BIM IN ACTION - PROLOGIS LOGISTICS OPERATIONS CENTRE

Right from the outset, within the tendering stage, Winvic harnessed the powers of BIM to demonstrate to the client and tenant how the Logistics Operations Centre (LOC) and associated infrastructure works could be most efficiently delivered. The state-of-the-art design technology has continued to benefit the whole project team, delivering time savings through the design and construction phases.

One of the first challenges we had to find a solution for was the sequencing of highways works in relation to utilities and the wider scheme; a road ran through the middle of where the facility was going to be constructed, but of course the replacement road had to be built first. BIM modelling was extremely helpful as not only did it allow us to plan the complex programme, but it also enabled our client Prologis and their tenant to truly understand every week of the project’s development; the firms’ teams could view alternative designs, to make decisions within hours, and have insight into the finished scheme, to be confident that the building would be operationally sound.

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All underground services within a perimeter track were also modelled in 3D and 4D, meaning we could explore the options and find the most efficient sequence of construction. Similarly, using the BIM model to coordinate the lighting buzz bars over the top of the valley beams in a very tight roof space as well as the mechanical and electrical elements identified clashes and saved a significant amount of time. In fact, circa 80 per cent of clashes were eliminated before we started on site, which resulted in fewer on-site challenges and a more efficient delivery. Fit out began two weeks ahead of schedule, several sectional handovers have taken place and the new road is fully operational. The multi-storey car park steel frame is being erected and completion is on schedule for Spring 2021.

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BIM IN ACTION – GATEWAY PETERBOROUGH

By benchmarking and tracking a building’s energy performance and the behavioural patterns of the occupants, the design intent versus reality can be scrutinised. Not only can changes be made to continue reducing the carbon footprint of the industrial facility, apartment block or office but also learnings can be applied to the next project and the one after that.

Net Zero is a term on many people’s lips and utilising technology to review, improve and reach such targets is a robust strategy we are employing. Many of our clients agree and they want to capitalise on utilising data to plan, build and deliver developments even more efficiently. Occupiers too want to understand their buildings and are focused on getting the most out of low energy technologies and usage of space. The range of sensors that were installed in June in a 400,000 sq ft industrial warehouse at Gateway Peterborough – a Roxhill project – are effectively smart meters, linked to the Building Management System. Over the four seasons, a catalogue of performance data will be collated and understood, and when an EPC rating of A+ is delivered, it means the building is generating more energy than it consumes. Not only can this work bring significant savings to tenants, especially in vast warehouses with multiple temperature-controlled areas, but it’s critical to creating a better world where tackling climate change is high on the agenda.

Arun Thaneja, BIM Lead Manager


“For clients, the most obvious benefit is that they can properly experience their building in order to make decisions faster, for example on finishes; we simply load in the materials or colours being considered and with a couple of clicks the client can see the impact of one finish against others. More complex design changes that could take a few weeks to go back and forth on over email, can effectively be bottomed out within a day in the Centre and, once again, can be viewed immediately in 3D – or 4D, if the issue is related to the programme timeline and where tight sequencing is crucial. However, it is the advantages across the life of the building and the quality assurances post-handover where BIM creates the largest and most impactful benefits for clients and end-users.”

Ken Brown, Construction Director, Newlands Developments


“Our aim is to move towards net zero carbon buildings, which means looking at both the design and construction stages and passing on the benefits to the occupiers for their operational use of the buildings. We need to understand the carbon footprint of our developments and so too do the occupiers – increasingly we are being asked questions about operational energy usage. We have a huge range of occupiers – food processing, manufacturing, bulk warehousing, temperature-controlled storage – all with different energy uses and we want to ensure they have the most energy-efficient buildings possible. In a building with 20 chillers running, if you can use smart technology to reduce the power use of those units, that’s a major saving.”

I CONTACT US

Winvic Construction Ltd Brampton House, 19 Tenter Road, Moulton Park, Northampton NN3 6PZ

To discuss an upcoming project or requirements for any scheme please contact Danny Cross or Alice Skelton in our Business Development team on 01604 678 960 or at dannycross@winvic.co.uk / aliceskelton@winvic.co.uk

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