The Road to Success with 3D Model-based Design

CASE STUDYThe Road to Success, with 3D Model-based DesignPrivica uses Graphisoft’s ArchiCAD toprovide financial savings on civils,construction and architectural projects,through the use of intelligent 3Dmodelling.Privica uses the 3D Building InformationModelling (BIM) capabilities ofArchiCAD on all of its projects. It workson a wide variety of architecturalschemes, and uniquely, large civilengineering projects including road andrail work, plus extensive earthworks,where the minimisation of off-site wasteis paramount.Mostly Privica does not prepare theinitial design but it takes 2D designsfrom other companies and models themin 3D in order to be able to identifycoordination issues and produce highlyaccurate bills of quantities (B of Qs).Ron Whisker, Privica director, says:“Everything we do is geared towardsmaking things faster and more efficient.The best way of measuring a projectand producing a B of Q, whether it isarchitectural or civils, is to produce a3D model, so that’s what we do. Alsothe intelligence in a 3D model enablesdesign mistakes to be highlighted andautomated clash detection between, forinstance, structural and mechanicalelements can be identified. This allhelps to eliminate issues on site andensure construction progressessmoothly, saving clients a lot of timeand money. Often clients are unawarethese savings are possible and theyneed someone like us to be able get fullvalue from the project.”Set up in 2004, by Whisker and fellowdirector, Dick Barker, Privica now workson projects that range from a fewthousand pounds in value to £350million, as in the case of the M1“When we first thought about setting up Privica, we identified a marketfor coordination in the construction industry. Drawings andspecifications would arrive on site completely uncoordinated: thearchitectural drawings wouldn’t tally with the structural engineers’ andthe M&E drawings would be different again; estimating and producingB of Qs took a long time, too. We knew we could save people money.”Dick Barker – Privica Directorwidening scheme. The company hasmodelled over 200 projects since itsformation, which range from theaforementioned civils work to BuildingSchools for the Future proposals, andcomplicated construction projects suchas pumping stations and waste toenergy regeneration initiatives.Privica employs staff from a variety ofdisciplines, including architecturaltechnologists, civil engineers,mechanical and electrical engineers andproduct designers. The one thing thatthey all have in common is anenthusiasm for computer generatedsolutions and 3D model-based design.These are the skills, rather than quantitysurveying qualifications, that arerequired to produce the information andquality of images that Privica providesfor its clients.1

“if we can’t prove areas ofsaving on your project youdon’t have to pay us.”Ron Whisker – Privica DirectorWhile a conventional quantity surveyor manually extracts a B of Q from drawings forcost estimation, Privica can do that from its 3D model. However, it can also highlightflaws in the design before work starts on site, produce construction sequencingschedules, create images of the construction including sophisticated fly-throughimagery, and a 3D model. “We are pushing the boundaries of 3D model-based designby using it in different ways to the majority of people. And, the result is that we offer afull package – from initial estimations to detailed B of Qs, construction qualitydrawings and schedules and material that is usable for presentation or marketingpurposes,” says Whisker.Privica works initially in ArchiCAD, creating 3D models from its clients’ 2D drawings.Everything is modelled in 3D, from roads to earthworks, buildings and rail signallingequipment. The models are built from the firm’s vast library of parametric ‘parts’, manyof which are standard to ArchiCAD. Those unusual items that were not included inGraphisoft’s software, railway signalling towers for example, have been created by thePrivica team and are now saved in the library for use on future projects.In order to create B of Qs to the required industry standards, Privica has written abespoke link between a leading brand of estimating software and ArchiCAD. Now, asthe detailed 3D model is created in ArchiCAD all elements are identified to theestimating software so that it can interpret them correctly, with a B of Q beingproduced simultaneously.A group of companies providing nichemarket products and specialist services tothe construction industry.Privica LtdChevington House, The SquareYapham, YorkYO42 1PJt: +44 (0)870 1128835www.privica.com“We use ArchiCAD as a means to drive out coordination issues and to produce B ofQs to Standard Method of Measurement 7 (SMM7) quality, or the similar standards incivil engineering – CESMM – and highways work,” says Barker. “The use of 3D modelseradicates errors in the design because if you can’t model it you can’t build it.However, the 3D model also provides us with the accurate information to create adetailed B of Q, and, it presents our client with an instantly understandable bank ofinformation that can easily be turned into 2D drawings or used as a fly-through, orother marketing tools.“When we first thought about setting up Privica, we identified a market forcoordination in the construction industry. Drawings and specifications would arrive onsite completely uncoordinated: the architectural drawings wouldn’t tally with thestructural engineers’ and the M&E drawings would be different again; estimating andproducing B of Qs took a long time, too. We knew we could save people money.”2

“The use of 3D modelseradicates errors in the designbecause if you can’t model ityou can’t build it. However, the3D model also provides us withthe accurate information tocreate a detailed B of Q, and, itpresents our client with aninstantly understandable bankof information that can easilybe turned into 2D drawings orused as a fly-through, or othermarketing tools.”Privica was so confident that in its early days the firm approached potential clientswith the offer, “if we can’t prove areas of saving on your project you don’t have to payus.” This tempting offer got Privica ‘in the door’ and it was soon working regularlyunder framework agreements for large clients, such as construction group Clugstonand for Network Rail.Now, the company is involved in a variety of projects across the entire constructionindustry. Civil engineering work is a mainstay, with extensive road and rail contractsaccounting for some of the major schemes passing across the screens at Privica.However, contractors and engineers are also realising the power of this BIM-basedintegrated system, which can tackle the most complicated of services-led design briefas easily as it does a school refurbishment and renewal project.As a consequence, not only designers but also contractors who work in 2D are seeingthe benefits and installing ArchiCAD. The contractors don’t use ArchiCAD to modelwith,” explains Whisker, “but simply so that they can interact with the 3D models thatwe are providing for them.”Ron Whisker – Privica Director3

“Everything we do is gearedtowards making things fasterand more efficient. The bestway of measuring a project andproducing a B of Q, whether itis architectural or civils, is toproduce a 3D model, so that’swhat we do. Also theintelligence in a 3D modelenables design mistakes to behighlighted and automatedclash detection between, forinstance, structural andmechanical elements can beidentified. This all helps toeliminate issues on site andensure construction progressessmoothly, saving clients a lot oftime and money. Often clientsare unaware these savings arepossible and they needsomeone like us to be able getfull value from the project.”Ron Whisker – Privica DirectorFor a relatively small company Privica is punching well above its weight. With a broadscope for potential clients across all the construction sectors, with a very high level ofreferral for new work , and with large contracts from abroad just being secured, theoriginal vision for Privica is being strongly endorsed by clients. “We offer an integratedservice of B of Qs and design coordination through 3D model-based design. The nextstep is full project management, leveraging the models to provide effective projectscheduling and cost programming,” says Barker. “And, it’s not a giant step: our coremodel can be used to do all of this because it is so detailed and absolutely accurate.”About GraphisoftGraphisoft is the pioneer and leader in developing Virtual Building solutions. It is widelyacknowledged as the world’s #1 supplier of model-based software and services for thebuilding industry. Our clients are at the forefront of the industry – delivering projectsthat are better designed, more predictable to construct and less expensive to operate.For more information, please contact:Graphisoft UK Ltd. 21-25 Church Street West, Woking, Surrey GU21 6DJTel: +44 (0)1483 263 150 Email: mail@graphisoft.co.uk www.graphisoft.com4Copyright © Graphisoft UK Ltd 2008. All rights reserved. All other company and product names may be tradenames ortrademarks of their respective owners.