Next Generation of BIM – Utilizing Latest Technologies in

Designing Complex and Innovative Façades

Presented by James McKenzie

Director-Center for Excellence | Swinerton Incorporated

5th Facades Design & Delivery Conference

San Francisco, 2013
Who Am I ?
SWINERTON CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE
OVERVIEW

James McKenzie
Director-Center for Excellence
Swinerton Incorporated
CFE VISION

The vision of the Center

for Excellence is to
leverage the collective
knowledge of our
employees. It is a
catalyst to accelerate
continuous
improvement in Project
Delivery.
Agenda
Introduction

Part 1-Where are We Now?

Part 2-The Great Convergence

Break No. 1

Part 3-Planning, Analysis, Collaboration & Integration

• Agenda Part 4-The New Radical Transformation in Façade Design

Break No. 2

Part 5-Exercise: If I Could Do it Over I Would…….?

Part 5-Case Studies

Final Thought-Glass Only Future of Facades?

Open Discussion
Key Learning Objectives:

• The appropriate organizational

structure
• Strategies for creating 3D models
that can be shared by a multi-
disciplinary team
• Well-thought out workflows and
support from design, fabricators,
trade contractors, and technology
partners
• Determining the appropriate
simulation or analysis tools
• Collecting relevant operational data
• Techniques for harnessing the
talents of project team members
• Tightly integrated multi-disciplinary
processes
 Themes & Perspectives
•Collaboration
•Design Matters
•Integration
•Process
•Trust & Integrity
•Pre-fabrication
•Modeling
•Analysis
•Rich Data
• Agenda
•Early Decision Making (“left shift”)
•Transformation
•Disruption
•Multi-disciplinary
•Project Delivery
•Supply Chain Management
•Productivity
•Risk
 Part 1-Where are We Now?
•AEC industry is in an unprecedented
tipping point
•More questions than answers!
•Past success will no longer guarantee
future success
•We will not being going back to business
as usual
•Industry transformation and disruption
•New competitors and “blue ocean”
• Agenda
opportunities
•Firms are going beyond our national
borders
•Consolidations
•Recession is still not over for many AEC
firms
•Owners: dramatic range in sophistication
 BIM Adoption is “Surging”
•Industry rate of BIM adoption has grown from 27% in
2007 to 71% in 2012
•The Western US leads adoption at 77%
•Users are favoring BIM investments that improve
collaboration processes
•Contractors taking an increasingly integrated role on
BIM projects.
•Increased BIM adoption is forecast to continue
•Expert BIM users have advanced 33% and 20%
respectively since 2009
• Agenda
•Return on investment correlates strongly with BIM
engagement level
•Highest level of model sharing is taking place among
contractors and fabricators
•BIM adoption among architects has hit a maturity
point and is expected to plateau

Source: 2012 McGraw-Hill Smart Market Report

BIM & Modeling the Facade

• Agenda
“Modeling the building envelop by architects is the most frequently used BIM activity
and has a very high value index with only moderate difficulty.”

Source: 2012 McGraw-Hill Smart Market Report

BIM Helps Better Describe Spatial Needs & Promotes
Coordination During the Preconstruction Phase

• BIM’s nature facilities the ability for

describing the number and types of
spaces that is required by an owner in
terms of :
– Square footages
– Environmental services needed
– Material and surfaces required
– Critical relations between the
spaces according to an owner’s
organizational practice (e.g.,
courthouse, medical facility,
educational, office, etc.)
• Space planning in BIM helps to better
facilitate in indentifying an owner’s
spatial needs and to better identify need
of ancillary or support spaces (e.g.,
closets, storage, mechanical, etc.)
BIM Maturity Plateau

“As technology matures

its adoption reaches a
plateau. The research
shows that happening
with BIM especially
among architects”

Source: 2012 McGraw-Hill Smart

Market Report
“BIM-Engaged Contractors Poised for Industry
Leadership”
• Lead adoption and ROI
• Show high levels of BIM
engagement
• Invest the most in training
• Actively share models
• Innovating construction-
related applications of
modeling far beyond design
representation
Source: 2012 McGraw-Hill Smart
Market Report
Part 2-The Great Convergence

BIM

Collaborative
High
Project
Delivery
Performance Lean

Buildings

Sustainable
Design
Project Success Factors

Project success requires strategy,

planning, and effective processes.
BIM, Collaborative Project Delivery
Sustainable Design, and Lean
Construction are powerful
processes individually developed to
address critical and complex issues
in the AEC industry.

Although effective separately, these

processes create excellence in
project delivery when harnessed
together and managed skillfully to
accentuate the synergies between
them.
Supporting Technologies

•Cloud Computing
•Mobile Devices
(BYOD)
•Digital Prefabrication
•Reality Capture &
Positioning Systems
Cloud Computing

•Cloud computing is a metaphor for

the Internet
•Software as a Service or SaaS
(e.g., Salesforce.com, Turbo Tax,
Primavera P6, etc.)
•Opens the door to infinite
computing which will enhance
analysis
•Significant reduction in traditional
IT (client-server) services and staff
•Compliments mobile devices
Mobile Devices and Computing

•BYOD
•Familiarity and simplicity has fostered
broad adoption by field personnel
•Battle of the operating systems (OS):
•iOS (Apple)
•Windows 8 (Microsoft)
•Adroid (Google)
•Apps are written specifically for mobile
OS
•Contractors are embracing mobile
computing and apps (Bluebeam,
PlanGrid, BIM360Field/Vela
Systems,BIM360Glue, etc.)
Digital Prefabrication

•Starts with a model

•Requires upfront planning
•Optimized by using a Collaborative
Project Delivery System
•Design team has to focus on the
details much earlier in the design
process
•Pre-fabrication-“kit of parts”
•Design to fabrication (structural
systems)
•Modular construction (e.g., bathrooms,
exterior skin, etc.)
•Pre-engineered building components
(e.g., Project Frog)
•3D Printing (the future?)
Reality Capture

•Laser Scanning
•Laser Scanning HD
•Positioning Systems:
•Robotic Total Stations
•Photogrammetry-method of 3-D
modeling that stitches together 2-D
photos to create digital models of
almost anything. (Note: Autodesk
Photofly shifts the number-crunching
burden to the cloud)
•BIM for Underground:
•Ground Penetrating Radar
•Terrain Capture-Integrated lasaer
distance measurement and image
capture (e.g., Topcon Positioning
Systems)
Part 3-Planning, Analysis, Collaboration and
Integration
Project Management & Delivery

“At present, there are no industry-wide accepted definitions of project delivery

methods……” Primer on Project Delivery
Joint Committee of AIA and AGC
Project Success

Project success:

• Determined prior to design

• Depends on the quality of the

owner’s:
• Business Model
• Planning ability

• Service Provider’s understanding

of campus leader’s business
drivers and environment
Project Delivery

“…… a project delivery approach that

integrates people, systems, business
structures and practices into a
process that collaboratively harnesses
the talents and insights of all
participants to reduce waste and
optimize efficiency through all phases
of design, fabrication and
construction.”

Jim Bedrick, AIA, National BIM

Consultant
Project Delivery & Collaboration

“Collaborative approach to projects

requires many disciplines to be tightly
integrated in their process. Time moves
linearly but the challenges of a project are
dynamic and non-linear”

Abundance to Scarcity
A Strategy for the 21st Century Building Industry
Doing More with Less while creating Value

Kimon Onuma, FAIA, Hon FIGP

Integrated Practice (Design)

•BIM and integrated design go hand-in-

hand
•Integrated design is a process not a
delivery method (IPD is a delivery method)
•Has been referred to by authors as a
“collaborative method for designing
buildings that emphasizes the
development of a holistic design”
•Involves stake holders from the earliest
stages
•Every project stakeholder’s point-of-view
is taken into consideration
•Integrated design leads to high
performance buildings
•Avoids the linear hand offs from owner,
architect and builder
Integrated Planning

“The capture of integrated

knowledge in an organized way
should drive planning.”

Alvin Toffler, author of Future Shock

BIM Usage Spectrum by Project Delivery Method

“IPD-ish”

Integrated
Project Delivery
Design-Build

CM as
Risk/GMAX/Design
Assist
Integrated practice starts here
Design-Bid-
Build
Project Delivery Failure Points
Owner’s World-Cost Forecast & Budgets

ƒ Cost “forecast” is needed for

executive project approval
ƒ Forecast:
ƒ Makes financial resources
available
ƒ Bridge to a project plan & budget
ƒ Failure points:
ƒ No conceptual design
ƒ Minimal data
ƒ Generic in nature
ƒ Life cycle costs & escalation
ƒ Remembered by executives
ƒ False Expectations
Business Model Failure Points

ƒ Market conditions change

ƒ Lack of thorough analysis &
testing of assumptions
ƒ Unreliable profit & loss data
ƒ Unclear model narrative
ƒ Lack of revenue streams
ƒ Technological changes
ƒ Lack of customer knowledge
ƒ Lack of value
ƒ Ego-based decisions
Key Facility Planning Failure Points

ƒ Lack of time
ƒ Lack of integration between project
management and facilities &
operations
ƒ Emphasis on initial not life-cycle costs
ƒ Unclear objectives
ƒ Objectives not aligned with the
business model
ƒ Poorly defined processes
ƒ Support facilities poorly programed
(impacts life cycle costs!)
ƒ Feasibility studies lack sound analysis
ƒ Operational data is stored in “silos”
Key Programmatic Failure Points

ƒ High operating cost (low performance

facility)
ƒ Excessive initial cost
ƒ Poor quality
ƒ Non conformance with regulatory
requirements
ƒ Functional requirements
ƒ Safety and security
ƒ Poor space utilization
ƒ Lost opportunities for innovation &
revenue
ƒ Ops. & Maint. staff productivity
ƒ Employee (end user) Productivity
Sample of Key Project Failure Points

ƒ Poor PM leadership
ƒ Poor planning & scheduling
ƒ Poor communication
ƒ Timely action
ƒ Organizational structure
ƒ Material and equipment supply
chain
ƒ Regulatory requirements
ƒ Constructability
ƒ Poor productivity
ƒ Quality of personnel
Programming – Where Business Drivers
Communicate Design

ƒ Value of Programming
ƒ Steps used in programming
ƒ Task Identification
ƒ Feasibility and Analysis
ƒ Research and Data
Compilation
ƒ BIM links program with spatial
geometry
ƒ Business objectives should not be
compromised by a design
BIM Overview

• Process and “mindset” is first and

foremost
• 3D object-based, parametric
model is the best known aspect of
BIM
• Parametric technology allows
objects to relate to each other
• The objects within a 3D model
have “attributes” or “properties”
embedded within them
BIM is Not.………

• Single building model or a

single database
• A replacement for people
• Perfect
• Revit (or any other software
application)
• 3D
• Have to be 3D
• Complete
• A “pushbutton” solution
 Big BIM Data vs. Little BIM Data

BIM tools can:

•Accelerate response time to potential

project issues

•Automate and Streamline tedious

information gathering and decision-
making process

•Focus on optimal solution

•Identify and remove building system

redundancy

•Establish building performance

metrics resulting in lower initial costs
and long-term operational costs
 The Power of BIM Depends on How Well it is Used

• Links project activities with the

client’s business goals
• Allows project team to interface with
the business of the client resulting in
a greater understanding of their
culture, values, and organizational
business drivers
• Defines what is unclear and provides
a roadmap through uncharted
territory
• Provides a higher level of client
service that emphasizes value to the
client much sooner and with a higher
level of detail than 2D CAD tools
BIM Knowledge Acquisition Progression

WISDOM

KNOWLEDGE

INFORMATION

DATA
Database Basics-To Fully Understand BIM it Helps
to Understand Database Design Fundamentals
• Database=“collection of
interrelated data items that are
managed as a single unit.”
• Single File vs. Multiple Files
• File=Collection of related records
stored in a single unit
• Database Object=named data
structure that is stored in a
database. Types of objects can
vary.
• User data views=allows different
users of the database to use
customized presentations of the
same data
 Need for Revit Rapid Data Extraction

•What do we have?
•Avoid GIGO!
•Data abstraction:
•Data is stored once
•Multiple users
•Multiple distinct views of
tabular data
•Data quality/quantity depends on
project delivery being used
•Find Revit’s “hidden” data
•Speed of Business
•Quick resolution of problems
•Discovery of new opportunities
•Downstream (4D, 5D, 6D,
etc,)activities depend on quality of
the Revit file
Integrated BIM Rich Data

Validation
Process
Prototype
model

Operations
Project
Plan
Client’s
Business
Drivers

3D Model
•Design Program
•Construction
BIM and Early Decision Making
BIM and Scenario Based Planning Validation

ƒ Needs analysis
ƒ Program analysis
ƒ Digital Concept prototype
ƒ Cost model
ƒ Design criteria
ƒ Comparables
ƒ Pro forma
ƒ Validate Program
BIM Pre-Design Tools

• Accelerates response time to

issue
• Emphasizes interaction
• Improves coordination
• Establish building metrics
• Links the project to “business”
of the organization
• Defines what is unclear
• Identify opportunities
Linking the Program to a 3D Concept Model

Bi-directional

Excel Building Space Program Data Revit Concept Model with Program Data
 BIM and Digital Fabrication

“By integrating design, analysis,

manufacture, and the assembly
of building around digital
technologies, architects,
engineers, and builders have an
opportunity to fundamentally
redefine the relationships
between conception and
production.”
From “Architecture in the Digital Age and
Manufacturing” by Branko Kolarevic
 BIM and Complex Architectural Geometry

Non-uniform relational basis

spline or NURBS
•Developed in the 1950s
automobile, aerospace, and ship
building industry
•Mathematical model used for
representing curves and
surfaces
•Can be exactly reproduced
whenever needed
•Control points determine the
shape of curve
•Allows for digital fabrication
•NURBS-based applications
(e.g., Rhino, Form Z, Autocad,
Sketchup,etc.) can be imported
into Revit as mass objects
 BIM Execution Plan

Successful use of
BIM on a project
requires a strong
framework and
management plan
that aligns, roles,
responsibilities,
expectations and
deliverables.
Project BIM Data Evaluation

• How is data entered ?

• Does data sit in a silo ?
• Analyze where there are data
“overlaps”
• Examine what data is not
electronic & whether it can
digitized
• Where is data stored ? Multiple
locations ?
• Evaluate how data is
transmitted and in what format
BIM Execution Plan-Design Constraints
Matrix
 BIM Execution Plan-Model Progression
Specification

Levels of Detail (LOD)

100. Conceptual
200. Approximate geometry
300. Precise geometry
400. Fabrication
500. As-built
Sustainable (Green) Design is Good for Business-
BIM Design Analysis Tools

• Improves End User &

Operational Staff Productivity
• Reduced energy demands
• Increased property value
• Increased revenue
 Traditional Energy Audit & Analysis Process

• Time Intensive
• Limited Information
• Use Rules of Thumb instead of
accurate data
• Assesses only the “low hanging
fruit”
• Systems & equipment is not
accurately sized based on actual
loads (e.g., overdesigned)
Sustainability Opportunities Come Early in the Design
Not Later

“Once fundamentally bad

decisions regarding building
orientation, massing, and interior
layout have been made it is
nearly impossible to come back
and incorporate working
daylighting, passive heating, or
passive cooling systems.
Opportunities for green
architectural strategies are rife in
the conceptual and schematic
design phases. The are sparse
during design development.”
Alison G. Kwok, AIA
Walter T. Grondzik, PE Authors,
The Green Studio Handbook
 BIM Energy Analysis Key Considerations

• Understanding a building energy’s

needs is critical
• 3D models use climatic data linked to
building loads
• Key considerations:
– HVAC
– Solar heat gain
– Number of building occupants
– Sun shading devices
– Daylight dimming
– Lighting levels
– Wind infiltration
• Energy model can be used to determine
building energy needs and to size
properly size the buildings MEP
systems
 Renewable Energy

• Energy demand must be known in

order to optimize the use renewable
energy sources to meet the need
• Solar and wind energy rely on
climate and place
• Testing for wind and solar capability
should be done at the micro-site
level
• Building needs have drastically
different energy needs.
• Other considerations:
– System & equipment efficiency
– Space needs for solar or wind
power equipment
– Maintenance capabilities
 Water Conservation & Harvesting

• Rainwater is a free resource

• Reduce the need for municipally
provided water
• Rainwater can be collected from the
roof, parking lot or site runoff.
• Storage in cisterns
• Rainwater usage:
– Irrigation
– Toilets
– Chillers
• Historical data & analysis allows you to
calculate how much rainwater is
available.
• Analyze project’s water needs to
determine the amount of storage
systems
 3D Modeling and Computational Fluid Dynamic Simulation

• Model radiant heat transfer

and account for its impact on
occupant comfort.
• Predict contaminant
dispersion and smoke
migration in and around
buildings.
• Study the long-term effects of
diurnal heating.
• Visualize where condensation
occurs and the amount of
liquid that is condensed.
 Sustainable Materials

• Materials require energy to

manufacture and install
• Limitations on the raw
resources to produce building
materials
• Material usage justification is
needed
• Materials used have diverse
impacts regarding energy &
water usage
• Material selection impacts
human health
• What is the life span of the
material or assembly
• Is the material made from
recycled materials?
 Sustainable Site Development

• Building location & site orientation

can be analyzed using BIM
• Sun provides light, heat & power for
free
• Building mass and dimensions
• External elements (shading devices &
landscaping)
• Rainwater collection
• Find the solar South
 BIM Usage for Daylight Analysis

• 3D model is used for geometry

generation
• External shading devices can be
analyzed
• Several daylight simulation
applications available
• Variables can be changed and
tested using BIM
• Daylight analysis provides data
about the quality, evenness &
penetration of light
 Environmental Air Quality

• Natural ventilation reduces energy usage.

• Fresh air improves air quality
• BIM assists in designing a system that uses
natural ventilation as much as possible
• Important design factors:
– Building site location & orientation
– Building mass
– Window types & locations
– Efficient building envelop
 BIM & LEED Certification

• BIM strategy is linked to sustainable design

strategy
• Set certification goals early in the project
• Construction contract must have
certification as part of the requirements
• Main Areas that BIM can contribute to
obtaining certification:
– Material selection and use
– Site selection and management
– Systems analysis
 BIM, Building Commissioning & Sustainable Design

• Inventory of
• Test & verify physical assets
• Energy analysis
systems • Update asset
• Develop database
COMMIS- • Training of
Commissioning
DESIGN processes SIONING
maintenance staff OPERATIONS • Scheduled
• 3D as-built model maintenance
• System
with product data, • Continuous
specifications
warranty info, etc. monitoring of
systems

Process = Lowered Operating Costs

 3D Modeling of Existing Facilities For Energy Analysis &
Building Auditing

• Modeling Options:
– Laser scanning
– Digital Images
– Use existing as-built data and field
measurements
• Create backgrounds for Revit integration
• Layout existing conditions
• Analyze space constraints
• Increase energy auditing efficiency
• Gain better understanding of building
performance
• Perform design and energy analysis similar
to new construction project.
• Significantly reduce change orders
regarding installation of new building
systems
Modeling Options-Key Considerations
3D Model Creation of Existing Buildings: Laser
Scanning

• Standardize
tools &
processes
• Proper
Planning
• Establish
targets
• Shot plans
3D Model Creation of Existing Buildings-Tracing CAD
Drawings
Photogrammetry

• Use Digital camera

• Capture facades
• Capture interiors
• Take measurement
• Inexpensive
• Time consuming
• Now Cloud-based
 3D As-Built Model of Existing Buildings-Benefits

• Verify Existing Conditions

• More accurate design
based on actual conditions
• Accurate Bids-use as-built
during bidding &
construction
• Improved communication
• Decreased change orders
• Better understanding of
project scope
 Other Renovation Considerations

ƒ Geography
ƒ Climate
ƒ Building Type
ƒ Location
Part 4-The New Radical Transformation in Façade
Design
BIM Represents a Radical Departure in Façade Design

Modeling represents a radical

departure from the way we
architects have traditionally
undertaken the work of our
profession for centuries. This not
only represents a change in the
mechanics of our work, but I
contend it is a shift in the
cognitive processes that
accompany and ultimately drive
that work. We work differently,
and as result, probably think
differently too.
From “BIM in Small-Scale Sustainable
Design” by Francois Levy
1956 Essay “Chicago Frame,” Colin Rowe-”The Radical
Transformation”

•Frame structure as universal

theme of mid-twentieth-century
architecture
•“Essence of Modern
Architecture”
•“Major transformation in
architectural design and
construction, exerting
substantial influence over the
commercial and institutional
architecture of cities,
particularly Chicago
•One of the most influential
ideas derived from the frame
structure is the modern curtain
wall”
 Historical Context-All-Glass Curtain Wall Era Starts

Ten years after its completion, at

a time when most building
facades were significantly less
than 50% window, Polk’s
revolutionary building became the
first large-scale urban building to
feature an all-glass curtain wall
Hallidie Building, 130 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA
Designed by Willis Polk, 1918

"Natural light, budget limitations,

and a desire to facilitate
erection, were all to influence
Polk's decision to produce an
all-glass facade and this he was
to achieve by exploiting the
cantilevering capacity of
reinforced concrete to its fullest.
A regular grid of mullions held
the glass membrane in place
with three vertical subdivisions
per floor; the top pane of each
storey pivoting outwards for the
purposes of ventilation.”
from Kenneth Frampton and Yukio Futagawa.
Modern Architecture 1851-1945. p194.
The Curtain Wall and Collaboration

“I tried to put the emphasis of my

work in integration and
coordination, inclusiveness, not
exclusiveness, for I felt that the art
of building is contingent upon the
coordinated teamwork of a bank of
active collaborators whose
cooperation symbolizes the
cooperative organism of what we
call society.”

Walter Gropius
Building Envelop Technological Progression

Double-
Advanced Curtain &
Glazing Adjustable
Fabrication Sunshades
All Glass
Façade Techniques
Curtain
Wall

Structural Steel
Frame/Elevator
 Curtain Wall Design Responds to Architectural
Fashion
“Beginning in the 1960s and continuing to
the present day, the approach to the
curtain wall has been characterized by
diverse strategies, due in part to the
vicissitudes of architectural fashion at large
and to the growing impact of global
environmental and economic forces. It
seems that each new decade has brought
with it a new design doctrine-
postmodernism, high tech,
deconstructivism, critical regionalism,
green architecture-and the curtain wall
concept has been transformed in
response.”
From “Contemporary Curtain Wall Architecture” by
Scott Murray
Moving Beyond “Business as Usual” in Building Envelope
Design

“The ability to frame questions

is fundamental to working
collaboratively across fields
toward a transdisciplinary
objective and creating
possibilities that are above and
beyond “business as usual” for
building envelops.”
From “Building Envelopes An Integrated
Approach” by Jenny Lovell
Market Drivers vs. Professional Responsibility in Façade
Design

Market demands
Market Desire
conflict with the for visual
transparency
responsibility through all
glass facades
towards the
environment. The
old economics of
throwing money at a
problem can no Current
Environmental
longer be supported. & Economic
Crisis
Importance of Building Envelope

•Critical interface between a

buildings interior functions and the
external environment

•Its design is crucial to the

architectural process

•Cost represents from 15-30%

total construction costs (note: only
MEP systems represent a higher
percentage)
BIM Allows a Designer to Unite the Building Structure with the
Building Envelope

“At first sight this separation of a

building’s structure from its envelop
might be expected to be liberating,
freeing the contemporary architect to
invent new and radical solutions to
the problems of creating building
enclosure.”
From “Building Envelopes An Integrated
Approach” by Jenny Lovell
Key Considerations In Building Envelope Design

•Technical performance of
the individual materials

•Nature of material and

component assembly

•Visual appearance

•Building Form
Good Building Envelope Design & Construction Requires an
Integrated Approach and Sophisticated Communication

“Inventiveness and ingenuity are therefore critical to the design of building envelops
in the future, and complete integration of the skills and experiences of al members
of the design team will be fundamental to this process.”
From “Building Envelopes An Integrated Approach” by Jenny Lovell
BIM Facilitates in Addressing and Balancing the Following
Requirements in Façade Design

•Thermal Insulation
•Ventilation
•Solar Heat Gain
•Glare Control
•Daylight Levels
•Water management
•Materials assembly
•Sound & pollution
control

Gap Building, San Francisco, CA

 Façade Design No Longer Being Done In a “Silo”

….”the current rapid pace of

construction has positioned
practice and industry to
dominate the design and
implementation of building
envelops. Form and
performance of building
envelopes are frequently
compartmentalized in curricula
and in professional practice.”
From “Building Envelops An Integrated
Approach” by Jenny Lovell
Façade Design In BIM Allows Continuous Feedback

• Integrated Design
Responses
• Maintains close
relationship between
design, specifications and
cost
• Continuous estimating
through continuous
collaboration and
feedback
Bring Deep Knowledge in Early-Some of the Key
Players in Façade Design, Fabrication and Installation

Façade
Engineer
Structural
Builder
Engineer

Façade
Owner
Fabricator

Early Steel
Project Erector &
Architect
Knowledge Misc.
Metals
Façade Procurement Strategy: Key Concepts

• Single Sourcing
avoidance.
– Suppliers
– Fabricators
– Installation contractors
• Early Involvement
– Long lead time
– Greater potential for
integrated solutions
Façade Design and Constructability

Key Considerations:
• Design intent and
performance criteria can
be build efficiently
• Numerous Sources
• Analysis of sequences
for:
– Fabrication
– Transportation
– Installation
BIM and Façade Design-Look for the Critical Building System
Intersections & Penetrations
Small Building Envelopes

•Exterior envelope load dominated

rather than internally load
dominated

•Morphology is heavily influenced

by the exterior environment

•Benefit from climate indexing

•Building massing, geometry,

fenestration, envelop and interior
materials, and passive strategies
are tailored to the buildings region
and site.
BIM and Façade Design-Visualization is What Promotes
Collaboration in Simulation

•Use simulation data to address

design problems and promote a
collaborative solution

•Analysis must have goals and

by guided strong, theoretical
framework

•Collaboration is achieved
through visual discussions
especially early in the design
process
Façade Design and BIM Analysis-Key Value Points

• Ability to manage an enormous

amount of parameters and
variables
• Allows new building forms to be
explored
• Ability to model over time and to
account for the change in seasons
• Early analysis (conceptual
level)and feedback
• Link analysis data to schedule and
cost
• Performance can be determined
early
• Early involvement of fabricator
and builder.
• Develop early procurement
strategy
Façade Design and BIM Analysis-Simulation Process

•Create 3D model
•Establish roof and floor
•Connect walls to roofs or floor above
•Make sure all areas within the analysis
are bound by geometric
•Collect any relevant operational data or
history
•Determine appropriate simulation or
analysis tools
•Consult with mechanical engineer for
interpretation of data
•Establish methodology for transferring
model surface areas to multiple analysis
tools
•Variable outside of the space of boundaries
(e.g., weather, location, etc.) must be
inputted by the simulation team
Façade Design & Lifecycle Costs

Key Considerations:
•Life span of building determines
the durability of the façade
•ROI
•Environmental impact
•Techniques:
•Life cycle assessment(LCA)
•Life cycle cost analysis(LCCA)
•Establish benchmarks
•Whole building approach
•Embodied energy
•Good fabrication is critical
regardless of fabrication location
BIM and Façade Design-Computational Engines Categories

Dynamic Thermal Modeling

•Simulates the heat transfer processes
occurring in and around a building.
•Models conduction, convection and
radiation heat transfer processes of
envelop components
•Modeling data is integrated with room
heat gains, air exchanges, and HVAC
•Ideally suited to work with a 3D Model

Example: Autodesk Ecotect Analysis

BIM and Façade Design-Computational Engines Categories

Computational Fluid Dynamics

•Branch of fluid dynamics
•Uses numerical methods to predict
fluid flow
•Requires millions of calculations
•Used to understand airflow and heat
transfer processes around buildings
given space boundaries
•Used in single instances of time due
to time needed for perform
computations
•Can be used to provide detailed
insight to specific parameters
•Help determine velocity and
temperature of airflow through
openings and into adjoining spaces
Associative exchange of Revit data with
Autodesk Simulation CFD
BIM and Façade Design-Daylight Analysis

Lighting Analysis
•Address daylight quality
•Identify daylight distribution
issues
•Model must contain surface
properties and light sources
•Effectiveness of analysis in
façade design depends on the
quality of the identifying the
properties of the glass and
interior surfaces
BIM and Façade Design-External Wind Analysis
 The Future: Performance Based vs. Initial Cost-based

“A new business model for Construction

Management is emerging
and will become the norm over the next five
years. This model responds to owners’
increasing focus on outcomes rather than
output, on life cycle rather than first cost,
and on the “triple
bottom line” of business, environmental and
social impacts.

In order to meet these owner expectations,

CMs will have to help
them move construction away from site-
based, craft-dominated
processes and toward a more typical
manufacturing environment.”
From “Future Focus 2012-The Road Ahead for
Professional CM” by CMAA Foundation
Part 5-Case Studies
Prefabrication and Modular Construction Case-Study

• Green goals
• Schedule-critical business driver
• Challenging site
• Integrated design & construction team
• Prefab concrete floor planks
• Prefab exterior wall panels (load bearing)
• Early research was critical
• Early decision making
• Saved six months
• Tight building envelope
Moving at the Speed of Business

“When you build a residence hall… you only get one time of year to open it up. If you
have it finished in September, that doesn’t quite work.”
Dr. Sue Herderson, Queens College, New York
Case Study: The Exploratorium San Francisco
“Where art and Science Collide to Change Perception”
The Exploratorium:-The Challenges: Existing Historic
Structure & Energy Efficiency
The Exploratorium:-Key Façade Design Feature:
Glass Wrapped Observation Room
Case Study-High-Rise Apartments – Chinese Curtainwall
Fabricator

Key issues:

Shop Drawings-quality and details were

lacking (six rounds)

Structural Engineer-U.S based fabricator’s

structural engineer was not engaged until
sixth round of shop drawings

Standards-Fabricator did not understand

project standards and specifications

Communication-language and cultural

barriers

Schedule-Fabricator fell behind schedule

and was forced to take drastic action
Case Study-Condominiums Project – Canadian Windows
Fabricator

Key issues:

Meeting Standards-product was not

tested to the contractor requirements

Curtain Wall Consultant-Owner and

architect did not plan to retain a
consultant

Schedule-Local project manager was a

“hired hand” and had no influence

Installation-Installation was sub-

contracted. The installer was caught in
the middle.
 Building Envelope Global Sourcing-Not Business As Usual

Increased Demand
Owners are demanding - Some said they love the can-do attitude of
the Chinese and found that,
for all the challenges, Chinese sources were generally more eager
to please and win business.
Added Value
Price is not longer the single advantage. We are seeing the level of
manufacturing technologies
rise and now many products are world class.
The greatest values stem from the exploitation of global efficiencies:
Low cost skilled labor, and
low cost raw materials
Competition
Future work may be earned based upon our ability to leverage the
global market.
Our ability to lead and navigate the process and provide results will
distinguish us from those
providing only the cheapest possible solution.
 Building Envelope Global Sourcing-Strategy

Manage the Risk

Communicate

Build Relationships

Do Not Outsource Control

Staff Properly

Control Quality

Get Boots on the Ground

Involve the Designer and Owner

Develop a Risk and Insurance Strategy

Case Study
Case Study-Chinatown/North Beach campus of the City
College of San Francisco

(2012, EHDD with Barcelon & Jang), the

14-story tower comes with as many as eight
rows of teardrop-shaped metal sunshades
per floor, including two or three rows at floor
level to bounce diffused light up into the
offices and classrooms. The density and
pattern of the blade was determined by
analysis of sunlight patterns at the corner of
Washington and Kearny streets, but there's
nothing labored in the result. The effect is
that of an elegant scrim above Portsmouth
Square, calligraphy at skyline scale.
From San Francisco Chronicle by John King,
Urban Design Critic
Glass Only Future of Facades?

San Francisco's skyline tends to change in vertical bursts,

and in five years we could be looking at nearly a dozen new
thin-skinned boxes wrapped in sheets of green and blue.
Some promise to be better than others. The cumulative
effect could erode the physical presence that makes this
city's downtown distinct.
The issue is not that buildings clad in stone are morally
superior to buildings clad in glass. It's that San Francisco's
sense of place is tied to its earthy warmth, the juxtaposition
of steep hills and shifting waters. Too many glass towers
clumped too closely together would set a much different
tone, cosmopolitan but also generic.
The city needs to shift focus to the overall impact of an
architectural trend rather than try to make the best of each
tower on its own - and nudge developers and architects to
introduce the material and depth that is satisfying not just at
first glance, but year after year.
From San Francisco Chronicle by John King, Urban Design
Critic
OPEN DISCUSSION
THANK YOU