The project aims to assess the viability of creating a multi-disciplinary toolset for SME builders to use as a BIM tool for use over the complete life cycle of construction, and create a prototype to test with the core market. This project addresses issues around Building Information Modelling (BIM) and help SME builders engage with the Government’s Soft Landings (GSL), meeting the Government target to ensure that contractors are supplied with the tools and knowledge they need for GSL. The project looks to create a prototype BIM tool to help builders and designers optimise design, streamline processes and supply chain, and follow good practise, to achieve the Government’s objective to lower costs, create value and enhance energy efficiency, for increased carbon performance. A commercialised tool would, for the first time, give SME builders access to one single easy and practical to use tool to do this at an affordable cost. It will increase client trust by reassuring them that their contractor is working to best practise. It will also mean that SME’s will be able to compete with larger firms for Government work, as all Government contractors will need to be BIM and GSL compliant by 2016. The prototype will fully integrate data generated by HBXL’s existing BuildingWorks™ software engine which links CAD, new build and retrofit estimating, and SAP calculating into Advanced Project Management, Health and Safety Design and Construction Phase tools (including CDM 2014 changes), Quality Management System, Site Waste Management and Contract Management. The project will also evaluate the possible market need for CIBSE TM22 to be available to this market sector within the toolset. The prototype will allow users to drill into the Building Information Model from anywhere within the toolset. Data drops will be available at the four key stages of design and construction, to enable SME builders without specialist knowledge to be able to share BIM data with other professionals.

The project aims to create an easy to use integrated building design software tool for SME’s to encourage the development of low impact buildings in the UK. The toolset includes a BIM system whereby a house can be designed in the system’s CAD module and feedback given on financial and carbon costs, and sustainability indicators such as u-values, SAP, embodied/operational CO2 and Code for Sustainable Homes. Designs can be created using either the software’s own material assemblies, or whole house templates, both of which can be modified, for the quick and easy creation of designs to specific ratings. The software contains an extensive on-line database of construction products, created as part of the project, comprising information on cost, physical properties, usage and wastage factors, embodied CO2. Outputs include indicative SAP ratings, SWMP estimates, 2d drawings, 3d visualisations, customer quotes, materials schedules, SMM7/NRM bill of quantities. Customisable charts provide comparisons of performance against benchmarks and best practice, or against other designs in the system. The software facilitates users’ exploration of design options, comparing the affect of design variations on both cost and sustainability indicators, thus encouraging innovation, sensitivity analysis of designs, and the consideration of different construction materials and methods prior to build.