Originally published on August 28, 2020; updated on September 18, 2023.
Do you know what l is used for?BIM methodology in Colombia? Here are two projects that have been carried out using this technology.
The BIM Landscape in Colombia
Are you familiar with the situation regarding BIM in Colombia? The truth is that, as of today, the adoption of this methodology is progressing at a slower pace than expected. But the reality is that certain studies of BIMForum They have revealed that these figures, in the central and southern parts of the continent, will improve in the coming years.
These data show that it will be the most widely used methodology internationally in the construction industry, as the digital age we live in demands it. That is why today we are going to focus on understanding the situation of BIM in Colombia with two very interesting projects.
BIM in Latin America It has been applied in specific cases for several years; in fact, in 2015, the BIM Forum LATAM in collaboration with 18 countries throughout the region; unfortunately, the implementation process of the BIM methodology It is not as uniform as it is among European countries. In Latin America, Chile, Argentina, Mexico, and Colombia lead the way in BIM adoption in the construction sector, both public and private.
Photo: Autodesk Forums
BIM in Colombia: Context
In Colombia, according to data provided by McKinsey & Co. and CAMACOL, the construction sector is characterized by a significant lag in the adoption and integration of new technologies to carry out their activities. However, the BIM methodology presents great potential to drive technological development in the sector. Furthermore, the international dissemination of these types of projects facilitates their acceptance by the construction industry, which is becoming increasingly global.
At the same time, it can be said that there is a high degree of cohesion within the private sector with the goal of promoting the dissemination and adoption of the BIM in Colombia.
One of the key driversOne of the organizations responsible for implementing the methodology in the country is the Colombian Chamber of Construction itself CAMACOL, in collaboration with several nonprofit organizations that work to promote unity and provide training for the professionals in this field, such as: BIM Forum Colombia and ASOBIM (Colombian BIM Association).
Photo: Arcus Global
Colombian BIM Projects
As evidence of the progress mentioned above from the BIM methodology in Colombia, we found that there are two flagship projects currently underway. Both are located in the capital: The Atrio Towers y Bogotá Metro Line 1 and are presented as an example of the advantages BIM offers over other traditional methods.
Atrio Towers
As one of the examples of BIM in Colombia, the Atrio Tower It has been designed to be the tallest tower in the Colombian capital. It is a real estate project by the QBO Group and ARPRO which, in turn, were designed by urban planners Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners. Since this is a project involving so many stakeholders, including architects from various parts of the world, It would not have been possible to meet the deadlines without collaborative design tools such as Revit, one of the flagship software programs from the BIM methodology.
Source: atrio.com.co
In addition, the building aims to obtain certification LEED Gold, to endorse it as a work energy-efficient and, therefore, environmentally friendly. It is also about the first building in Colombia which uses a highly complex construction system SRC (Steel-Reinforced Concrete). Undoubtedly, a prime example for private investors in Colombia, regarding the new possibilities offered by BIM, and at the same time, the future of Real estate investments in Latin America.
Line 1 of the Bogotá Metro
Line 1 of the Bogotá Metro officially known as Bogotá Metro Line 1 (PLMB) will be the first of its kind in Colombia's capital. This project has 19 stations spread out along 24 km that begin at Carrera 94 and end at Calle 100. In the process, several computer simulations have been carried out to various operational parameters and potential drawbacks of building this type of infrastructure in one of the The 15 Most Congested Cities in the World.
Thanks to these simulations, it has been possible to determine that, contrary to what is usually the case for this mode of transportation, the best solution is one square meter at a height of nearly 14 meters, and not underground. This controversial solution will result in a 28% savings in the budget, and 24 months in terms of implementation time. These conclusions would not have been possible without the methodology BIM in Colombia.
Specifically, the technical design was developed by the consortium METROBOGOTÁ which consists of SYSTRA e INGETEC. Both organizations have been honored with the award for best BIM infrastructure project at the awards BIM D’Or of 2018. The reason was the integration of more than 170 interdisciplinary design models along the 24 km that make up the initial phase of the Metro Line 1 project.
Photo: Bogotá Metro
If you found the analysis of BIM in Colombia interesting, we invite you to learn more about the landscape of BIM in Mexico. In addition, at Structuralia we have developed a wide range of master's programs in BIM, such as the Master's Degree in BIM Applied to Civil Engineering o Master's Degree in BIM Applied to Building Construction for anyone looking to specialize in this emerging field.
