GRAPHISOFT > Case Studies > BIM-Integrated Design Process: A Case Study of House 15 by HCF and Associates

BIM-Integrated Design Process: A Case Study of House 15 by HCF and Associates

Technology Category

Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Exchange & Integration
Cybersecurity & Privacy - Security Compliance

Applicable Industries

Buildings
Retail

Applicable Functions

Product Research & Development
Quality Assurance

Use Cases

Construction Management
Construction Site Monitoring

Services

System Integration
Testing & Certification

About The Customer

HCF and Associates is a boutique architectural consultancy based in Singapore. The firm leverages the efficiency of a specialized team of Architects, Designers, and Technologists. They have extensive experience in conceptual and environmental master planning, having received numerous large-scale commissions from the government. They have also achieved active success and participation in architectural design competitions and have developed a high discernment in aesthetics and high architectural skill. The firm has many years of practice and compliance experience, with familiarity with local authorities and extensive work experience on a range of complex projects. They have also honed the ability to put together a highly effective design team involving all disciplines through many years of practice experience ranging from interior turnkey projects to multi-million dollar large-scale design and build commissions.

The Challenge

HCF and Associates, a boutique architectural consultancy based in Singapore, faced a challenge with their residential project, House 15. The project was located in an exclusive gated community, with the building lot facing the sea and measuring 700 square meters. The site, while valuable, was relatively small and had restrictive set-backs and height limitations. The design of House 15 was geometrically derived, featuring three distinct blocks situated around a central atrium. The division of the floor plan was conventional with public spaces on the first floor, and more private spaces in the basement and on the second floor. The challenge was to implement a Building Information Modeling (BIM)-integrated design process that would minimize time and resource consumption, and positively impact the thought process and productive mindset of the architects.

The Solution

HCF and Associates chose House 15 as the pilot project to fully implement the BIM-embedded design process. The scale of the project made it possible to capture every aspect of the project in BIM. The expected timeline of the project allowed for exploration, review, adjustment, and possible correction of the BIM design process. The design development of the project allowed for the BIM model to become progressively more complex, by adding more details, data, and information as the project developed. The team of designers in charge of the project rose to the challenge of exploring, researching, and coming up with the best possible practice while keeping up with the project’s timeline and requirements. The workflow circled between decision, implementation, and review. The BIM model was organized to be as versatile as possible, facilitating the extraction of model representations and data. The model was built as it would be in real life, highlighting possible issues and clashes at a very early stage, allowing them to be resolved long before they could affect the construction.

Operational Impact

The implementation of the BIM-integrated design process in the House 15 project resulted in a number of operational benefits. The BIM model allowed for the extraction of smart data, creating an intelligent, integrated information system. The model was also versatile, facilitating the extraction of model representations and data. The BIM model was built as it would be in real life, which helped in highlighting many of the possible issues and clashes at a very early stage, allowing them to be resolved long before they could affect the construction. The BIM platform also allowed for easy sharing of spatial aspirations accurately with sub-consultants and contractors. The BIM model was used to produce all the project deliverables and documentation necessary for all stages of the project and for all parties. This resulted in improved integration, accuracy, and efficiency of the design process.

Quantitative Benefit

The BIM model allowed for the extraction of additional information such as area, volume, and sun orientation.
The BIM model was used to produce all the project deliverables and documentation necessary for all stages of the project and for all parties.
The BIM model highlighted possible issues and clashes at a very early stage, allowing them to be resolved long before they could affect the construction.