Block Podcast Episode 9 - Building Information Modelling (BIM) ...and all the issues explained

In Podcast No.9 we discuss Building Information Modelling.

We were fortunate enough to have Prof. Bimal Kumar, Glasgow Caledonian University, School of Engineering and the Built Environment join us to explain the Building Information Modelling.

Also joining us on the podcast are regular guests Evelyn Laurie, Principal, Red Marketing, Kenneth Martin, Managing Director, Block Architects and Gordon White, Managing Director, fatBuzz Ltd

Building Information Modelling is a hot topic but, it is still very much misunderstood, even within the construction industry.  Bimal Kumar provides a very clear explanation of BIM and how it will impact the construction industry in the future.

Bimal takes us through the four levels of BIM and highlights why the achievement of Integrated BIM (Level 3) is still some way off.  Recent legislation states, by 2016 all public sector projects must utilise Level 2 BIM procedures; we explore how feasible this is and, what needs to be put in place to enable it to happen.

There is also some confusion about the adoption of this legislation in Scotland with NHS Scotland currently claiming it does not apply to them.  Recent approaches to the Scottish Government have failed to shed light on this confusion.  Furthermore, it would appear BIM is low on the Scottish Government's agenda; we ask why this may be the case and issue a challenge to them to explain their position on Building Information Modelling.

It's  fascinating podcasts that answers lots of the questions people are asking about BIM, we strongly recommend you listen to this podcast because BIM implementation will change many aspects of the construction industry in the future.

You can download Episode 9 on iTunes or, you can listen to it here on the blog:

Play the podcast here:

Download and subscribe to Block Podcast on iTunes HERE

CONFERENCE - Building Information Modelling: The Path to 2016

Building Information Modelling (BIM): The Path to 2016 Implementation conference, which will be held on 4th October 2012 at the Hilton Grosvenor Hotel in Glasgow at a cost of £150 plus VAT.

Organised by Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU), Building Information Modelling (BIM): The Path to 2016 Implementation is a full day conference programme featuring industry and academic experts.

We would also like to get some feedback from you about the podcast and suggestions for topics you would like us to cover; you can either leave them as a comment here on the blog or, on our Facebook Page.

If you have enjoyed this post or the podcast please use the Facebook, Twitter and Share buttons below to share it with your online community, there's a good chance they will find it interesting too.  Thank you.

Please also remember you can follow Block Architects on our Facebook Page by clicking here.

UPDATED AUDIO FILE FOR - Block Podcast Episode 3 - Marketing in construction, contaminated land Regs and why not to get Newts on your boots!!!

We would like to apologise to those of you who have already downloaded Episode 3 of the Block Podcast; it wasn't until after it was formatted and uploaded to the server that we noticed there was a problem with the sound.

We have now rectified the problem and replaced the file on the server. If you have already downloaded the podcast form iTunes, please delete the file then refresh you podcast feed and the new version will download. Alternatively, you can listed to the amended version via the audio player in this blog post.

Once again, our apologies for any inconvenience.

Audience numbers continue to grow for the Block Podcast and we are extremely happy with the reaction to Episode 2 and the feedback we have received via Twitter and email, please continue to tell us what you think of each episode and any suggestions you may have for the future.  We are also keen to hear from anybody who would like to take part in future podcasts.

Episode 3 of the Block Podcast was recorded on the Tuesday 27th September and we were delighted to welcome back some guests along with one new one - here are the participants:

• Evelyn Laurie, Principal, Red Marketing 
• Fraser Duff, Director, Terrenus CDH
• John Stobbs, Director of Operations, Sap Service UK

Also on the podcast we have Kenneth Martin, Managing Director, Block Architects and Gordon White, Managing Director, fatBuzz Ltd

We covered lots of topics during our open and lively conversation and we hope that there's something in the podcast for you.  To help you decide, we've listed some of the topics/questions that were asked and answered during the recording.  We began by looking at marketing within the construction industry, here are some of the key topics:

• The need to be more focussed in today's market
• Do your existing clients know all of the services you provide?
• Target specific audiences for particular services
• Explore potential new markets by looking at things like changes in legislation
• Check that your business is geared up to chase potential new markets
• Are you engaging and making the most of your relationships?
• Is it relationships or price that really drives business?
• Are you humanising your organisation in order to encourage relationships?
• Is the construction industry making the best use of new technology such as Skype?

We also explore the value of collaboration and the benefits of forming partnerships, how much you should publicly promote partnerships, whether partnerships can get help you tender for bigger projects and, whether architects still play the lead role on construction projects.

We then move swiftly onto the subject of networking and explore the real value of networking events - can we really form lasting relationships from these meetings or, are they simply a hunting ground for salesmen?

Finally, we discuss the Contaminated Land Regulations and the planned changes in the legislation.  Along the way we discuss the following:

• The complexity of the current regulations
• Why we need different legislation in Scotland
• The Ravenscraig solution
• What defines contaminated land
• Is there a legal obligation for Local Authorities to request reports?
• The benefits and implications of assigning reports

We also learn about the pearls of Japanese Knotweed, Giant Hogweed and Himalayan Balsam .  Not content with that, Fraser explains why you don't want to get Newts on your boots!!!

During the recording we also talked about the role of SEPA and issue an invitation to them to take part in a future podcast so, if you know someone from SEPA perhaps you can share this blog and the podcast with them.

We hope you enjoy the discussion on this podcast and, if you would like to take part in a future episode please email Gordon White or Kenneth Martin for a chat.

We would also like to get some feedback from you about the podcast and suggestions for topics you would like us to cover; you can either leave them as a comment here on the blog or, on our Facebook Page.

Play the podcast here:

Download and subscribe to Block Podcast on iTunes HERE

If you have enjoyed this post or the podcast please use the Facebook, Twitter and Share buttons below to share it with your online community, there's a good chance they will find it interesting too.  Thank you.

Please also remember you can follow Block Architects on our Facebook Page by clicking here.

Commercially Aware - Block Architects, Scotland

I've returned today from the self build house site in Broxburn and had an interesting chat with the Project Manager, who introduced a development opportunity to me and wanted to pick my brain on what's happening in the market place. He commented: 'I'm asking you this Kenneth because you are commercially aware.'

Now there are many Architects out there who could and would take offence to this but not me! I love that Clients appreciate and ask for my advice based on an understanding of what's going on in the commercial market place. I have never adopted the attitude that I will only do design projects infact most of the work I accept on behalf of blockARCHITECTS has a commecial focus and not a design focus.

I believe that the provision of an exemplary set of construction drawings based on a design which is market ready is just as important to the process of delivery than ensuring an award winning design.

That said design is important and where possible ie where the site justifies it and where the Client can budget accordingly certainly justifies good design even award winning design.

So there you have it. We are commercially aware.

Block Architects Scotland Launch New Brochure

Block Architects launch its New Company Brochure available now as a download.

Do Our Customer's Really Care About Customer Service?

If you are a potential Client reading this blog then please ask yourself now if you care about Customer Service. Of Course we all want a great service from those whom we engage however, and this is what I find extremely interesting, only 0.015% of people who access our web page actually click on the Customer Care Section of our webpage. Furthermore the Tab is right there on the top navigation bar of the web page so there is absolutely no reason for not clicking on it.

What this leads me to believe is that we simply do not care enough about the service we are about to receive or we all trust that we are going to receive a good service and as such we do not want to read more about it.

Certainly for me whilst block architects will continue to work on and grow our customer care deliverables I will be reviewing the web page with a view to getting another topic in the top navigation bar and perhaps a topic which is of more interest to the readers.

Urban Realm report on Block Architects Glasgow Office

Urban Realm's web site report on Block Architects recent Glasgow opening - Read the article here

Announcement - Block Architects Open Glasgow Office

Kenneth and the Team at Block Architect's Hamilton are pleased to announce the opening of a New Office at 272 Bath Street, Glasgow, Tel 0141 278 3632.

This has been brought about by increased confidence in the market place for 2010 and kick starts Kenneth's ambition and drive to establish a UK brand of Architects recognised for exemplorary service in projects under £2m construction cost.

'Early January and so far in February has seen a lot of promising signs in the market place and with orders up I take this bold step.'

We intend to review the performance of the office during the first 6 months of this year with a view to opening another office in Edinburgh. This will allow block architects to develop and refine their current service throughout the central belt.