Pennsylvania BIM-M Symposium in November

Words: Dan Kamys

The Pennsylvania BIM-M Symposium is approaching quickly.

When & Where

Friday, November 13, 2015  Philadelphia Center for Architecture 1218 Arch Street Philadelphia, PA 19107
‍

Registration

While the seminar is free, registration is required. Space is limited, so register early. Deadline to register is Monday, November 9, 2015. 
‍

Program Schedule

7:45 --  REGISTRATION & CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
8:20 --  OPENING REMARKS ROY INGRAFFIA, M.S., PA AIC, INTERNATIONAL MASONRY INSTITUTE
8:30 --  HOW TO OPERATE IN A BIM ENVIRONMENT MARK SWANSON, AIA, CSI, LEED BD+C, INTERNATIONAL MASONRY INSTITUTE As project design and delivery systems evolve, the design and construction community need to learn about the tools involved with changing project delivery systems. BIM for Masonry describes many of the techniques used to work on a project using BIM, or Building Information Modeling. This seminar reviews BIM software and hardware needs, types of information sharing, and focuses on opportunities to interact with the project team using BIM to the maximum capacity for information sharing, tracking project changes, sharing scheduling, and much more.
9:30 --  MASONRY WALL PROJECT AND INTRODUCTION TO BIM-M BEST PRACTICES GUIDE FOR PROFESSIONAL AND STUDENTS JAMIE L. DAVIS, PE, LEED AP, PRESIDENT, RYAN BIGGS | CLARK DAVIS ENGINEERING & SURVEYING, P.C. BIM-M (Building Information Modeling for Masonry) has an on-going project to develop LOD (Level of Development) standards for the BIM Forum, standard masonry details, and improved modeling techniques for masonry projects. This presentation will provide highlights on the work being done to improve the way designers use BIM modeling with masonry buildings. Included will be results from the Masonry Wall LOD standards and details, plus an introduction to the Best Practices Guide for modeling masonry in Autodesk REVIT. The Guide will be available electronically to all attendees.
10:30 -- BREAK
10:45 --  MASONRY BEST PRACTICES GUIDE FOR AUTODESK REVIT IN ACTION MORGAN WIESE, EIT, INTEGRUS ARCHITECTURE Integrus Architecture is a power user of Autodesk REVIT and a consultant to BIM-M for the development of the Best Practices Guide. This presentation will provide an overview of their models in the Guide and examples of masonry modeling taken from the guide to show professionals and students the best ways to creating outstanding masonry buildings. Some of the masonry modeling examples will be coming out in the next few months as videos for use in the office or studio.
11:45 -- LUNCH
12:30 -- BIM-M BENCHMARK PROJECTS: LESSONS FOR MASONRY DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION IN THE DIGITAL AGE T. RUSSELL GENTRY, PHD PE, GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYFRANCA TRUBIANO, PHD, AIA,ARCHITECTURE, PENN DESIGN, UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA The Building Information Modeling for Masonry (BIM-M) Initiative commissioned a set of case studies to identify areas where improvements in BIM software and workflows are needed. A set of contemporary building cases representing masonry veneer, load bearing masonry, and complex custom masonry buildings were completed. Prof. Gentry will show examples of masonry veneer and load-bearing masonry buildings, completed using conventional delivery methods and contrast these with buildings designed and delivered using BIM. Prof. Trubiano will discuss BIM implementation in complex masonry buildings, using Huntsman Hall at the University of Pennsylvania as a benchmark.
‍

Who

This educational program is intended primarily for Architects, Engineers, Students, Facility Managers, Construction Managers, and Contractors
For more information contact Roy Ingraffia at (202) 215-8390 or ringraffia@imiweb.org
‍

This program meets AIA/CES criteria for 4 LU learning units, which will be reported directly to AIA.

The Importance of Instructor Support
April 2026

Whether you are a new or veteran masonry instructor, we all need support throughout our careers. We can never stop learning, and keeping up with ever-changing technology, materials, and installation techniques can be overwhelming alongside the everyday pr

Curtis Hoover
Resources
Read More
Vibing Masonry #11: Innovative Concrete Masonry Technologies in Healthcare Design
April 2026

In the high-stakes environment of healthcare design, every material choice is a clinical decision. Architects, engineers, and facility administrators are tasked with creating spaces that are not only resilient and code-compliant but also conducive to heal

Steve Blye
Technical Talks
Read More
Why Termination Bars Still Matter: A Practical Look at Long‑Term Flashing Performance
April 2026

In recent discussions across the masonry industry, I have heard termination bars described as “old school.” The implication is that with modern materials, primerless peel-and-stick flashings, advanced sealants, and structural insulated sheathing, mechanic

Linda Potter
Technical Talks
Read More
Building Solutions: The Critical Role of Cavity Space in Masonry Moisture Control
April 2026

Long before “rainscreen” became a popular term in building science, masonry cavity walls were functioning on that very principle. A brick veneer cavity wall is designed with the expectation that water will penetrate the exterior

Linda Potter
MAP Partner
Read More