 | The BIM experience at NFOE et associés architectes
In this article:
The following article by Patricia L. Hurley of NFOE et associés architectes examines the firm’s experience in implementing BIM (Building Information Modeling). This new construction approach is compatible with Canam Group’s vision since one of our principal development goals is to lead the digital revolution. The emergence of new technologies forces us to rethink our ways of doing things.
Decision to integrate BIM
In late 2008, NFOE et associés architectes, a Montreal architectural firm with 60 employees, decided to invest in the phased integration of BIM to reverse diminishing returns from projects executed with CAD. After researching and trying a variety of software products and analyzing the expected payback (ROI), the firm opted for Autodesk Revit, based on the availability of local training and support.
BIM was initially viewed as an experimental approach to allow NFOE to evaluate the process and its potential across the firm’s various sectors of activity. The results were positive and the integration effort was given the green light.
Training
The initial training included an introductory session for two of the firm’s partners, the principal designer and the BIM facilitator. This was followed by a three-week intensive training course, including both theoretical and practical training, for four employees from different sectors of activity: a designer, the BIM/CAD manager, an architect/project manager and an intermediate technician.
Deployment
Since the pilot project was in its preliminary phase and the production of drawings could no longer be delayed, the project was carried out simultaneously by two different teams, one using CAD and the other Revit, to see which of the two teams would be the first to produce the best set of preliminary drawings.
Progress was slow and sometimes frustrating and there were delays, but the Revit team came out on top. NFOE wasted no time in getting the CAD team trained on Revit.
The subsequent phases of the project were carried out and carefully analyzed, with a focus on learning all that the software could do to maximize the benefits of BIM. The challenge to create, improve and produce data with Revit motivated the team members to surpass themselves.
Achievements
Thanks to its expertise in the field of BIM, NFOE was recently mandated to work on two different projects using the new software. These projects are described on the NFOE website under Profile / News.
To date, NFOE has produced complete working drawings for six projects using the new software and is offering Revit training to additional staff every three months.
Figure 1: BD Diagnostics – GeneOhm project
Conclusion
Experience at NFOE has shown that executing projects with Revit requires that the project manager select smaller, multi-disciplinary teams and ensure close monitoring of the project’s progress.
Even though local engineers have been slow to adopt BIM, NFOE looks forward to industry-wide sharing of digital construction information so that the full potential of BIM can be achieved.
Information
For further information, please contact:
NFOE et associés architectes
Patricia L. Hurley, Architect, OAQ, OAA, RAIC
- Telephone: 514-397-2616
- Email:
Canam Canada
Anthony Gerace, Architectural Services Manager
Our projects
Consult the list of projects completed by Canam Canada.
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