As work continues on the Michigan State University STEM Teaching and Learning Facility, Michigan’s first-ever Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) building, Granger team members see success from weekly BIM Coordination meetings.
What is BIM?
“BIM, or Building Information Modeling, is a way of turning design documents into interactive and intelligent 3D models,” notes Andy Darland, Granger’s Director of Virtual Design and Construction (VDC). “It is becoming more and more of an industry standard to use BIM on projects as it significantly helps owners and the entire team better visualize the design before construction.”
BIM Coordination Meetings at MSU STEM
At MSU, Granger Project Manager Bill Bofysil has been conducting weekly BIM Coordination meetings as an opportunity to review the latest design schematics with key team members.
“Our BIM Coordinator, Darrah Leach, inputs all the latest coordination models from the trade into Navisworks before the meetings,” Bofysil notes. “Then our team is able to run the clash detection process, noting any soft or hard clashes or other design issues we should address as a team.”
“These BIM Coordination meetings have been very useful from a Lean processes perspective,” Bofysil continues, “as they allow our team to address potential issues early. Any changes we can make to the design prior to installation save both time and money on the project. Also, because MSU STEM’s design is open-concept, where much of the conduit and ductwork is showing, it is especially important to make sure these design elements are both aesthetically and functionally correct.”
Granger brings all design team members and Owner representatives to the table for the BIM Coordinations, allowing the team to have productive discussions about areas that have been flagged as potential issues.
“It might be that a light fixture clashes with a section of conduit, or a VAV clearance box has a clash that prevents future maintenance and operation by the Owner after turnover. Whatever the situation, having each specialist in the room along with the Owner allows us to communicate with everyone at once and start brainstorming solutions.”
