All articles
BIM Basics
Architectural BIM vs Structural BIM
Same building, two models, different responsibilities — and a set of interfaces where most project problems live.
4 min read
Architectural model
- Spaces, walls, floors, roofs, stairs, openings and finishes
- Doors, windows, furniture, fixtures
- Room and area schedules, finish schedules
- Elevations, sections and presentation views
Structural model
- Footings, columns, beams, slabs, shear walls, retaining walls
- Steel framing, plates and connections
- Rebar with cover, lap and bend details
- GA drawings, details and bar bending schedules
The interfaces that matter
- Beam depth against door and window heads
- Column positions against room layouts and wardrobes
- Sunken slabs for toilets and their alignment with plumbing
- Staircase headroom against landing beams
- Parapet, chajja and sunshade coordination with the elevation
Rule of thumb
Neither model is complete on its own. The value appears when both are linked, coordinated and checked against each other.
Have a project question?
Send your drawings or plot details and we will tell you plainly what BIM would change for your project.