The benefits of VDC is not in the eye candy of renderings. Save those for the end of the process when all the answers have been given and things are well defined. The real benefits are running analysis of spaces and envelopes and comparing options quickly to help in scope, energy efficiency, daylighting, passive cooling and occupant safety and code compliance. Keep the pretty pictures vague and loose before things are tied down. The public is expecting the cinema-like pictures and animations because they see all the stuff at the movies. Why spend the time and detail in fleshing out a germ of an idea when it is over budget and will cost the client a fortune to maintain for 50 years? Do I need to mention to not deal with consultants who are stuck in the 2d flatland? The time you put into a model that is not being used by the whole team of designers is worthless. The coordination issues between disciplines multiplies the less you share your model. When it is all wrapped up in a bow and the finishes are all chosen, then spend the bucks on a pretty picture for the job sign using the money you saved from not doing 10 different versions of the rendering.
Original Message------
Great insight Andrew. Thank you for explaining your experience and processes.
Here are some of my thoughts about technology. I'm 46 now. I grew up on technology also in the early 80's. What an amazing time period to be in. Atari, Apple, Commodore, Amiga, Microsoft, TRS 80, PC's, video arcade games, walkmans, CD digital audio, VHS, Betamax. All revolutionary. I still to this day look with excitement at the new 21st century technology as I did when I was in my teens and 20's with 80's tech. Learning Autocad was an amazing experience. I always knew growing up that 3D technology was the future. When I first saw that opening sequence for "The Black Hole" (1979) I was blown away. That was all computer generated. When I saw the Genesis sequence from Star Trek 2, TRON, The Last Starfighter, The Abyss, Terminator 2, Jurassic Park, Toy Story, Titanic, The Matrix, and so on and so on. All this technology could be utilized in design and construction. When I found out about 3D Studio around 1996, I spent countless nights with my co-worker at our computer and we just test and learned how to use the software and we were very successful with and were able to produce some really neat animations. I still have those old 640x480 animations. So, I focused on 3D modeling in the 1990's and early 2000's. I learned how to use 3DS Max on my own and did a lot of 3D rendering and animations from around 1999-2009. Then Revit came along and I realized this was finally the bridge I was looking for. To draw and model in 3D was the way to go.
I never wanted to be that guy that needs to ask for help on how to use technology. I will not fall behind with tech. So again, I forced myself to learn how to use Revit, how to make families and parametric models from 2009-2014. It wasn't easy. It required a new way of looking at projects and it was certainly a disruptive technology. But, I forced myself to do it and it paid off. I think our generation has just as much capability to learn knew things as anyone. You just gotta force yourself to do it. I made the move to construction now because they are really pushing construction technology. I got my part 107 FAA drone certification also and I can now fly on my projects and scan and create photogrammetry models. We use Matterport and laser scanning on our projects. Lot's of amazing things we're doing in the 21st century. I try to make sure my kids ask me how to do something on their phone, not the other way around. I "try" at least. LOL.
Anyway, I don't want to sound arrogant or anything. It's just a passion I have for this stuff and I really think if people apply themselves and take some time, they can be very successful with it. I just want to be one step ahead of everyone else. Don't ever want to be left behind and feel like I'm trying to catch up. Technology is evolving faster and faster and it's getting harder and harder to keep up and discern which tech is the right one to concentrate on.
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Adam Hockley
C-BIM, Assoc. AIA
Bartlett Cocke General Contractors
San Antonio TX
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Original Message:
Sent: 07-16-2019 20:53
From: Andrew Dwight
Subject: Virtual Design and Construction
Hi Adam, some interesting points that I have heard before and I know there are opportunities in these points as I have encountered them myself.
For this who are unaware of project size, VDC models in my view should be used on projects from 30k to the most significant project imaginable.
Adam you mentioned, "The overall attitude was that they could draw faster in CAD". This is understood, as primarily fees are structured around deliverables, (unfortunately, the deliverable does not have the value to the client or the project,) as it does the firm's cash flow.
Here's how I overcame this issue. I employed a junior, straight from school, right about now many are just about to zone out... Yes, the younger generation can be a handful if you don't take advantage of their tech strengths, I found they thrive when you do. We understand our generation, and our associates' strengths and weaknesses. I wrongly assumed that 2d CAD was some staffs main strength; however, the real strength was experience in how a project should go together. The flip side is also true we all get our children to fix our phones, why? Because they get technology, it's in their DNA, and this is the value of the generation. For my design-build business, I'll employ straight from School, age 17 upwards, and the first thing they learn is how to draw using VDC software. I paired the young buck with the old bull (ME to start) My skill set was: understand the what and the why and their skillset was to implement the technology "the how".
I am sure that most are not aware of the improvement of communication from a VDC model; the difference is night and Day. When a VDC is set up correctly, it can be interrogated visually, VDCis not just for downstream it is also to enable us to design better by understanding what's behind teh hollow shells. I must say I was amazed at how many drawings faults I found in a project, that I did myself, when I redrew it using the VDC tools, it was actually quite embarrassing.
I do know that every firm could utilise a similar strategy to mine and run a small residential project to start in parallel. I find that most firms I deal with have troubles as they try and start a complex project straight out of the gate, which ultimately leads to frustration.
Ideally, we have an open Zoom or Go To meeting for interested people? I would certainly get something out of learning from Adam and Alfred or other with experience in VDC, and I may be able to share a few things as well.
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Andrew Dwight
Designer/BIM manager AAD Build
BDM RubySketch
Sydney Australia
Original Message:
Sent: 07-16-2019 15:50
From: Adam Hockley
Subject: Virtual Design and Construction
Wonderful responses so far from everyone. I'll just add my two cents also. My background is in Architecture, and was very involved with BIM/VDC at the last office that I worked. However, they started to revert back to 2D since some key people had left. A few of us there tried to continue the push with BIM, but it didn't take. The overall attitude was that they could draw faster in CAD. That may be true, but that obviously has no bearing on being productive or efficient. Long story short, some people I knew on the construction side were showing how the tech was being utilized and I made the move to construction for professional and personal reasons. Needless to say five years later, I now have an additional set of tools and management skills that I wish I could share back on the design side. I do as much as I can with my peers that I continue to have relationships with on the design side.
That being said, I really believe the solution to these complex projects with shorter timelines will require collaboration from ALL stakeholders on the project including subcontractors. All parties need to be brought in and I truly believe a lot of questions answered upfront regarding cost and quantities can be flushed out early on. It'll require a certain level of trust and transparency. That's a lot to ask of course. But, those willing to make that leap will enjoy a truly collaborative project. It's all headed that way already with CM at Risk contracts which we do a lot of where I work. We still don't bring in the sub's early on, but a few we have with "design assist" contracts for sub's.
I still haven't seen any IPD contracts yet, but that would be what we're all aiming for I think.
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Adam Hockley
Assoc. AIA
Bartlett Cocke General Contractors
San Antonio TX
Original Message:
Sent: 07-02-2019 12:43
From: Alfred Spagnolo
Subject: Virtual Design and Construction
The Search for a Solution: Transforming Design + Delivery through Virtual Design and Construction
Architects are being called on with increasing frequency to deliver more complex buildings with shorter delivery schedules.There is more to accomplish and less room for error; and in my opinion, the traditional approach by many architects, contractors and owners has many challenges and issues to overcome.
My firm has harnessed progressive and highly advanced technologies and integrated them with the most essential element in design: the relationship among human beings. With the right technological tools and the implementation of thoughtfully created execution success plans, the project delivery process can shift from adversarial to cooperative, a culture where blame follows failure to one in which trust fosters success - a winning formula for our enlightened clients.
In the spirit of the AIA's call to action in its 2006 Report on Integrated Practice, SGA has invested significantly in increasingly powerful software programs and tools, which ultimately led our firm to establishing a Virtual Design and Construction discipline in 2014. Time and again, on a broad spectrum of commissions, VDC has produced precedent setting milestones. Implementing Virtual Design and Construction in modeling, project delivery, curation and facilities management represents a paradigm shift for the profession of architecture. Our mastery of VDC has resulted in substantial cost savings, schedule reductions, elimination of on-site waste and has elevated my role as the architect in the project delivery process without comprising design quality. It is an architect led process that takes the confrontation out of the team dynamic and addresses directly the issues of waste, change orders and cost overruns that have plagued the design and construction industry.
Historically, architects were once viewed as Master Builders; I believe that by thinking beyond the boundaries of traditional practice and technology, and embracing the commanding power of VDC, architects can rise up into the position of Digital Builders. VDC is the long awaited "bridge between design and construction".
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Alfred Spagnolo AIA
Spagnolo Gisness & Associates, Inc.
Boston MA
AlfredAlfredAlfredAlfredAlfred
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