AIA Builds BIM Into Contract Documents

By Paula MeltonThe American Institute of Architects (AIA) is updating its Contract Documents program to integrate new language about building information modeling (BIM) and other digital design and communication tools. Still in their draft form, the changes should help project teams agree on details that historically have been absent from building contracts, like who is legally responsible for maintaining data and models; exactly what the models must include; and how models will be used before, during, and after construction.

Although project teams have been using BIM for many years to aid integrated design and increase material and construction efficiencies in buildings, the technology has been slow to realize its full potential for sustainable design, in part because of contractual issues. With new language available, incorporating BIM into the scope of work for projects should become easier. For more information, visit www.aia.org.