BUILDING INFORMATION MODELINGShaping the Future of Construction

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is the process of generating and managing building data during its life cycle.

It uses three-dimensional, real-time, dynamic building modeling software to increase productivity in building design and construction.

BIM encompasses: building geometry, spatial relationships, geographic information, and quantities and properties of building components.

A CASE STUDY:HYATT REGENCY ATLANTA

The Project: Design a New Slab at the Lobby Bar.

The Workspace: Adding a new slab above a high-ceilinged meeting space to complete the lobby bar would require changes to the building’s plumbing, pipes, and mechanical equipment.

The Challenge:

To minimize disruption to the hotel, we did not have the luxury of tearing open the building to assess the structure, nor did we have the option of operating during daytime hours.

The Solution: We went in to the hotel at night and exposed the structure temporarily to a laser scanner. We were then able to use BIM to produce a 3D model of the area with exact dimensions and building components.

Using these 3D models to compare the existing to the proposed new structure, we were able to determine two areas of potential conflict.

1. The team discovered a potential conflict between the existing steel beams and the design plan for the Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing layout. The proposed beam would have been 3 inches too long.

2. The second conflict was between the existing and new structure and the curtain wall layout. We discovered that the architect and the steel subcontractor were using different backgrounds and start points for the steel layout, which would have resulted in multiple conflicts with the new and existing structural steel.

Furthermore, the Hyatt wanted the ceilings to be as high as possible. BIM was used to detail the layout of the MEP and fire protection systems to ensure everything would fit in the restricted ceiling space. Pipes needed to be re-routed and ductwork needed to be split. Without BIM technology it would have been nearly impossible to plan for the minute details of raising and lowering materials in the structure.

Winter, the architect, and the subcontractors worked together with 3D images to solve all conflicts BEFORE starting the fabrication process – as opposed to finding the conflicts in the field. The team saved the Hyatt from costly delays, disruption, re-design, and re-ordering of materials.

The beauty of BIM was realized in the construction of a new lobby bar, free from structural conflicts in its mechanical, electrical or plumbing systems…

…and a lower level seating area free from conflict between the curtain wall and steel structure.