At Clerkenwell Design Week 2025, Ryan Wigham (Associate Director at Bimstore) joined Miles Cantley (Innovation Director at Mount Lighting) and Bethan Hellings (Head of Design at Avent Interiors) for a BIM-focused panel discussion. Taking place at the Mount Lighting Design Studio, the discussion ranged from 3D design and BIM in practice, to how we conceptualise and create spaces.
The aim of this panel discussion? To promote the use of BIM content in the design process, exploring how 3D design and BIM technologies can streamline design, save time, and enable faster realisation of a final product. By integrating these advanced tools, designers can refine spaces that not only enhance efficiency but also improve the user experience.
Ryan, Miles, and Bethan discuss how this shift helps to generate environments that foster focus, flow, and general well-being. The conversation begins with the journey of BIM adoption. Ryan recounts the early 2000s, where designers primarily used 2D AutoCAD or drafting boards for projects, and the mid-2000s shift towards BIM. BIM is now an essential part of the architectural design process, with 3D models often being integrated into daily design and build practices.
“Designing in 3D allows you to make better quality design decisions as you go along, rather than the endless back and forth of PDFs in 2D” - Miles Cantley
Next, Bethan explains how simple design mistakes can be eradicated early in the design process through 3D modelling, e.g. pendant fittings at the wrong height, ceiling heights clashing with duct work, and sight lines or glares. She believes that everything is much easier to visualise in 3D.
Afterwards, the three speakers delve into the reasons why BIM adoption has been slower in certain industries, such as the fear of change and reluctance to make a big investment in software and resources for training colleagues. They unanimously agree that BIM is a building asset, worth the investment due to the long-term difference it makes for design businesses. Not only is it better for visualisation, but it also encourages greater collaboration on all stages of a project.
“Helping clients with lighting design is so much easier in 3D than it is in 2D. They can look at a 2D drawing and it doesn’t mean anything to them. Whereas, putting it in 3D you can design different lighting scenes, and then being able to visualise those makes a big difference.” - Miles Cantley
A video is then showed to the audience of a Bimstore showroom walkthrough. This shows how Revit can be viewed through a plugin shows plan view in 2D or an isometric 3D view that can be easily modelled and navigated. Miles then goes on to demonstrate how BIM objects can be downloaded from Bimstore and easily added into a 3D design.
Jumping into to some jargon-busting, all three panellists clarify the difference between BIM and 3D design in principle. BIM level projects are very data heavy and there’s a lot to consider than just 3D modelling – it’s all the information and data that going into the model as well. However, there is no requirement for a project to be a ‘BIM project’ to be able to model in 3D.
“Don’t wait for the right project, just start using it [BIM]. People coming out of University and joining the workplace are well-versed in using it already. So make the most of that and the skills that are coming through, because the younger people are often more eager and ‘tech savvy’” – Bethan Hellings
Closing the discussion, panellists discuss common misconceptions of BIM. Ryan states that many think BIM is just a 3D model, when it is so much more; BIM is more that ‘pretty picture’, it allows you to work within a federated model with different members of your design team instantly, rather than going through an elongated process.
It used to be that renders would be made by different companies, and it would take time and money to generate one, but now BIM enables anyone to create realistic renders in a matter of minutes.
Bethan has observed the misconception that BIM is too expensive. She emphasised that although BIM is an investment, it is worth it to streamline the design process, reduce mistakes on site, and improve the efficiency of a design. Clients have a clearer idea of the product you’re selling, making manufacturers who don’t use BIM less desirable to work with. The panel and members of the audience who engage in the discussion agree that BIM is an invaluable design tool.
Watch the full video below.
To learn more about Mount Lighting or download their BIM objects, join Bimstore for free. For additional information, visit the Mount Lighting's manufacturer profile or their company website and social media pages.
