Pilot project

Several factors influenced HCF and Associates’ decision to select House 15 as the pilot project to fully implement the BIM-embedded design process:

• Its scale made it possible to capture in detail every aspect of the project in BIM.
• The expected timeline of the project made it possible to explore, review, adjust and possibly correct the BIM design process.
• The design development of the project allowed for the BIM model to become progressively more complex, by adding more details, more data and more information as the project developed.
• The team of designers in charge of the project rose to the challenge of exploring, researching, and coming up with the best possible practice while keeping up with the project’s timeline and requirements.

2D/3D design process vs BIM-embedded design process

HCF and Associates views the traditional 2D/3D design process as a series of nodes, independently located in space and time, with very little, or no connection to each other. These nodes include design input of the structural scheme, the M&E system (monitoring and evaluation system) as well as the interior design. This process is sufficient to produce a wide range of documents but dramatically lacks integration and regulation.
A BIM-embedded design process, on the other hand, allows the nodes to connect to each other in space and time, and to share information. This creates an intelligent, integrated information system from which smart data can be extracted.

BIM implementation

For this project, the workflow circled between decision, implementation and review.

From conception to design development

The Principal Architect was in charge of developing the design concept, using hand-sketched drawings and diagrams.
The project architect then translated the design intentions into a volumetric study model using BIM. This model was used to extract additional information such as area, volume and sun orientation.
The extracted information was subsequently used by the principal architect to adjust the scheme and to progressively detail it, adding room divisions, openings, vertical transitions, etc. These changes were immediately incorporated into the BIM model to capture and review their impact. The BIM platform also allowed for easy sharing of spatial aspirations accurately with sub-consultants and contractors.

From design development to detail design

The project architect progressively added layers of information to the BIM model while maintaining a high degree of flexibility to easily update the constant design changes and adjustments.

BIM modeling core principles

HCF and Associates organized the BIM model to be as versatile as possible, facilitating the extraction of model representations and data. This was achieved by carefully creating, organizing and prioritizing the layers, layer combinations, pen sets, model view options and overrides.
Another critical aspect of the House 15 BIM model was to ‘build the model as it will be built in real life.’ That way, the model is the exact virtual representation of what needs to be achieved on site. It also helps in highlighting many of the possible issues and clashes at a very early stage, allowing to resolve them long before they could affect the construction.

The House 15 BIM model has been used to produce all the project deliverables and documentation necessary for all stages of the project and for all parties.

Client:Preliminary volumetry of the house, concept diagrams, plans, elevations & sections at all stages of the project, renders of the exterior and interior of the house, BIMx presentations

Authorities:All submission drawings and additional explanatory diagrams and booklets

Contractor(s):Tender drawings, construction drawings, detail drawings, schedules and diagrams

Suppliers:Schematic drawings and diagrams, drawings, explanatory booklets

HCF and Associates recognizes data collaboration as one of the key technological advances that will progressively revolutionize the design process in the architecture industry. It is, therefore, crucial to fully embrace this opportunity and to push for all project stakeholders to participate in this collaboration.
As any innovation in its early stage, BIM collaboration is affected by the disparate degree of BIM knowledge and usage of each party. While it has become a standard process in most architectural firms, it is still rarely used by consultants and contractors, especially by smaller firms.
HCF and Associates encourages this transition to happen and they help introduce BIM to firms that are not familiar with it. Since May 2016, as part of their BIM-embedded design process, HCF and Associates urges collaborating firms to use OPEN BIM when working on their projects.
With these collaborators, extensive file exchanges, be it in IFC or CAD, have taken place, improving the level of integration, accuracy and efficiency of the design process.

“There is no project too small to use BIM. In fact, smaller projects are great opportunities to explore the extensive possibilities of BIM, Teamwork and OPEN BIM.” 

Eric Barthole, BIM implementation manager

BIM, Teamwork and OPEN BIM offer exciting opportunities, which are currently only partially exploited. However, it is just a matter of time before BIM becomes a standard in the architecture and design industry. To achieve this goal, not only architecture firms must embrace it but also construction firms, engineering firms and authorities.

Furthermore, it is crucial to envision BIM not as a software, but as a core platform integrating all the necessary tools and collaborative interfaces to develop comprehensive virtual projects, regardless of category, size and complexity.
HCF and Associates welcomes this fundamental change in technology and supports it actively by collaborating with Graphisoft to further develop and enhance their products.