If you like to geek out on building information modeling and virtual design and construction, you should enjoy this overview of the top BIM/VDC topics. The following collection of feature stories and case studies is based on the number of BDCnetwork.com readers who clicked on the article in the past 10 months. The topics range from BIM for facilities management applications to modular data centers to augmented reality.
1. “BIM Becomes VDC”
By John Tobin, LEED AP, Director of Architecture, EYP Architecture & Engineering
The disruptive growth of BIM has been largely due to the unanticipated interest contractors have taken in the technology. Contractors have grasped the power of BIM with far more vigor than designers. Contractors look at BIM models and immediately understand how they could be used for VDC tasks. www.BDCnetwork.com/vdc
2. “Augmented reality goes mainstream: 12 applications for design and construction firms”
By David Barista, Editor-in-Chief, BD+C
Thanks to inexpensive mobile devices and increasingly advanced software apps, Building Teams are finally able to bring their BIM models to life on the job site. This article offers a dozen distinct applications for augmented reality and profiles one of the nation’s largest AR implementations: the Oakland Medical Center Replacement. www.BDCnetwork.com/ar
3. “’My BIM Journey’ – 6 Lessons from a BIM/VDC Expert”
By Jared Krieger, AIA, LEED AP, Project Manager, Gensler
From applying the two-inch rule to simplifying the BIM execution plan, Gensler’s Jared Krieger offers valuable advice for taming BIM/VDC workflows based on his five-year journey with the technology. Krieger discusses how to prepare for virtual coordination meetings, work more effectively with subs on BIM-driven projects, and apply clash detection tools more effectively. www.BDCnetwork.com/mybim
4. “World’s tallest children’s hospital pushes BIM to the extreme”
By David Barista, BD+C
Learn how the Building Team for the 23-story Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago implemented an integrated BIM/VDC/IPD workflow. This report includes an in-depth look at the coordination of the tower’s 10th-floor mechanical space, which, according to the Building Team, could not have been built within the time frame and budget without the use of BIM and VDC. www.BDCnetwork.com/bimhospital
5. “Level of Development: Will a new standard bring clarity to BIM model detail?”
By Jeffrey Yoders, Contributing Editor, BD+C
This article breaks down the Levels of Development Specification developed by BIMForum. The document will allow Building Teams to specify and articulate with a high level of clarity the content and reliability of BIM models at various stages of development. www.BDCnetwork.com/levels
6. “BIM 2.0: AEC firms share their vision for the great leap forward in BIM/VDC implementation”
By David Barista, BD+C
For our 2013 Giants 300 Report, BD+C reached out to dozens of AEC firms that made our annual BIM Giants lists and asked one simple question: What does BIM 2.0 look like to you? What they had to offer ranged from augmented reality applications to “smart” job sites to BIM for O&M tasks. www.BDCnetwork.com/bim2.0
7. “5 tips for running a successful BIM coordination meeting”
By Jared Krieger, AIA, LEED AP, Project Manager, Gensler
BIM tools are great, but if you can’t run efficient, productive coordination meetings, the Building Team will never realize the benefits of true BIM coordination. The author offers helpful tips for making the most of BIM coordination meetings based on his experience working on BIM/VDC-driven projects. www.BDCnetwork.com/5tips
8. “Hospital project pioneers BIM/VDC-based integrated project delivery”
By Jeffrey Yoders, Contributing Editor, BD+C
Everyone talks about the need to bring together BIM/VDC and integrated project delivery in the design and construction of complex projects, but so far there have been few cases of true integration. Jeffrey Yoders profiles one of these rare projects: the Marlborough Hospital Cancer Pavilion. www.BDCnetwork.com/ipdhospital
9. “Electronic surveying improves accuracy on BIM-driven hospital project”
By Robert Cassidy, Editorial Director, BD+C
In the rapidly changing world of virtual design and construction, the MEP component of building information modeling has earned a reputation as something of a technology laggard. That negative perception is changing, as MEP engineers find new ways to put BIM to use. www.BDCnetwork.com/surveying
10. “BIM-driven prototype turns data centers into a kit of parts”
By Ryan Schultz and Timothy Connor, Architects, Sheehan Partners
Considering their predominantly functional and technical nature, data centers are becoming as much a product as they are a building. This article explores a BIM-designed data center prototype that takes advantage of mass customization of assemblies to achieve higher levels of efficiencies. www.BDCnetwork.com/bimdatacenters
11. “7 ways it pays to use BIM for data centers”
By David Barista, BD+C
Perhaps no other project type stands to benefit more from coordination using BIM and VDC than data centers. This article explores how AEC firms and owners are getting the most bang for the buck when using BIM/VDC on data centers. www.BDCnetwork.com/7ways
For more BIM articles, visit: www.BDCnetwork.com/bimit.
Related Stories
| Aug 11, 2010
ZweigWhite names its fastest-growing architecture, engineering, and environmental firms
Management consulting and research firm ZweigWhite has identified the 200 fastest-growing architecture, engineering, and environmental consulting firms in the U.S. and Canada for its annual ranking, The Zweig Letter Hot Firm List. This annual list features the design and environmental firms that have outperformed the economy and competitors to become industry leaders.
| Aug 11, 2010
SSOE, Fluor among nation's largest industrial building design firms
A ranking of the Top 75 Industrial Design Firms based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit http://www.BDCnetwork.com/Giants
| Aug 11, 2010
Best AEC Firms of 2011/12
Later this year, we will launch Best AEC Firms 2012. We’re looking for firms that create truly positive workplaces for their AEC professionals and support staff. Keep an eye on this page for entry information. +
| Aug 11, 2010
AAMA leads development of BIM standard for fenestration products
The American Architectural Manufacturers Association’s newly formed BIM Task Group met during the AAMA National Fall Conference to discuss the need for an BIM standard for nonresidential fenestration products.
| Aug 11, 2010
HGA creates greener outlook with print systems from Océ
Since its founding in 1953, HGA Architects and Engineers (HGA), a full service integrated architectural and engineering firm, has operated with an unwavering belief that good design is sustainable. HGA takes its environmental responsibility seriously, both in the buildings the firm designs, its internal operations and its vendor partnerships. Therefore, when HGA decided to investigate new options for its printing and scanning needs, the firm wanted a vendor who shared its values.
| Aug 11, 2010
ACSA announces 2008-2009 ACSA/AISC steel design student competition winners
The Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) is pleased to announce the winners of the ninth annual steel design student competition for the 2008-2009 academic year. Administered by the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) and sponsored by the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), the program challenged students, working individually or in teams, to explore a variety of design issues related to the use of steel in design and construction.
| Aug 11, 2010
iSqFt acquires technology and key assets of Plan Express Inc.
Today iSqFt, the nation’s leading online preconstruction network, announced it has purchased the technology and key assets of Plan Express, Inc., a partner document-sharing network.
| Aug 11, 2010
Autodesk 2010 Certification Now Available for Design Professionals
Autodesk, Inc., (Nasdaq: ADSK), today announced that design and engineering professionals can become Autodesk Certified in AutoCAD 2010, Autodesk Inventor 2010, Autodesk Revit Architecture 2010, and AutoCAD Civil 3D 2010 software. Becoming Autodesk Certified allows professionals, and companies boasting Autodesk Certified employees, to validate their industry skills and knowledge, demonstrate expertise and gain credibility.
| Aug 11, 2010
Jacobs, CH2M Hill, AECOM top BD+C's ranking of the 75 largest federal government design firms
A ranking of the Top 75 Federal Government Design Firms based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit http://www.BDCnetwork.com/Giants
| Aug 11, 2010
AGC: Construction unemployment reaches 19.2%
Unemployment in the construction sector climbed to a “horrendous” 19.2 percent (not-seasonally adjusted) as an additional 59,000 construction workers lost their jobs in May according to new federal data, said construction economist Ken Simonson today.