aia bim case study layout 1 - work design magazine · 2019-09-02 · autodesk’s revit. our firm...

EWINGCOLE | WWW.EWINGCOLE.COM

The overall project consists ofapproximately 100,000 square feetincluding two levels of below gradeparking and support spaces with sevenadditional floors of multi-use spacesand offices. A schematic level designwas provided in ArchiCAD from theDesign Architect. As the AE of record,we were able to utilize portions of thismodel as we developed the detailedmodel in Revit. The client has aforward thinking philosophy andembraced the 3D technology as acommunication tool. The interiorarchitecture is a unique blend oforganic shapes and forms with modern technology creating an

innovative working environment.Collaborative and unique spaces,including open interactive floor plans,open atriums, multi story spaces,chromatherapy work pods, a tea room,zen garden and daycare, also createinteresting challenges and

opportunities for the BIM model. Our goal was to streamlinecommunications inside and outside ofour firm, thereby reducing costs andincreasing efficiency while delivering ahigh level of design with increasedclient input.

UNITED THERAPEUTICSHEADQUARTERS SILVER SPRING, MD

When the team was awardedthe project, the Owner’s goalwas to occupy the projectwithin 19 months. This veryambitious deadline requiredinnovative communication tobe successful.

ARCHITECTS ENGINEERSINTERIOR DESIGNERSPLANNERS

IRVINENEW YORK

PHILADELPHIAWASHINGTON

EWINGCOLE.COM


As a firm we were an early adaptor of BIM technologies. The project wasdocumented inAutodesk’s Revit. Our firm is committed tousing technology to explore project phasing, constructiondocumentation, creating3D imagery, performingenergy and efficiencystudies, design validation,and engineeringcoordination.

Creative use of BIM technologies led toefficient ways to rapidly communicatedesign ideas. The speed at which theproject team was designing anddocumenting presented a problem ofensuring the latest information wasbeing shown to our client and herrepresentatives. Much of thebuilding’s core and shell was availablein 3D from early in the process andremained fairly consistent. Howeverthe design of the specialized interiorschanged continually throughout the project.


Embracing the latest BIM technologiesenables our team toreevaluate existingprocedures in place atour firm. Our primaryteam consisted of aproject principal, projectmanager, projectarchitect, designers,engineers and interior designers.

Each team member committed todelivering this project using BIMtechnology to evaluate and analyzedesign constructability of the buildingwhile providing exceptional designservices to our client. Individualresponsibilities were expanded toinclude a BIM model manager and avisualization technology manager.


The BIM Model Manager was responsible forunderstanding all inter-related aspects of the BIM model.

Her role was to validate the model during each phase for level of detail, build Revit families, coordinate content betweendisciplines, enforce standards, andcontinue to participate in designreview meetings. This role includedcontinual meetings with our structuraland MEP engineers for model coordination.


The VisualizationTechnology Managerworked directly with theBIM Model Manager andthe designers to developand maintain a web-hosted 3D model forclient review andcollaboration.

The Technology Manager created acustom application to translate in real-time the Revit model, whilecoordinating design decisions such asfinishes, furnishing, and interiordetailing on a regular basis.

“I found the software helped the team producedocuments in such a short time.Even with the learning curve andshort deadline, we were able toproduce high-qualitydocuments. Sometimes it was atrial with all the moving partsand people but I don’t think wewould have been able to deliverthe project as it was usingtraditional CAD practices.”- Architect & BIM Model Manager

“Having a comprehensive 3D model from the verybeginning allowed us to get intothe space and design muchmore quickly. We were able togenerate concepts and workwith client much earlier in theprocess. We were able to beginproducing our documentationmuch earlier than we do in CAD.”- Interior Designer

“It was a fun challenge to take the off-the-shelf programand make it do some reallyremarkable things. I was happyto see our client being able tointeract with a model in a verysimple yet powerful way.”- Visualization Technology Manager


An updated BIM template was created at project inception tomaintain office standardsand better reflect theworkflow of our firm.

We reevaluated and created a new file structure to facilitatecollaboration and better organize the complexity of a BIM project.


We used cutting-edge video gametechnology to meet the demands of thischallenging project. Design conceptscreated in our BIM software wereupdated in real-time to a web-basedversion of the building. The building, its surroundings and interiors wereavailable to the client andrepresentatives via the internet.

This provided our clients theopportunity to review the design almostanywhere and anytime. Using simplevideogame style controls and interface,they were able to explore the building inits entirety by navigating through thespaces in an avatar like fashion or byusing preset views focused on specific areas.

Our visualizationtechnology groupembraced the opportunityto expand what BIMmeans to our firm.


This virtual model not only included thecore and shell developedin our BIM software, butalso all interior design.Finishes, furnishing,lighting and artwork werealso added to the modelproviding a level of detailand feedback nooff-the-shelf software is providing.

Natural and artificial light, reflections, flowing water and mediascreens were also simulated in thevisualization. Until a few years agothis level of detail would need to becreated as pre-rendered 3D stills oranimation. Had we used traditionalmethods much more time would havebeen spent waiting for feedback.

Using similar technology we able to create sun and shadow studies to validate the PV design. The adjacent buildings were modeled and the shadow studies were shared between the client, CM, PV consultant to optimize a bifacial PV array.


In addition, an internal “cloud” wascreated to allow the team members towork on the Revit model by using thecomputing power of our central serverand some very high end processorsinstead of their desktop computers.

The desktop computers were used asterminals only and allowed certain teammembers to work more efficiently as the model grew in complexity.

All major engineering was performed in-housewhich facilitated real time collaboration of the model.


The CM was given the Structural andArchitectural models early on to beginmodeling the sheeting and shoringand review phasing and constructionsequencing on the very tight site.Subsequent versions of the modelwere then used by the CM to facilitatecoordination of trades. Subcontractorsare now modeling the MEP distributionduring the shop drawing process usingthe AE model as a background. TheCM is going to use Navisworks inaddition to some shop specificsoftware to facilitate coordination and

clash detection. The CM has alsocreated a matrix of “model flow” andtransfer between entities during theshop drawing and constructionprocess. This matrix also setsresponsibilities for all extended teammembers. The CM identified fivemajor areas of focus on their AnalysisPlan including: MEP coordination &clash detection, Prefabrication of MEPAssemblies, Quality Control/VisualManagement, Virtual Mock ups, andSkin System.

A sharepoint project portal was then created tofacilitate the exchange of model files to specialtyconsultants as well as the CM.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:S. Mark Hebden, AIA, LEED APPresident215.625.4457 | [email protected]

John Capelli, AIAPrincipal215.625.4626 | [email protected]

Andrew Jarvis, AIA, LEED APPrincipal212.897.4034 | [email protected]

Andrea AdamsonDirector of Business Development202.467.1502 | [email protected]

Steph Vargas, LEED APProject Manager949.417.7550 | [email protected]

aia bim case study layout 1 - work design magazine · 2019-09-02 · autodesk’s revit. our firm...

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