming product that allows users to combine 3D models and 2D document management. However, it is understood that some UK contractors are currently trialling the system under non-disclosure agreements.

• BIM4SME and Henry Riley Partnership are coordinating a “Super KTP” project, which brings together the research of various industry-academia Knowledge Transfer Partnerships related to BIM. The six-month project involves creating a model of a virtual buildings, drawing on the insights of various KTPs, and progressing it from RIBA Stage 0 to 4 using all the Level 2 BIM tools.