Problem Statement:
BIM integration is straightforward for basic building forms, but challenging for complex geometries. Issues include interoperability, maintaining design intent, and bridging conceptual design with BIM. Standardization and cost-effective fabrication remain key obstacles.
Thesis:
Computational tools like Grasshopper enhance BIM integration by improving early-stage collaboration, workflow standardization, and ensuring complex forms remain constructible.
Research Aim:
This podcast explores how computational design and BIM intersect, focusing on collaboration, design intent, and strategies for standardization.
Experts for the Podcast:
Yaseen Bhatti, Senior Architect at Zaha Hadid Architects, MArch Graduate with Distinction, Computational Design | Parametric Design | Generative Design | Computer Science | Programming & Coding
Michael O’Reilly, Senior Architect at Zaha Hadid Architects | Tutor at Manchester School of Architecture | BIM, AI, & Computational Design Specialist
Welcome to Bim theory podcast, where we will explore the intersection of computational design and BIM. We are Angeliki Maragakis and Matea Pinjušić, and this podcast is part of the Master in Advanced Computation for Architecture & Design at the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia.
Today, we’re diving into how Zaha Hadid Architects integrates complex geometries into BIM workflows. BIM is often seen as a tool for efficiency and standardization, but what happens when design challenges conventional forms?
Joining us are Yaseen Bhatti and Michael O’Reilly, both Senior Architects at Zaha Hadid Architects, to discuss how computational design enables seamless BIM integration, the challenges of interoperability, and the future of AI-driven workflows. Let’s get started!
Topics of discussion in the Podcast:
Q1: What inspired you to specialise in computational architecture?
Q2: Can you break down the structure of the design teams at ZHA? What tools do you use to collaborate across teams?
Q3: At what stage does BIM come into play in a project?
Q4: What are the biggest challenges in adapting non-standard geometries into BIM?
Q5: How do you balance the need for design exploration and iteration with BIM’s need for precision and standardization?
Q6: How does ZHA standardize BIM processes across different countries while ensuring adaptability to local construction constraints? What is the process for collaboration across these teams?
Q7: How do you manage interoperability issues and maintain design intent while ensuring constructability?
Q8: Are there any emerging technologies that ZHA is exploring to enhance these processes?
Q9: Within your respective roles, how do you see AI and machine learning shaping the future of computational design and BIM workflows?
Well thank you again for being here with us and taking the time to discuss your work. And if you’re hearing this, it means you have listened to the very end, so thank you to you for listening. Goodbye!
Conclusion
The discussion painted a picture of an architectural practice that is constantly evolving—where computational tools enable radical design exploration while ensuring that these complex ideas can be efficiently translated into buildable projects. ZHA’s approach highlights the importance of custom workflows, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the integration of AI and automation to push the boundaries of architectural design.
As computational tools and BIM continue to merge, the future of architecture will be defined by a balance between creative freedom and technological precision—a challenge that ZHA is at the forefront of addressing.
Listen here
