BIM

Aukett Swanke has embraced BIM tools and digital collaborative methodologies in a journey that started in 2007. As early adopters, it is with great enthusiasm that we see the AEC industry widely adopting BIM and digital design processes

Internally we have successfully deployed Autodesk Revit as our Design Authoring tool of choice for 100% of our projects, and complementary enhanced the design development process with Enscape 3D – VR technology capable to render BIM Models in real-time.

Aukett Swanke are founding members of the Digital Design Leadership Group – a joined effort of thought leadership, and a forum where large architectural practices based in the UK are helping to drive the industry forward into the digital age. Current Group members include AHMM, BDP, Grimshaw Architects, Roger Stirk Harbour + Partners, Zaha Hadid Architects, amongst others. Practices in the Group share their experiences and challenges and also engage directly with partners like Autodesk and its competitors, pushing innovation and technology development.

We have long seen the potential of BIM and digital technologies to enhance the Design coordination process. We have extensive experience dealing with automated clash detection and recognise the value it brings to BIM projects. We have used and interacted with clash detection softwares such as Navisworks Manage, Solibri, BIM 360, and cloud-based issue management applications like BIMcollab, BIM Track, Revizto, etc.

The success of automated clash detection process in a project does not rely solely on the use of technology. In fact, people, human engagement and collaborative working practices – together with clash detection tech – are all equal key contributors to achieve a coordinated design. As an example, at EQ, a live project in Bristol, we have proactively engaged with the MEP and structural engineers participating in automated clash detection workshops led by a third-party project BIM / Information Manager, to resolve design issues related to hard and soft clashes between Model elements.

We can proudly say that we have been highly praised by our client and BIM consultant for the quality of our BIM Model, and the level of coordination that we have achieved to date.

Automated Clash Detection has also been deployed on our STEAMhouse 2 project, also currently under construction. The building’s end user, Birmingham City University, has a highly ambitious plan to digitise their entire estate, and they are determined to reap all the benefits that BIM can yield.

BIM has the potential of being used during the entire lifecycle of the building, including the operational phase, not just design and construction stages. For this to become a reality, BIM according to BS EN ISO 19650 – also known as the UK BIM Framework (former BIM Level 2) – is required to be deployed from early stages. Model geometry will be associated with a minimum Level of Detail for the appropriate stage, and data embedded in the Model will need to be structured.

We at Aukett Swanke have been expanding our experience in delivering BIM Models for Facilities Management. For our EQ, Bristol project we are exporting COBie (Construction to Operations Building Information Exchange) data in Excel spreadsheets format, as well as IFC. Maintainable assets have been populated with Uniclass 2015 classification codes.

We are available to assist Clients and liaise with Facilities Management teams to help setting out the project BIM requirements and create the EIRs (Exchange Information Requirements) protocol.

Specific workflows can then be detailed in the project specific BEP (BIM Execution Plan) to harvest the benefits of a fully operational BIM process:

Data exchange protocol and collaboration process;
Spatial coordination/ clash avoidance;
Asset information strategy with direct BIM Model integration with Facilities Management systems and room data population;
Modelling Level of Detail and Level of Information Need across RIBA stages (Responsibility Matrix); and
Visualisation and presentation, and enabling technology, amongst others.

View 3D panorama of our Radio House project by dragging hand tool

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