We are entering into a new era of design

What’s the next evolution, it is using generative design for the architecture, engineering and construction industry. It gives users the power to quickly explore, evaluate, and optimize their designs and runs locally on your computer, and allows custom code to take part in design option generation.

Introducing Project Refinery https://www.fractal.live/share/5be520fecad0687f2b8a6775

IOT (internet of Things), AI (artificial intelligence) and SCADA data

Not to take away from the human ability to design and demand artistic expression within our building, we need architects to design eye-catching, iconic buildings. We spent countless hours and months of work engaging deign to develop concept designs to send out to our contractors for D&C project.  In these early concept design stages,it would save clients months of work with using passive, generative and intuitive design processes allowing technology amplifying our cognitive abilities to design.

Using AI (artificial intelligence), IoT (internet of things) and our Digital twin and other BIM/digital engineering software and processes we can collate the following data sets.

• Collecting data from passenger movements within and around the terminals. Using AI camera to determine flows and common paths of travel.
• Energy analysis and terminal heat loads on certain aspects of the building
• Security screening requirements
• Baggage collection flows
• Noise levels
• Line of sight studies
• Building code accessibility and paths of travel for fire egress.
• The development of long range fiscal plans and establishment for airport financing
• To meet Present and future aviation needs and to promote regional Growth
• Best security camera orientation.
• SCARDA System data logs
• Energy usage
• Wind Shear studies

Image from AutoDESK University Generative Urban Design: a collaboration between Autodesk Research and Van Wijnen. Lorenzo Villaggi, Kean Walmsley https://www.autodesk.com/autodesk-university/class/Generative-Urban-Design-collaboration-between-Autodesk-Research-and-Van-Wijnen-2018-0#video

All of these factors above are considerations which are taken into account when design structures, we can collect and analysis these data sets. Image our ability to plug these design analysis data into and intuitive AI software that generates tens of thousands of options.

Image from AutoDESK University Generative Urban Design: a collaboration between Autodesk Research and Van Wijnen. Lorenzo Villaggi, Kean Walmsley https://www.autodesk.com/autodesk-university/class/Generative-Urban-Design-collaboration-between-Autodesk-Research-and-Van-Wijnen-2018-0#video

The image above took those ten of thousands of design options and used custom data analysis and visualization tools, to rationalize the options.

Image from AutoDESK University Generative Urban Design: a collaboration between Autodesk Research and Van Wijnen. Lorenzo Villaggi, Kean Walmsley https://www.autodesk.com/autodesk-university/class/Generative-Urban-Design-collaboration-between-Autodesk-Research-and-Van-Wijnen-2018-0#video

The most important element when design any structure is a common Architectural statement, form follows function. What better way to derive function then through generative design and option engineering.  With the power of these systems and technology would fully enhance and revolutionize our Strategic and planning groups.

Image from AutoDESK University Generative Urban Design: a collaboration between Autodesk Research and Van Wijnen. Lorenzo Villaggi, Kean Walmsley https://www.autodesk.com/autodesk-university/class/Generative-Urban-Design-collaboration-between-Autodesk-Research-and-Van-Wijnen-2018-0#video

The most important element when design any structure is a common Architectural statement, form follows function. What better way to derive function then through generative design and option engineering.  With the power of these systems and technology would fully enhance and revolutionize our Strategic and planning groups.

 

Why BIM has only just begun

This post was originally written when I was engaged by PDT Architects as their BIM Strategic Manager, I thought I would re post this on my blog site to allow my followers to read this. The original document can be found on the PDT. John Coglan Post 2015

PDT’s BIM strategist John Coglan explains how initiatives associated with BIM are changing the industry and he predicts some monumental benefits that wider integration of BIM into urban environment modelling could bring in the near future.

 

To understand how initiatives associated with BIM are influencing the industry we only need to look at Singapore. The Singaporean Government was one of the first to mandate BIM models and in particular IFC (International Foundation Classifications) models as part of any development submission made to the Singapore Government. IFC models are a global standard capable of viewing or sharing on multiple platforms.

This has allowed Singapore to develop their own “Google Earth” style repository of all developments in Singapore – existing and proposed. It not only provides for rapid visual assessment of how a development fits into the neighbouring environment, from any angle, but also provides an intuitively obvious platform for community and industry engagement. It further provides for advanced technical assessment of a proposal based on known below-ground conditions, location of services, even impacts on vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

Brisbane is following suit. While Brisbane City Council are not mandating models, they have built a virtual “3D” model of the CBD and are slowly expanding on this model. This will allow the Council to determine all underground services and shadow casts from proposed new structures to aid in the impact assessment on the surrounding environment and for assessment against the relevant Town Planning regulations. It’s likely that in the not too distant future we will follow the lead of Singapore mandating that all major submissions for assessment contain BIM information-rich models for all Councils and relevant government agencies.

The impact of a government holding a BIM model of the entire area of its jurisdiction, with existing infrastructure and buildings and also proposed ones, being modelled with the correct manufacturer’s specifications and materials, is potentially huge. Imagine, for example, if in the future a particular material was found to be carcinogenic. Governments could respond quickly through immediate identification of material locations and be proactive by assessing or requiring replacement of these materials to minimise risk to the public. The speed, efficiency and accuracy of the response in this sort of scenario is where taxpayer dollars will be saved, and potentially lives also. Responses to emergency or natural disaster situations would also be much improved in terms of time taken to gather accurate information, and the efficiency of targeted responses.

The reduction in errors on site and the improvement of communications through the collaborative processes that BIM imposes are predominantly its major benefit. The rectification of omissions and clashes prior to construction will also save expensive rectification work. In 2006 a study was completed in these inefficiencies: it found that they contributed to between 10% to 15% of the cost of construction in Australia – which at the time amounted to $12 billion nationally. Our clients will see major benefits through larger construction projects and government projects when the realization of Integrated Project Delivery and Facility Management and the benefits these have to offer are recognized.

 

Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) will reduce costs associated with any construction project. This philosophy engages all design disciplines with the builder and their subcontractors and puts them into one project office from the master planning stage through to the hand-over of facility management systems. The benefits will flow because the builders and subcontractors who are responsible for physically constructing the building will also be involved in producing the detailed documentation needed to deliver it cost effectively and also in terms of long term operational efficiency.

Another major benefit of BIM to our clients is in facility management. Effective systems and accurate BIM models help in extending the overall lifespan of a building. The ability to know and be reminded that certain maintenance is required on either equipment or construction systems translates into savings on expensive repairs or replacement costs.

Over the last 20 years BIM and the technology that makes it possible has created a massive paradigm shift for the industry. The construction industry is notorious for being one of the slowest industries to adopt technologies and it is now facing a steep incline as it endeavours to embrace these new and emerging technologies. Keeping up with the readily available technological platform is hard enough for many. The challenge of keeping on top of emerging innovations such as 3D printing of building components, hologram technology, 3D virtual reality glasses connected to BIM models or more requires a special effort, such is the speed of innovation.

Gone are the days of an architect just having good design and drawing skills. In addition, today it helps to have the abilities of a cinematographer and the skills of a sound technician. This is just to move you through sketch design and presentation stages – not to mention the technologies associated with these skills.

I believe that the next evolution of BIM for the construction industry will be the demise of contract documentation and the migration to construction modelling. We will be modelling with more information-rich content that will allow architects and engineers models to be connected into manufacturing equipment. This is already evident from the use of CNC machines in steel fabrication, or with mining plant equipment that works with GPS and BIM models to determine position and depth of pipes that need to have a fall over vast distances.

Currently however the industry at large is not making the most of BIM and its full potential. A report from McGraw Hill Construction in 2013 has Australia and New Zealand with 29% of the industry heavily using BIM compared to North America with 39%. The industry perception seems to be that if you are using a 3D software then you are using BIM, but this isn’t correct. BIM is more of a process model than a series of tools and technology. The technology plays a very important role in developing a smart system but the true values of BIM are within the collaboration and the uniformity of construction process as an integrated system. BIM stands for Building Information Modelling: what most firms and consultants miss is the “I” in BIM – the information.

From my initial exposure to PDT and the team I was pleasantly impressed with the range of skills already existing within the organization and I was more encouraged by the endorsement of BIM physiologies and the acceptance of change. With PDT’s new direction of BIM processes we will have the potential to enhance current capacities, reduce site variations, integrate analysis capabilities, increases profits, lower costs, and improve scheduling times.

 

All of these benefits will be seen through time and through collaboration of our project teams and the correct utilization of BIM tools and their associated processes.

John Coglan has worked with closely BIM since 2004 and was instrumental in the push to lead BIM initiatives within the Queensland government. He co-authored the National Guidelines for Digital Modelling, the National Guidelines for Digital Modelling Case Studies and the Interoperable Standards Development. He received a Queensland State Recognition of Excellence Award for Innovation & Creativity and the Excellence Awards Business Initiative of the Year for his efforts.

BIM Specialist Consultancy Role

Strategic Planning of a BIM implementation is critical to the success that BIM will have on an organization ROI. Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a collaborative modelling process that can provide efficiencies and innovations to deliver building projects faster, more economically and reduce abortive works.

• Reduce errors and variations on projects.
• Reduce costs by removing duplication and therefore reduce costly design conflicts before construction begins.
• Improve team collaboration on projects.
• Allow you to make critical design solutions with technologies being more informed and information rich.

The Study below by J.C. Cannistraro illustrates the reduction of variations that occur with a BIM collaborative modelling approach.

 

Out of 408 projects valued at $559 million shows how, in the big picture, BIM saves money as the team gets more collaborative.

Other studies have been researched to demonstrate the benefits of BIM and as the technology has matured and the acceptance of BIM has grown the expectation of BIM projects are being requested. This is evident in Clients, Engineers, Builders, Contractors and Sub-Contractors requesting BIM processes to be utilized.  The table below shows the predictions of BIM implementation levels within Australia that by 2015 that there will only be a small percentage of construction projects that will not be using BIM.

BIM technologies gain traction when their benefits are meaningful and sustainable for users, the time for change is now.  Strategically to achieve results in BIM there needs to be a fundamental business process change to successfully implement BIM.

Process

• Changing work practices and relationships (e.g. IPD vs. traditional practice)
• Need for guidelines of common industry practice (e.g. use of exchange protocols and data content)
• New jobs created with different skill sets and responsibilities
• Value added to the models in different time frames
• Greater focus on information management over whole project life cycle, not just the construction phase
• Co-location of project team for critical phases of design collaboration

Culture

• Need for industry standards
• Foster organisation commitment and resourcing for BIM implementation
• Risks of sharing model data and the need to protect intellectual property, legal, insurance,
• risk, responsibility issues and cost
• Quality Assurance (QA): can others trust your model and data?
• New definitions of services and fee splits, with levels of model detail and categories of information to be specified
•  Can engage with off-site manufacture better
• A more collaborative and accountable delivery model that needs to engage with the whole team of consultants, contractor and specialist trade contractors during design stages.

 

Technologies

• Software and hardware limitations
• Implementation of the new technologies (e.g. Web portals, GIS, laser scanning)
• Need for development of greater interoperability and integration of software’s for the whole project life cycle
• Development and demonstration of industry ready exchange protocols.
• Handling of very large model file sizes and techniques for sharing information

 

Other Focus areas that need to be addressed are as follows.

What Skills do I have to offer?

Train the trainer, and design training courses.

In my experience as an ICT/BIM Manager I have trained hundreds of staff and formulated multiple training courses, for Architects, technician, engineers and managers on the use and processes of successfully utilizing BIM. I have developed training course for all disciplines and all skill levels. I have also provided training and mentorship to staff to become trainers and BIM managers.

Business Analysis skills to investigate requirements, current state and identify risks.

 

I have acquired the skills and knowledge to assist any organisation in implementing BIM strategies, from my work within the state government’s transition to BIM to my recent sabbatical where I successfully completing my masters in information technology. Where I have developed business analysis skills and business process improvements skills to analysis and ensure the maximum ROI for any organization transitioning to BIM. Other focus areas of my studies allowed me to focus on business critical aspect of a modern and strategic focused organization, some of these skill sets are listed below.

• Business Analysis (IIBA)
• Technology Management
• Business Development
• Project Management (Prince2)
• Enterprise Systems
• Product Development with 3D gaming technologies
• Enterprise 2.0
• ITIL
• User Experience
• Training and Team building.

Design a strategic vision and road map with KPI’s for the business.

 

I have a long and consistent track record of leading very efficient departments, enabling and facilitating the increase in gross margins and profitability, reducing costs and enhancing business operations. My keen business acumen, commercial abilities and proven decision making skills will allow me to make business process improvements to increase profitability.

I am a target driven professional who is on a single-minded mission to increase your company’s profitability and productivity. As a logical thinker I can successfully create Business Plans, strategic visions, develop policies, manage finances, analyse market trends, and negotiate terms. Possessing substantial and successful experience of various sectors, I am confident enough to work within any changing environment where all answers may not be known up front.

I have hands on experience in forming connections to an array of software as shown below.

 

Written Publications I was involved with and co-authored.

CSIRO CRC IFC projects I was involved in:

• LCA Design
• Estimator
• Code Checker
• Construction planner
• Specification writer

With years of experience in policy and manual creations, briefing tools, clash detection rules, Library IFC ratification and modifications and Construction modelling.

To achieve the best results in BIM we need to form partnerships and agreements on BIM expectations with external disciplines.

With my experience I can assist any organization who wants to achieve BIM with my current lessons learnt. I hope to also shape and of direct the building industry with some Government process changes. I will start to take steps to achieve these goals and it starts with one organization at a time. Do we currently know how far we want to take BIM……….NO……..But we want to push it further. One answer is clear; BIM is becoming the new standard and will result in tremendous change for everyone involved.

If you are interested in our services please contact us via one of our social media outlets.