Kirsi Taivalantti
Saimaa University of Applied Sciences
Kirsi Taivalantti has M.Sc. degree in both Civil Engineering and Social Sciences. Her on-going doctoral research is concentrated on workplace management and added value prospects of aknowledging end-users as stakeholders in construction and building maintenance. She is currently working at Saimaa UAS as degree programme manager in Civil and Construction Engineering.
In project planning phase of buildings, end-users’ involvement is already recognized as base for functional solutions, cost-efficiency and added value. There are different interactive tools and specific environments for this purpose. Visually captivating 3D-modelling is widely used in visualization of space, buildings and environment. Building Information Modelling is not yet a common tool for end-user involvement.
This case research was carried out in university environment, concerning a large renovation project of classrooms and working space. Representatives from different disciplines were involved in the planning process, forming a group of operational experts. This participatory design process was carried out basicly using 2D-blueprints and designer briefings. 3D-tools were not widely used.
However, the project was actually based on IFC-model for professional purposes. This provided an opportunity for a case-study to investigate usability of BIM for engaging end-users in project planning. This was done by carrying out personal interviews, a group interview, and participatory observation of four end-users. The informants were simultaneously observing and analyzing the model of the building, including embedded detailed data of the building, rooms and structures. The research concentrated on the question about the dimensions and limitations of the usability of the BIM as a tool for end-user involvement in the project planning.
In this case-study, the prime dimensions investigated were: 1) technical usability, 2) data content and 3) ideas about the use and user possibilities in future. All informants were part of academic staff. A few findings can be pointed out. First, it was stated that the software was understandable and took just reasonable time to learn to use. Still, it clearly was designed for designers and construction professionals. The participants recognized specified improvements for non-professional-purposes in the short time of the interviews. The software used in this case was Solibri Model Viewer. Secondly, the target group considered the data embedded in this particular IFC usable for the purpose. Even some additional data was expected. Thirdly, the interviewed persons could see the use of similar models a practical improvement in future. They observed new potential for the planning of supportive services, such as cleaning, catering and maintenance.
The small number of interviews and other limitations of the study have to be considered. However, based on this case study, we can state that use of BIM as a tool for end-user involvement in planning phase should be investigated further. Exploiting possibilities of BIM, involvement of maintenance and service personnel would be particularly interesting field to explore better efficiency and added value for the service functions. The tools should be adapted for non-professional users to some extent, but the need of separate tools, for end user purposes only, remains an open question.
