A 5D Kind of Guy
acla:works has been known for its pioneering development of Building Information Modeling [BIM] and Virtual Design and Construction [VDC] as part of an Integrated Project Delivery service. This work involves integrating all facets of the construction delivery process including design and construction. Known as 5D, the process not only includes 3D geometric models but also integrated cost and scheduling information. In other words, all aspects of the project that affect its delivery are connected parametrically to one model.
What does that mean for construction? In short: more accurate and better-coordinated designs, more efficient use of on site resources, and more reliable costs and quantities.
Architects are often thought of as being pie in the sky artists. Not so. acla:works director, Brian Lewis, who pioneered the BIM process within our firm, has continued to develop his interest in the project management aspect of the process. In 2006 Brian traveled to Finland to see how cutting edge firms work there, and also to meet with Martin Fisher of Stanford University and Reijo Hanninen of Olof Granlund Oy, both leaders of developing 3D solutions for the construction sector. According to Brian: “It was an eye-opener. The Client, Architect, Structural Engineer, Services Engineers, Cost Consultants, Contractor, University and Model Consultant all sitting down together working as a team on a single model for a project. It is the way of the future and has reduced waste in the construction sector from as much as 30% to a small fraction of 1%. Think of the sort of money that can be saved on construction projects,” he concludes.
Brian then continued his research and development and stayed in contact with leading proponents. Last year he studied the very complex, nearly 600-page textbook, Location-Based Management for Construction: Planning, Scheduling and Control by Russell Kenley and Olli Seppänen. At the end of this, Brian shocked perhaps even the authors themselves by not only having read the entire tome from cover to cover, but also by writing an online review.
Finally, Brian undertook the Integrated Training Guide online course by VICO’s Control software and obtained a certificate completing the course.
What next? Brian wants to implement the software on a 5D project to demonstrate the fantastic benefits and value of the integrated BIM approach. All he needs is a progressive Client, Contractor and the right Consultants. Anyone out there that fits the bill?
Images: Location-Based Management for Construction; Brian's certificate for completion of VICO's Control; VICO's interactive training guide
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