Category Archives: BIM

Scott Tallon Walker Architects achieve BIM LEVEL 2 Verification

Scott Tallon Walker Architects are pleased to announce that they have achieved certification for the design and construction of BIM Level 2 projects in line with PAS 1192-2 by the British Standards Institute.

Scott Tallon Walker (STW) the UK and Ireland based architectural practice, will finish work on the 34,500 sq m Cancer & Surgery Facility for University College London Hospital (UCLH) in 2020. This is the second of only two NHS High Energy Proton Beam Therapy services.

 The central London hospital project designed in association with Edward Williams Architects, necessitated STW to achieve BIM Level 2 certification.  The firm was awarded its BIM Level 2 citation at a ceremony in London on 14th February 2019. 

BIM is a mandatory requirement for all large projects in Britain and Northern Ireland that are publicly funded. Though not yet mandatory in Ireland, it has been recently recommended by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) for complex projects including hospitals and Third Level institutes from Q2, 2019. The use of BIM (Building Information Management) will reduce risk, improve performance and eliminate costly waste by virtually building and testing designs before they go to site, something that is particularly relevant in the current climate. 

With offices in the UK since 1974 Scott Tallon Walker has won many high-profile public sector design briefs there. As well as the ongoing UCLH project STW has very recently completed the Queens University Belfast School of Biological Sciences, and two projects at the University of Surrey – Innovation for Health and 5G Innovation Centre. STW will also complete the Trinity College Dublin Business School project in March 2019.

Commenting, Eoin O Móráin, Chairman, Scott Tallon Walker said, “As big building projects get more and more complicated technology has to keep pace. As an international architectural practice, we are involved in these large projects including hospitals, universities, airports etc. where standards, appropriately, keep rising.”

We realised early on that to grow our practice further that we would have to be at the forefront of technological accreditation, so I’m delighted for all our staff, across our offices, that they have achieved this extremely high standard. I’m pleased to note as well that BIM Level 2 will shortly be introduced as a standard in Ireland and it should help in curtailing spiralling building costs, that have been so much in the news recently.

Further information is available at https://www.stwarchitects.com/expertise/bim


Current projects under construction which have been design using BIM standards and technologies include:

Proton Beam Therapy and Inpatient Hospital

Scott Tallon Walker (in association with Edward Williams Architects) were appointed to design the UK’s first Proton Beam Therapy Centre. Proton Beam Therapy is the world’s most advanced form of radiotherapy, which uses a precision beam of high energy particles (protons) to destroy cancer cells.

The 34,600m2 facility is currently under construction in the heart of London at Grafton Way, next to University College of London Hospital, on Tottenham Court Road. When completed, it will offer a world-leading new radiotherapy to patients, which targets tumours more precisely.

The Design has been assessed as BREEAM Excellent and is a UK Government Exemplar Project for the use of BIM Level 2.

A_UCLH4_9035_Sec 5 Appearance.indd

Queens University-School of Biological Sciences

Scott Tallon Walker Architects in conjunction with White Ink Architects were appointed in 2012 to a new project at Queen’s University Belfast following a competitive tender process.

In response to a forecast increase in student numbers and continued growth in biomedical and food research activity, Queen’s University has prioritised the new School of Biological Sciences as a key project to deliver the University’s strategic vision. The client brief sought a dynamic and stimulating teaching and research environment to meet current and future needs and to cement their reputation for excellence as a member of the elite Russell Group of universities.

In line with the Government Construction Strategy and the requirement to strengthen the public sector’s capability in BIM, the building is being developed as a collaborative Level 2 BIM project which provides an enhanced level of coordination while adding considerable value through the design process.

View_5_BSB_Chlorine Gardens

Trinity Business School, TCD

The new Trinity College Dublin Business School is a state-of-the-art development located on campus in Dublin City, Ireland.

The project will support the activities of the Trinity School of Business and the Department of Innovation and Entrepreneurship and will provide 12,000m2 of accommodation along with the restoration of 8 protected structures to provide student apartments.

In August 2013, the governance board of Trinity College Dublin included a vision statement for a new Business School in the invitation to tender for design team members circulated via the Irish Public Procurement Service. The Invitation to tender required the Project Team to develop the preferred design to a Level 2 maturity Building Information Model (BIM) to allow the procurement of a Construction Contractor (i.e. managed 3D environment held in separate discipline ‘BIM’ models and tools with attached data. Key requirements included:

  • BIM to be used for client “virtual walk through” at various stages of design.
  • BIM to be utilised to achieve optimum Energy performance for design options
  • Building information to be recorded within COBie parameters for handover to client
Trinity_exterior

Brewery Quarter – Student Accommodation

This 413 Bedroom Student Accommodation development is part of a wider mixed use urban regeneration project, including a new events centre, on the former Beamish and Crawford Brewery site in the historic medieval core of Cork city.

The site is located between South Main Street and a turn in the south channel of the River Lee where a new pedestrian bridge and street, Lamley’s Lane, will form a new east west route linking the University to the city centre.

This project is currently under construction by BAM who are a leading contractor in Ireland who are committed to implementing Level 2 BIM standards rigoruously on their projects. STW are working closely with BAM to ensure that design and construction deliverables meet or exceed standards.

Brewery Quarter STW Student Housing view 16 optB - crop

Scott Tallon Walker Architects are currently working on BIM projects both in the private and public sectors across a range of project types.

A successful BIM projects starts with  employer/project information requirements which are then translated into a BIM Execution Plan which is an important document that ensures all project team members are aligned in producing information that is coordinated and meeting client information requirements.

Further information is available from https://bim-level2.org/en/ or https://www.riai.ie/consumer_services/working_with_an_architect_-_larger_projects/building_information_modelling_bim/

Scott Tallon Walker Architects would be delighted to speak and share some insight with anyone considering procuring their next building using Building Information Modelling based on industry standards.

Scott Tallon Walker are recommended for certification by BSI for BIM Level 2 projects

Scott Tallon Walker Architects are pleased to announce that they have been recommended for certification for the design and construction of BIM Level 2 projects in line with PAS 1192-2 by the British Standards Institute.

BSI developed the BIM scheme for PAS 1192-2 Information management for the capital/delivery phase of construction projects to help designers and contractors, as well as their supply chains, provide evidence that they have the capability to deliver projects using Building Information Modelling (BIM).

STW successfully  demonstrated that they adhere to the requirements of the PAS 1192-2 standard through an independent assessment by BSI of our documented procedures and systems for all processes in PAS 1192-2, including compliance with BS 1192 and BS 1192-4, and the competency of our staff.

Scott Tallon Walker Architects recognise the potential of BIM to optimise the delivery of our design services, improving outcomes and realising value for money for our clients. We are committed to a ‘top down’ approach to BIM implementation and some of our most senior staff have qualifications in Collaborative BIM. This ensures the alliance of years of experience in design and construction with new methods of delivery. Further information is available at https://www.stwarchitects.com/expertise/bim

#BIM

Digital Transition Series – March 2018

Trinity_exterior

As part of the Digital Transition Series organised by CITA, Michael Earley and Liam Farrelly from Scott Tallon Walker Architects will be presenting on BIM in Education using the Trinity College Business School as a case study.

The presentation will be opened by David Browne, President RIAI and Barry Lowry, Government Chief Information Officer will speak about digital strategy and the National BIM Council Roadmap.

Date: Thursday 1st March – 7:30am to 10:30am.

Venue: Royal College of Physicians, No. 6 Kildare Street Dublin 2.


Agenda

08.00-08.10                         Opening Address – David Bowne, President RIAI

08.10-08.30                         Government Chief Information Officer, Barry Lowry

 

Case Study: BIM in Education – Trinity Business School

08:30-08.35                        Michael EarleyScott Tallon Walker Architects

08.35-08.50                        Liam FarrellyScott Tallon Walker Architects

08.50-09.05                        Adrian RyanArup

09.05-09.20                        Celine O’ConnorJJ Rhatigan and Company

09.20-09.30                        Q&A

 

09.30-10.20                         Panel Discussion on Commitment to NBC Roadmap

 


About Trinity College

Since its foundation four centuries ago, Trinity College Dublin has held rank as one of the world’s great universities. It is ranked 88th in the world, 22nd in Europe, combining advanced research and scholarship with an educational environment that values the whole student experience.

QS-rankings

Invitation to Tender for Design Team

In August 2013, the governance board of Trinity College Dublin included a vision statement for a new Business School in the invitation to tender for design team members circulated via the Irish Public Procurement Service. This document included some important preambles for design teams which mirrored significant challenges that were happening in the construction industry such as global recession and the significant progression in technology which was and continues to disrupt businesses. The following are some important extracts:

Change

“The world is witness to a wave of transformative thinking: sweeping up conventions and rules, changing the way we work, how we interact, how we do business. This revolution spearheaded by unprecedented opportunities in research, market sharing, information access, cloud technology, product development and instant, unfettered communication is irreversible. It is transforming strategic management from the smallest start-up to the corporate giant. Impacts on how markets develop, thrive, and exchange knowledge or expertise are deep. Progress is inevitable.”

Recession

“The global recession, meanwhile, is driving a radical, reflective revisioning of business practice and methodology, abolishing the obsolete. New thinkers rake over the ashes of assumption seeking embers to spark a flicker flame of economic recovery, a crank to start a level shift in momentum. The Time for Change is Now.”

Managing Change

“But change can be impetuous. It can lose sight of traditions, enduring wisdom and age old cultural nuance of immeasurable value. This can have long-lasting effects on security, stability and identity. Culture, arts, social science, the humanities must stitch in, to bring an evolutionary refinement to the galloping pace of technology. Change must be managed consciously, carefully with insight and discipline.”

Invitation to Tender for Design Team – Level 2 BIM

The Invitation to tender required the Project Team to develop the preferred design to a Level 2 maturity Building Information Model (BIM) to allow the procurement of a Construction Contractor (i.e. managed 3D environment held in separate discipline ‘BIM’ models and tools with attached data. The architect as lead designer was required to prepare a project strategy or plan that provides for information sharing between all key design/construction disciplines via BIM, including exchange formats and procedures. Key requirements included:

  • BIM to be used for client “virtual walk through” at various stages of design.
  • BIM to be utilised to achieve optimum Energy performance for design options
  • Building information to be recorded within COBie parameters for handover to client

It was exciting to see that Trinity College Dublin were taking a lead by procuring a project to Level 2 BIM standards. Like the aspirations for the development of the new Business School, the advancement of technology and new processes to manage design brought challenges which required strategy and careful management. The design team combined a knowledge of BIM software systems from graduates, BIM management skills gained from working on projects in the UK during the lean years and the experience of project architects and engineers who have been involved in similar projects.

The Site

Trinity Business School is being located on a 0.518 ha site approximately, within the campus of Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2. The site is principally bounded by Pearse Street to the north; the existing railway line to the east; existing structures on Pearse Street to the west and the Trinity College campus to the south.  The site also includes Nos. 183-188 Pearse Street (incl.), which are Protected Structures, which will be refurbished as a cafe and student accommodation with related ancillary uses. The development includes the demolition of the existing Sports Hall (Luce Hall) previously designed by Scott Tallon Walker Architects in the 1970s, the maintenance workshops and first floor WCs to the rear of Nos. 183-188 Pearse Street.

TCD Site

The Building

The development consists of a business school; innovation and entrepreneurship hub; auditorium; cafe and student accommodation with ancillary administration, staff and student uses.  The proposed new building comprises six floors of lecture/office accommodation over two basement levels linked to Nos. 183-188 Pearse Street. The development also includes the refurbishment, including internal revisions, of Nos. 183-188 Pearse Street, which will be extended at the rear ground floor level to provide cafe use with student accommodation at first and second floor levels.

TCD montage
Entrances from Pearse Street and the campus are at ground floor level and give access to an atrium space which includes an Exhibition Area, access to a lecture theatre, access to the upper level of the 600-person auditorium, general circulation and informal meeting and gathering space. Stairs and passenger lifts give access to all lower and upper floors. The 600 seat Auditorium can accommodate both large and small audiences for events such as the welcoming of new students, major award ceremonies, lectures, graduation events and conference plenary sessions. It is capable of being used in a number of modes: entirely flat floor, raked and flat floor, or subdivided into two separate 300 seat spaces, one raked and one flat.

13094-PLA-0024-P1 copyOPPOSITE

Survey

In February 2014, Scott Tallon Walker, Arup and IN2 prepared a specification for procurement of a survey which included a Point Cloud Survey for the protected structures, and the adjacent buildings. The document set-out very prescriptive requirements for the information to be delivered which included a Full cartographical two dimensional (2D) topographical survey, Point Cloud Survey and Revit models to varying levels of detail. The contextual Revit models Coastway Surveys who were the successful bidder have been very useful for such as constrained and historic site.

Planning and Regulatory Compliance

A Planning Application was submitted in June 2015 and permission was granted in September 2015. Fire Safety Certificate and Disability Access Certificate applications were lodged in in September 2015.

13094-PLA-0024-P1 copy

Invitation to Tender for the Construction Team

In January 2016, Turner & Townsend prepared the construction tender documentation which included documentation from Trinity College Dublin and the Design Team. Included with this tender documentation were comprehensive and updated Employers Information Requirements (EIR) and Supply Chain Capability Summary (SCCS) documents, prepared by TCD’s BIM Manager, and an Asset Information Requirements (AIR) document provided by Scott Tallon Walker and agreed with TCD which captured the requirements for all asset information in the model to be provided by the contracting team.

Tender documents for the main contract and separate Mechanical & Electrical contracts were issued in March 2016. As this was TCD’s first Level 2 maturity Building Information Model (BIM) capital project, the EIR and AIR documents were composed with the vision of utilising these on all future capital projects which would be procured using Level 2 BIM. The assessment of BIM Execution Plans (BEPs) was undertaken by TCD’s BIM Manager.

TCD EIR

Construction Team

Enabling works which included civil works and a temporary electrical substation was awarded to BAM.

JJ Rhatigan and Company were awarded the main contract to construct the Business School in June 2016. T Bourke and Company were awarded the Mechanical Contract with the Designer Group being successful with the Electrical Contract.


Key Statistics:

  • Site Area: 5,200 m2
  • Gross Internal Area: 14,155 m2 including protected structures
  • Contract / Delivery Type: Irish Government Public Works Contract – PWC-CF1 v2.0 Jan 2016.
  • BIM: Level 2 BIM in accordance with PAS1192-2:2013
  • Sustainability: NZEB, BER A2

Accommodation:

  • The School of Business
  • Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub
  • Auditorium
  • Restaurants
  • Pearse Street Terrace Refurbishment (Protected Structures)

Client Team:

  • Director of Estates & Facilities: Paul Mangan
  • Head of Capital Projects: Greg Power
  • BIM Manager: Peter McDonnell
  • Project Manager: Tom Armstrong

Design Team:

  • Architects: Scott Tallon Walker Architects
  • Structural/ Civil Engineer: Arup
  • Façade Engineer: Arup
  • Mechanical & Electrical Engineer: IN2
  • Project Manager: Turner & Townsend
  • Quantity Surveyor: Turner & Townsend
  • PSDP: Turner & Townsend
  • Fire Engineer: Michael Slattery and Associates
  • Acoustics: AWN Consulting
  • Sustainability: IN2
  • Planning Consultant: Tom Philips and Associates
  • Conservation Architect: David Slattery Conservation Architects
  • BCAR Consultant: Procert
  • Landscape Architect: Mitchell & Associates
  • Catering Design: QA Design

Construction Team:

  • Enabling Works: BAM
  • Main Contractor: JJ Rhatigan and Company
  • Mechanical Services Contractor: T Bourke
  • Electrical Services Contractor: Designer Group