Effective Communication, Coordination, and Collaboration in BIM

Streamlining project workflows with new and improved digital tools

August 2022

Presented by Jeannie S. Bertolaccini, AIA, and Graham Whipple

Continuing Education

Use the following learning objectives to focus your study while reading this month’s Continuing Education article.

Learning Objectives - After reading this article, you will be able to:

  1. Discuss ways in which digital tools can be used for streamlining project workflows.
  2. Describe BIM solutions that focus on enhanced communication, coordination, and integration between project teams.
  3. Identify best practices of successful principals and project managers for collaboration that leads to cost-effective and reliable project outcomes.
  4. Describe how recent advancements in BIM software can help provide an improved experience for users across project teams.

This webinar is part of the Business Technology Academy

On complex projects, firms need to establish reliable collaboration and coordination between project teams. Too often, many turn to a BIM solution that does not support a system for communication. Successful firms manage these projects with tools that streamline workflows and reduce errors. When contractual requirements demand delivery in BIM, choosing the wrong way to manage coordination can be costly. This webinar brings together firm principals and project managers who have established protocols. They'll share best practices for effective collaboration, coordination, and communication, which produces better projects with fewer change orders and errors.

Our discussion will be led by Jeannie S. Bertolaccini, AIA, LEED Green Associate, a principal architect for Ordiz-Melby and Graham Whipple, AIA, of Resin Architecture.

Jeannie will present details of coordinated workflows integrated into her firm’s Delano Regional Medical Center Outpatient Facility project, a three-story structure providing diagnostic support for the campus hospital. Located adjacent to the main hospital’s entrance, the facility offers convenient access from parking and close proximity to hospital functions. The first floor of the 12,000 sf building includes patient registration, pre-operation consultation, laboratory and retail pharmacy services. The second floor is dedicated to x-ray, fluoroscopy, mammography, ultrasound, and bone densitometry functions. MRI, CT and Nuclear Medicine are positioned on the third floor along with support space for staff. The building exterior is finished with stone and accented with a glass entry curtainwall to accentuate the primary point of entry into the facility. Visitors are also welcomed by a landscaped courtyard adjacent to the pharmacy entrance.

The Hospital Main Entry Structure complements the design of the new Outpatient Services Facility. The exposed steel and glass drop-off structure provides a dramatic front entrance for the arrival for patients and visitors into the hospital. The structure’s stone exterior visually ties the structure to the Outpatient Services Facility and together presents a unified statement of DRMC’s progressive approach to community healthcare.

Graham will highlight RESIN’s integrated design workflow that includes live integration with S/M/E/P systems designed and modeled with consulting engineers. The workflow will show how integrated design is possible through advanced BIM implementation and how this integration benefits communications within the design team as well as the client and construction team members.

The presentations will be followed by a moderated discussion answering audience member questions relevant to the best practices, tools, and workflow processes outlined in the webinar.

Queen’s Wharf, Brisbane

Photo courtesy of GRAPHISOFT

Archicad and several other Nemetschek brands played a crucial role in the development of this multi-billion dollar, award-winning project in Australia.


Jeannie

Jeannie S. Bertolaccini, AIA, LEED Green Associate, is a principal architect at Ordiz-Melby Architects in Bakersfield, California. She has provided architectural design services in Kern County for over 25 years to education, healthcare, governmental, and commercial clients. Her passions include mentoring youth with an emphasis on young girls encouraging architecture and STEM careers. Jeannie is a board member for the American Institute of Architects Golden Empire Chapter.

GrahamW

Graham Whipple, Founding Partner, Principal Architect. With 20 years of architecture experience and a passion for staying ahead of the curve, Graham provides world-class service and design. Principal Architect and Visionary Graham Whipple led the establishment of Resin Architecture with a focused interest in how technology can improve architecture both locally and nationally. This applies in architectural design but continues into construction and the long-term serviceable lifespan of a building’s original use and beyond. Graham believes functional buildings are important to the broader fabric of an effective community. He delights in solving puzzles and addressing potential issues which his design experience allows him to identify. Graham holds a BS of Architecture and an MA of Architecture. He was educated in Germany and in the United States. Though Graham actively engages in the Idaho Falls community in which he grew up, he also loves to travel. His hobbies include graphic design and letterpress. He is a student of several languages, showing commitment to Resin's core value of dedication to teaching and learning.