Next Generation

Various new innovative processes and digitalisation are being implemented with BIM, e.g. AR/VR, Blockchain, DfMA and more. But what are the legal and contractual impacts and how do you avoid taking on unnecessary risks? Do we even have BIM legal and contractual issues correctly managed by now? Lawyers generally are not very technology/innovation-aware so what do the industry do about this? In this practical session, May will consider the current and imminent new innovations being implemented and introduced with BIM, the resulting legal and contractual issues and potential disputes and how these can by reasonably mitigated and dealt with. Would you rather face an expensive and time-consuming dispute or unpaid additional services/works, or get your risks and contracts right at the beginning?

This class will describe how our Technology/Architectural business has adapted and developed its processes to use the latest digital technologies in the production of store design from feasibility to handover for Europe’s fastest growing retailer. The class will explore the journey our business has been on to achieve effective speculative site evaluation and how early analysis and a digital process is being utilised to ensure the massive expansion programme can be met. The class will highlight the potential time savings available and the processes to be followed. This class will demonstrate how our business maximises its outputs from Feasibility to Completion and beyond including – Quantification – VR – Animation – and Asset Management with one model throughout the whole process.

At Curtins we believe BIM, technology, data, processes and industry standards are the future of the construction industry. Over the decade we have come a long way and built firm foundations and advancements in digital construction.

As one of the first engineering consultants to achieve BSI BIM Kitemark, and two-time winners at the prestigious BIM Show Live awards, we have worked to embed BIM in to the culture of our staff. We ensure every project is delivered as BIM Stage 2 compliant in accordance with ISO 19650.
In our session we will explore our BIM journey weaved through one of our exemplar Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA) precast projects.
The traditional way of detailing precast structures was to create sets of plans, construction details and sections in AutoCAD and to use all three pieces of information to create a panel drawing. We have thrown these historic methods by the wayside, using Revit as our primary authoring tool. We will showcase our methods and associated processes for detailing and delivering precast structures along with time saving and benefits the 3D model provides to all teams.
Through this project we will also demonstrate innovating tools we have developed through Dynamo and the Revit API one of which includes our Health and Safety tool to align with PAS1192-6 during this process to improve construction safety during the installation process.

Automation is coming, and most of us accept that it will be an increasing part of our lives as we move towards the end of the first quarter of the 21st Century.
This presentation starts with a juxtaposition of observations from the Farmer Report (a shrinking workforce, an increasing workload, a drive to increase productivity) with the Hackett report (more record keeping, more competence, more regulation).
Reading these reports, illustrates automation should not be resisted. Opportunities to increase productivity, save cost and waste are often stated as imperative for the construction industry. However, this is not a black and white choice. Skills are either lost and roles end or are supported and augmented and roles enhanced. A healthy open debate around the changes coming about from technology is lacking in the construction sector with discussion often shut down because viewpoints polarised between ideological adoption and fearful denial.
The presentation continues by discussing ‘lazy automation’, looking at examples of technology that at first sight many of us cheerlead, considering each for its flaws.
The presentation concludes by asking hard questions about our priorities and proposing an agenda for automation and skills with reference to global observations about skills, thoughts about the strengths and weaknesses of the human brain and a discussion about decision making support from automation in the role of professionals in the built environment in the future.

In 2016, the University commenced its campus development programme to invest £530M over the next decade. The signature element of this programme is the creation of a smart campus which supports the University’s long-term plans to ensure it remains a leading academic institution. The smart campus will cohesively knit together the existing heritage building stock on the estate alongside the integration of new facilities to create a learning environment fit for the 21st century.

Mott MacDonald’s Smart Infrastructure team were appointed in the strategic advisory role of ‘Critical Friend’. We created a digital masterplan to inform the strategic context, developed a roadmap that defines future activity and the steps required to implement the smart campus. A business case has been made to support the procurement of a strategic technology partner. Ultimately the project will lay the foundation for the creation of a digital twin of the University.

The Smart Campus Board – part of the World Changing Glasgow Transformation team – has identified the direct the opportunity to sustain the future success of the University through the power of digital transformation. By going digital, innovative new features and capabilities will help leverage maximum value from the University’s physical investment in its estate, helping to create high value campus services which attract and retain students.

Story – how we are working with a client adopting BIM from scratch, and delivering the biggest property programme in the UK. The programme is ambitious in terms of scale, time, security, stakeholders and logistics. We have worked as a partnership with HMRC to challenge and stretch each other’s ambition.
Our role, to deliver the BIM strategy, upskill the client and help set a digital vision. Across the programme we delivered programme & information management, BIM management, Built Asset Security consultancy, project and cost management as a service – supported with enterprise analytics and visual reporting through BIM. Costing through BIM across all projects with an aligned data structure.
The programme, which is to be delivered in accordance with the BIM Level 2 mandate will transform HMRC as an organisation. Whilst providing short term ROI during the project the digital approach to real estate delivery will leave the legacy of an Asset Information Model network – a digital estate representing the 13 large, intelligent Regional Centres, 4 Specialists Sites and a London Headquarters equipped with the digital infrastructure and training facilities needed to support the client.
HMRC had never undertaken a project in this way
No public sector organisation to date has undertaken a programme of this scale in this way
There are significant interfacing parties who do not fall under the BIM Level 2 mandate
The scale of information generated is enormous

Some of the world’s biggest leading companies are embracing virtual twinning – but where is this trend going and how does it apply to property? This presentation looks at the history behind the concept of digital twins and how the idea was turned into reality. We look at how other industries are using digital twins and how combining today’s processes such as BIM, Industry 4.0 technology and using the principles set out in the Gemini principles we can create digital twins for property today.