The Big 5: Gulf’s $3 trillion construction boom ‘boosting demand for BIM’
Tekla Building & Construction sees spike in demand for building information modelling
Arabian Gulf projects worth almost $3 trillion are boosting demand for BIM technology in the region, says technology firm Tekla Building & Construction.
“Counting both ongoing and planned construction projects, the GCC’s construction pipeline totals $2.8 trillion, especially in mixed-use mega-developments, airports and seaports, and transportation infrastructure,” the company said in a statement, quoting figures from Deloitte.
“In anticipation of this growth, architects, engineers, contractors, and real estate companies are posting strong demand for building information modelling (BIM) software to create 3D constructable models that can enhance collaboration, visibility, and efficiency across the design, build, and operate stages of projects.”
Dubai Municipality recently expanded the mandate for using BIM for a wider range of projects, including all government buildings, and smaller projects that are at least 20 storeys tall.
“The Middle East is seeing nationwide transformation in construction innovation, with projects for mega-events such as World Expo 2020 in Dubai and 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar stretching design boundaries. Advancing government BIM mandates further demonstrate the Middle East’s desire to be on par with global innovators in the construction field,” said Paul Wallett, area business director at Tekla Middle East.
To strengthen its grasp on the technology, Tekla’s parent company Trimble acquired Norwegian firm Vianova, which provides BIM software for infrastructure design.
“Further integrating with Trimble in 2016 will help bring us closer to our customers in the Middle East. From BIM to holographic technology to real estate management software, we’ll deliver best practices in technology to help the Middle East’s architecture, engineering, and construction firms deliver on innovation agendas,” said Wallett.
Tekla’s BIM software Tekla Structures 21 and Tekla Structural Designer, along with Tekla BIMsight, an open BIM viewer, and Tekla Field 3D for viewing BIM models on smartphones and tablets, will be showcased at Tekla’s exhibit at The Big 5.
