A direct link with Madaster

One of the advantages of Archicad when talking about circular construction is the direct link with Madaster. Because of this link, generating a materials passport is a piece of cake. “Madaster has adopted Archicad’s materials database. An IFC model from Archicad therefore contains all the data that the platform needs to compile a passport,” says Ronald de Graan, Director of Customer Success at KUBUS. This process works as follows: Madaster creates a materials passport for a building based on an IFC model that is generated from a BIM program. The platform classifies which materials it contains and how they are attached or applied. A problem that can arise is that the IFC model contains things that the Madaster platform does not recognize. That can be as simple as a mismatch between names. For example, if the term ‘brick’ is used in the BIM software (and therefore also in the IFC model), but Madaster uses the term ‘mortar’, such a problem already arises. The link between Archicad and Madaster prevents this type of situation. According to Ronald de Graan, Archicad distinguishes itself from other BIM software in this way: “As a developer of BIM software, you have to ensure that you use the correct Madaster data in your materials database.”

More perks in Archicad

That direct link with Madaster is not the only advantage of Archicad. The software also offers tools that support architects in carrying out renovation and repurposing projects. “Archicad contains all kinds of tools that optimize a design, not only in terms of materials, but also in terms of energy,” says Ronald. In the KeyMember Edition that KUBUS has developed for Archicad you will also find a special wood construction module. And in Archicad’s materials database you will find validated data on the operational and embodied CO2 of the materials. The Measures Manager then provides an automatic list of all materials according to the VMSW methodology, so that architects can generate a complete overview from their BIM model and thus retain more control over their project.

Material minimization with BIMcollab

“In 2014, KUBUS brought its self-developed BIMcollab onto the market,” says Ronald. This issue management program checks that there are no conflicts between the different models of all the involved disciplines and parties. “Resolving errors on site often costs extra material. Because BIMcollab detects such a clash in advance, this can be prevented, which ultimately ensures material minimization. All models from the different disciplines are better coordinated, which ultimately results in a better performance.” “We used to work in an iterative process. All the parties involved were chasing each other and the model just kept going back and forth. We strive to involve not only all disciplines in the model early in the process, but also all implementing parties and the suppliers of the materials,” says Ronald. With such an integrated design process, there is less material wastage. You can make more use of prefabrication and reuse more materials. “Both Archicad and BIMcollab optimally facilitate integral design, making them the perfect software choices for circular design and construction.”

Interested in more circularity with Archicad?

Would you like to know more about the possibilities that Archicad offers in the field of sustainability and circularity? Be sure to view the Dutch webinar sustainable & circular design with Archicad.