More than $5 billion of Australian construction projects commenced in the last year have chosen to adopt the BIM-MEPAus work flow process, an initiative which Autodesk’s APAC Director for Architecture, Engineering and Construction, Rob Malkin says is here to stay.

BIM-MEPAUS is led by the Air Conditioning and Mechanical Contractors’ Association (AMCA) and aims to achieve significant increases in productivity and a commercial framework for the implementation of BIM through industry adopted software platforms, standards and services.

In addition to significant cost savings, BIM-MEPAUS’s directors believe the initiative has the capacity to cut facilities management costs by 30%, reducing the ongoing management and maintenance of some of Australia’s largest buildings and industrial facilities.

MR Malkin says Autodesk has supported the BIM-MEPAUS initiative on various levels since 2010, because they believe it can contribute to improving industry and firm productivity, efficiency and workplace practices.

“There is no other industry group that has addressed the issues and developed initiatives that will ensure smooth transition towards the full implementation of BIM,” said Mr Malkin. “The AMCA initiative demonstrates that it will address common barriers to the adoption of BIM, including: standards and guidelines, interoperability, regulatory reform, training and development, and promoting clear communication exchange.”

Mr Malkin also praised the way the initiative has remained vendor neutral and does not undertake the promotion of any software product or developer. He believes the interoperability will allow all software developers to become BIM-MEPAUS compliant.

“BIM has the potential to reshape the industry, in a similar vein to how GreenStar rating tools have helped commercial buildings address sustainability concerns over the past decade,” said Mr Malkin.

“AMCA’s BIM-MEPAUS initiative has drawn upon research at international and domestic level. It realises that BIM cannot deliver improvements in isolation; therefore, integrated project delivery must be considered.”

“Global competition is strong and Australia has what it needs to compete effectively, but BIM is our competitive differentiator. If firms don’t adopt BIM, they may cease to exist,” concluded Mr Malkin.