When the Spatial Translator Steps In #2: We Have BIM. But We See Different Things.

When does the Spatial Translator step in?

In this series, "When the Spatial Translator Steps In," we will introduce its role through four scenarios that frequently occur on-site.

#1 We have point clouds. But we don't know how to use them.
#2 We have BIM. But we see different things.
#3 Why does rework happen?
#4 The role of the Spatial Translator

The second installment covers the scenario: "We have BIM. But we see different things."

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"If we have BIM, everyone can look at the same thing and work together."

That is an image some people have.

Certainly, BIM is an excellent system that can consolidate building information into a single model.

However, having BIM and having a shared understanding among stakeholders are not the same thing.

Designers look at design intent.

Builders look at construction procedures and fit.

Clients look at the finished appearance.

Facility managers look at the layout of piping and equipment.

Maintenance personnel think about future inspections and updates.

Even if everyone opens the same BIM model, what they see is different.

That is why things like this happen:

"That's not what I meant."

"I thought that part was already confirmed."

"The finished image was different."

This is not a matter of someone being wrong.

It is because different positions require different information.

That is precisely why what is needed is not "looking at the same data," but "having the same understanding."

The Spatial Translator does not aim to create BIM models.

We organize the gap in understanding between the information contained in BIM and the situation occurring on-site, and convey it to the necessary people in the necessary form.

Sometimes we overlay it with point clouds to confirm the current status.

Sometimes we cross-reference it with CAD drawings.

Sometimes we use tools like Navisworks to consolidate it into a format that is easy for all stakeholders to verify.

The tools used change depending on the purpose.

What does not change is the goal of "creating a state where stakeholders can understand the same space in the same way."

BIM is not the goal.

It is one of the means to create a common understanding.

And supporting that common understanding is exactly when the Spatial Translator steps in.

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What we introduced this time is just one example of a situation where the Spatial Translator gets involved.

The overall vision of what the Spatial Translator aims for is introduced in this article.

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We don't just make drawings. We create a space for decision-making. —What the Spatial Translator will start doing from now on— "Also, what the Spatial Translator "chooses not to do" is summarized here.

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[Important] What the Spatial Translator 'does not do'—BIMThe reason we do not provide modeling deliverables "