UNITED KINGDOM | CHINA | AUSTRALIAINFLUENTIAL | INDEPENDENT | INNOVATIVE

CAPABILITY STATEMENT

bimacademy

BIM Academy Capability Statement Australia | Nov 14 | page 2

Introduction to BIM Academy

BIM Academy is unique in combining industry experience and academic expertise to support industry in the adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM) through consultancy, research and education. Our knowledge of BIM technology dates back to the 1990s and is combined with practical experience since gained in the application of BIM on industry projects since 2003.

BIM Academy was initially established in the UK in 2010 and is a joint venture between Northumbria University and Ryder Architecture, an international award winning architecture practice. The BIM Academy hub in Australia is supported by an infrastructure that spans three companies.

Ryder, BIM Academy and i2C are part of an international alliance of architectural practices with particular expertise and an interest in research based design. i2C is an Australian architectural practice with significant strength in retail working in a BIM environment over six years. This alliance creates similar sized practices with diverse but complementary expertise in BIM and Architecture in order to share best practice, market intelligence, capacity and scale.

Strategic support, research and development are delivered from BIM Academy’s base hub in Northumbria University, UK providing a central but complimentary skills base which has access to cutting edge research and development in the field of BIM.

Our Capabilities

To provide project support, the BIM Academy team includes a commercial delivery arm BIM Academy (Enterprises) Ltd which provides project support in BIM Consultancy Management Services including Model Management, BIM Authoring Services and industry leading solutions in BIM for FM.

Our key capability is the facilitation and management of a streamlined process relying on the use of intelligent models and linked data to deliver enhanced quality, efficiency and certainty throughout design, construction and into operation. In turn, BIM Academy is leveraged by close working relationships with BIM enabled architectural practices who deliver projects with cost and FM enabled data to Level 2 BIM (as supported by UK BIM standard PAS 1192-2:2013).

Our diverse team comes from a range of academic and industry backgrounds with experience in the use of BIM in the fields of design, cost management, building services and asset management and, through our relationship with academic and industry partners, BIM Academy have access to equivalent expertise in the field of civil, structural and process engineering.

As experienced business leaders in the built environment, we are able to interpret business strategy and help develop and deliver tailored BIM solutions that are aligned to corporate objectives, with the ultimate goal of achieving all the benefits of BIM excellence with corporate compliance and accreditation.

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Our Approach

BIM Academy has strong relationships with all the major software vendors but at the same time no contractual obligations to any of them and can thus provide independent and impartial advice to the industry.

Our detailed expertise in platform-neutral ‘open BIM’ data formats such as IFC and COBie is increasingly demanded by government and private sector clients.

Our Services

The following are examples of BIM related services that BIM Academy can offer:

• BIM model management consultancy and management

• BIM execution planning, management and strategic advice

• Training for BIM enabled software• BIM model authoring, including

modelling for bids• Animations, HD images, and

visualisations• Component libraries and specification

development• 4D construction sequencing for bid

and design stages• 5D costing management and

modelling enabled• 6D facilities management and FM/BIM

integration

Support for BIM Adoption

Globally the industry is facing our biggest skills challenge in years as construction professionals are drawn increasingly to deliver projects in BIM. BIM presents a number of challenges with significant impacts on business operation. The challenges may be formidable, but conversely the opportunities of embracing BIM and its collaborative ethos are immense.

BIM in Australia is yet to fully mature; what many groups may describe as working in BIM can be more honestly described as unmanaged 3D modelling. The reality is people are not engaging in true BIM, and its application within projects, as a way of developing and delivering the design.

BIM Academy has successfully delivered BIM training for a number of years including The Virtual Workshop, and CPD both in BIM software and BIM management processes within Ryder and through Northumbria University for several years. BIM Academy also has the accommodation and facilities required to deliver or host CPD and training both in the UK and internationally.

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BIM Knowledge Transfer Partnerships

BIM Academy relates very much to the John Donne quote “No man is an island, entire of itself, every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main”. In this respect we have developed a network of informal and formal networks across the globe. We have ongoing project partnerships with organisations actively engaged at the cutting edge of technological development including:

• NBS: object library development for UK National BIM Library.

• NBS: contribution to Digital Plan of Works for the UK Government

• RIBA Enterprises (iCIM embodied carbon assessment tool)

• 4 Projects (4BIM open standard collaboration and asset management project)

BIM Academy continues to maintain close links with industry groups and central Government agencies and organisations in the adoption of BIM and we are also at the forefront of developing work streams that are based on the UK BIM strategies and deliver projects to PAS1192-2:2013

BIM is malleable, and as changes due to new technologies and methods of working arise this presents significant challenges to be ‘relevant’ and respond to those changes.

Our search and development skills allow us to embrace and be part of this changing environment. This is our unique selling point, this is a key strength of our business.

Canvassing the Australian Market BIM Requirements

In Australia there is significant debate and BIM “chatter”, when, and if to adopt BIM on a project, and the BIM Academy feel it is wrong to presume what the AEC industry requires from BIM. We have a strong belief about listening to clients and building excellent relationships which inform and enrich the service we aim to provide our clients.

We decided to undertake a series of workshops to canvass thoughts and opinions on the appropriate adoption of BIM technology and methods. After two campaigns, we had conversations with nineteen companies with over 140 individuals in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth. They comprised building contractors, consultants, project managers and the building supply chain. This has influenced how we work, and the services we offer and we intend on continuing the workshops into the future.

• Link to BIM Academy’s Australian roadshow

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Research and Development

Professor Steve Lockley was part of our team investigating issues around sharing and exchange of data in IFC format (IFC is an international standard format for data exchange). Most BIM software vendors have claimed that their products fully support IFC. The reported work tested these assertions experimentally, subjecting 14 common BIM tools to tests. It revealed a dramatic failure, with the commercial BIM tools showing limited capability to import/export IFC geometries.

xBIM toolkit, developed by Northumbria University, allows users to read, create and view individual or federated BIMs in IFC format free of charge. It has full support for geometry, topology, database integration and visualisation. xBIM is an open source toolkit, released in 2012, that allows developers to create, read and view models in IFC format and develop functional add ins for commercial BIM tools.

Lockley’s team has used xBIM for BIM city modelling, automated compliance checking and resource, cost and time modelling. xBIM has served as the basis for three Technology Strategy Board funded projects ‘4BIM’ ‘BIMcity’ and ‘iCIM’. CASCADE open BIM asset management project, developed by Northumbria University in association with 4Projects, Vinci and Kingspan as part of a UK Government Technology Strategy Board research initiatives.

BIM Academy’s research team are part of the successful consortium that won the UK Government sponsored Digital Plan of Work in 2014.

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Selection of Project Services Undertaken

BIM Model Management Consultancy Services

BIM Academy can agree and or review the client/employer BIM requirements against the strategic objectives for the project. We can produce, manage and ensure compliance with the agreed BIM Execution Plan and associated BIM Protocols and Project Strategy.

Approach to Model Management

BIM model management is normally summarised within the model management report which will be completed by the BIM Academy consultant to keep track of relevant progress on the project and report back to the project team. Model management is undertaken in conjunction with, and with assistance from, the project team designated stakeholders; mainly from the design manager. Issues are distributed to the key team members and any consultants with specific actions listed against them. It is preferred to complete reports on a regular and separated meetings with the project team, but may also be included within the major monthly project update meetings.

The BIM model management report will normally include an executive summary on the model progress including salient issues and actions arising from the clash detection reports – at agreed stages and duration. The model management report can be produced for the design and construction stages against agreed project objectives. As part of the scope of works, the model management report will potentially include the following:

• Initial design team BIM model audit; identifying the status of the current BIM model and preparing a report on improvements needed to achieve end goal data drops or the as-built BIM model.

• Design team BIM model management reporting and coordination during design development and construction.

• Clash detection management during design and construction

• Reporting to advise subcontractors on their BIM requirements and managing their input to ensure it meets overall project BIM requirements.

• Reviews and audits to examine the efficiency of the model assembly quality and model progression against agreed dates. We can also provide the management and delivery of data drops at practical completion.

• Overview of the production management and quality of the as-built record models; federated Navisworks model as well as native BIM models.

• Provide data integration for the chosen BIM4FM integrator in the case of an FM system being required.

Note that authoring duties for models are not included. We suggest these duties remain with the parties responsible for producing the design, construction, record information / models and as fitted models.

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Model Validation and Verification

Validation and verification of BIM models is an essential part of BIM management. BIM Academy can provide a validation service to ensure compliance with the BIM Management Plan. This is increasingly important where the brief calls for a BIM4FM solution. It is essential that a record BIM model contains accurate geometry that reflects where it is installed, and that the requisite data links and data are embedded as required. By doing this well, we can significantly reduce the costs associated with BIM integrator tools and migrated data.

Model Analysis and Workflow Management

The ability to control aspects of the design and deliverables from within the native model can have enormous impact on time and efficiency when managing specific outcomes. The use of internal scheduling, which can be used by the production team or exported for review in Excel format, can give immediate feedback and assist teams in working within certain boundaries.

Elemental quantities are constantly updated as the model is developed. Paired with supplied information on supply and install costs, estimates

for specific aspects of a project can be managed in real time.

A shopping centre redevelopment included a complex façade design linking existing and proposed sections of the project. As the design and spacing of the vertical components was developed, it was possible to see the impact on the façade budget. Therefore the integrity of the design does not need to be reactive to the value engineering process.

A government building provided a similar opportunity to manage an aspect of the project, however in this case it was related to the design brief.Given a tight time frame for a competition bid, the schedule of accommodation was a significant hurdle. Not just because of the bulk of information, but also because of the requirement to work within a percentage difference for each room’s area placed into the design.

As a consequence, the team implemented an internal schedule that accounted for the brief and the room measurement at the same time. By measuring the percentage difference between the two areas, a difference beyond the defined limit could be highlighted within the internal schedule.

This instant feedback on how the team were adhering to the brief gave the team an efficiency that contributed significantly to the bid being successful.

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BIM Execution Planning and Strategic Advice

Intelligent procurement is vital to achieving economically and environmentally sustainable solutions for buildings, both in terms of capital cost, energy use, carbon and long term flexibility. Clients who are bought into BIM will make better informed decisions for the building’s life cycle and BIM Academy’s expertise facilitates and unlocks this.

In the case of its work with Dumfries and Galloway on their new district hospital, BIM was an integral part of the tender process, requiring Navisworks and a detailed facilities management brief.

BIM Academy have advised large organisations such as university estates, residential developers and health trusts on the strategic business value of BIM and its application to the management of their estates. For example with the role of BIM in capital projects where BIM Academy has facilitated the integration of existing estate and legacy asset management systems.

In the case of Greenwich Peninsula, developer Knight Dragon wanted to use BIM to embed a coordinated design at the earliest opportunity across the whole scheme. Having procured the services of six different design practices they required BIM Academy’s expertise to create a design commonality. Early engagement has allowed BIM Academy to facilitate timely informed decision making by all parties, resulting in affordable solutions and efficiencies in design and construction time in a BIM enabled environment. BIM should not just be about buildings, or design. The BIM Academy approach is about unlocking BIM as a decision making tool, creating efficiencies, long term viability and design excellence

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Training

BIM Academy has enjoyed award success at national (Constructing Excellence Special Innovation Award, 2013) and international level (Build London Live, 2012; Build Qatar Live, 2013; Build Sydney Live, 2013) competitions thereby enhancing the international reputation of UK knowledge leadership in BIM and IPD.

Based upon experience of, and success in such BIM competitions we have produced Virtual Project, a three day structured CPD course that uses BIM software and IPD principles to allow multidisciplinary teams to work collaboratively on a realistic project in controlled conditions. Virtual Project courses were launched in 2013 as a key developmental resource to enhance professional practice and up-skill individual professionals.

This module complements the suites of programmes that have been developed for training, clients, designers, constructors and the supply chain. This suite of programmes can be delivered both within the UK and internationally.

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Model Authoring

Our team has over 10 years practical experience authoring Building Information Models in an industry environment using a variety of engineering and architectural software, with particular expertise in Autodesk Revit suite. We can also provide Revit Architectural models as part of our strategic implementation offer, partnering with an architectural practice to develop their BIM skills.

The extent of modelling that we traditionally undertake is for design intent. Modelling past this stage (i.e. beyond LOD 300) remains with the contractor and their supply chain.

Laser Scanning

Members of our delivery and academic teamhave several years’ experience in the research and application of laser scanning and photogrammetric survey techniques and their application to existing buildings and structures as a basis for design and for compliance checking of as-built installations. The team use a range of tools including the Faro Focus 3D high speed laser scanner.

BIM Academy also have relationships with a network of specialist laser scanning organisations who have the capability to undertake work to our detailed scoping requirements both within UK and internationally.

We are using laser scanning to create prompt cloud scans and ‘data’ rich BIM models that capture the FM requirements of existing estate for a number of clients. In addition to creating a ‘new’ digital record of an existing asset we can contribute to the Heath and Safety management of the facility. A number of our clients now benefit from the ‘digital’ asbestos records we have enabled them to provide.

On Durham Cathedral BIM Academy have created a Revit model from the point cloud scan and dynamically linked the content of the model to a series of room data sheets.

Within the data sheets, the room function, contents and condition of the asset are linked to the model through mobile field devices that can record information that is captured ‘live’ and distributed to the parametric fields within the models.

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Animations, HD images, and Visualisations

BIM Academy and Ryder can provide supporting animations, high level competition standard HD images, and visualisations. This can be undertaken with significant efficiency and cost effectiveness due to our skills in constructing models in an expedient manner and with our ability to enable the storyboard around the project design and construction, including construction build sequencing. Increasing these can be accessed for demonstration purposes on mobile devices.

We increasingly work in partnership with Soluis (UK) who are a leading edge expert in providing computer generated images, build sequence motion graphics, and immersion of photo realistic visual environments. We offer a level of service, and a suite of services far above and beyond that found in a traditional CGI studio. We realise that our work has to communicate to people at all levels of understanding and interest.

As a starting point to inform this discussion, please review our current construction animations page, which contains a wide range of bid presentation styles across different project types:

• Animated Build, Phasing and Logistics Sequences

The following alternative page is a more general overview of the wide variety of presentation and engagement solutions we offer across each division, and you may feel something like this is more relevant to the wide range of requirements you will be responding to:

• Architecture and Interior Design Imagery

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Component Libraries and Specification Development

BIM Academy have been working in collaboration with RIBA Enterprises (NBS) to provide construction professionals with free generic BIM objects for a comprehensive range of systems and products such as walls, windows, doors, foundations, cladding and roofs. This commission has recently been extended to author proprietary objects for manufacturers. BIM Academy now provides object library training, and was acknowledged as key contributors to the newly published NBS Object Library Standard.

4D Construction Sequencing - Project BIM Models

BIM Academy undertakes construction sequencing linked to 3D models through packages such as Synchro, Asta Power Project, and Navisworks. By linking in the planned build sequence with the way the model is built, models can be used to plan and execute the works. Additionally, by comparing the planned sequence with the actual sequence, we can compare progress on site.

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5D Cost Management

Our team has experience of the application of cost management technologies such as CostX and BIM Measure on live projects. We work closely with our partners to enable dynamic costing of the live design is facilitated. This assists the Project Cost Manager to accurately measure the cost of the design, and enabling a functional analysis of the developing design.

The model can be constructed with the relevant cost place-holders that allow quantity extraction at the relevant stage.

3D design creates the opportunity to review the developing design and schedule out elemental area and quantities at the appropriate stage in the design. We work with our partners in the process to assist in the creation and construction of information for early cost planning. This creates downstream efficiencies to provide increased cost certainty, and create transparency and trust in the developing design that would not otherwise be possible by working in a 2D design.

Cost plans can be linked dynamically to the design model with the cost plan modified quickly with each interaction of the model issue.

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6D Facilities Management and BIM Integration

Manchester Central Library is part of a wider refurbishment scheme for the Manchester Town Hall Complex. The library is a Grade II* heritage listed building and BIM Academy have deployed a streamlined design coordination process using BIM technologies and workflows.

BIM Academy’s work on 1930s built library highlights our capacity to offer unique expertise, working closely with major public sector clients. Manchester City Council was focused on obtaining BIM benefits at the construction phase, but lacked awareness of a long term facilities management (FM) strategy. BIM Academy worked with the client, developing their FM strategy, up-skilling their personnel and fast-tracking their proficiency. By illustrating the benefits of reconfiguring the design and construction with a data rich BIM model, the client subsequently set out to integrate this into a new, council-wide estate management system.

Ensuring a building’s operational costs are managed is vitally important to clients and developers and Ryder’s BIM for facilities management (BIM4FM) expertise is integral to this. Recently, BIM Academy supported the aspirations of Sydney Opera House (SOH) to develop an integrated BIM4FM solution.

The project involved a detailed consultation process with SOH personnel on current and future operational needs, a review of the current systems used to operate the building and consultation with the software market in order to soft-test the proposed solution. This led to the creation of a detailed technical specification and model management plan, enabling the market to tender for and deliver a solution that meets the SOH’s long term requirements.

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BIM Academy Australia Contacts

Sam CollardCEng MSc FCIBSETechnical Director

Will JoskeB. ArchConsultant (Australia)

www.bimacademy.ac.uk

M: +44 (0) 7808 041445sam.collard@bimacademy.ac.uk

M: +61 (4) 02 289 836will.joske@bimacademy.ac.uk

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