The concept of BIM was first mentioned in an article written by Douglas C. Engelbart, the inventor of the computer mouse. The development of technology has also had an impact on the construction industry and the design industry.

The Sketchpad program was developed by Ivan E. Sutherland in 1963. This software was the first academic level computer-aided design software program.

Until the advent of computer-aided design programs, drawings had been made with paper, pencil, ink and ruler, and the processes of designing and revising projects took longer. With the use of computer-aided design software, the need for labor in offices has been reduced: the work is done faster, saving time and making collaboration easier.

In terms of design, buildings have been affected by the technological developments of their period. Integrated and related systems and buildings have become more complex in the light of these developments. Due to such complexities, an increase in the construction time for projects, problems in process management, and incompatibilities between projects have occurred. The complexity of the buildings necessitated engineers, architects and owners being able to adapt and specialize in the midst of all this change and confusion.

Performances of Structures

The increase in the complexity of buildings caused an increase in terms of cost, time and energy consumption in the construction process of the buildings, and a decrease in their performance. In order to prevent such problems being encountered, the idea has emerged that the sustainability of projects should be ensured, not only during the design and project phase, but also during the construction phase and after the construction.

Due to this necessity, the concept of BIM (Building Information Modeling) in English, or YBM (YapÝ Bilgi Modellemesi) in Turkish, began to be the subject of much research.

Charles Eastman and BIM

The concept of BIM in its current meaning was introduced by Charles Eastman in the 1970s. The article “Building Identification System,” written by Eastman in 1975, gives information about 3D representation and parametric design. In addition, Eastman created the Graphic Language for Interactive Design, in which he demonstrates many features of the modern BIM system.

GraphiSoft and BIM

ArchiCAD software, created by GraphiSoft with the idea of enabling ​​virtual building consisting of 3D objects, emerged in 1984. ArchiCAD software has become a very important piece of software within the BIM system.

4D Models and BIM

The Center for Integrated Facilities Engineering, which Paul Teichholz established in Stanford in 1988, has enabled the development of the 4D model in the construction industry. This development has been shown to be the turning point of the BIM system.

Graphical Analysis and Simulations

A piece of software called Building Design Consultant was developed in 1993 at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Berkeley’s software is considered to be one of the first to demonstrate the geometry, material properties, graphic analysis and simulations of structures.

BIM in the 21st Century

Although the BIM system was first discussed and developed in the 1970s, it began to be used in real-world applications in the 21st century. The biggest reason for using the BIM system is that it provides uninterrupted interoperability and information exchange among various applications, which are used throughout the entire life cycle of structures.

In the 2000s, there has been an increase in the use of the BIM system in the construction industry, architecture and engineering.

According to a World Market Intelligence report in 2012, 40% of project offices and contractor companies said that their profits are increased by BIM system applications.

The markets that are set achieve the most growth in BIM system applications are the USA, UK and Middle East regions.