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Introducing New Technologies:BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING

pier

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a high-density, mixed-use condominium development

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Recognizing the database potential of Building Information Modeling (BIM), Martinez + Cutri made the strategic decision to begin replacing AutoCAD with Autodesk Revit Building software as the basic design platform. Driving this transition was the need to:

1. improve and expand our current business model and traditional AEC relationships

2. provide higher quality services to an increasingly sophisticated pool of clients

3. effectively manage the contributions of multidiscipline design and construction teams confronting the challenges of more technically complicated buildings

Pier, a high-density, mixed-use condominium development on a full block in a dynamic and developing low-rise neighborhood of downtown San Diego, is one of the firm’s pilot projects using BIM technology.

The project reflects the firm’s efforts to integrate architectural and structural BIMs, and automate the generation of MasterFormat 2004 specifications and estimated construction costs.

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Introducing New Technologies:BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING

It was imperative the project be studied and developed through massing and context given the area’s recent land use and density changes, and to maximize the site’s potential. Moreover, the site’s unique characteristics – sloping topography, panoramic views and pedestrian connections to the city and bay, and restrictive and complex zoning envelope – necessitated a three-dimensional design process.

Virtual modeling provided the realm to explore the project’s impact on its context and the pedestrian scale. Simultaneously, the building components collectively forming the project’s resolution, and their respective properties, were documented in a dynamic database.

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Site Analysis

zoning envelope

context massing

site photos

Reasons for using BIM

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Concept Development

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Collaboration within the design team was facilitated as each member worked on a central project file without overlapping tasks. Through schematic design, the project evolved into two buildings represented by three distinct forms with different compositions, façade treatments and unit types. The efficiency of different team members developing each building simultaneously and keeping track of all changes to the whole accelerated the project’s comprehensive development and minimized coordination errors.

Through the BIM design process, knowledge was gained as the team became more engaged and creative with the various building assemblies and their material and spatial relationships, while quantifying components, materials, programmed spaces and floor areas.

massing & scale study model

façade development

inspiration: maritime elements

inspiration: maritime elements

Benefits: Team Collaboration

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massing study

The design intent was to create diverse forms in response to the varying site conditions and neighborhood’s eclectic character. The result – a complex project with many different building envelope systems. With Revit and e-SPECS® streamlining the process of tracking and cataloging these systems and building components, a smaller than expected design team was required.

Using a single BIM from concept to construction documents has blurred the boundaries of traditional design process phases. Spatial and material choices, normally associated with Design Development, are easily made during the production of Construction Documents. Early massing studies were the first step in the continuous refinement of construction documents within a single electronic file.

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Benefits: Coordination

site plan

east-west section through north building

Design Development

project data

kettner & grape perspective

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To exploit the database generated by each building component or assembly, the firm adopted the e-SPECS®

technology to automate production of the project specifications, creating a seamless link between the graphic and written documentation.

corrections and additions to project manual in e-specs

communication with specifications writer

project note

Integration with e-SPECS

Benefits: Interoperability

kettner & fir perspective

grape & california perspective 06

The e-SPECS® technology provided an analysis of the model and identified building components and assemblies that had not been specified. Changes in the model were automatically updated in the project manual specifications. With 80% of the manual completed this way, time normally spent coordinating and writing it was decreased by 40%. Project notes and updates were easily done through real time web-based collaboration between the Architect and the Spec Writer via the e-SPECS Desktop application.

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North Building: assemblies

east elevation

glazed curtain wall specifications in e-specs

glazing systems

elevation of glazing systems

window schedule

Benefits: Documentation

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3wall schedules

wall detailwall section

building envelope systems

North Building: assemblies

structural wall section

Benefits: Time-saving

Throughout the design phase, the introduction of new graphic or text information was synchronized within the model, simultaneously updating plans, sections, elevations, schedules, specifications, and cost estimates.

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wall detail

corrugated metal wall panels

building envelope systems

three-dimensional wall section

e-specs project costing

South Building: assemblies

In addition to automating specifications, the Revitdatabase was used to identify preliminary construction costs and stay within the client’s construction budget. Analyzing previous project cost data and using the contractor’s construction cost estimate, unit cost data was developed.

Benefits: Job Costing

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3finish schedule

three-dimensional view of unit

sellable area

With InterSpec’s consulting services and e-SPECS® , the firm developed an early pricing model prototypeto dynamically track construction coststhroughout the design process. On average, the accuracy of the BIM quantities was far greater than traditional contractor takeoffs derived from 2D drawing sheets.

With this tool, the firm can more realistically relate the building design to a client’s construction budget and assist clients in making value judgments related to design and construction costs choices.

Benefits: Budgeting

Unit Layoutsunit plan with floor schedule and costing

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3railings specifications generated in e-specs

stair plansstair properties

stair section

investigation into stair enclosures

To communicate data and ideas with the consultants and client, two- and three-dimensional images are generated, saved as dwf, dwg, jpeg or pdffiles and emailed. With a better understanding of the project’s form, dynamics and real time costing, the design team and client can make quick, informed decisions.

Benefits: Communication

Building Components

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Collaboration with structural consultants

bird’s eye view of structural model

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3structural rebar plan structural model

structural assemblies

Benefits: Multi-disciplinary

Using Revit Structure, the structural engineers created a model that is seamlessly linked and used in concert with the architectural model without converting files or redrawing elements. Data on structural components is also integrated and readily accessible for automation of specifications and costs.

By merging the two models, working drawings integrating the structural and architectural components can be generated. This has been invaluable for the design team; the architects and structural engineers can easily identify and jointly solve issues prior to construction. Revit’s ability to track and highlight changes to the model within each discipline, and to automatically update all documents, is time-saving.

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Project Team

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The collaborative effort extends beyond the office to consultants across the continent. One of the project owners is located in San Francisco, the structural, mechanical and electrical engineers are in Vancouver, Canada, and the specifications writer is in Portland, Maine.

Design TeamPartner in charge: Anthony Cutri, AIA

Programming, planning, design

Project Architect: Reynaldo CaballesQuality control - part time

Urban Designer: Nicole CompPlanning and design during site analysis and concept phase

Project Manager: Luc AllardDesign, project management, specifications and production - full time

Job Captain: José CardosaDesign and production - full time

Job Captain: Blesilda LopezQuality control - part time

Team Member: Jay JandaDesign and production support - full time

Team Member: Lichang LiDesign and production support - part time

easy communication & collaboration within office and across continent

Benefits: Worldwide Collaboration

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