RBB Architects, Inc
12.5 Projects Profiled
The following projects show the high level of data management and control that typifies RBB’s work. RBB’s development of data tagging over the last 20 years has been a phenomenal achievement, especially considering it has only recently moved to a true BIM application (Revit.)
Each project highlights a different aspect of BIM and the core necessity to em-bed and extract data from building models.
12.5.1 Renovation of Environmental Research Building, Boise State
This is a new 97,000 sf building for the University of Boise in Boise, Idaho. Its end users will support education, research, and outreach involving environmental sci-ence and economic development. The design of the building reflected the desire to promote collaboration between the scientists, engineers, and public policy faculty who would share the building. The design reflected these current and future needs by developing a flexible design module. The infrastructure was similarly designed to ensure “future flexibility,” said Dvorak. This approach she added, “would permit rapid and inexpensive reconfiguration in response to changes in research project needs.”
The virtual models were created using Revit and exported to 3D Max (Figures 12.6 and 12.7). Boots said that they were one of RBB’s first experiences “using Re-vit and 3D Max in the same way we would have used 3D Max and ADT.” Because of limitations with textures, the objects in the models were replaced with versions that worked for 3D Max. RBB’s technical staff are working to eliminate the dupli-cation maintaining two sets of objects for CAD and for rendering. Other software used by the team included: Navisworks for model checking, Revit Architecture, Revit MEP for HVAC design, Autocad with Hydracad Fire Sprinkler software by Hydratec, QuickPen Pipe Designer 3-D for plumbing and electrical work, SDS/2 for structural steel design.
Lessons Learned
While RBB had utilized BIM on projects for many years, this was the first experi-ence for their client, Boise State University. The client’s knowledge and skill set with a BIM process lagged behind the rest of the project team. The design/build approach allowed for early participation of key subtrades. Boise State University was impressed with the results and felt this project raised the bar for all future cam-pus projects for which BIM is now required.
RBB noted that the as-built documentation provided to the client is far superior to the 2-D CAD drawings they received in the past. RBB feels that BIM will con-tinue to help their client throughout their use of the building.
12.5.2 North Inyo Hospital Phase II Expansion, Bishop, California
RBB is the Architect of Record for the $41 million, 54,000 sf/5,017 m² hospital expansion project. It will increase patient capacity by adding 25 surgical beds and a new 1,400 sf/130 m² central plant. Construction, which began in 2009, is scheduled
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to be completed in 2012. This project was originally designed and permitted by another architect. The District elected to have RBB supplant the original architect prior to construction after a thorough peer/constructability review.
Boots said, “While we believe the original architect used Revit to some extent, it was not a contractual obligation so only 2-D CAD files were turned over to the owner and made available to us. Turner Construction created a Revit model of ar-chitectural and structural elements so that the trades could do CDA in 3-D.”
Figure 12.6 Renovation of Environmental Research Building, Boise State, exterior view.
Figure 12.7 Renovation of Environmental Research Building, Boise State, exterior detail.
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So this was a hybrid situation where 2-D OSHPD drawings are maintained for change orders, the contractor does CDA and shop drawings in 3-D, and RBB participates in 3-D WebEx collision resolution meetings. Color Plate 9 is one of the interior spaces rendered from RBB’s virtual model.
Due to the lack of coordination of the design by the original A/E team, there were many conflicts to resolve. RBB is using an Integrated Project Development (IPD) approach and working closely with Turner Construction on the fast-track construction schedule. Turner is using Navisworks to coordinate the virtual models running clash detection (Color Plate 7). RBB has an in-house clash-detection capa-bility as seen in Figure 12.8.
12.5.3 Mission Hospital Acute Care Tower, Mission Viejo, California
This project for St. Joseph Health System is a $100 million, 106,000 sf/9,848 m² critical care tower. The design includes 28 surgical/medial beds, 20 ICU beds imag-ing, nuclear medicine, chapel, support, and mechanical space. The highly detailed virtual models seen in Figures 12.1 and 12.9 were created to resolve construction problems. They were also used by the fabricators. This is an example of the BIM database being used by multiple project team members for their specific needs.
Kevin Boots describes the project:
The project was one of our first BIM uses in the office. We did not create the proj-ect in 3-D. The planning for the projproj-ect started in 2001 with design documents started in 2002 in ADT. Construction was completed in 2010. The Exterior Brac-ing claddBrac-ing and the cylindrical Chapel and roof design posed some significant challenges in 2D. A full size mock-up of one bay of the exterior bracing was built at the job-site when excavation began to work out some of the concerns with the cladding. Although the full size physical mock-up was extremely useful, there remained a series of contractor suggested modifications that the team wanted to
Figure 12.8 Issue Trak, RBB’s in-house tracking system. RBB has a well-developed in-house support team including software developers. Once, when one of its in-house developers was on vacation in Japan, he shocked the staff by responding to an automatically generated e-mail error sent to RBB’s core support team. He responded remotely, getting the issue fixed for the team who were on dead-line. RBB takes staff support and training to a very high level.
12.5 Projects Profiled 131 explore. The Owner St. Josephs Healthcare System authorized a Revit Model be constructed by Vico who then was engaged to run Clash Detection meetings for McCarthy Construction.
The virtual mock-up was completed after the physical one, and allowed for the exploration of several “what-if” scenarios. Sequencing and erection procedures were evaluated. In addition problems were solved that were discovered during the Shop Drawing process for the Metal Panel cladding. The Project Team won a Part-nering Award (Marvin Black Award) and a BIM award for the effort. The project was not started in 3-D, but, 3-D showed its value during Construction. The project was a traditional Design-Bid-Build delivery, but the team collaborated as if it was a Design Assist or Design Build method.
Lessons Learned
By using IPD and BIM RBB was able to minimize the budget and schedule impacts of problems inherent in the design after their team took over the project. By work-ing together, said Dvorak, the field team was able to “efficiently devise resolu-tions to foreseen conflicts and model those potential fixes to foreseen conflicts in real-time.”
By embracing BIM the owner saw tangible benefits and avoided costly change orders saving an estimated $2.5 million. The overall final project cost was $4.8 million under budget. James Ho, Regional Director of Construction, St. Joseph Health, summed up their feelings about the success of this project when he said
Figure 12.9 Mission Hospital virtual model of interior lab space.
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“This level of commitment and partnership has set a new precedent for excellence and a model for partnering on future projects.”
The time savings in the project schedule was also noted. It was estimated that without utilizing BIM, resolution of the complex skin would have taken twice as long and an early project completion goal would not have been achieved.
Using BIM, Dvorak notes that the positive impacts on time efficiency and cost has made a lasting impact on both the client’s and design team’s strategies for fu-ture projects.
12.6 Summary
RBB is committed to the BIM process. Some of the benefits include:
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• Using their tools more efficiently;
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• Making decisions earlier;
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• Better coordination;
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• Discovering problems earlier and implementing less costly resolutions earlier in process;
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• Detecting problems in 3-D modeling more easily than working in the 2-D world;
RBB finds that the BIM process leads to higher quality work for less cost RBB’s goals, and benefiting its clients.
Reference
[1] http://www.mechdyne.com/cave.aspx.
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