Friday, April 5, 2013

Welcome to the 4th Dimension: Engineering in the Construction Industry – Abby Kreider


When I say I’m taking a class called Building Information Modeling Studio, it’s both a lot for me to say and for others who aren’t involved to understand.  I begin by explaining that BIM is something that is becoming more and more integrating in the construction industry as four-dimension modeling.  At first, people are skeptical thinking – what could I possibly mean by four-dimensional?  When, when you start the process to build a structure, it takes a lot of planning before you even break ground on the site.  In this planning, the process BIM is being implemented which is where a 3D model of the design is compared against time, introducing the fourth dimension in terms of a schedule for the project.  This is an innovative process in the industry but is making large strides in becoming more efficient and green in every construction process, saving all involved time, money, and energy.

Despite the world of academics generally being ahead of the industry curve, few schools offer any training in BIM because it requires coordination between several members of the industry for a realistic experience.  I’m here to tell you that The Penn State University not only offers training in BIM coordination but offers a 6 discipline integrated studio class.  This class combines the efforts of students in the architecture program, landscape architecture program, and the 4 options of the architectural engineering program (construction, mechanical, structural, and lighting/electrical).    This interdisciplinary studio is the only one of its’ kind in the country and has been recognized twice on a national level by the American Institute of Architects’ Technology in Practice BIM Awards Program.

I feel very honored to be one of the 5 construction management engineers involved in this process.  If I had not come to Penn State, I would not have had this amazing opportunity.  Not only am I going to be ahead of others in my field upon graduation but also I will be a strong asset to the company I work for after graduation.

Engineers take on all types of roles and this is just an example how integrated this world is truly becoming.  So put yourself out there and explore all the opportunities your university has to offer, but just remember Penn State is the only place for BIM! 

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