tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22950394363855106192024-02-19T06:31:27.938-08:00BIM + Lean + GreenSharing experiences with BIM, Lean and Green in construction industryUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295039436385510619.post-29536406140205230912013-11-30T06:44:00.003-08:002013-11-30T08:26:52.606-08:00Data Driven Design and Construction - Answers to Randy's questions<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Randy started a new<a href="http://datadrivendesignblog.com/2013/11/27/welcome-to-data-driven-design-and-construction/"> blog</a> that will focus on Data Driven Design and Construction. He asked few questions in his first post. Here is my take, feel free to comment. I recommend you should follow his blog. He will be coming up with a book on this topic next year some time. I can't wait to read it. Here are his </span>questions<span style="font-family: inherit;"> and my answers - </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">How do we, as a discipline, capitalize on data and
metadata to drive innovation in architecture and construction, just as
other disciplines and industries have?</span><o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Evidence
based design is one of the leading fields of research that will
eventually result in data driven design and construction. Understanding the end
user requirements better and designing products that reach to the highest level
of customer satisfaction would require data driven design. On technology front, building
information </span>modelling<span style="font-family: inherit;"> (BIM), virtual reality and augmented reality will help
collect the data related to customer requirement. Moreover, when construction
is in progress real time data collection from different data points on
construction sites, architect, engineer, contractor and supplier offices will help in making
better decisions and reduce waste from construction processes. Once the
facilities are built, sensors and different data collection tools in facilities will help
improve the user experience and make the environment more productive and healthy
for occupants. Moreover, greater energy efficiency and reduced water usage will
be achievable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">What forces and technologies are coming together in the
second decade of the millennium that make the gathering and use of data
possible for industry practitioners for firms both small and large?</span><o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I think
these technologies will facilitate data driven design<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">1)
<!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.oecd.org/sti/44379113.pdf">Sensor Technologies</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">2)
<!--[endif]-->Virtual Reality<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">3)
<!--[endif]-->Augmented Reality<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">4)
<!--[endif]--><a href="file:///D:/Documents/PMP/Research/Frameworks/Business%20Intelligence/aws.amazon.com">Cloud computing</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">5)
<!--[endif]-->Web<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">6)
<!--[endif]-->Internet<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">7)
<!--[endif]-->Faster and more powerful hardware (Smartphones,
Tablets, Cameras, AI, Google Glasses etc.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">8)
<!--[endif]-->RFID, QR codes and Smart Dust<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Forces
coming together to make data driven design possible<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">1)
</span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">Building Information </span>Modelling<span style="font-family: inherit;"> (BIM) Adoption
and Government Mandates<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">2)
<!--[endif]-->USGBC – LEED Certification<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">3)
<!--[endif]-->Lean Construction<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">4)
<!--[endif]-->agcxml<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">5)
<!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.nibs.org/?page=bsa">building smart alliance</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
6) The construction open software alliance </div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Why is the architecture, engineering and construction
(AEC) industry the last to discover – and utilize – data, for their
benefit?</span><o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The reason lies in the following –<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">1)
<!--[endif]-->Fragmented nature of the industry<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">2)
<!--[endif]-->One of a kind product design and
production<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">3)
<!--[endif]-->Geographically dispersed production
sites and project stakeholders<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">4)
<!--[endif]-->Lake of single entities doing it all
together<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In
other words - A number of players, who may or may not know each other, come
together to build a facility that is one of its kind design and construction
and it is to be built in a location that may or may not be known to everyone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">In what ways can design and construction professionals
and owners benefit from capturing, collecting and using data in their
building models?</span><o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Information
is power, if you know how to use it right. This might sound like a cliché but this is
true. Now a day not only having the right information but having the
information in right format is also important. Meaning human interpretable and
actionable information derived out of all the information received from
different data points.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Using big data
with right software tools will help design and construction professionals and
owners to make better and faster decisions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">What implications does the DIKW hierarchy have for
presenting findings to owners and others who may not be as data savvy?</span><o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">DIKW (Data, Information, Knowledge and Wisdom) has huge
implications as data in its raw format will be a disaster as we move forward
and collect more and more data. Information overload is already a headache for lot of early adopters of technology. We would need tools and processes to present
the data to lay man and DIKW has a big role to play. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">What is the business case for implementing a data
transformation within one’s organization?</span><o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Business
case at this moment (in Nov 2013) is about -</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">1.
<!--[endif]-->Reduced waste due to improved
coordination using BIM (works very well for MEP guys)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">2.
<!--[endif]-->Improved hospital facilities
designed using evidence based design <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">3.
<!--[endif]-->Energy efficient facilities designed
using data analysis<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;">4.
<!--[endif]-->Competitive advantage, especially
with more and more government and institutional mandates requiring the use of
building information modeling (BIM) also for marketing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I wrote an
article related to this topic - <a href="http://bimleangreen.blogspot.com/2011/01/business-case-for-building-information.html">Business
Case for Building Information Modeling (BIM), Lean, Green and IPD - What we can
learn from an Economist?</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.75in;">
<br /></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">How is data currently being used in the AEC industry?</span><o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">At present
data is being used in fragmented format. There are several authoring tools and
several analysis tools and interoperability is a hurdle in harnessing the full
potential of the available data.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Building
Information Models (BIM) is used for producing drawings, estimating, scheduling,
visualization, coordination and collaboration. I am not sure if BIM is
successfully implemented for facilities management anywhere yet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Second
comes the data collected by building information management systems (BIMS), they
should help improve future building design and improve existing facilities
energy and water use. I am not sure if this is being done successfully either.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Moreover, information
generated in design and construction process is used for different purposes
such as budgeting, estimating, scheduling, project controls and monitoring etc.
There are several other systems as I mentioned earlier and data is being used
for one purpose or the other. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Can building data be crunched into a form that can be </span>analysed<span style="font-family: inherit;"> by non-experts? Or will architects and other design and
construction professionals need to adapt to working with, even alongside,
data scientists and </span>analytical</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> experts?</span><o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The answer
to this question is not a straight forward one. This can be said that technology
exists that can make gaining the wisdom out of building data a no brainer but
that would also require a certain level of understanding from the non-experts
side. Meaning, non-experts will have to become techsavvy and need a primary
education in the tools that will be used for </span>extracting<span style="font-family: inherit;"> that wisdom out of data.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Is there a precedent for this situation, perhaps in another
industry, that architects can learn from would do well to model and
emulate?</span><o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Manufacturing
industry shows the roadmap. Cars and space craft design processes might help.</span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295039436385510619.post-78364348704752359372013-01-05T13:52:00.003-08:002013-01-05T23:34:02.203-08:00World's Tallest Building Sky City-1 Changsha China and BIM, Lean and Green - What might be coming?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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</xml><![endif]-->I feel fortunate to be living in an era when there are Computers,
iPhones, iPads, Androids, Google Glasses, Google Earth, Facebook, Twitter and
Broad Sustainable Construction. All but the last one out of my list are pretty
obvious and I do not feel explaining why they are awesome. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I feel like talking a lot about Broad
Sustainable Construction, a company which is based out of China and doing
miracle after miracle and revolutionizing what world calls development. As a
matter of fact, China is doing great with several other things too. But this
blog won’t be talking about that.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
At this very moment (January 5<sup>th</sup> 2013) Broad
Sustainable Construction is building world’s tallest building – Sky City –1, which
is almost a kilometer high (838 m/2749 ft to be precise) with 220 floors. They
are set to complete the construction of this building within 90 days. This is
remarkable and revolutionary. They claim to prefabricate 95% of building off
site. Guess what, whole world is trying to bring lessons learned from
manufacturing to construction (in the form of lean principles from more than 20
years now) and this project’s team is writing history by doing just opposite.
They are using best of both worlds. They are building one of a kind product (this
building) and they are using assembly lines to build 95% of it.<br />
<br />
The three
pillars of successful project - Time, Cost and Quality need to be evaluated for
this project. At this moment, one thing is sure that Time being taken in this
construction is the shortest in the history. Cost of construction and quality
of construction can only be evaluated once the project is finished. But, I like
to think they will build it for less per square feet cost than most of similar
construction in the world and this building will serve the purpose as intended by its
designers. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://media.treehugger.com/assets/images/2012/07/skyspecs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://media.treehugger.com/assets/images/2012/07/skyspecs.jpg" width="395" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.designmena.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Sky-City-One.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.designmena.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Sky-City-One.jpg"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /></span></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Image Reference: <a href="http://www.treehugger.com/green-architecture/update-sky-city-one-interview-architect-xian-min-zhang.html">Treehugger</a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span id="goog_285549007"></span><a href="http://www.treehugger.com/green-architecture/update-sky-city-one-interview-architect-xian-min-zhang.html">Here</a><span id="goog_285549008"></span>
is what Broad Sustainable Construction’s architect Xian Min Zhang has to say “China
cannot pursue the American or European lifestyle, it cannot afford it: work
somewhere and live somewhere else, using cars and roads to connect.” So they
are building a city with everything in it. This building, which is also a city,
will habitat 17,000 people, will have 5 schools, a hospital, a hotel for 1000
guests and 17 helipads.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The very existence of this audacious project changes a lot for
construction folks. Industry needs to rethink the role of building information
modeling (BIM), lean construction, sustainable green construction, embodied
energy, information technology for construction, automation in construction,
prefabrication, construction materials, construction methods and all the
knowledge about construction that is based on Pre-Sky City – 1 era. If
buildings will be built like this and time, cost, quality, safety and customer satisfaction
are achieved successfully, application of this knowledgebase will change significantly.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I do not want this to be an informative post, but I do want
readers to think how future would look like for them if this is the way we plan
to build. We could very well be importing entire buildings in few years……………<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, I would put forward my guess about how BIM, Lean and
Green are being applied in this building (again following section is just my guess and not any
factual information)-</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Building Information
Modeling (BIM) at Sky City -1</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My guess is that BIM is extensively used in Sky City -1 to
make sure that everything goes where it is supposed to go on job site. Entire
building’s model is built up to the nut and bolt level (Level of Detail -5 in
BIM world). The data produced for this building must be humongous and unprecedented
efforts would have been made by engineers and architects for coordination. What
tools are they using for this coordination? I do not know. (Let me know what
you think in the comment section below). The foundation is built in-situ and
95% of building is prefabricated. A lot of steel (some 207 thousand ton according
to estimates) needs coordination, let alone mechanical, electrical and plumbing
(MEP) coordination. Are they preassembling MEP in addition to prefabrication? Probably
the answer to this question is Yes. So here is what’s happening. There are a
lot of big pre assembled components that need coordination and BIM sure is
being used for coordinating on Macro level too.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So they are using BIM for coordinating at micro level, using
that for prefabricating and preassembling, and coordinating big pre assembled components
using BIM again.<br />
Use of information technology tools including internet, world wide web, analytical and intelligent IT tools got to be huge on a project of this magnitude. We ourselves are building one such <a href="http://app.intellobuild.com/">tool</a> and wonder how beneficial such tools could be for preassembly, prefabrication and just-in-time delivery.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.designmena.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Sky-City-One.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://www.designmena.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Sky-City-One.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Image Reference: <a href="http://www.designmena.com/thoughts/engineer-retire-china-achieves-superquick-tower">designMena</a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Lean Construction at
Sky City-1</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The very core of this building’s construction method makes
it Lean. The selection of this method itself eliminates a lot of waste and
produces value for building occupants, and therefore makes the process lean. The
7 well know wastes must be significantly reduced. Here is what might happen
with this building and waste produced due to its construction-</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Transport
(moving products that are not actually required to perform the processing) – A lot
of things associated with construction, including temporary structures and construction
equipments, would not be needed anymore. The assembly lines used in
manufacturing are already proven to be better than on site production in construction.</li>
<li><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Inventory
(all components, work in process and finished product not being processed) – A lot
of time and energy on construction sites goes into managing the inventory on
job site. If done correctly, Sky City-1 would produce minimum inventory
management requirements and waste due to inventory will be minimal</li>
<li>Motion
(people or equipment moving or walking more than is required to perform the
processing) – On job site logistics planning and arrangement for one building
itself is a lot of waste, it requires significant movement of man, machine and
material. Pre fabrication in a controlled environment using assembly line would
certainly reduce this waste. </li>
<li><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Waiting
(waiting for the next production step) – If 95% of building is pre assembled
the waiting time will be as good as the manufacturing facility’s efficiency and
lean practices on factory floors. This will be better than waiting time needed
for construction with other construction methods.</li>
<li>Overproduction
(production ahead of demand) – If done correctly, Broad Group won’t have to do
a whole lot of extra production because building would need specific amount of
component of a certain kind.</li>
<li>Over
Processing (resulting from poor tool or product design creating activity) –
This could be a problem if processes are not managed properly at factory
floors.</li>
<li>Defects
(the effort involved in inspecting for and fixing defects) – Again, factory
floor lean practices along with the accuracy of assembled component
coordination and installation would significantly reduce defects on this
project.</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
About the produced value; it completely depends on user’s
perception. If people using this building find that this building gives them what
they expected, at the cost they expected, then value produced and waste reduced
would make it one of the leanest project on the planet.<br />
<br />
This will be an interesting question to think about - If used, how the use of Last Planner System, Set Based Design, Value Stream Mapping and Target Value Design will pan out on this project?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sustainable and Green
Construction at Sky City-1</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One thing is sure about this project, if built in given time
frame this tower will be relatively less disturbing for at least for the neighborhood
it is built in. Construction material, site selection, use of energy, water etc would
depend on its design and construction.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, I believe this will be highly sustainable in
construction phase as there will be less trucks and vehicles going back and
forth to the job site, there will be less dust, smoke and other chemical particulates. All these would
be done in a controlled condition that would produce higher degree of
environment friendly results.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are engineers who<a href="http://www.designmena.com/thoughts/engineer-retire-china-achieves-superquick-tower"> deny the possibility of building this tower in 90 days</a>. WSP’s structure engineer
Bart Leclercq says he would retire if Broad Group builds this tower in the
time they claim they would. So the question is not whether to change the way
buildings are built but rather the question to ponder is whether building built in
this fashion will be viable and acceptable technically, financially,
economically, environmentally and socially. Where are we going with this?
Please feel free to share your thoughts in comments section.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Information Links are in References Section on<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sky_City"> this page</a>.</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295039436385510619.post-11225829790494856972012-08-09T04:46:00.002-07:002012-08-09T08:28:38.996-07:00Future of Visualization using Building Information Modeling (BIM) – 2020 Vision<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
With much hype about building information modeling (BIM) in
last 5-6 years, now (2012) industry has arrived at a point where BIM is in every AECO
professional’s dictionary. BIM is not only a fancy world in these professional’s
dictionaries but they are using it for various advantages over their non-BIM using
competitors. A recent example is the use of building information modeling at at <a href="http://investors.autodesk.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=117861&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1627559&highlight=">Panama Canal Expansion</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
It’s all good that BIM is in use and its adoption is increasing
exponentially. The question posed to the industry geeks is what is the future
of BIM? Well, here is my take on the future of BIM-<br />
<br />
1. We will move from 2D
display Views to 3D-non-immersive Viewing<br />
<br />
User interfaces can improve task
performance by exploiting the powerful human capabilities for spatial
cognition. 3D displays support cognitive spatial abilities. Moving from 2D
displays to 3D display will be the next main stream evolution of BIM.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.nmr.mgh.harvard.edu/mkozhevnlab/?tag=2d-vs-3d"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqG4boqNfDnuLeJTRovf8IihRRD8oNaYJC3x45FegUnk9UlylqSBdZvOuROSR38iEy6r-LRAUuY8iVkDmgSnnwQwif4o3YZtIcAJ9h4ozEVWLFrM68o-CCTdvF3rNhtkkZZdBDM5fQEwI/s320/image-1.png" width="320" /></a> </div>
2. We
will further move from 3D-Non-imersive viewing to 3D-immersive viewing</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.nmr.mgh.harvard.edu/mkozhevnlab/?tag=2d-vs-3d"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKholkp2zdPiyhyphenhypheneEl0DiHpFwT6FC4-3117TTxP9qR7ttQVoNGiaD7Rwsy51Xuf5SPaP0GfTHA0wP-Fv7ED2u0iQo8FhtIZIVP_YyjOn-yD-GdTHVWreDa4hlmxG8xB4RI4QOEtvDNtMI/s320/image-2.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: left;">
At Harvard University, Mental Imagery and
Human-Computer Interaction Lab investigates how distinct visualization
abilities could be improved as a result of training in 3D immersive virtual
environments. Their results demonstrate that 3D immersive environments appear
to be significantly more efficient for training imagery skills than 2D or 3D
non-immersive environments. Their findings revealed that the 3D
Perspective-Taking Test facilitated a 200% increase in performance (i.e., the
rate of error reduction), compared to the non-immersive 2D version of the test.<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3. </span></span>We
will use Augmented Reality for Visualizing Building Models<br />
<br />
Yes, I am talking about spinning the
building with your hands in an augmented reality world. If you may recall the Robert
Downey Jr. (Iron Man in the movie) spinning iron man suite in the movie Iron
Man, than you understand what I am talking about. </div>
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<a href="http://www.google.co.in/imgres?um=1&hl=en&rlz=1C1CHMO_enIN491IN491&biw=1280&bih=667&tbm=isch&tbnid=HV0fiRDJRAFXHM:&imgrefurl=http://krisfrosz133.wordpress.com/tag/augmented-reality/&docid=47LnilU7C8dbxM&imgurl=http://krisfrosz133.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/computer.jpg&w=808&h=343&ei=LZkjUNmqC4jtrQfdzYHwBA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=599&vpy=179&dur=704&hovh=146&hovw=345&tx=158&ty=80&sig=111488720222342178748&page=1&tbnh=90&tbnw=211&start=0&ndsp=16&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0,i:76"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOr_xTV5wW7WVNeAtPT51y-4S54HmFGSVXqSods7IGttsD4Sk8i2R5Ur_P1-PeYNS1S5AveExAjC10IGhpR8R5mGms_XmJ5EBThIxuYwQdQOGAR90TX9mMVrEOj7n7vtTsZ8MxxqaCNrY/s320/image-3.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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In the process of developing the
product the engineer must mentally manage a large amount of important
information which leads to high cognitive complexity. Available engineering
drawings do not reduce the complexity that the engineer is facing or help him
handle it. The 2D engineering drawings should be easy to use and should help
the engineer manage the design-related complexity. The cognitive complexity can
lead to a situation in which important design factors are not taken into
consideration and this leads to failure. Realistic perception of the 3D models
from 2D engineering drawings plays an important role in decision making of
design engineers. Recent studies show that a system with a three dimensional
representation of the model increases the performances of the users carrying
out tasks which require the perception and understanding of spatial
information. Unlike Virtual Reality (VR) systems, in which users are completely
immersed in the virtual environment, Augmented Reality users see the virtual
objects and the real world co-existing in the same space (co-located). The
co-location of the 3D CAD models in the real environment provides the
possibility of a realist perception of the physical engineering drawing.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.slashgear.com/dont-doubt-googles-people-skills-02236730/"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRgQ7cDTULQl7g7-tfyBSO89iFXKRxoHkY8i-5I96mtjJpShYH9B9noUxm8wyY2EIJGRIKmEWJgbPKbdkDf4IpaNT6hZ671ABF-W_LJSfALGqfZPXudb08yurgA4xmaJcVlzpf_h3vX0o/s320/image-4.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We will be able to use Google
Goggles for visualizing building
models.<br />
<br />
<br />
Sources:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nmr.mgh.harvard.edu/mkozhevnlab/?tag=2d-vs-3d">http://www.nmr.mgh.harvard.edu/mkozhevnlab/?tag=2d-vs-3d</a><br />
<a href="http://www.cs.kent.edu/%7Ejmaletic/cs63903/papers/Tavanti01.pdf">http://www.cs.kent.edu/~jmaletic/cs63903/papers/Tavanti01.pdf</a><br />
<a href="http://courses.ischool.berkeley.edu/i247/s04/resources/cockburn02evaluating.pdf">http://courses.ischool.berkeley.edu/i247/s04/resources/cockburn02evaluating.pdf</a><br />
<a href="http://fire.nist.gov/bfrlpubs/build02/PDF/b02081.pdf">http://fire.nist.gov/bfrlpubs/build02/PDF/b02081.pdf</a><br />
<a href="http://www.slashgear.com/dont-doubt-googles-people-skills-02236730/">http://www.slashgear.com/dont-doubt-googles-people-skills-02236730/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.google.co.in/imgres?um=1&hl=en&rlz=1C1CHMO_enIN491IN491&biw=1280&bih=667&tbm=isch&tbnid=HV0fiRDJRAFXHM:&imgrefurl=http://krisfrosz133.wordpress.com/tag/augmented-reality/&docid=47LnilU7C8dbxM&imgurl=http://krisfrosz133.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/computer.jpg&w=808&h=343&ei=LZkjUNmqC4jtrQfdzYHwBA&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=197&sig=111488720222342178748&page=1&tbnh=90&tbnw=211&start=0&ndsp=16&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0,i:76&tx=101&ty=50">http://www.google.co.in/imgres?um=1&hl=en&rlz=1C1CHMO_enIN491IN491&biw=1280&bih=667&tbm=isch&tbnid=HV0fiRDJRAFXHM:&imgrefurl=http://krisfrosz133.wordpress.com/tag/augmented-reality/&docid=47LnilU7C8dbxM&imgurl=http://krisfrosz133.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/computer.jpg&w=808&h=343&ei=LZkjUNmqC4jtrQfdzYHwBA&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=197&sig=111488720222342178748&page=1&tbnh=90&tbnw=211&start=0&ndsp=16&ved=1t:429,r:2,s:0,i:76&tx=101&ty=50</a> </div>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295039436385510619.post-69435396046722074022012-03-15T03:09:00.002-07:002012-03-20T23:21:02.946-07:0030 Storey Hotel (T-30) Construction in 15 Days - Coordination and Collaboration at its Best<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A 30 story, 17,000 square meter hotel - T-30 is built in 15 days in Changsha, China. Building foundation was laid ahead of superstructure construction and superstructure was built with prefabricated components. These ultra fast construction schedule was only made possible with the help of prefabrication technologies. Prefabrication is changing the way buildings are constructed.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Hdpf-MQM9vY" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
It will be interesting to look at the level of coordination and collaboration needed for this sort of perfection. Tools like Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Last Planner System (LPS) become even more important for achieving this level of perfection in coordination. Making sure that each component fits on site as intended and functions as designed would be only possible with 3D coordination and 4D schedule visualization. Coordination in fabrication facilities will be efficient with the application of Last Planner System. Moreover, effective supply chain management during construction will be critical. Just-in-time delivery of components will require impeccable coordination between suppliers, manufacturers, warehouses and construction team. Prefabrication method is leaner than on site construction and wide adoption of prefab methods can make it cost effective as well.<br />
<br />
Chinese company Board Sustainable Building, who built this hotel, claims that this building is 5 times energy efficient than industry standard and is earth quake resistant for up to 9.0 earthquake. There are skeptics about safety practices applied during construction however company claims that prefabrication helped reducing the safety risks. <br />
<br />
Reference Link -<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-china-instant-building-20120308,0,5608518.story">The Los Angeles Times</a>, <a href="http://www.bdcnetwork.com/chinas-high-speed-building-boom">Building Design and Construction </a> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295039436385510619.post-51281316709382677742012-03-06T10:22:00.002-08:002012-03-09T12:50:46.732-08:00Using Intelligent Tools will Save Construction Teams from Information OverflowInformation overflow is a reality in all walks of life these days. Gone are the days when email communication was blessing for business. We live in an era of information overflow whether it be our Inbox or a social network site. We literally skim through all the information we see and try to keep up with overwhelming sea of information. I don't want to say that information technology is not a blessing anymore but I want to point out the need for intelligent systems (software and hardware specifically) to manage the information for us and also interpret this information based on our preferences and behavior. The intelligent systems that provide us with just enough information when we need it and where we need it. <br />
<br />
Companies like Google, Amazon, Microsoft and Facebook are doing awesome job of understanding user behavior and writing algorithms to accomplish the same goal of relevant information delivery to right people at right time and at right place. Mostly, these companies are targeting consumers whom they can sale advertisements. However, how good a job today's enterprise level solutions doing for solving the same problem for construction industry? Very few. Most of enterprise level tools for construction industry are still desktop based making no or very insignificant use of web enabled technologies to design intelligent solutions for construction companies. <br />
<br />
Use of building information modeling (BIM) has significantly drawn industry's attention towards importance of information management and information sharing for architects, engineers, contractors and owners. Initiatives such as Industry Foundation Classes (IFC), IFD, agcXML and other initiatives by Building Smart Alliance, National Institute of Science & Technology and International Alliance for Interoperability are helping in standardizing information workflow, semantics, ontology and processes for seamless information flow among various software applications. Yet, intelligent systems to help interpret information and help decision making are still lacking.<br />
<br />
It is great that we generate a whole lot of information during product development and stay proactive in making decisions based on this information however efficiency in using relevant information at the right time and at right place can be priceless. Consider a scenario where a whole lot of relevant information about a project is generated using state of the art BIM solutions and that information is a click away for all project participants. Also this information is available in raw format (3D geometry, schedule databases, resource databases and other project databases). Without the use of a layer of intelligent tools (software and hardware) this information will be overwhelming for majority of project participants. 4D (3D + time) modeling came a long way and it is an example of such intelligent tools. We need more such intelligent tools (both desktop based and web based) to help make right decisions and take calculated risks on construction sites.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295039436385510619.post-54631086942156297972011-11-15T12:10:00.000-08:002011-11-15T12:34:54.938-08:00Greg Howell talks about lean construction with Mark Graban of Lean Blog<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<br />
<embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.google.com/reader/ui/3523697345-audio-player.swf" quality="best" flashvars="audioUrl=http://www.leanpodcast.com/130_LeanBlog_Podcast_GregHowell_Oct13_2011.mp3" width="500" height="27"></embed><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295039436385510619.post-76942173192054847632011-01-12T01:46:00.001-08:002011-01-15T05:35:04.632-08:00Business Case for Building Information Modeling (BIM), Lean, Green and IPD - What we can learn from an Economist?Vijay Govindarajan recently caught attention for his recent book "The Other Side of Innovation: Solving the Execution Challenge" published by Harvard Business Review and his work on "<a href="http://www.300house.com/">Designing $300 Home</a>". He is called the strategic innovation Guru and he is also the Earl C. Daum 1924 Professor of International Business at Dartmouth’s Tuck School in US. He believes that perspiration is more important than innovation i.e. execution of an idea is more important than only coming up with the idea itself.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>I will try to explain the advantages of BIM, Lean, Green and IPD by his theory of strategic inovation. He talks about three boxes that large organizations operate into (or where organizations' projects fall into)- </div><div><br />
</div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561262614580865378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-AfLuV1BYuyaQbVQ0Z1mvlzI6j4TDpFhpmRYb2Dww1roSf-qbhwoXqNkPRIIkvJtEkAs3h_h5JfCBc6VPaRd6egdrl44b4Ib63KKCuneFtlrmheM0irL-7xFw5NkAJnT6hzCI-WxBCY/s400/Untitled-3+copy.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 120px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 400px;" /><br />
<div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Building Lean and Green using BIM and IPD fall under Box-2 and Box-3 that is selectively forgetting the past practices and creating the future (and here we are talking about 20 years from now i.e. about 2030).</div><div><br />
Hear is his talk with Harvard Business Review - </div><div><br />
</div><div><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bQpNhZ1SndQ?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bQpNhZ1SndQ?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
<br />
Although, Vijay Govindarajan talks about the strategic innovation in all big companies such as GE, IBM, P&G and considers Google, Amazon and E-bay as the fillers that came into existence because rise of internet and lack of innovation in existing players, the question for us is what AEC industry can learn from his work?<br />
<br />
I want to focus this post on more fundamental issue for today's AEC firms - the industry leadership in 2030. I believe that companies listed in <a href="http://www.bdcnetwork.com/article/giants-300-bim-report">BD+C's survey report</a> "Top firms by BIM Project Revenue" and corporate <a href="http://www.leanconstruction.org/">members</a> of Lean Construction Institute (LCI), among other industry innovators excelling in Lean, BIM, IPD and Green & Sustainable construction, have already realized the challenges of industry leadership in 2030. Their business strategies are focused on retaining the existing 'performance engines' and developing the 'innovative execution teams.'</div><div><br />
Lets elaborate little more on developing the 'Innovative Execution Teams.' The following illustration serves a good example to explain this concept - adopted from the following talk by Vijay Govindarajan at Dartmouth’s Tuck School - </div><div><br />
<iframe class="youtube-player" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/OZkyAQ-4_CM?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" type="text/html" width="425"></iframe><br />
<br />
</div><div>The following graph shows the four different High Jump Styles (business models) used by Olympic Gold Medal winners in last 100 years.<br />
<br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561263934894531474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGGho7C3AlN3pb65gRZo5rTyCnz7bSbCg2BxhWJlwpM0TXYBOLYARQmC8GWaw9YFSzkuAzwEnNqCWObV9kZJbkLO48Pe4PUvyGDeR8c1N0djnOoRyVI4Wv8KYLoICXbgl4lJELoNP_XU/s400/Untitled-5+copy.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 265px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 400px;" /><br />
<br />
<br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>1) Scissors<br />
2) Western Roll<br />
3) Strabble<br />
4) Fosbury Flop<br />
<br />
The most interesting fact is that all new Hight Jump Styles were invented by new athletes and not the existing high performers - meaning athletes expert in "Scissors" did not invent "Western Roll" and so on. One of the reasons for failure was that "Scissors" needs the exercise of different muscles than "Western Roll." For AEC industry, building Lean and Green using BIM and IPD need exercising different muscles (skill sets) than the traditional way of doing things.<br />
<br />
If we compare the High Jump Style (business model) innovation explained above with the business models that successful AEC firms are using today, then we come to the conclusion that new innovations will belong to new players in the industry. Interestingly, it is not very strait forward. Companies with a strategy for innovation, that takes into consideration all three boxes shown in the figure-1 above, could still lead in the future.<br />
<br />
The solution Vijay Govindarajan presents in his book is "Forget-Borrow-Learn." That is, companies need to forget the rules of the core business, borrow selectively from the existing business model and learn to operate in new entrepreneurial space. </div><div><br />
</div><div>These corner stones of strategic innovation are equally true for AEC firms. Adopting new ideas, business practices and technologies (BIM, Lean, Green and IPD) require a little more attention than the attention given to the core business (the performance engines) but these companies need to develop the 'Innovation Execution Teams' for future competition along with maintaining the present competition.</div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295039436385510619.post-54099984653573091992010-12-25T17:02:00.000-08:002010-12-27T04:27:51.080-08:00Leading by example- Ark Hotel Construction shows How Prefabrication can Change the Face of Construction IndustryThis video titled "Ark Hotel Construction time lapse building 15 storeys in 2 days" surfaced only last month on the internet and it was seen more than 3.8 million times on Youtube alone.<div><br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" width="425" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Ps0DSihggio" frameborder="0"></iframe><br /><br />And there is a reason for that. It took just six days to build the Ark Hotel in Changsha, China. According to the video, no stationary cranes were used in construction and there wasn't single injury among the site's workers.<br /><br />The 15-story sustainable hotel already had its foundation but using pre-fabricated columns and modules as well as modern construction techniques, construction workers took just 46 hours to finish the main structural components and another 90 hours to finish the building enclosure.<br /><br />Construction Details: </div><div><br /></div><div>Level 9 Earthquake Resistance: diagonal bracing structure, light weight, steel construction, passed level 9 earthquake resistance testing </div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" >6x Less Material</span></b>: even though the construction materials are much lighter(250kg/m2) than the traditional materials(over 1500kg/m2), the floors and walls are solid with surefootedness, airtight and sound-proofing </div><div><br /></div><div>5x Energy Efficient: 150mm thermal insulation for walls and roofs, triple glazed plastic windows, external solar shading, heat insulation, fresh air heat recovery, LED lighting, yearly HAVC A/C energy consumption equivalent to 7 liters oil. </div><div><br /></div><div>20x Purification: after 3 levels of purification, the purification efficiency for fresh air reaches 95%-99.9%; air exchanged 1-2.5 times per hour, and indoor air is 20x cleaner than out door air</div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" >1% Construction Waste</span></b>: all components are factory made, construction waste, mainly package materials, result from on site set-up only and amount to 1% of the total weight of the building </div><div><br /></div><div>(source: http://www.youtube.com/user/differentenergy)</div><div><br />If we believe the sources on the internet, this hotel construction caused only 1% material waste as compared to the building industry average of 10% for in-place steel and concrete construction. Clearly, this well planned, coordinated and executed project sets a perfect example for lean construction community and for the construction industry as a whole to understand the value of eliminating waste from the projects.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295039436385510619.post-37774158296990522332010-12-02T04:07:00.000-08:002010-12-02T07:41:28.104-08:00A Visit to Toyota Texas Plant in San Antonio Texas and Lessons Learned for ConstructionOn November 19th, 2010, I got a chance to visit <a href="http://www.toyoland.com/toyota/texas.html">Toyota Texas Plant</a>. It was truly a great experience. One because it was a Truck Manufacturing Plant and second because I got to see Toyota Production System (TPS) in action. Toyota is where the concept of 'lean' was first born in 1930's. This visit was very significant for me as I was reading about lean in manufacturing throughout my masters at Texas A&M and this was a time to see how things actually get done at Toyota plants. <br /><br />We were very well received by the plant management at the Visitors' Center and taken to the assembly lines later after a short presentation on Toyota Texas and TPS. This plant started manufacturing trucks (thats what Texans like the most) called "Tundra" and "Tacoma" in year 2006. Both trucks are manufactured on the same assembly line with the help of automatic changing dies (that typically take 5 min on avg) and about 400 robots. The plant works in 2 shifts and produce around 860 vehicles every day.<br /><br />I got to see the Toyota truck production first hand and as I mentioned earlier it was amazing. The tour guide was a very kind lady who knew the in and out of the plant and showed us around with every possible detail she could in 45 min duration. However, I couldn't stop my mind by comparing lean in manufacturing and lean in construction throughout those 45 minutes.<br /><br />One very interesting thought revolving in my mind was "how much revenue Toyota is making every day by selling the trucks manufactured on this plant?" After a few searches on Google, I was able to find out that Tundra costs around $24,000 and Tacoma around $20,000. The simple math tells us that on an average Toyota Texas plant is producing trucks worth $19,000,000 every day (assuming equal number of both models). In contrast a $19,000,000 construction project may take anywhere between 1 to 2 years. Obviously, it could be argued that the upfront plant construction costs, technologies used and number of people working in the Toyota plant are way more than what is done on a construction site. However, we can learn a lot from manufacturing, the difference is too big to compare and the concept of reducing the time and cost with improved quality can be taken to a whole new level once this difference is apparent to everybody on the construction team. <br /><br />In my opinion every team member from a construction project should visit a manufacturing plant once with an aim in mind to learn from the means and methods used there. It may not be possible for everybody to visit the Toyota Plant but a good manufacturing plant itself will be a great source of learning and motivation.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295039436385510619.post-23514056343882233452010-10-31T20:06:00.000-07:002010-10-31T20:13:00.795-07:00Dennis Sowards on Lean Construction<div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; ">Highlights: Lean construction in home building, concepts of "value" in Lean construction thinking, specific examples of "waste" and "value" in construction industry.</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "></span>New Construction Strategies with Ted Garrison</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Dennis Sowards has over 25 years of senior level experience with a record of achievement in Continuous Improvement, Total Quality Management, Industrial Engineering, and Management Consulting. His strengths include proven leadership and technical analysis in problem solving and group facilitation and the ability to function effectively in a rapidly changing technological and organizational environment. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div>Listen by clicking on play button.</div><div><br /><object width="320" height="45"><embed type="application/x-mplayer2" src=" http://www.theann.com/WCON/WCON.Sowards4.wma" name="MediaPlayer" width="320" height="45" autostart="False" loop="False"></embed><br /><br /></object><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295039436385510619.post-53680357266989485532010-10-30T06:40:00.000-07:002010-12-25T17:51:56.534-08:00BIM and Lean - A Wave of Change in the Industry WorldwideThe rise of BIM, Lean and IPD in construction industry during last 2-3 years shows that industry is desperately changing its work practices in these tough economic times. My belief that the tough economy attracted industry's focus towards productivity improvement grew stronger and stronger over last couple of years and especially after seeing the wave of change in the capital asset management practices in public sector. Major government institutions such as General Administration Services (GSA), US Coast Guard, and public works in Wisconsin, Texas, Finland and Denmark made BIM compulsory over the course of last 3-4 years. UK government is also talking about making BIM compulsory for all public projects according to this article - "<a href="http://www.building.co.uk/buildings/project-stage/the-use-of-force-building-information-modelling/5007579.article">The use of force: Building information modelling</a>" on building.co.uk<br /><br />If you are looking for a similar pattern in Lean Construction growth than look at London Heathrow Terminal 5 Project and Sutter Health Projects in California. Both are multi billion dollar construction programs and brilliant examples of Lean Construction applications. BIM already took off three years ago after decades of application in multi billion dollar projects and now next in line are Lean Construction and Integrated Project Delivery (IPD). Instead of changing the softwares and tools (such as BIM) alone it would be a change in the operating system (Lean and IPD Systems) of the industry.<br /><br />The statement that government regulations and owner demand drive the innovations might sound like a cliché but it is relevant for BIM, Lean and IPD in the present times.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295039436385510619.post-39229748305034042872010-09-28T17:45:00.000-07:002010-09-28T17:52:53.229-07:00Greg Howell on Lean Construction<div style="text-align: left;"><b>New Construction Strategies with Ted Garrison</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Greg talks about lean construction principles and its real time applications in the industry. He also talks about the critical role lean construction can play in today's economy. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div>Listen by clicking on play button.</div><div><br /><object width="320" height="45"><embed type="application/x-mplayer2" src=" http://www.theann.com/WCON/WCON.Howell.wma" name="MediaPlayer" width="320" height="45" autostart="False" loop="False"></embed><br /><br /></object><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295039436385510619.post-71027659735163323822010-09-22T15:33:00.000-07:002010-09-22T15:57:32.352-07:00David McCandless: The beauty of data visualizationThe beauty of data visualization. Equally true for our industry.<br /><br /><object width="446" height="326"><param name="movie" value="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><param name="bgColor" value="#ffffff"></param> <param name="flashvars" value="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/DavidMcCandless_2010G-medium.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/DavidMcCandless-2010G.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=937&introDuration=15330&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=830&adKeys=talk=david_mccandless_the_beauty_of_data_visualization;year=2010;theme=new_on_ted_com;theme=design_like_you_give_a_damn;theme=a_taste_of_tedglobal_2010;theme=presentation_innovation;theme=the_creative_spark;event=TEDGlobal+2010;&preAdTag=tconf.ted/embed;tile=1;sz=512x288;" /><embed src="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf" pluginspace="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" bgColor="#ffffff" width="446" height="326" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" flashvars="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/DavidMcCandless_2010G-medium.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/DavidMcCandless-2010G.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=937&introDuration=15330&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=830&adKeys=talk=david_mccandless_the_beauty_of_data_visualization;year=2010;theme=new_on_ted_com;theme=design_like_you_give_a_damn;theme=a_taste_of_tedglobal_2010;theme=presentation_innovation;theme=the_creative_spark;event=TEDGlobal+2010;"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295039436385510619.post-20778321765545345572010-09-20T17:18:00.000-07:002010-09-20T17:22:23.540-07:00Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) Contract and Legal Concerns<div>Stephen A. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Hilger</span> discussed the legal merits of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Integrated</span> Project Delivery (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">IPD</span>) contract in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ENR</span> article "<a href="http://enr.construction.com/opinions/viewpoint/2010/0901-LegalWorries-1.asp">The Legal Worries Raised by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">IPD</span></a>." His major concerns involve:</div><div><br /></div><div>1. Design and Financial Risk</div><div>2. Loss of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Spearin</span> Doctrine</div><div>3. Sharing in Means and Methods</div><div>4. Losing the Economic Loss <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Doctrine</span></div><div>5. "Fluff" Language</div><div>6. Third Party Design Liabilities</div><div>7. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">IPD</span> Team Members Can't be Sued and </div><div>8. Impact on Indemnity Clauses</div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295039436385510619.post-86802694735718372002010-09-20T15:26:00.000-07:002010-09-20T16:34:12.541-07:00Greg Howell on Last Planner System<div style="text-align: left;"><b>New Construction Strategies with Ted Garrison</b></div><div style="text-align: left;">Gregory A. Howell is co-founder and managing director of the Lean Construction Institute (LCI), a non-profit organization devoted to production management research in design and construction. Howell brings 35 years of construction industry project management, consulting and university-level teaching experience to LCI.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div>Listen by clicking on play button.</div><div><br /><object width="320" height="45"><embed type="application/x-mplayer2" src="http://www.theann.com/WCON/WCON.Howell2.wma" name="MediaPlayer" width="320" height="45" autostart="False" loop="False"></embed><br /><br /></object><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295039436385510619.post-3896733064393722272010-09-17T04:02:00.000-07:002010-09-17T06:18:50.194-07:00Seamless Collaboration is Becoming Inexpensive: Opensource BIMserver v 1.0 ReleaseA group of open-source programmers and researches involved in architectural CAD and building information modeling (BIM) tools have developed a working tool called BIMserver. Known as the BIMserver Project from <a href="http://www.tno.nl/">TNO</a> and the <a href="http://w3.tue.nl/en/">University of Eindhoven</a> in the Netherlands, the group’s efforts propose to radically alter the landscape for computerized applications in the AEC (architecture, engineering and construction) industries.<div><i><br /></i><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.stress-free.co.nz/files/u63/bimserver-diagram_lg.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 318px;" src="http://www.stress-free.co.nz/files/u63/bimserver-diagram_lg.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><i><br /></i><div><i><br /></i></div><div>After three revisions of open source BIMserver, <a href="http://download.bimserver.org/">version 1.0</a> is now available for download. </div><div>Read more about opensource BIMserver here - </div><div><a href="http://bimserver.org/">BIMserver</a> | <a href="http://architosh.com/2009/03/new-open-source-bimserver-new-paradigm-and-works-on-mac/"> Architosh</a> |<a href="http://www.stress-free.co.nz/bimserver_and_the_potential_of_serverside_bim"> StressFree</a></div><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295039436385510619.post-65357761724766933132010-08-12T19:29:00.000-07:002010-10-30T19:35:58.620-07:00AGC, Lean Project Delivery and Last Planner System<p><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">AGC</span> recently released the white paper "<a href="http://www.agc.org/galleries/projectd/IPD%20for%20Public%20and%20Private%20Owners.pdf">Integrated Project Delivery for Public and Private Owners</a>." Lean Project Delivery is mentioned as a related industry trend. Following is the excerpt from the white paper:</p><p><em>"Lean Project Delivery: Another term often used to refer to a form of Integrated Project Delivery is Lean Project Delivery System ™ (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">LPDS</span>), a term developed by the Lean Construction Institute (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">LCI</span>). Many of the principles attributed to Lean Project Delivery are similar to those attributed to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">IPD</span>. In fact, in this era of evolving terminology, many refer to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">IPD</span> as ―Lean Project Delivery‖ where the application of ―lean thinking‖ and lean principles are applied throughout the project.Followers of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">IPD</span> treat lean principles along with the resulting efficiencies and elimination of waste as givens. Followers of lean treat collaboration and the use of technologies as givens. In the end, lean and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">IPD</span> are both striving for the same ultimate outcome, just two different paths to get to the same place: to a project that has been optimized to maximize the value. Whether the project is optimized by applying lean principles first, then <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">IPD</span> principles, or by applying <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">IPD</span> principles, then lean, does not matter. Early adopters of both have shown that the application of both lean and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">IPD</span> principles is natural and will lead to more successful outcomes.The ideal application of lean begins during the design with the value stream and project schedule mapped by the team. Production of documents proceeds based on the commitments each party makes to the team. This process develops a sense of camaraderie amongst the team that should carry through the construction phase of the project. During construction, the project is scheduled throughout as a team from the milestones developed during the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">pre</span>-construction phase. Each ―pull-planning session‖ results in a more detailed schedule that clearly and accurately shows all of the activities that must occur prior to or concurrently with the next activity.The key to the increased efficiency of lean is the measurement of adherence to the project schedule. Each party reports on its ability to meet the schedule commitments made the previous week. If commitments are not met, constraints are identified and removed by the team. The power of peer pressure, built on a foundation of mutual respect and understanding over the course of the project is a powerful motivating force for team members to meet commitments. Each party is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">incented</span> to be the project leader rather than the project laggard in an effort to move the project forward towards successful completion as defined by the value stream."</em></p><p><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">AGC</span> clearly mentioned the importance of commitments and collaboration resulting from "pull scheduling" and commitment planning (weekly work plans in Last Planner). In other words use of Last Planner System is highlighted as a industry trend enabling integration. I particularly pointed out Last Planner concept mention at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">AGC's</span> white paper, because I wanted to point out the increasing influence of lean philosophy in the construction industry. Construction industry is talking more and more about lean construction. Leading organizations such as CURT, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">AGC</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">magazines</span> such as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">ENR</span> wrote about lean construction from last couple of years now, apart from International Group of Lean Construction (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">IGLC</span>), European Group of Lean Construction, and Lean Construction Institute (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">LCI</span>).</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295039436385510619.post-2064830307073380962010-07-31T16:16:00.001-07:002010-07-31T16:26:28.121-07:00Are we Moving into a World of Collaboration?<p align="center"><object height="326" width="334"><param name="movie" value="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><param name="bgColor" value="#ffffff"><param name="flashvars" value="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/HowardRheingold_2005-medium.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/HowardRheingold-2005.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=320&vh=240&ap=0&ti=216&introDuration=15330&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=830&adKeys=talk=howard_rheingold_on_collaboration;year=2005;theme=the_rise_of_collaboration;theme=tales_of_invention;theme=how_the_mind_works;event=TED2005;&preAdTag=tconf.ted/embed;tile=1;sz=512x288;"><br /> <embed src="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf" pluginspace="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" bgcolor="#ffffff" width="334" height="326" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" flashvars="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/HowardRheingold_2005-medium.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/HowardRheingold-2005.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=320&vh=240&ap=0&ti=216&introDuration=15330&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=830&adKeys=talk=howard_rheingold_on_collaboration;year=2005;theme=the_rise_of_collaboration;theme=tales_of_invention;theme=how_the_mind_works;event=TED2005;"></embed></object></p><p>Howard Rheingold talks about the coming world of collaboration, participatory media and collective action -- and how Wikipedia is really an outgrowth of our natural human instinct to work as a group.</p><p>Interestingly Howard Rheingold gave the examples of Toyota, Google, Wikipedia, Amazon and Ebay - companies that are enriching others to enrich temselves. By doing lean construction and integrating the whole project team into one, and training them, companies will enrich themselves in this new world of collaboration.</p><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295039436385510619.post-31255040601055464762010-07-26T12:34:00.000-07:002010-07-28T19:34:49.846-07:00Develop the Future and Past Positive Time Perspectives in Your Project Team Members by using Last Planner System<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzV3UjzyJcbzJifZBoeWYxwrNFGceExUss_nP00FeiuGsenH8qSbJjKSDIkESXIK7k68O0nodlUVvbr7gnr-t-tPIXoZQAChpAXISqVV0KWAvyxDYR1U9WwwAUt5siPDA8V_zwZ9iino/s1600/thetimeparadox.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 258px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzV3UjzyJcbzJifZBoeWYxwrNFGceExUss_nP00FeiuGsenH8qSbJjKSDIkESXIK7k68O0nodlUVvbr7gnr-t-tPIXoZQAChpAXISqVV0KWAvyxDYR1U9WwwAUt5siPDA8V_zwZ9iino/s400/thetimeparadox.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498308120814063490" border="0" /></a><br />The psychological framework on which Last Planner System is designed could be explained by looking at the methods Phil Zimbardo and John Boyd recommended in their book "<a href="http://www.thetimeparadox.com/">The Time Paradox</a>." People having Future perspective are reported to be having higher success rates in their lives as compared to extremely present oriented individuals.<br /><br />Finishing the project on time is very critical for both the client and project team in the construction industry. On schedule project delivery and future and past positive orientated people can make a project successful on all dimensions (time,quality,cost,safety etc.).<br />Last Planner System is a tool that makes project team future oriented by embedding reverse phase scheduling, 6-weeks look ahead and weekly work plans in its planning process. This exercises orient the whole team to future and as Zimbardo and Boyd write in the book, project participants' attitudes towards time can be changed, Last Planner can change the time perspectives in the project team.<br />"The Time Paradox" also explains that having past positive time perspective, meaning having positive memories of past and learning from past mistakes, is also necessary for success and it is also practiced during Last Planner System planning process. The percentage plan complete (PPC) and reasons charting develop a past positive time perspective in project participants.<br />Both (future and past positive) time perspectives are attributes of successful people and hence by implementing Last Planner, we can develop successful people in the organization. Who will deliver a successful project.<br />Repeatedly it is pointed out that benefits from Last Planner implementation can not always be quantified. But qualitative benefits could be explained to some extend by using psychological framework described in this book.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295039436385510619.post-54778125154699255672010-07-19T20:21:00.000-07:002010-07-21T04:51:28.609-07:00Target Value Design and Honda's "Kick Out the Ladder" PhilosophyLean construction community sees target value design as a value generation tool. That could be useful to produce value for the client and reduce wasteful outcomes. However, target value design is not seen as a convenient tool and blamed to be hindering creativity and innovation in design. Honda Motor's "Kick Out the Ladder" philosophy inspires to "do the impossible" and thus inspires to achieve seemingly impossible results. This video produced by Honda illustrates this philosophy and employees' thoughts about achieving the desired outcomes successfully.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wIjBHHAHwBE&hl=en_US&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wIjBHHAHwBE&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295039436385510619.post-22156212393108970772010-06-22T12:21:00.000-07:002010-06-22T12:26:10.261-07:00Future of prefabrication to become leaner using modern technology - concrete printingWatch this interesting video presentation.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/EfbhdZKPHro&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/EfbhdZKPHro&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295039436385510619.post-25511296063394224362010-03-20T00:36:00.000-07:002010-05-03T10:10:05.692-07:00Importance of Collaboration in Construction Industry and Tim Brown's Idea on "Thinking Big"Tim Brown says the design profession is preoccupied with creating nifty, fashionable objects -- even as pressing questions like clean water access show it has a bigger role to play. He calls for a shift to local, collaborative, participatory "design thinking."<br /><br />Lean Project Delivery System (LPDS) /Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) calls for collaboration from all project stakeholder -owners, architects,engineers,general contractors, subcontractors,suppliers ......... Tim Bron's idea on "Thinking Big" calls for the same in every design.<br /><br />Tim Brown's generic idea about importance of participation in design (product design or process design or service design or .... any other design) spells out clearly that greater participation brings better products and same is true for collaboration in construction. Collaboration during design and delivery of any construction project brings new ideas on table and discussions among participants makes them more open about their approach to solve any problem. People who are practicing collaboration have reported many successful cases and number is increasing exponentially. For more collaboration case studies visit <a href="http://bimandintegrateddesign.com/">this blog<span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span></a><br /><br /><object width="446" height="326"><param name="movie" value="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><param name="bgColor" value="#ffffff"> <param name="flashvars" value="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/TimBrown_2009G-medium.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/TimBrown-2009G.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=646&introDuration=16500&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=2000&adKeys=talk=tim_brown_urges_designers_to_think_big;year=2009;theme=technology_history_and_destiny;theme=design_like_you_give_a_damn;theme=not_business_as_usual;theme=the_creative_spark;event=TEDGlobal+2009;&preAdTag=tconf.ted/embed;tile=1;sz=512x288;"><embed src="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf" pluginspace="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" bgcolor="#ffffff" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/TimBrown_2009G-medium.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/TimBrown-2009G.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=646&introDuration=16500&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=2000&adKeys=talk=tim_brown_urges_designers_to_think_big;year=2009;theme=technology_history_and_destiny;theme=design_like_you_give_a_damn;theme=not_business_as_usual;theme=the_creative_spark;event=TEDGlobal+2009;" width="446" height="326"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295039436385510619.post-3124329574690844262010-03-20T00:21:00.000-07:002010-07-19T23:23:24.295-07:00First Run Studies of "Last Planner System" and Tim Brown on "powerful relationship between creative thinking and play"At the 2008 Serious Play conference, designer Tim Brown talks about the powerful relationship between creative thinking and play -- with many examples you can try at home (and one that maybe you shouldn't).<br /><br />First run studies (as lean construction defines) are "<span style="font-style: italic;">used to redesign critical assignments, part of continuous improvement effort; and include productivity studies and review work methods by redesigning and streamlining the different functions involved. The studies commonly use video files, photos, or graphics to show the process or illustrate the work instruction. The first run of a selected craft operation should be examined in detail, bringing ideas and suggestions to explore alternative ways of doing the work.</span>"<br /><br />Tim talks in this video about the importance of role play and creativity. Same concept is true for 'first run studies.' The first run of the craft operation or design done in a playful manner may create innovative solutions.<br /><br />Lean community, by being more playful in each and every activity (implementation and practice of lean techniques in construction) can actually bring the change in traditional project management practices and help construction industry reduce waste and increase value on projects.<br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><param name="bgColor" value="#ffffff"> <param name="flashvars" value="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/TimBrown_2008P-medium.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/TimBrown-2008P.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=320&vh=240&ap=0&ti=392&introDuration=16500&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=2000&adKeys=talk=tim_brown_on_creativity_and_play;year=2008;theme=unconventional_explanations;theme=speaking_at_tedglobal2009;theme=design_like_you_give_a_damn;theme=the_creative_spark;theme=tales_of_invention;event=Serious+Play+2008;&preAdTag=tconf.ted/embed;tile=1;sz=512x288;"><embed src="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf" pluginspace="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" bgcolor="#ffffff" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/TimBrown_2008P-medium.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/TimBrown-2008P.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=320&vh=240&ap=0&ti=392&introDuration=16500&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=2000&adKeys=talk=tim_brown_on_creativity_and_play;year=2008;theme=unconventional_explanations;theme=speaking_at_tedglobal2009;theme=design_like_you_give_a_damn;theme=the_creative_spark;theme=tales_of_invention;event=Serious+Play+2008;" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295039436385510619.post-22973094281480427752010-03-10T16:57:00.001-08:002010-03-10T17:25:00.515-08:00Diffusion of Innovation and a Beautiful Piece of Art<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>It has been argued since long that diffusion of innovation takes time and typically follows a curve as shown below.<div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN55C71o_8vMmwqWzworhdSetqP_FDUWGQIq1jfExdbhGv3KKkqIpCXG1N3qICDd1BagETAAxGjINvtZfp3SMYVuLgd45xim_ywOVHaBB5TWrOOd43R26UJ10YGXNUQwlp3kCePRr_5Ks/s400/diffusion_of_innovation.gif" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Same is the case with BIM at the present times. Experts employ different tactics to make transition more smooth and make people more conformable with the new ways of doing things or new thinking for instance (ex. lean management in construction). They share stories, create games and do all sorts of things to make learning and transition, from traditional practices to new, more fun and easier for early adopters.</div><div>Making something fun is a work of art and it requires creativity. So this makes one point clear that managers have to be artists at some point of time.</div><div>I came across this wonderful piece of art, a story, by James salmon that clearly identifies and highlights the importance of BIM and common standards for delivering a BIM to the owner - a BIM that owner can use for facility management. The story is so compelling that I was lured to share it with you.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">The story of "Katy's Birthday"</span></div><div>Katy is Daddy's little princess and she wanted a Castle for her birthday. Daddy told her, "Honey, you cannot have a real Castle," and she cried. So Daddy rented an inflatable Castle, which was better than nothing and Katy was still upset. So Mommy invited Katy's friends to bring their wooden toy blocks to the party and build her a real Castle.</div><div>Johnny brought BIM blocks by Revit, Sally brought Bentley BIM blocks, little Susie brought BIM blocks produced by Tekla, and half a dozen other children brought special BIM blocks built with their favorite software application. The children built a beautiful Castle and Katy loved it.</div><div>As the party was winding down Johnny's Mom said, "Grab your blocks Johnny, and let's go." Johnny ran to the table and began grabbing his blocks, causing Katy's Castle to collapse! Katy began to cry, upset at the sight of the collapsed Castle. The parents gathered in the corner whispering, and the decision was made to leave all the blocks with Katy.</div><div>All the blocks were placed in a single box, Revit Blocks, Bentley Blocks, Tekla Blocks and half a dozen other brightly colored BIM blocks. Smiling, Johnny handed Katy the box, saying, "Here's your Castle Katy!" Katy stared sourly at the box and mumbled. "Thanks" in a very ungrateful tone of voice.</div><div>Katy retreated to her room and sat staring at the box of blocks, trying to remember how the beautiful Castle fit together, but she was unable to rebuild it by herself. Her departed friends were the only ones who knew the secret of how the Revit, Bentley and Tekla blocks fit together. Almost none of her friends knew how the special notches in the remaining half dozen blocks fit together. Katy could never rebuild the Castle.</div><div>Owners face Katy's dilemma at the end of every project. They are handed a "box" of BIM blocks that don't fit together and the owner has now idea how to put the Castle together again. Of course, those are the sophisticated owners who know enough to demand BIM in the first place. Most owners allow the Castle builders to walk away with the BIM blocks and are left with nothing.</div><div>Ultimately, owners need As-BUILT-BIM with flexible mechanisms for managing the vast amount of information contained therein, connecting that information to and leveraging it over the Web and treating the information like the valuable digital asset it is. New entrepreneurial business processes will emerge as owners and others leverage these new digital assets to add value to the underlying business purposes the facilities / infrastructure were constructed to fulfill. When owners learn to leverage these new digital assets real demand for true As-BUILT-BIM will skyrocket.</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295039436385510619.post-80240393019419699152010-02-18T08:35:00.000-08:002010-02-18T08:41:10.778-08:00A conceptual BIM of a church buildingBuilt this model last semester as a practice of bidding a church project.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE1M1D7TQJ-XSKLFGXXnMWXpv2BkVEZ0e3N7BDK7LHknpYFRoJq66nq1DvcOk_Qps9N-80S30BkTsM2YHTqOqXHi0YSEvM7FQL86_Ge18sXBqv5JFFD1iC9CKjC3cQFaWJZOB77ZTU0Eo/s1600-h/3D+View+3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 229px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE1M1D7TQJ-XSKLFGXXnMWXpv2BkVEZ0e3N7BDK7LHknpYFRoJq66nq1DvcOk_Qps9N-80S30BkTsM2YHTqOqXHi0YSEvM7FQL86_Ge18sXBqv5JFFD1iC9CKjC3cQFaWJZOB77ZTU0Eo/s400/3D+View+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439623981268205058" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0