In the heart of Montreal's bustling downtown, our challenge was managing the demanding integration of design complexity, construction technology, and unique site constraints in building this ambitious project. Ensconced amidst the dense urban fabric, the project necessitated blending two existing buildings into its design while maintaining respect for a nearby ancient church, presenting unprecedented architectural complications.
The project's ambitious design further escalated the challenge, marked by non-standard architecture: lack of typical floors, doubled and tilted columns, and the implementation of several unique curtain wall types. These peculiarities necessitated sophisticated expertise in concrete structure and envelope construction, paired with innovative execution sequences and stringent trade coordination.
These challenges were further amplified by unexpected events. The bankruptcy of a key formwork contractor, the exit of a crucial steel structure contractor, and challenges faced by the curtain wall trade with the complex system injected additional complexity into the project.
The inherent challenge was not just the development of an advanced technological solution, but ensuring its real-world adaptability, promoting clear communication among parties, and effectively managing the complexities of a construction project.
We were therefore tasked with bridging the gap between technology and practice, fostering open communication among all stakeholders, and expertly managing the intricacies of an urban construction project. The objective was to deliver a successful project within the allotted timeline and budget, despite the web of complexities. This challenge showcased our prowess in integrating disparate elements into a coherent, streamlined system, a feat we undertook and overcame.
The solution, essentially, was to embed BIM, VDC, and other advanced technologies into the core of construction project management. Magil Construction leveraged these tools to facilitate seamless coordination between trades, enhance the quality of construction, and optimize the management of the new building, leading to substantial long-term savings.
The BIM strategy was employed from the beginning of the project, with models provided by the design team serving as a starting point for the development of construction BIM models. These models were then used to coordinate different trades and disciplines. The approach ensured that BIM models developed by the MEP trades met the required Level of Detail (LOD), Level of Information (LOI), and Level of Accuracy (LOA).
Advanced software like Revizto was used to govern the coordination, communication, and collaboration process between the trades and the design team. Lidar laser scanning was used to check the quality of the execution and inform further refinement of formwork setup and communicate potential corrections to the flooring trade.
Moreover, augmented reality systems, microdrones, and other technologies were used for tasks such as inspecting the exterior envelope and detecting potential issues. These technologies were integrated with tablet devices, ensuring their easy use on-site.
Additionally, the BIM-VDC practices were not just limited to the construction phase but extended to the post-construction phase as well, where the Asset Information Model (AIM) was developed for optimizing building management. This comprehensive approach effectively addressed the challenge of harnessing advanced technologies for superior project execution.
