Sergio Muñoz

VISION

Society currently has a series or challenges to face, with the main objective of having accesible sustainable growth that exemplifies environmental regard. In order to achieve this, it is necessary to work on the development of new materials and new technologies that address these challenges and that they may be aplicable to each existing industry.

On the other hand, and in spite of the of investigative work done by Universities and technological centers, a huge gap has been detected between the result of R&D and the market, where two main areas are clearly set apart:

• Nanomaterials. Its possibilities are more than proven, but on the other hand its price is an obstacle for reaching to the market, especially our current economic situation.
• Building Information Modeling. International BIM implementation is done, and it is shows by:
  – The demand for BIM professionals is double of that of architects.
  – The demand for BIM projects is increasing in emerging countries.

MISSION

With this vision, LAURENTIA TECHNOLOGIES is born as a bridge between the ideas and opportunities of R&D, to make them accesible tocompanies, public organizations, and other groups that bet on innovation as a way for growth in the new technologies field, in which the construction fiels is set appart by the following:

• Introduction of Information & Communication Techonlogies in a SMART City model through the concept of OPEN BIM, that is the use of BIM with open standards.
• Integration of sustainable nanomaterials in construction products that give way to better functionality and are market accesible.

TEAM

LAURENTIA TECHNOLOGIES´s founding team comes from a network of institutions of the Valencian Community, REDIT, with an experience range of more than 15 years dedicated to R&D in the areas of New Technologies and New Materials, applied to the construction industry.

SERVICES

LAURENTIA develops the following activities:

• i. Consulting and services related to BIM and nanomaterials.
• ii. Research and innovation project development, local or Europe-wide.
• iii. Development of research or reports on technology, R&D, or strategic planning.

PORTFOLIO

Even tho LAURENTIA comes about in the month of September 2014, in almost two months it is involved in a high number of activities, such as:

• Development of optimised data models for energy rehabilitation.
  Energy rehabilitation is currently one of the most interesting markets of the construction industry. There is a need to reduce energy consumption of the existing building plus the new addition. This is why LAURENTIA have developed technologies that allow for an analisis of different energy rehabilitation options, taking into account factors such as: atmospheric conditions, shading provided by adjacent buildings, ROI, etc.
• Interoperability, sustainability and standards Training.
  The level of BIM maturity of professionals in the construction industry is low. This is why it is necessary to increase training sessions that improve that level in all aspects, not just the use of software but also in the development of collaborative abilities, and that is why it is necessary to have knowledge of standards and interoperability. LAURENTIA is participating in Zigurat and BIMCampus´ BIM Manager Master as well as training sessions for product manufacturers, led by BIMETICA.
  Desde LAURENTIA se está participando en el Master de BIM Manager de Zigurat y BIMCampus, así como en las sesiones formativas de Bimetica para fabricantes de productos de construcción.
• Development of european R&D research projects.
  Through its 2020 Horizon program, the European Union has placed a series of mechanisms in order to deal with current social changes, including climate change. In this framework, some focus on supporting R&D initiatives in the areas of applied tools and technology. With this, and in collaboration with different companies and industry groups, Laurentia hasprepared various project proposals related to building´s lifespan; from cradle to grave through BIM, and the development of decontaminating materials and reusing waste.
• Technological consulting for the improvement of materials and products.
  Improving properties, such as adding new functionalities in materials and construction products, is another activity that Laurentia works on for clients:
  – Self-cleaning glass.
  – Paints with thermal insulation properties.
  – Antimicrobial coatings.

David Martinez

Ibim Building Twice, SL is a serivce provider and consultancy related to the use and implementation of BIM technology.

It is led by four experienced professionals in the construction industry (architects, engineers), members of GURV (Revit Users Group of Valencia) and Autodesk Certified for Revit Architecture; Professionals with 20 years of experience in the development of projects, site coordination, construction planning, and people and material management. Experts in the applied use of BIM work methodology and its tools, with more than 7 years experience in this field.

If every partner is specialized in a concrete area, covering BIM practical and profound manner: architecture, structure, MEP, and coordination. GURV is the oldest group of BIM users (founded on 2010), pioneers in the field of gathering professionals socially to talk about BIM, continously sinde 2010 until now, with monthly meetings. These meetings are held in the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV), and have an technical exhibition from a member or a guest, and are followed by group administration issues. Before and after the reunions we usually do some networking through lunch/dinner or with some drinks.

Because of GURV, other simmilar groups formed in Spain: Madrid, Catalunya, Málaga, Extremadura, Galicia, Sevilla…and the first encounter of BIM users – EUBIM – got held on 2012 in Valencia. A year later, being again the hosts of the first BIM conference in Spain, always in the UPV.

In 2013 the City of Valencia offerced scholarships to new companies through its Valencia Emprende initiative. It is an initiative of the Department of Enrepeneurial Projects and Innovation of the City of Valencia, that has as an objective the fostering entrepenourship in Valencia and thus contributing to the technological growth of Valencian companies.

IBIM has constituted a company initiative that has been prized by the City of Valencia, in the call for entries of Valencia Emprende 2013, that is done to boost development in a solid and specialized manner, but companies with a technological base and innovative ideas. In order to do this, one has to attend 100 hours of business administration clases that encompass marketing, tax, coordination, strategy, sales, and innovation…

More than 100 initiatives were presented in 2013´s call. In order to qualify, we had to pass through a filter which only had room for 30 proposals, and IBIM was among those selected.

After the classes, in order to be elegible for the grand prize and economic endowment, we had to be among the 10 best. This selection process was made among a jury of 10 people with diverse company profiles. The 30 finalist companies prepared an “Elevator Pitch”, a presentation of 4-5 minutes where one had to explain the essence of the proposal, market analisis, added value of service, and necessary starting investment along with the economic study of the first three years of the company, as most companies fail during their first year.

Well, IBIM was finnally among the 10 best ideas and we were prized for entrepeneurship by the City of Valencia.

The services that are part of IBIM are: consulting, training, R&D, BIM implementation, Project collaboration, construction management, and bim content development.

• -Consulting: tailor-made services for companies and professionals.
• -BIM Training: academic and corporate. Specializing in Autodesk Suite: Building Design Premium. Principally Revit Architecture, Revit Structure, Revit MEP, and Navisworks, including their interoperability with other softwares: CypeCAD, CypeCD MEP, Arquímides and price generator, Presto, Lumion, MS Office…
  -In academic environments: Polytechnic University of Valencia, Cardenal Herrera CEU University in Valencia, Polytechnic University of Madrid, University of Coruña, Animum creative advanced school in Málaga, Valencia and Castellón´s Architectural colleges.
  -In corporate environments: tailor-made courses for offices, taking into account the main reason for the training, and implementing BIM right from the start to offices in: architecture, engineering, construction, development, product manufacturers, etc.
• R&D: Study and research of procedures that optimize workflows between different tools by our clients. Development of scientific studies for specialized conferences in the BIM industry. Treatment of Revit´s database in relation to MS Access.
• BIM Implementation: adaptation of the production of a technical office in BIM technology. Gradual procedures with specified short term and long term milestones. Tailor-made training for each department. Work is also used for learning in a personal and specific manner.
• Project collaboration, site planning, construction management: moving documentation from CAD to BIM, adapting and developing BIM production as an office, evolving already existing BIM implementation, project auditing through BIM technology for comparison vs. CAD results (clash detection, coordination between disciplines: architecture, engineering and MEP, Quantity take-offs), development of pre-construction models and construction process simulations including construction timetables, 4D and 5D animations, and As-built BIM models and construction register development, Laser scanning surveys with BIM treatment by point clouds.
• Clients: Sener Engineering and Systems, Fomento de Construcciones y Contratas, Dragados, OHL, Arup, Phi Design, Unicon Development.

David Barco Moreno

1- We have heard much about the Gestproject® software, but can you briefly tell us what can it do?

Gestproject® is a company coordination software, specializing in AEC offices with more than 12.000 users, that is based on the coordination of projects and covers the participating areas of a company or that an individual might need on a daily basis: client database, service providers, material and human resources, documents, finances, and quality control. It also includes a unique database to help a professional´s day to day work with project revision lists, codes and regulations, etc.

2- What makes Gestproject® stand appart from other coordination software?

Gestproject® has been designed keeping in mind the flow of information in a natural an logical way, starting at the comission stage, survey stagy, planning, and even the end stage has specific areas to help project landing (code compliance, licences, and paperwork) and is completely parametricized for the environment of architects and engineers with a unique database (project typologies, comission types, phases, specific tasks, revision lists, code compliance checklists). All parameters used have been based on ISO, college, and government standards. All of this for technical offices in order to help company coordination.

3- You think thar company coordination is important and that is should be based on a software?

Every company needs a company plan, a system of coordination, project flow and control processes, and quality control. The same as software like Revit, Archicad, Allplan, and AECOsim is used for project coordination, or as engineers use structural software like Cype, Tricalc, Robot, or the Quantity Surveyor has Presto or Arquímides, the coordination of a company needs a software like Gestproject®.

4- What features should a company coordination software have?

A company coordination software should be a modern solution that integrates the principal areas of a company: resources (contracts, company, departments, centers, personel), administration (accounting, workforce, taxes), quality (ISO, PRL). All these functions should be centralized andinteroperable between each team member, in order to improve efficiency and productivity like better processes, timing, costs, and project quality. Gestproject® integrates all of these elements for the development and control of each project cycle.

5- Do you see any simmilarities between Gestproject´s abilities and BIM methodology?

There are parallel fundamental concepts that are of great importance. We can surmise that both systems integrate and share information in real-time, integrating people, processes, and applications; information is generated automatically and linked to a unique database; improve communication and project compression; having secure information and reducing mistakes; time, resources, and cost saving; increasing revenue and productivity as well as quality; allowing to plan with precision with a fast and accessible manner; defining new work flows and having a proper project lifecycle from concept to demolition (or rehabilitation).

6- We know that Gestproject® has been improving for more than 10 years. Is it currently more BIM than ever?

From the beggining, Gestproject® has bet on a adaptive database that is suited for the AEC industry. This means that all parameters that are available to users are set in with a technical mindset; a project´s day to day. All of this philosophy has been translated to BIM projects, updating program databases with patameters and own BIM methodology records. In order to do this, we have included: BIM standards (COBie, UK AEC, uBIM, ISO), complementary listings of content download sites like Bimetica, BIM forums, BIM resources, BIM diagrams and roles, etc. As a matter of fact, Gestproject® is the only coordination software that has all of these resoruces included in its database.

De hecho Gestproject es el único software de gestión de proyectos que dispone de este tipo de recursos instalados en su base de datos.

7 – Can users aquire a trial version?

Ofcourse, they can ask for a free and functional Gestproject® LT version here: http://www.micad.com/productos/gestproject/demo, and one can also see the different product ranges here: http://www.micad.com/productos/compara-los-productos

8- Company coordination, BIM methodology, and quality are all aspects that a modern technical office should have. What do you think of this?

We think that each AEC office shouold have a solid foundation of quality, project coordination and production with BIM methodology. These pilars shouls allow for companies to offer quality products, control processes and costs, and its ROI. For innovation, research and development, they should not conform and should look for constant improvement. This advice should help improve our products, having them keep their added value and keep them from becoming obsolete.

9- You talk about entrepeneurship. An experience of such kind?

Entrepeneurship, among other definitions, is the capacity of developing creative and multiplicative ideas that usually fall out of conventional systems, conservative ideas and secure jobs. From this mindset, we are entrepeneurs since the first activity I´ve participated in. Ofcousse I´m talking as an Architect, Technologist, BIM expert, Quality auditor, and business partner in several companies.

We´ve been participating in a project called “Q+BIM+Gest” for a few years now, that searches new productive models of work in technical offices. As a result of this, new business models come about, as well as new activities based on new technologies like BIM, the redesign of company processes, searching for quality integration. Many of the results have been added to the improvement of the Gest project software, others in new BIM services and in new ways of developing projects.

I firmly believe that all professional activities should have a point of disconformity, to promote new projects, products, and services. There is still much work to do and much to study in order to reach these new standards: BIG Data, Smart Cities, Smart Offices…

Alvaro Ojea Gordo

INTRODUCTION

BIM, for me, is a new methofology and Revit is its software. With due respect to my competitors, but my experience has been with Revit.

Work tasks with BIM, is a process of polishing, like life itself. A process of gradually improving both personal and professionally, starting by the basic notions, LOD 100, until the highest level, LED 500.

DISCOVERY AND DEVELOPMENT OF BIM

In this process, this search, is how I started my professional development in BIM. My starting point was searching out a software that could respond to my need of expressing directly, in the design stage, all the spaces that I was imagining. I found this in Revit, which greatly satisfied my expectations. The way that I was taught in Revit, was that of a software used in three dimensional modeling, but it was much more than that, even if it took some time for me to notice.

After finishing the course, I opted to do my first project with Revit. I must confess that I constantly used model lines. I drew lines like I had done for years in autocad, in my times as a studen and first years as a graduate. Ocationally, I would link a CAD drawing as a reference (dimensions, furniture, etc.). When I finished my first project, I realized how much time I had lost by drawing model lines. It was a job I could´ve developed directly by using the wall tool and other construction elements, without the help of previously created mater lines.

From this point on, the process evolved in a self taught manner, producing a turning point. The moment we started working on the net, through the creation of a central file, that moment, the work process improved exponentially.

The speed of collaboration in procurement and project develoment has increased three-fold, and even four-times the speed of normal project execution. Decisions are being taken at the right time, without the necessity of delaying the process by realizing un productive meetings. As the saying goes: “four eyes see more than two”, but in our case, we did not have four, we had six, eight, etc. We were all connected simulaneously producing solutions, proposals, corrections, revisions, etc. At the begining the initial fear of the unknown, the famous “stage fright”, had passed away in a few days, all thanks to a slight nudge, and people would get quickly hooked on this new way of working and functioning.

INCORPORATING THE AEC (UK) BIM STANDARD

Our experience with autocad, which lasted quite sime time, where we would place line weights and thickneses without any collaboration. Until CAD standards came about, that helped us, since the first time, search for a methodology, already in other countries, to work with Revit. We found and implemented the criteria stated in the AEC (UK) BIM Standard for Autodesk Revit, A workable implementation of the AEC (UK) BIM Standard for Architectural, Engineering and Construction industry in the UK. From the standards set in, a BIM Co-ordinator as apointed to direct the team.

Also the Level of Development (LOD), a way of naming the files, the folders, and reference, if a new team member would be included, she/he would find all the material for the project easily and be ready to work.

BIM PROJECT EXECUTION

And the “final moment” came. The moment to build with this new methodology and new software. This phase was acomplished by building a Market. This project consisted in working with an existing design, developed in CAD (we had the original CAD filed to work from), to build in BIM.

We had to develop the Market building, an underground parking located in a parallel street next to the marke, and the rest of the site that encomassed the Market building, the parking, and extended to some streets and annexed plazas.

The market itself had two underground levels and three levels above ground. The parking had two levels and streched along the street paralel to the Market.

The project was divided into three work teams, as it seemed logical, that were charged with each part of the project: Site, Parking, and Market. Each of the teams created their corresponding Central File, and each Central File was liked to each other. Structural elements and MEP systems were also included in the files.

The structure was modeled internally, but was subcontracted for the design. The installations were also subcontrated and we later linked the models that we were provided with.

The result was outstanding, having been done in record time (1 month) and, above all, the tranquility that came about with last minute changes, which were realized effortlesly because everything was linked. The model reflected all the changes made, and the only thing “extra” resulted in the exporting of the schedules to update the takeoff sheets.

There are plugins that create a link between the generated model and specific programs to realize takeoffs and quotes. In my humble opinion, BIM implementation, like many others, surely has some degree of effort to it, like many others, but its benefits are amazing. And personally, there has to be a non-stop effort to continue improving on working with BIM, that now, and I´m exagerating a little, looks to be infinite.

FELIPE CHOCLÁN GÁMEZ

THE BET OF SACH CONSULTING.

There has always been key moments in construction history, and now we are living one of them with BIM being the cause. We can say that this was the XXI century´s industrial revolution. From its emergence in our industry, we do not see buildings the same way. We are able to understand the only way to successfully procure projects is to work in a collaborative manner from the beginning and share the experiences and lessons learned to all of the agents in the construction proces.

SACH Consulting has always been concious of this, and throughout its trajectory, since 2001, it has been innovating its techniques, tools, and operational methodology to implement them in the development of its projects.

For the betterment of Project Management, it manages to be the first company in the world to get an ISO 21500 International Certificate (Guidelines for Construction Project Management) given by AENOR, and following the necessities that is requires to push BIM implementation within the company, being conscious of the benefits obtained from the union of both innovations in a future project management task.

Analisis and visualization of a SACH project during execution phase.

This new work methodology that along with Project Management, ISO 21500 Guidelines, and BIM Methodology, is what we call BIM MANAGEMENT.

We have been using this way of coordinating projects since 2013 , in a satisfying manner in the Ecoeficient Retail sector, in which we are specialists. We are also being helped by the development of building renovations, in sustainable hotel projects, and energy renovations.

In broad strokes, BIM MANAGEMENT methodology consists in the application of processes that ISO 21500 builds upon, making it particular to each type of project, SACH´s coordination techniques; our “Know how”, and applying operational tools to BIM methodology.

It´s fundamental that for optimizing this methodology, that INTEGRATED PROJECT DELIVERY must be used, it is distinguished from the traditional contractual system by being an agreement between the client, the constructor, and the design and management teams from the start and where risk and success is shared by all, and the accomplishment of the parties depends on the acomplishment of the project.

Visualization of a SACH project from an execution phase and the built phase.

SACH Consulting bets on sustainable consulting and building management through BIM Management methodology, according to the highest sustainability standards, resulting in solutions that lessen environmental impact throughout the lifecycle of each project. The momentum of sustainable construction, through integrated operation of a collaborative 3D Model, that is committed with energy efficiency the necessary environmental protection, and resources optimization.

Buildings should be efficient in their management, but most importantly be CERTIFIABLE. The client wants and should know the degree of social responsibility of the companies in the development of their projects, and in order to do that it must obtain Certificates that guarantee trust in third parties that can show that, since the start, the project has been developed keeping a good result in mind that allows for the harmonious integration of social, environmental, and economic aspects through a sustainable mindset. SACH Consulting has understood that LEED Certification is the guarantee of these standards and is the greatest recognition at an international level, having participated in bringing LEED Certification about in the Ecoefficient-RETAIL Sector where SACH Consulting is renowned and specialized. An example of this is a mixed used building, hotel and commerce, in downtown Valencia, where the USGBC has given LEED Platinum to the store, where sustainability parameters have been above the standard, consuming 30% less energy and 75% less water, reducing CO2 emissions by 44% and it is expected for the Hotel to receive the LEED Gold category.

With reference to the development of this four-star hotel with 54 rooms, following the Sustainable Hotel criteria promoted by the ITH, we have taken the following sustainability parameters into account: Utilizing sustainable materials, adequate residue management, that guarantee an index of divergence greater that of 75%, where in a Hotel the installations with greater consumption are HVAC and lighting, we have placed particular emphasis on reducing its enegry consumption. For lighting, we have used LED technology, that surpasses standard lighting in terms of efficiency and heat generation. For HVAC, the latest products have been implemented along with their best energy eficiency and air quality performance through the VRV system, Free Cooling, and heat reclaimers. The proper management of the installations according to occupancy rate is fundamental. Because of this each floor and spaces have been divided to have only those occupied spaces consume energy. For optimum management, monitorization of consumption and installation efficiency, having controls and communication systems, for quick decision-making and analisis capability on energy efficiency matters that have as an objective the integrated operation of the different installations of this ECOEFICIENT HOTEL STRUCTURE in a centralized manner. In the same way responsible management of water has been used, by equiping low pressure faucets, and controlled discharge cisterns. To avoid solar panels generating hot water and covering the roof and limiting solarium space, a centralised Microgeneration heat system has been selected, which is a new concept in energy eficiency in the joint generation of heat and electricity for the ACS Hotel.

In conclusion to this article, we musc accept that BIM is a great reality for the future of Sustainable Construction and in conjunction with ISO 21500 guidelines which allow for an efficient development of BIM Management Methodology for the betterment of a Construction Process.

SACH Consulting, Specialists in Management and BIM Management Consulting