GRAHAM Construction Platinum sponsor of one of the largest international conferences on BIM and digital construction

Jon Briggs (Broadcast journalist and the original UK voice of Siri) with Melanie Dawson (Head of BIM at GRAHAM Construction and founder member and Chair of NI BIM Regions) at Digital Construction Live

Hillsborough, England, 22-Nov-2017 — /EuropaWire/ — Event focuses on the world of building information modelling (BIM) and new digital technologies in architecture, engineering and construction (AEC).

GRAHAM Construction was Platinum sponsor of one of the largest international conferences on the rapidly emerging world of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and new digital technologies in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC). The event was held on Friday 17th November at Belfast’s Europa Hotel and was hosted by broadcast journalist and the original UK voice of Siri, Jon Briggs.

The conference, which was organised by the NI BIM Regions Group, aims to raise awareness of BIM and digital construction, and provide a collaborative platform for best practice to be shared. The event was free to attend thanks to the generous support of a number of key sponsors.

Speaking at the event, leading BIM and digital construction expert, Melanie Dawson, Head of BIM at GRAHAM Construction, and founder member and Chair of NI BIM Regions Group, said: “The demand for Building Information Modelling (BIM) continues to grow across construction projects in the UK. I think this is partly as a result of the government mandate for BIM Level 2 in 2016 but also because public and private sector clients are increasingly understanding the potential value BIM can bring.

“BIM, digital construction, and indeed the wider industry 4.0 digital revolution in construction presents a very exciting new era for our industry. Progressive businesses have recognised and embraced the importance and potential of BIM processes and technologies in helping drive real business benefits and value.’’

Mrs Dawson continued: “The construction sector in the UK employs over two million people and contributes £100 billion in economic output. It is a key contributor to the UK economy. With the global construction market expected to grow 70% by 2025, digital transformation plays a key role in driving efficiencies and ensuring the ongoing competitiveness of the industry.

“We believe that collaboration is fundamental to our industry’s future success. Digital Construction Live 2017 presents an excellent networking opportunity for all those who procure, design, build and maintain building or infrastructure assets. We are delighted to have delegates from the UK, Ireland and wider Europe. Some have even registered from as far away as Australia, which means that we have a wide and varied range of participants at the event.

“We are thrilled that nineteen top class local and international experts, who are shaping the digital transformation of the industry, are speaking at the conference. The event is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about BIM and digital technologies. The use of drones, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), robotics, virtual and augmented reality, internet of things (IOT), artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, off site manufacturing and digital reality capture are all topics that will be discussed.”

Conference host, Jon Briggs, a broadcast journalist, and the original UK voice of Siri, said: “I’ve been a broadcast journalist for the last three decades or so and in that time I’ve watched the way in which every single industry has been affected by information technology and the use of electronics, or what the commentators would call the third industrial revolution. And now we are dashing headlong in to the fourth industrial revolution, the fusion of the biological, the physical and the digital.”

Mr Briggs added: “Building Information Modelling (BIM) is just one of the ways that automated and converging technology are changing the way we create places from spaces. And if you’re not up to speed you’re going to get left behind. I am absolutely delighted to host Digital Construction Live in Belfast this year.”

Digital Construction Live 2017 featured an exhibition showcasing many of the emerging technologies discussed at the event – from UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) and 3D laser scanners to wearable technology in virtual reality and augmented reality.

There was also a 12 metre long, cable-stayed bridge assembled at the event, where attendees could cross the bridge and get the sense of the water flowing beneath as the technology transported them to the virtual environment.

BelMCraft, a computer game based on the globally successful Minecraft platform, which allows players to create and explore a virtual city was also on display. Developed by researchers from Ulster University, the game is closely aligned to aspects of the building information modelling (BIM) process.

Platinum sponsors of Digital Construction Live 2017 included GRAHAM Construction, Invest Northern Ireland, ICE (Institution of Civil Engineers) and AUTODESK.

SOURCE: GRAHAM

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