The architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry is evolving everyday. This is due to advancements in knowledge reach and among stakeholders int he industries. Interestingly, projects have become more complex, multidisciplinary, and data-driven, demanding seamless coordination between teams and accurate information at every stage of the design and construction process. <\/p>\n
At Symbion Consulting Group, we acknowledged quite early that traditional 2D-based work\ufb02ows for our architectural practice could no longer be reliable to support the level of precision, speed, and collaboration our projects demand. To stay ahead, we needed a smarter, intelligent and a more integrated way of working \u2014 one that would allow our teams to design, document, and deliver with efficiency and con\ufb01dence. We thus transitioned to Building Information Modelling (BIM. <\/p>\n
Understanding BIM: Beyond 3D Models<\/strong> Through BIM, all elements of a building \u2013 from walls and windows to \ufb01nishes, \ufb01xtures- carries embedded information that supports design development, decision-making, availability, applicability, and constructability long after the drafting stage. This information-rich model enables us, as architects to collaborate seamlessly with other consultants and contractors, allowing projects to be visualized, analysed, and coordinated better than ever before. Our decision to fully transition into BIM was driven by one key realization: better information leads to better buildings. <\/strong><\/p>\n Before adopting BIM, project coordination across disciplines relied heavily on manual processes such as overlaying engineers\u2019 drawings with architectural layouts, modelling structural elements such as columns and beams within our own architectural \ufb01les, and exchanging 2D information through multiple iterations. These methods often led to inconsistencies, inaccuracies, rework, and time delays that affected project efficiency. <\/p>\n We sought to eliminate these inefficiencies by establishing a single source of truth \u2014 a model that every consultant could trust throughout the project\u2019s lifecycle. BIM provides exactly that: enabling real-time collaboration, enhanced visualization for clients, and a data-driven foundation that supports sustainable and informed design decisions. The technology to achieve this already exists within the industry and offered by many players and in our case, it is made possible through platforms such as Autodesk Revit and the Autodesk Construction Cloud. <\/p>\n At Symbion, we regard BIM not merely as a tool, but as a process and mindset \u2014 one that transforms how we think, communicate, and ultimately deliver value to our clients.<\/p>\n Our BIM Approach: De\ufb01ning Clarity Through LOD, LOG, and LOI<\/strong> Symbion\u2019s BIM work\ufb02ow is structured around three critical concepts \u2014 Level of Development (LOD), Level of Geometry (LOG), and Level of Information (LOI) \u2014 and how these are represented within the Autodesk Revit platform. <\/p>\n LOD (Level of Development)<\/strong> At the conceptual level, for example, a wall may be represented simply as a double line with a \ufb01ll colour linked to a legend, while a door may appear only as an opening along that wall, with a single-line swing indication. Using Autodesk Revit, this process becomes intuitive through a combination of view templates and detail level controls. <\/p>\n As the project progresses, the level of detail increases. That same wall evolves to display its core materials, layered assemblies, dimensions, and construction details, re\ufb02ecting both design intent and technical accuracy. <\/p>\n LOG (Level of Geometry)<\/strong> LOI (Level of Information)<\/strong> By establishing these parameters early in a project, we at Symbion are able to set clear expectations, maintain consistency, and ensure that every discipline contributes accurate and relevant information to the model. This structured approach minimizes rework, enhances model quality, and ensures efficient handovers to contractors for construction and to facility managers for maintainace. <\/p>\n BIM transforming Our Work\ufb02ow<\/strong> Clients also bene\ufb01t from the enhanced visualization and coordination BIM provides as they can explore design options interactively, understand spatial relationships better, and make informed decisions early in the process. <\/p>\n Beyond the design phase, BIM supports sustainability, cost analysis, and facility management, creating value that extends far beyond the drawing board.<\/p>\n Symbion Leading the Future through BIM Adoption<\/strong> Our collaboration with technology partners and continuous learning culture ensures that our teams remain equipped to deliver projects that meet global standards. By embracing BIM, we\u2019re not just improving how we design; we\u2019re rede\ufb01ning how projects are conceived, coordinated, and delivered across the region. <\/p>\n The future of architecture lies in intelligent collaboration where data, design, and technology converge to create sustainable and efficient built environments. At Symbion, we\u2019re proud to be leading that transformation. Our adoption of BIM not only represents a change in tools but also re\ufb02ects our commitment to innovation, quality, and leadership in the architectural landscape of East Africa. <\/p>\n BIM transcends time: it captures the story of a building\u2019s past, shapes its present performance, and safeguards its future. <\/p>\n Article by The architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry is evolving everyday. This is due to advancements in knowledge reach and among stakeholders int he industries. Interestingly, projects have become more complex, multidisciplinary, and data-driven, demanding seamless coordination between teams and accurate information at every stage of the design and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4611","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
\nWhenever the term BIM is mentioned, many people \u2014 including professionals \u2014 often think of it merely as the process of creating 3D models. But that\u2019s only part of the story. At Symbion, we understand BIM as a comprehensive process \u2014 one that enables a collaborative way of working by integrating design, data, and technology to manage the entire building lifecycle. <\/p>\n
\nAs we adopted BIM across our projects, we quickly realized that successful implementation depends as much on clarity as it does on software. Clear de\ufb01nitions of what to model, when, and to what level of detail are what keep teams coordinated and deliverables consistent. These de\ufb01nitions are closely aligned with our plan of work, which is derived from the RIBA Plan of Work and adapted to our practice. <\/p>\n
\nThis de\ufb01nes the extent of detail that each building element should contain at various design stages \u2014 from concept design to construction documentation.<\/p>\n
\nClosely related to LOD \u2014 and often inseparable from it \u2014 LOG focuses on the graphical representation of model elements. It ensures that each component\u2019s geometry accurately re\ufb02ects its intended purpose within the model, allowing for reliable visualization, coordination, and clash detection. <\/p>\n
\nLOI governs the non-graphical data embedded within each element. In Autodesk Revit, this becomes highly efficient, as every modelled element can be scheduled, quanti\ufb01ed, and analysed directly. This data may include material speci\ufb01cations, performance parameters, manufacturer details, and other key attributes required for design validation, procurement, and facility management.<\/p>\n
\nToday, BIM forms the backbone of how we deliver projects at Symbion. It enables our teams to collaborate in real time, identify and resolve clashes before construction, and maintain a high standard of accuracy across all documentation. <\/p>\n
\nSymbion has always been at the forefront of architectural innovation in East Africa, and our BIM journey is no exception. We\u2019ve invested in both technology and people from developing in-house Revit standards and templates to conducting company-wide Revit training and skills assessments. <\/p>\n
\nArch. Solomon Ndirangu October 2025 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"