CanBIM discusses industry partnerships with George Brown College.
The AEC industry in Canada is quickly seeing the impacts of BIM within its workflow. Hardware and software is changing, new strategies and methods are being implemented, and the AECOO industry's reliance on BIM is increasing. The next generation of BIM professionals will need not only in-depth technical knowledge of BIM protocols and methodologies, but also hands-on experience working with emerging technology. George Brown College recently collaborated with Tucker Hirise during their construction of the One Bloor East condominiums.
Mr. Petro Karanxha is a BIM Technologist working within George Brown College’s Center for Construction and Engineering Technologies department. Petro also works alongside the Research and Innovation department. Petro holds a Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management and has been organizing initiatives to bring BIM into the forefront of education at George Brown College. Petro has successfully led the research team through multiple industry collaborations, inclusive of the One Bloor project.
INTERVIEW
CanBIM: What is the purpose of the Research and Innovation Department?
Petro: The purpose of the Research and Innovation department is to identify applied research processes that will allow us to explore new technologies and methodologies in construction applications. BIM is one of these new processes that the college is implementing to conduct research. The department focuses on providing opportunities for both students and businesses. Students are gaining real-world experience while businesses are acquiring access to new digital technologies and equipment. The department is largely focused on collaboration.
CanBIM: What role did your research team play in the One Bloor project?
Petro: Within all applied research projects the team undertakes, we begin by creating a scope document based on what industry is hoping to gain from the research. On the One Bloor East project we created a project plan that would focus our efforts toward identifying possible clashes between MEP equipment within the penthouses of the building. The projects goal was to assist Tucker Hirise in laying out these systems within Revit. Utilizing 3D strategies to map out these systems in an effort to avoid clashes during construction was our main objective.
CanBIM: How was your experience working with Tucker Hi Rise on such a large project?
Petro: The experience working on this project with Tucker Hirise was excellent. When we first met with them to start the scope for this project, we were certain that we wanted to be part of this collaboration. We knew we could help their team and add value to the project before they started construction in the penthouses. We worked alongside the Tucker BIM department and the mechanical engineers replicating these spaces in a 3D environment. It was a great synergy with all project participants learning and gaining exposure to new methodologies.
CanBIM: What BIM technologies or strategies did your team implement on this project?
Petro: The project was based in Revit, where we focused our efforts in modeling all the designed MEP elements. Our team would analyze this 3D model to investigate clashes between the systems and building elements. To further ensure accuracy within this model we then utilized NavisWorks for clash detection and coordination of potential issues within the model.
CanBIM: How do projects and partnerships like this affect the next generation of BIM professionals?
Petro: Applied research projects provide students with an opportunity to be introduced to new digital technologies and procedures being utilized in the construction industry. The students gain exposure by working within their field of study on real projects and forming relationships with industry professionals. The students are gaining experience and unique skill sets that will make them qualified candidates for jobs in the future.
CanBIM: What does the industry gain from partnerships like this?
Petro: The industry gains access to our hardware and software, and the ability to investigate BIM with funding and grants from the government. These businesses utilize this relationship to explore new digital technologies that might make them more competitive in the construction market. In many of our projects, we have seen our industry partners becoming more heavily invested in the technologies they have explored while working with us.
CanBIM:
The school has successfully worked on multiple applied research projects alongside a wide variety of industry partners. The projects are made possible in part by funding from the Government of Canada. The projects provide students with real-world experience and the opportunity to work with emerging BIM technologies.
Thank you to Petro and George Brown College for sharing your experiences with the CanBIM community. If you have an interest in learning more about opportunities to collaborate with George Brown College, contact Alena Konovalova (akonovalova@georgebrown.ca). If you or your firms have any stories regarding innovation and technology in construction, please share them with us:
Brad Shapiro
Marketing Associate
bshapiro@canbim.com
