BIM from Concept Design to Fabrication - A Customised Methodology for Façade Consultancies

Oct 28, 2026

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When an architect develops a complex building envelope, a façade consultancy must translate the initial design intent into buildable fabrication solutions. This paper presents a customised BIM methodology that evaluates the workflow from concept design to fabrication reality. It highlights how BIM supports architectural, structural, and MEP coordination while noting that envelope engineering often requires detailed simulation tools. The approach integrates virtual simulations to satisfy structural and thermal requirements, aiming for coordinated drawings and documentation for construction and fabrication.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time28 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Introduction

Building Information Modelling of Architectural Envelopes

BIM from Concept Design to Fabrication: A Customised Methodology for Façade Consultancies Ana Gallego Fernández, Miguel A. Núñez Díaz, A. Mateo Marcos Núñez ENAR. Architectural Envelopes, Madrid, Spain Abstract When an architect ideates a complex building envelope, they often rely on a façade consultancy to develop the final detailed solution of their design. The purpose of this paper is to describe a customised BIM methodology to develop complex building envelopes, evaluating the process followed to convert an architectural concept design to a fabrication reality. Over recent years, building information modelling has developed greatly in terms of architectural, structural and MEP disciplines. It conveniently advances and analyse the variables of a concept design, and furthermore, coordinates disciplines during the detailed design phases. However, when a technical approach to the envelope’s design must be implemented, we need detailed engineering tools to simulate the environmental data, and to analyse and develop the system’s fabrication features and assemblies, which are tedious to incorporate on BIM basis. This paper describes the process followed to develop and execute a building envelope project, starting with a concept design and incorporating virtual simulation processes for the solution to meet its structural and thermal requirements. The final aim is to have detailed drawings and documents of the envelope’s elements, with coordinated information for construction and fabrication purposes. Keywords Building Information Modelling (BIM), Prototyping, Digital manufacturing DOI 10. 7480/jfde.2018.2.2088 053 JOURNAL OF FACADE DESIGN & ENGINEERING VOLUME 6 / NUMBER 2 / 2018 1 INTRODUCTION The architecture, engineering, and construction industry (AEC) is facing an era in which technology is improving the way we develop projects, as well as the techniques and the materials used for those projects. Blanco, Mullin , Pandya, and Sridhar (2017), from the McKinsey Institute, explain how new applications and tools are changing the way companies design, plan, and execute construction projects. Since such designs are becoming increasingly complex and expensive, managers must take into consideration solutions for cost improvements, the timelines of projects, and the overall efficiency of the construction process. The construction industry is one of the largest in the world economy, despite having the dubious honour of being at the tail-end of labour productivity in most countries. Fig.1 shows how the construction sector labour-productivity growth averaged 1% per year over the past two decades, compared with 2. 8% for the total world economy, and 3. 6% for manufacturing. The complete study is found in the McKinsey report (Barbosa et al. , 2017) . FIg. 1 global productivity growth trends. Source: McKinsey global Institute The McKinsey report outlines how productivity can be improved in the sector and suggests seven actions that the construction industry should adopt: (1) reshape regulation and increase transparency; (2) rewire the contractual framework; (3) rethink design and engineering processes;(4) improve procurements and supply-chain management; (5) improve on-site execution; (6) infuse digital technologies, new materials and advanced automation; and (7) reskill the workforce. This report also profiles how productivity in the construction sector will increase if some parts of the industry move to a manufacturing-style production system, such as the projects developed by Barcelona Housing Systems or the Osirys Research Project: Forest Based Composites for Façades and Interior Partitions to Improve Indoor Air Quality in New Builds and Restorations. The AEC industry needs to adopt an integrated advanced platform that spans project-planning, design, construction, operations, and maintenance. Companies can start by making 3D building information modelling (BIM) universal within the company’s workflows alo

FAQs

What is the purpose of the paper on BIM for façade consultancies?

To describe a customised BIM methodology for developing complex building envelopes, assessing how an architectural concept design is converted into a fabrication reality.

Why are additional engineering tools needed when designing building envelopes with BIM?

Envelope design requires detailed engineering tools to simulate environmental data and to analyze fabrication features and assemblies, which can be tedious to incorporate directly on a BIM basis.

What is the final goal of the proposed BIM process?

To produce detailed drawings and documents of envelope elements with coordinated information supporting construction and fabrication.

Oct 28, 2026

Upload by Grenda