The Montréal Heart Institute is a world-renowned specialized care and research centre that was in need of updated and expanded facilities. With complex MEP systems, controlled demolition, very narrow room for coordination, and a fast-track schedule linked with ongoing hospital operations amid a global pandemic, this has been one of Magil’s most challenging endeavors. Characterized by a BIM and IDP (Integrated Design Process) approach, Magil deployed several innovative technologies to enhance performance and reduce risks.
First constructed in 1954, an existing sector of the original building had to be partially demolished and stripped down to its concrete structure. While respecting hospital operations, many activities occurred, such as the safe removal of asbestos, temporary relocation of the hospital’s main server room, demolition of a parking lot to make way for the new wing, for which the bedrock excavation required the use of explosives. The global pandemic further complicated the project, increasing risks, delaying construction and procurement, complicating site supervision, and reducing the already narrow margin of error.
In this IDP contract, Magil contributed to interdisciplinary workshops with the design team to help finalize the construction documents. Using BIM methodologies, Magil was able to extract quantities, simulate construction, and verify coordination. Magil also modelled systems beyond the required BIM deliverables, to ensure comprehensive coordination.
File exchange and collaboration were strictly regulated through the BIM Execution plan. Magil granted access to all collaboration platforms (Revizto and Procore) and data collected from the site (Matterport, Point Clouds) to all stakeholders. This enhanced project understanding as well as collaboration, communication, and coordination which are the cornerstones for a successful construction project.
Moreover, several tools were interconnected and streamlined through Procore, reducing the risk of potential mistakes. Even the COVID-19 entry forms, accessible through a QR code and developed in Google Forms, pushed data into a Google Sheets dashboard embedded in Procore.
Being able to create a virtual mock-up was crucial for the success of the project. To bridge the gap between design and construction, Magil also performed a complete 4D simulation, with particular attention to the structural phase. This led to design reconsiderations and sequencing optimization, allowing to close off the building a month earlier, which reduced winter condition costs.
4D dynamic clash detection allowed us to simulate the delayed delivery and installation of large HVAC equipment, identifying all the MEP systems potentially clashing and allowing construction to move forward on critical path tasks with minimum backstop, thus saving an estimated 8 working days.
During the construction phase, fully integrated and mobile Common Data Environment (CDE) platforms were adopted. All main trades developed LOD350 models to carry on with coordination. With this paperless project, Magil saved thousands of dollars in printing, as mobile tablets and two large interactive digital displays integrated with the CDE were deployed for the construction team. Even plans could be consulted in their typical format.
QR codes have been largely used to speed up information access through mobile devices, and a location “plan” was defined early in the process, with every room associated with a QR code. All documents, RFIs, issues or pictures stored in Procore were thus associated with a specific building location. Everyone was but a scan away from any information they needed for each location or room.
A lidar device was periodically used and helped to quickly spot potential issues. Magil developed a procedure to optimize lidar utilization (survey, registration, clean-up, alignment to 3D models). This resulted in accelerating the quality control process. Slab flatness and levelness verification were systematically carried out to check the clearances between floors and ceilings.
To seamlessly connect the expansion with the existing building (avoiding ramps, steps, or disruptions), the project had to adapt to 1950s architectural standards. Because of this, the modern MEP hospital system had to be coordinated in a much narrower space, which highly increased complexity. To compensate for the impression of low ceilings, doors heights were maximized, and installation tolerances for the door steel frames were reduced to a minimum, creating a risk for the project which was successfully controlled using lidar technology.
Two 360 panoramic virtual visit systems were implemented: OpenSpace, to document the day-to-day progress, and Matterport, prior to closing MEP in walls and ceilings. The integration of OpenSpace with the BIM model was utilized to easily verify work compliance to the 3D model.
A VR headset was made available to help review coordination and future asset management. Moreover, both the VR and the virtual visits proved extremely useful when COVID hit, drastically reducing the need to physically visit the site. The VR headset, directly connected to Revizto, empowered all stakeholders to better comprehend the design.
To address fast-track schedule risks, Magil favoured off-site fabrication of large preassembled mechanical systems. Because of the extremely limited staging area, a JIT (Just In Time) approach was adopted. To facilitate these processes, Magil extensively used lidar and 4D dynamic clash detection. Also, LPS (Last Planning System) has been used to enhance collaboration, communication, and accountability between trades.
These technologies helped reduce safety risks for workers on-site as well: LPS allows to better plan operations and control overlapping of different teams. It also helps in identifying potentially hazardous situations. JIT reduces staging area requirements and simplifies material handling. Prefabrication reduces risks related to on-site work.
The industry is evolving towards more complex projects and tighter schedules. The challenges described above will be more common and traditional approaches alone will prove insufficient to manage risks. The presented solutions have been adopted on most Magil projects and are likely to spread through the industry, enhancing innovation in the Canadian construction sector.
The adoption of innovative solutions also benefited the client by reducing cost, risks, shortening the schedule, and creating a valuable 3D asset information model. BIM and VDC help to deliver high value-added products and create the potential of larger savings throughout the asset management phase. In this regard, reducing costs in design and construction represents only the beginning of the process. The long-term benefit resides in the final digital twin or 7D-LOD500 Asset Information Model, and we hope that this project will drive more industry stakeholders to embrace such practices, establishing a virtuous circle of continuous improvement and innovation.
