For Annett Fack, specialist in the transition from BIM to facility management (BIM2FM), Bellerivestrasse 36 is more than just a place of work. It is an opportunity to show how digital processes can change the face of facility management going forward.
Saving data in a central location across the entire life cycle
Everything starts in the planning phase, when Allreal develops the first digital building models that contain all relevant information on materials, volumes, technical systems and much more besides. These models evolve during the construction stage, with ongoing amendments and updates to reflect current progress, changes and technical details. The result is a ‘living’ model that, most importantly, remains up to date at all times. In effect, it becomes the building’s digital twin.
«BIM offers many benefits in terms of planning and execution,» states Annett Fack. «Its value shouldn’t be underestimated, even though it only becomes truly evident when the building is commissioned,» asserts the BIM specialist. Fack adds that conventional projects often face the challenge of having to adapt to and incorporate different media formats when transferring data from one system to another. This can lead to a loss of information. «With our method, the digital information chain remains closed, allowing us to eliminate this risk. It also means that all planning and construction data is made available to facility management in an intuitive format that is ready for use.»
This is the key added value offered by BIM2FM. A building’s operations can be overhauled to become much more efficient. «A building typically has a service life of 50 to 80 years,» states Fack. The data that is collected and maintained today will save the building owners a huge amount of resources over the decades.
The digital building model is updated all the time while in operation – from minor adjustments and replacement parts through to larger undertakings like moving a wall to a new location. Every change is documented to ensure that the available information is always up to date and reliable.
Annett Fack, BIM to FM SpecialistCombining planning, construction and operation the smart way
The 3D model also details every technical system along with the associated project documentation. This documentation is akin to a user manual for a washing machine: it sets out how the system works and how it should be maintained. «Our specialist planners and contractors are tasked with archiving all project documentation to ensure facility management has access to a complete information base when the building is commissioned,» explains Fack. «Once the building enters into operation, we take over the model and make sure the data is always up to date.»
This approach ensures that the communication between all stakeholders – project realisation engineers, specialist planners, suppliers and facility managers – is more efficient. This minimises downtime, reduces costs, optimises administrative processes and cuts CO2 emissions. «For us, data continuity is intrinsically linked with better efficiency, transparency and sustainability during operation.»
In other words, BIM2FM is not simply a new tool; it is the foundation of modern facility management, smartly combining planning with construction and operation while redefining the building’s entire life cycle.
At Bellerivestrasse 36, Allreal has reached a key milestone when it comes to digital operation in a building. «BIM2FM streamlines routine tasks that were once laborious and time-consuming,» says Annett Fack. This creates a clear overview for building management and paves the way for sustainable, data-driven planning and management. «This is not the future. It is already reality, right here at Bellerivestrasse.»