Response to Report on Integrated Practice 8

This was a very compelling defense of BIM, demonstrating how much more direct it is to provide a 3 dimensional solution to a 3 dimensional problem rather than attempting to represent it on paper and relying on the builder's ability to interpret.  I do feel that the difference was somewhat exaggerated considering that even a computer model is still only ever a two dimensional image on the screen at any given time, but I suppose, as the author states, that the distinction is that the elements of the model contain the information pertaining to real structural parts, instead of simply representing them.  I found the case studies interesting and enlightening with regards to the interaction between different parties in the design and build process and how much back and forth is eliminated through the use of BIM.  It certainly creates a process that has everyone's interests in mind and prevents some dead end design work, but again, I think for designers it is almost as important to understand the reasons for failure as it is to be able to generate the right solution.