BIMSafe NZ attended the NZ Institute of Building DigiCom 2023 Conference in Wellington on March 23^rd. 

The conference was focused on building New Zealand’s Digital community, and a diverse range of speakers were featured.

The BIMsafe Advisory Group was well represented on the ground, with Brad Sara, Kevin Hughes, Kathryn Davies, Robert Amor, Pete Lockhart, Chloe Williams, Blair Collie, and Greg Preston all attending.

BIMSafe had a spot in the afternoon tea ‘“’Conversation Pit’”’, and I can confirm that conversation was a key theme of the conference. 

The keynote address was all about where digital construction was heading, and the possibility that many organisations will have data management as their key function, with many routine data processes carried out by AI.

This will enable designers to work exclusively on design and not compliance. Emily Newmarch from Warren and Mahoney talked about use BIM models to measure and track embedded carbon use on projects, and how this will enable better carbon decision making in the future.

For me, the most interesting presentation was from a residential design and build company from Wellington. They used BIM models for both design and manufacturing of buildings, with the majority of construction pre-fabricated in their production facility, then assembled onsite.

The BIM process enabled client changes in the design stage, and then accurate costing and minimal waste during construction. However, their health and safety by design process was limited in its scope, and this indicated the benefit we can provide to where the residential construction industry is heading.

Paul Duggan, BIMSafe NZ Project Lead