Knowing the construction industry was embracing technology, Eastern Construction trained a small group of employees in Autodesk’s Revit and Navisworks software. This group was enthusiastic to find ways that Building Information Modeling could enhance our vision to be a dynamic construction services company, providing superior quality through superior service and constantly pursuing improvement. The training was a success and we immediately went to work discovering innovative uses for the software.
In the early days, the Estimating and Business Development teams used BIM to confirm quantities and enhance proposals. These outcomes continue to be used today.
Operations were quickly followed by preparing site logistic plans and timeliner simulations to strategise construction activities and sequencing. Eastern Construction was the Design-Builder for University of Toronto Mississauga Campus Deerfield Hall and this was an excellent opportunity for our Mechanical and Electrical Coordinator to use clash detection along with the sub-trades. As the project progressed, it became increasingly clear that an accurate Model had the ability to reduce site conflicts and various interferences. Using the Model to be proactive was a benefit to all parties and had the potential to accelerate the construction schedule. Some other project examples include surveying at Queens Quay Revitalisation for Waterfront Toronto and structural coordination of delta frames at Queen Richmond Centre West for Allied Properties.
More recently, Eastern Construction noticed clients expecting additional and more rigorous BIM requirements on upcoming projects and external BIM Consultants were engaged for more advanced skills and expertise. For a continuing positive application of BIM and based on project demand it was decided that Eastern Construction could support a full-time employee who was a specialist.
As we have always had a strong partnership with George Brown College’s Centre for Construction and Engineering Technologies, we looked to their Building Information MModellingManagement Program for a candidate. A field placement student was hired to work alongside the site team at Ryerson University Church Street Development (RUCSD). This student has now become a full-time employee and Eastern Construction is building a foundation of BIM processes internally.
The design being completed using BIM and a commitment to provide the Model to the contractor is essential to successful implementation of BIM on a project. The RUCSD design group was willing to share BIM models for the building with the Eastern Construction team. Initial tasks were preparing BIM Execution Plan and determining file sharing software platforms. Eastern Construction also spent time revising the Model based on our construction priorities.
Once mechanical and electrical trades were determined clash detection and inference review activities quickly began. These sessions are ongoing and the site is making use of a new Windows Surface Hub that has advanced the ability for the team to collaborate both locally and remotely. In the future, Eastern Construction plans to use the Model to provide simulations for discussions regarding schedule (4D), track cost information for billing reviewed (5D) and record as-built conditions (6D). As the RUCSD project progresses, the team is devoted to finding new and original ways to use the Model to improve efficiencies and produce a high-quality building for the future patrons.
Think Forward. Rise Above. Those words reflect the daily philosophy by which we work at Eastern Construction. With every project we undertake, we do so with the understanding that we have the vision, knowledge, skills and ability to generate innovative solutions that consistently exceed client expectations. Our BIM strategy is aligned with this belief.
