RobiNZ CAD Blog

Realising the Freedom Tower: Pioneering Process Change - Darren J. Rizza - Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP

Introduction;

Darren’s presentation covered Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM) evolution from CAD to Building Information Modelling and how it’s being applied to the Freedom Tower Project, the reasons for changing to Building Information Model (BIM) and the impacts of those changes on industry and practice.

These are my notes; Darren detailed these headings with project examples, liberal graphics and video. In a separate presentation he showed BIM use for visualisation. I've added a few links – in italics –  to relevant articles/sites discovered while researching this post which were not directly quoted in the presentation.

Profile;

• Darren J. Rizza - SOM Firmwide Digital Design Director
• IT Systems
• Knowledge Management
• Digital Design Applications

Realising the Freedom Tower: Pioneering Process Change

SOM's BIM History;

Darren outlined SOM's history with BIM which they termed, back in the 80's, "Reality before Reality". At that stage the desire to model projects led SOM to develop AES, an in-house BIM solution created in partnership with IBM. This was used for Frank Ghery's Bilbao Guggenheim Structure & is still in use for some projects.

In the 90's there was a  realisation that an in-house solution was a dead end. It worked but no other partners could use it and sharing information is crucial to BIM. SOM adopted a mix of AutoCAD/Architectural Desktop, which partially addressed the BIM goal.

In the early 2000's SOM was still seeking a true BIM solution. After extensive evaluation of possible technologies SOM adopted Revit as their BIM solution. Today SOM deploy a mix of these applications and technologies, from AES to Revit, depending on the project demand and team resources.

The Freedom Tower Project - "Recapture the skyline";

Darren introduced The Freedom Tower project outlining the process that led to SOM being involved in realising the The Freedom Tower design competition winner.

With a complex site and many interested parties there was a demand for modelling to create and communicate the design. This huge project is, for understandable reasons, employing state of the art security and safety design. The project also has to meet strict environmental guidelines to minimise it's impact and maximise operational efficiency.

In April 2005, with the project well underway, security demands required a complete redesign. The result is an SOM design, a 1776 ft high structure with 69 floors, 2.6 million feet of commercial office space, Restaurants, Observation Decks and Public spaces, in an asymmetrical tower that twists as it rises topped off with a cable stayed broadcast antenna.(Image right Copyright SOM)

• SOM Freedom Tower Project Site - www.freedomtower.som.com 
• World Trade Center Site - www.wtc.com

SOM, Freedom Tower & Revit;

The demand for BIM;

Experience with previous projects convinced SOM a revolutionary approach was needed. Simply coordinating documentation and detecting/resolving interferences consumes a huge amount of resource in a large project. BIM promised to reduce or eliminate these efforts by aiding design visualisation, analysis and document coordination.

Why Revit?

Revit was initially adopted for sub-ground structure only. A "small trial" although small in this case means 15 underground levels of building, subway and major infrastructure! Tower was to be done conventionally in ADT/AutoCAD but after success with the sub-ground portion the Revit team just kept going and completed the whole structure.

The final design uses Revit for;

• Sub-ground, building and interior - Revit Building.
• Building Systems - Massed in Revit Building until Revit Systems was available, now Revit Systems.
• Structure - Revit Structure model being used along with external packages for Load Analysis and Tender detail spec.
• Visualisation:
• Heavy use of Revit Shaded Views - without render - for Design Development &  Client communication.
• Final High Quality output and video production with 3D Max & Combustion.

Collaboration Software;

• Buzzsaw -   Project Documentation
• Constructware -  Tender Process

Review;

• SOM review room uses Tablet PC's + Plasma Screen for digital review
• Revit Model can be reviewed live, Revit Design Options used to aid this.
• Design information is shared using Design Web Format (DWF) and revisions captured with Autodesk Design Review.

Autodesk Consulting;

• Autodesk Consulting are a Project Partner with equal status as typical AEC Consultants (Structure, Services etc) would have in a conventional project.
• They provide; Training, Support, Application & Content Development.

Impacts on Process;

Process Change;

• Traditional Work-flow: 
• People work on sheets creating views (plans, elevations, details etc) with maybe separate 3D Models created for Presentation or Analysis.
• Information/data is structured for presentation on sheets. Layering based on line/view visibility.
• The deliverable is sheets/schedules used to transfer information to Consultants, Clients etc
• BIM Work-flow:
• People create a model  which captures objects and object relationships, all aspects computable for analysis.
• Information structure reflects real world systems and objects with object display based visibility - Layers only considered for output to traditional CAD formats.
• Object relationships, quantities and properties captured.
• The work-flow and workset structure is based on system/function not output (sheet) or visibility as information is simply a report from the model.
• The deliverable is a model from which sheets, schedules and views are simply reports.

The demand to share...

• Freedom Tower Project operates under an Open Information Policy.
• Sharing is not an option.
• Architects share and manage a master BIM.
• Consultants contribute to the shared BIM:
• Structure, Services, Tender Details.
• Later:
• Construction "as builds" will be added to the BIM
• The client can use the BIM to manage the asset.

BIM's shared among all;

• Freedom Tower makes extensive use of linking, worksets and copy/monitor to manage access/updates.
• SOM Maintain Masters which are sync'd across the offices.

When everything is touched by everyone…?

• "Separate Liability" is a legacy concept. Shared Liability, Everyone is responsible.
• Legacy regulatory structures are struggling to cope with this:
• Legal Liability...   [RC: How do you manage that?] Phil Bernstein added that the AIA are reviewing contract documentation in light of new BIM process demands
• Contracts based on segregation...    [RC Don't work]
• Charging is based on project value is dated... The BIM is an asset for the building owner… Should demand extra fees.

Benefits of BIM;

• "Lets Designers think about design, not documentation"
• Visualisation throughout the process
• Design not document focused, until documents are needed
• Coordination is enforced by the system, not dependent on the user
• Easier to offer more options, better solutions
• Analysis
• Interference checking
• Simulation: Energy, Lighting, Structural Behaviour
• Quantity & estimation: Areas, Volumes, Components.
• Time reduction: Instant revision, Live model for review
• Client communication.

Links;

• The Venue was a SOM Project, Korea World Trade Center
• Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP Standardizes Freedom Tower Project on Autodesk Revit Platform - Autodesk Press Release
• AEC Magazine - BIM and the Freedom Tower

Disclosure;
My travel & accommodation was provided by Autodesk Building Solutions Division, Asia Pacific.
I own both Autodesk Architectural Desktop & Viz Licences – http://rcd.typepad.com/about.html
I use/manage ADT, ABS, Viz and Revit applications for The Warehouse Limited, a retail company in New Zealand.

Tags: Skidmore,+Owings+&+Merrill+LLP, Freedom+Tower, Building+Information+Model

"Transforming Building Process: Ideas Realised" - Phil Bernstein - Autodesk Building Solutions Division

Introduction:

Phil Bernstein’s presentation covered the transition from traditional drawing board, to CAD, to Building Information Modelling as techniques to capture project design information. It covered the reasons for change and the impacts of those changes on industry and practice.

These are my notes; Phil detailed these headings with examples, research and industry examples. I've added a few links – in italics –  to relevant articles/sites discovered while researching this post which were not directly quoted in the presentation.

Phil Bernstein Profile;

• VP Industry Relations & Strategy - Autodesk BSD Division
• Lecturer in Professional Practice - Yale University
• Chair of Contract Documentation Committee - American Institute of Architects
• Architect
• Phil Bernstein Profile @ Autodesk Green
• Phil Bernstein Profile @ Yale School of Architecture

"Transforming Building Process: Ideas Realised"

BIM & Process Change;

The AEC industry is facing increased demand for productivity driven by economic demands, technological changes and new working methods. Traditional process struggles to deliver when faced with the demand for concurrent design, rich information and constant change as the project develops.

Another drive is to reduce waste, both during the design and construction and the impact of the finished building. In the US 1/3 of construction spend is wasted, finished buildings consume huge amounts of energy. Good design can reduce those impacts and to predict environmental impact & performance demands a model.

To meet these challenges the response has been distributed design teams working across companies, industries and around the world. The process is driven by concurrent demands and compressed timetables; design, energy analysis, costing and visual impact all being developed simultaneously, continuously as the project progresses.

To meet these demands the only answer is digital design and collaboration.

• Labour Productivity Declines in the Construction Industry: Causes and Remedies - AEC Bytes
• BIM for Sustainable Design - Autodesk White Paper

History;

We draw because it works but...  it's no longer enough. Traditional drawing, paper or CAD, does not allow the information required to be captured or shared efficiently.

Digital design allows computable simulation models, sharable information database, rapid distribution for review and collaboration that is just not possible with traditional techniques.

BIM protects project knowledge;

Traditional transfer of information in the form of drawings and documents results in loss of knowledge between project stages. A shared Project BIM aggregates project knowledge as it develops creating a resource, a bill-able resource, for the owner to use for the entire building lifecycle.

Clients demand more;

Clients expect/need to see the project before it exists. The planning process, design communication, manufacturing, construction planning, promotion/sale/leasing and operational management all benefit from a complete consistent building model.

"We must move toward more predictable outcomes, Legacy systems will kill us" – Client Quote

What is a Building Information Model;

• Digital Building Representation
• Coordinated
• Internally consistent
• Computable
• Complete

AEC Industry has to change;

• The old segregated model is failing.
• Change being driven by: Regulation, Client demand, Project Complexity, Technology, Global Economy.
• Answers are... Digital Solutions, Collaboration, Sharing responsibility and reward.
• Enabled by: Open information exchange, BIM, Collaboration.

A new model for working: The Integrated Practice;

• Definition From AIA: "What is Integrated Practice?
  Integrated Practice leverages early contribution of knowledge through utilization of new technologies, allowing architects to better realize their highest potentials as designers and collaborators while expanding the value they provide throughout the project lifecycle."
• BIM Evokes Revolutionary Changes to Architecture Practice
  Integrated Practice: It’s Not Just About the Technology

Mention of the new city project near Seoul;

New Songdo City is a master-planned international business center near Seoul, a $25 billion development.

http://www.newsongdocity.com/ 

Direct product related Comments;

• AutoCAD - “There will always be a role for AutoCAD”
• Architectural Desktop - “Will be developed as long as the industry demands it”, “400,000 + users”, “The AutoCAD based productivity solution for building documentation”
• Revit - “Autodesk's BIM platform for the future”

Links;

• Autodesk - Building Solutions - Building Information Modeling – http://www.autodesk.com/bim
• Revit Building – http://www.autodesk.com/revitbuilding
• Revit Structure – http://www.autodesk.com/revitstructure
• Revit Systems – http://www.autodesk.com/revitsystems

Disclosure;
My travel & accommodation was provided by Autodesk Building Solutions Division, Asia Pacific.
I own both Autodesk Architectural Desktop & Viz Licences – http://rcd.typepad.com/about.html
I use/manage ADT, ABS, Viz and Revit applications for The Warehouse Limited, a retail company in New Zealand.

To BIM or not to BIM, is not the question!

I recently attended presentations by Autodesk’s Phil Bernstein and SOM’s Darren Rizza (Freedom Tower) about Building Information Modelling (BIM). Although plainly focused on Revit as “The BIM Solution” the presentations were more about the reasons for BIM, the benefits and some of the challenges of adopting BIM for your projects.

It’s something I've been thinking about, and working on, for years. My view of BIM is from a different perspective to those involved in an AEC practice. Working as a Designer/CAD Manager for Retail Company that owns, leases, operates and has a design/build role for some facilities means the demand for, and implementation of, BIM is rather different from a standard AEC practice. This post was to be about the event, presentations and my thoughts but after many drafts, all too long and messy, I’ve decided the answer is a series of posts.

The first is my notes, my summary of what was covered, from Phil Bernstein’s presentation "Transforming Building Process: Ideas Realised". 

The second is my notes, my summary of what was covered, from Darren J. Rizza’s presentation “Realising the Freedom Tower: Pioneering Process Change” - Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP

Future posts will cover my own CAD history, how it has influenced what I do today and the role I see for BIM in Retail Design.

Tags: BIM, Building+Information+Model, SOM, Autodesk

Meeting readers...

It was cool, although slightly un-nerving, to be introduced to someone at the conference in Seoul who said:

“Robin? New Zealand? I read your Blog!”

Thanks for visiting wherever you are!

Korean Trip Photos Online

I've just posted my Photos from the Seoul Trip

http://rcd.typepad.com/photos/travel_2006_seoul/index.html

Can you help with some local knowledge?

• What is this (cool) building?
• Why would this map in the COEX Mall show New Zealand & Aussie at the top?

The end of paper flight?

Although just a random result of departure time, route and flight scheduling it was appropriate that the aircraft for my flight to Seoul was a Boeing 777. I was heading there to learn about Building Information Modelling (BIM) and the impact a new design technology/approach has on industry process and practice.

Several years ago I read Karl Sabbaghs book “Twenty-First-Century Jet” in which Boeing’s Alan Mulally cited the ease of assembling a Fisher Price toy aircraft model, late on Christmas Eve, being an inspiration for the design approach of a new aircraft program;

“…one thing we could really do that would add value for our aircraft customers is to make the aircraft easy to fabricate and assemble. Because if it’s easier to fabricate and assemble it means it takes less flow time, and it takes less work, and you also have less re-work because it’s easier for people to do it correctly. And I kept thinking for a long time, how do we capture the imagination of a design and an operations community.”

Then later he comments;

“Now think about this. Before you’d use a two-dimensional piece of paper and a yellow pencil and we would try to create a three-dimensional product. It’s very difficult. It’s very difficult for the mind and its a real skill just to think in two dimensions about all these parts that are really three.”

The answer was Boeings first complete “Paperless Airplane”. The 777 was the first commercial airliner that applied virtual modelling to analyse the design, assembly and operation of a complete aircraft long before it existed:

“Boeing engineers designed and electronically pre-assembled the 777 using computers. New laboratory facilities enabled the various airplane systems to be tested together as a single integrated entity in simulated flight conditions, before the first jetliner took to the air.” 
www.boeing.com

The 777 Program was a milestone for Boeing. The idea is not new, especially in manufacturing, but applying virtual modelling and concurrent design to a complete project, across all disciplines and around the globe, required a change in technology, approach and attitude from all the designers, consultants, contractors and clients involved.

It was a different time, a different industry and I doubt it’s the reason Korean Airlines used that plane for that flight but, given the focus of the next few days, it was a good choice!

Autodesk SOM Korea Trip Index

All posts relating to the Autodesk Skidmore, Owings & Merrill BIM Presentation are indexed in the Travel Seoul 2006 Category.
Disclosure: Travel & Accommodation provided by Autodesk Building Solutions Division, Asia Pacific.

Autodesk + Skidmore, Owings & Merrill BIM Presentation

Today I’m heading to Seoul, South Korea, to hear how Skidmore, Owings & Merrill are applying BIM techniques to projects like The Freedom Tower and other significant buildings around the globe. It will be an interesting trip. If any readers are attending it would be great to meet up, contact me via the Blog Email Me link or COEX Intercontinental.

• Agenda
  • Transforming Building Process: Ideas Realised
    • Phil Bernstein, Vice President, Industry Strategy & Relations, Autodesk Inc.
  • Realising the Freedom Tower: Pioneering Process Change
  • If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a visualisation is worth a million
    • Darren Rizza, Associate AIA, Firmwide Director of Digital Design, SOM

Disclosure: Travel & Accommodation provided by Autodesk Building Solutions Division, Asia Pacific.

Auckland to Seoul?

Will be interesting, especially given recent events…

Auckland to Seoul 9595 km  324° true – unless dodging missiles