ALKI DESIGN

architecture studio
wānaka, NZ

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ALKI DESIGN

architecture studio wānaka, NZ

Understanding BIM in Architecture: A Collaborative Tool for Precision, Performance, and Innovation
Building Information Modelling (BIM) has transformed the way architects, engineers, and consultants design, coordinate, and document projects. At Alki Design, we embrace BIM through ArchiCAD, using it as a foundation for seamless collaboration and forward-thinking innovation. By combining BIM with cutting-edge technologies like 3D modelling, advanced reporting tools, and artificial intelligence (AI), we continually evolve to deliver exceptional outcomes for our clients.
What Is BIM?

BIM, or Building Information Modelling, is a digital design process that integrates data into 3D models, enabling a comprehensive approach to architecture. Every component in a BIM model—walls, windows, materials—carries rich data about its properties, performance, and lifecycle.This makes BIM a powerful tool for:

Streamlining collaboration across disciplines.

Enhancing precision in drawings and documentation.

Identifying and resolving conflicts early in the process.

Digital design and modelling with BIM
Chapman Taylor
Enhancing Client Experience with 3D Modelling

At Alki Design, BIM doesn’t stop at the technical level; we bring it to life through 3D modelling. By immersing clients in realistic visualisations of their projects, we provide a deeper understanding of spatial relationships, light dynamics, and material finishes. This interactive experience empowers clients to make informed decisions and see their ision realised before construction begins.

Alki Design concept modelling
Charlotte Muschamp
Integrating BIM with the Actually App

We've elevated our approach by integrating ArchiCAD with the Actually App, a groundbreaking New Zealand-developed tool designed by architects and quantity surveyors. This app allows us to:

Assess building costs, performance, and embodied carbon in real time.

Adjust materials and construction techniques during the concept stage.

Instantly see the impact of changes on financial, functional, and environmental metrics.

For example, if a client wants to explore alternatives to a proposed building material, we can demonstrate live how this adjustment will affect costs, energy efficiency, and carbon footprint. This adaptability ensures that every design is optimised for performance, sustainability, andbudget without sacrificing beauty.

Digital design and modelling with BIM
Chapman Taylor
Digital design and modelling with BIM
Chapman Taylor
conclusion

At Alki Design, we see BIM as more than a tool—it’s a platform for innovation, adaptability, and excellence. By integrating it with3D modelling, the Actually App, and AI, we’re crafting a design process that is not only efficient but also profoundly client-focused and environmentally responsible.

As technologies evolve, so do we, ensuring that our projects continue to set benchmarks in performance, sustainability, and artistry. Together, we’re building not just structures, but legacies that honour the present and inspire the future.