Most residential construction projects use multiple teams working from separate 2D drawings. Each team cannot see how their design affects others. The result: problems discovered during construction — pipes running through beams, electrical conduit hitting columns, Built-in cabinets blocking pipe access. BIM Coordination resolves these issues before construction begins.
Four Core Teams Requiring Coordination
- Architect: designs the building’s form, proportions, function, and aesthetic 2. Structural Engineer: designs columns, beams, slabs, and roof to carry all loads 3. MEP Engineer (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing): designs HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and fire suppression systems 4. Interior Designer: designs furniture layout, Built-ins, and finish materials
Model Authority Matrix: Who Owns Which Part of the BIM Model
Before beginning BIM Coordination, establish a Model Authority Matrix: - Architectural Model: Architect is Author; all other teams Reference Only - Structural Model: Structural Engineer is Author, overlaid with Architectural - MEP Model: MEP Engineer is Author, must Clash-check against both Architectural and Structural - Interior Model: Interior Designer is Author, references Architectural and Structural Rule: no team modifies another team’s section without approval. All changes must be logged in the Change Log.
BIM Clash Detection: Common Clash Types in Residential Construction
Automated Clash Detection in software like Autodesk Navisworks identifies: Hard Clashes (physical overlap in the same space): - MEP pipes running through structural beams (undesigned Beam Penetration) - Columns positioned where Interior has designated Built-in cabinets - Suspended ceiling lower than Air Supply Duct, causing exposed ductwork Soft Clashes (insufficient clearance for work or Maintenance): - Pipe within 50mm of a beam (no room for Insulation) - Light switch positioned where an opening door will cover it - HVAC Outdoor Unit too close to a window (noise and heat issues) Workflow Clashes (conflicting work sequences): - MEP must run pipes before concrete slab is poured, but drawings are not yet Approved
IFC Format: The Standard for BIM Data Exchange
IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) is an Open Standard for exchanging BIM data between different software brands: - Revit → Export IFC → Navisworks (Clash Detection) - SketchUp → Export IFC → Structural Analysis Software - ArchiCAD → Export IFC → MEP Software Using IFC means teams are not required to use the same software — each team uses their preferred tool while exchanging data seamlessly.
BIM Coordination Outcomes in Thai Residential Projects
Studies in THB 20–50 million Residential projects show BIM Coordination: - Reduces construction-phase Clashes by 60–80% (caught in the model instead) - Reduces Rework Cost by 40–60% versus non-BIM projects - Reduces construction time by 10–15% because work stoppages for problem-solving are eliminated - Reduces Change Orders from coordination failures by 50–70%