Canada BIM Council hosted its 2nd Regional Session in Halifax on June 1st and 2nd, 2016 at the the Holiday Inn Harbourview (Dartmouth). The event was developed with significant involvement from local stakeholders and industry participants, most notably David Males from Servant, Dunbrack, McKenzie & MacDonald (SDMM) and Duncan Williams from the Construction Association of Nova Scotia. The theme of the event was intended to address the statement; not the question, Why Not BIM! (notice the exclamation mark). The audience in attendance were encouraged to participate in an "open discussion" about BIM and the importance of adopting advanced design and building methodologies.
On June 1st The event kicked off in usual fashion with two extraordinary CanBIM Member Site Tours from Bird Construction (Pro Cycle) and EllisDon (Local Shipbuilding Yard).
Pro Cycle retail shop
Pro Cycle Retail Shop (mechanic's bay)
Irving Shipbuilding Tour Halifax Manufacturing facility
Halifax Tour Participants
The Autodesk Opening Reception played host to some great conversation and networking opportunities among industry colleagues.
On June 2nd, CanBIM kicked the day off with an informative panel discussion on "What Do We Know About BIM? Moderated by David Males, Director of Sales & Marketing at SDMM. A delightful conversation with many insights into the current state of BIM in Atlantic Provinces.
Moderator - David Males, Director of Sales & Marketing, SDMM
James Forren, Assistant Professor, School of Architecture Dalhousie University
Kirby Reycraft, Faculty, Civil & Building Technologies, Nova Scotia Community College
Duncan Williams, President, Construction Association of Nova Scotia
Nick Tobin, Senior Project Manager P.Eng., Consulting Engineers of Nova Scotia
Samantha-Rodrigues Machado, Architect, Department of Transportation & Infrastructure Renewal Nova Scotia.
Following our opening Panel, Robert Stewart, Facility Engineering Manager, JD Irving delivered a riveting explanation of how Irving Shipbuilding, an iconic local manufacturer of ships modernized its processes and methodologies using 3D modelling and BIM enabled technologies.
Following our keynote presentation SNC Lavalin's Vivek Tomar, Manager Business Development and Adam Milligan, Area Lead, Transportation Engineering/BIM Manager spoke about SNC Lavalin's approach to BIM on projects varying in scale and scope. Through the implementation of BIM, SNC-Lavalin is leveraging technologies like visualization, laser scanning and information modeling, to advance every stage of their projects from marketing and proposals, through the design and construction documentation, into construction phase services and facilities management. From start to finish, SNC Lavalin is using BIM.
Erik Poirer, Postdoctoral Fellow, from the University of British Columbia, representing buildingSMART Canada presented buildingSMART Canada's BIM Road Map, noting that a clear transformation is needed for the Canadian Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Owners and Operators (AECOO) community to improve its performance and contribute more effectively to the societal, environmental and economic development of Canada.
Brent Robertson, Architectural Project Manager, Dexel Developments provided examples of how BIM is being used with a local design practice. Brent showcased their use of technology and how Dexel is leading the charge through continually researching construction technologies for best build-ability and long term durability.
The day was broken up with two breaks Sponsored by DIALOG, Red Cage Solutions and Stuart Olson and a lunch break Sponsored by Cansel and Brandt Positioning Technologies. Attendees enjoyed some great networking and some "show and tell" opportunities in the CanBIM Technology Exhibition.
CanBIM Exhibitors included Atlantic CAD Solutions, Autodesk, Brandt Tractor, Building Point Canada, Cansel, Docupoint LLC, GeoShack, IMAGINiT Technologies, Leica Geosystems, Servant Dunbrack, McKenzie & Macdonald (SDMM).
Aaron Bryant Senior Director and Michelle Zunti Manager of Design & Tenant Coordination, Crombie REIT delivered an inspiring presentation on how Crombie REIT is utilizing BIM to capture, document, and review existing property conditions, prepare concept designs, and renderings for presentation and feasibility reviews, generate quantities for budgeting purposes, complete in house tender documentation for smaller projects and utilize models form consultants to derive building information and obtain 3D views of presentations.
Omar Zuberi, VDC Manager Eastern Canada, EllisDon Construction presented an interesting look inside how one of Canada's leading constructors is using BIM in the local Atlantic Region. Omar showcased a holistic view of the cumulative growth of BIM through a project life cycle with emphasis on initial setup and best practices in order to achieve maximum returns.
The presenting team from Pomerleau, CBCL, SDMM, and Michael Napier Architecture Inc. presented the Integrated Project Delivery approach, starting with the 3D scanning of the existing facility and site conditions through architectural and engineering design and modeling using Revit and finally coordination on site using Navisworks. All additional tools and methods of collaboration will be presented as well, as an example of possible cooperation between all parties.
Magdalena Ordyniec, BIM-VDC Manager, Pomerleau
Mark Doyle, BIM Specialist, CBCL Limited
Chris Foran, Vice-President Innovation, SDMM
Robert Spierenburg, Architectural Technician, Michael Napier Architecture
Jamie Mills, Construction Manager, Pomerleau.
Raymond Gallant, Operations Manager, Atlantica Mechanical Contractors Inc. provided a case study on the benefits of BIM for the Trade contractors on the Nova Centre project in downtown Halifax. Providing an overview of how multi-trade spatial coordination of ceiling space and major mechanical/electrical rooms is being used. The process of developing a model and the collaboration between Design Engineer, Architect, Construction Managers and Trade Contractors were reviewed.
Caesar Ruest, Construction Solutions Advisor, Autodesk provided a fascinating look into the "Future of Making Things", underpinning the importance of disruptive technologies and how these waves of innovation can significantly impact an industry and an economy. Caesar concluded his presentation by tying these disruptive trends to the local Atlantic market emphasizing the need for change and improvement through the use of technology.
The second and final panel provided the "Next Steps for BIM in the Atlantic Provinces". An experienced panel of professionals hosted an open discussion. Steve Thorne, Design Coordinator, BIM Manager, Bird Construction.
Arnold Wood, Airport Terminal Infrastructure Manager, Halifax International Airport Authority.
Raymond Gallant, Operations Manager, Atlantica Mechanical Contractors Inc.
Thomas Strong, Managing Director of Virtual Construction Services, EllisDon Construction.
Wrapping up our day of presentations was Pietro Ferrari, Chair of the Education & Research Committee, who presided over CanBIM's 5th Certification Ceremony, certifying a total of twenty-eight individuals at varying levels of CanBIM Certification. On hand to receive their certifications were six recipients, each recipient received their Certification from (L to R) Magdalena Orydniec, CanBIM Member (CP), R. Allan Partridge, CanBIM President (CP) and Ian Trudeau, CanBIM Secretary (CP).
Victor Cadoret, CanBIM Professional Level 1 - BP1
Kate Elizabeth Hemming, CanBIM Professional Level 1 - BP1
Justin McDonald, CanBIM Professional Level 1 - BP1
Dawn Angela Murray, CanBIM Professional Level 2 - BP2
Robert Alan Nielson, CanBIM Professional Level 2 - BP2
Bruce McCallum, CanBIM Certified Professional - CP
Following up this important occasion, attendees were treated to the Autodesk Closing Reception where guests had the opportunity to mingle and network while enjoying what CanBIM Exhibitors had to offer.
Thanks to all who participated and made this a successful event.
