Niven Architects has set up a BIM consultancy to help construction firms comply with the government’s 2016 Level 2 BIM mandate.
BIM Strategy Ltd was established by the Darlington-based practice after it carried out research on how to integrate BIM within its own business through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Teesside University.
The new consultancy will aim to help firms become BIM compliant through services including training, workshops, content creation, funding advice and project-based consultancy. Firms will learn how BIM approaches can improve the predictability of building projects, saving time and money and improving safety.
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Karen Crowe, marketing manager at Niven commented: “One of the stumbling blocks for SMEs looking to incorporate BIM is the cost of training, as well as the purchase of licences and hardware. Because we went down the KTP route we learned a lot about how to do it and realised we were in a position to offer advice to businesses, both large and small.”
KTPs aim to help businesses improve their competitiveness and productivity by pairing them with higher education or research and technology organisations to obtain knowledge, technology and skills. They typically last two years and are part-funded by Innovate UK, formerly known as the Technology Strategy Board.
At Niven Architects, Teesside University graduate Johnathan Munkley was employed as KTP associate to lead the project, supported by Professor Nashwan Dawood and Dr Mohamad Kassem from the University’s Technology Futures Institute.
Laura Woods, director of academic enterprise at Teesside University said: “Niven Architects are a fantastic example of the bottom-line impact a KTP can have on business. Collaboration with the University has meant not only new cutting-edge BIM technology in the business, it has also led to expansion of the company.”
Representatives from Niven will be speaking at a special event – Bottom Line Business Benefits – taking place at the Northern Design Centre in in Gateshead on 6 November, which will showcase how KTPs can help businesses.
The event will take place from 8am to 10am. For more information visit www.tees.ac.uk/events
