Virtual Building Logistics (A leader in Building Information Modeling applications) is looking to hire an Executive Level Business Development Manager. This person will need to perform strategic planning, give presentations, client development, client management, direct sales, contract negotiations, and management of the marketing team. Compensation is commensurate to experience. In summary, looking for an individual in the marketplace with strong contacts, deep business development and sales experience (particularly with Building Information Modeling and Virtual Design and Construction), knowledgeable about complete construction management process, and has demonstrated soft-skills to work effectively as leader of a business development team. Job Requirements: Candidates must have at least 10 years experience in sales with a general contractor, construction manger or design firm building commercial and Industrial Projects. - Person can come from design or construction side of the business. Core Competencies Required CLIENT FOCUS Is committed to meeting the needs and expectation of both new/current clients Goes directly to clients for information and uses that knowledge to improve deliverables and services. Makes decisions and carries them out with clients in mind Establishes rapport and builds effective relationships with both new/current clients Is able to gain the trust and respect of clients. DRIVE FOR RESULTS. Can be counted on to exceed goals successfully. Very bottom-line oriented, steadfastly pushes self and others for results FUNCTIONAL/TECHNICAL SKILLS Deep understanding and knowledge and demonstrated skills necessary to be successful in pre-construction process (business development and estimating). Also required would be working knowledge of construction management process.
VBL has a tremendous compensation package which includes above average industry Salary/commissions, Medical, Pension and Vacation Pay. If interested please forward your resume to:
kauthelet@vblogistics.com
Thank you
Building Information Modeling on BCBS
Owner: Blue Cross Blue Shield
CM/Builder: Dimeo Construction Company
Architects & Consultants: Symmes Maini McKee Associates
Bim Modelers/Consultants: Virtual Building Logistics (VBL)
E-mail Contacts:
DIMEO CONSTRUCTION:
Anthony Dematteo, VP Business Development - afd@dimeo.com
Paul Aballo, VP Construction - paballo@dimeo.com
SMMA:
Mark Spaulding, AIA, LEED AP - mspaulding@smma.com
VBL:
Harvey Phelps, President, COO hphelps@vblogistics.com
For the Blue Cross Blue Shield headquarters project in Providence Rhode Island the project team of Dimeo Construction Company – CM/Builder; Symmes Maini McKee Associates – architects, engineers, & interior designers; and modeling consultant Virtual Building Logistics embraced a process of multi-disciplinary virtual design integration - the result of which will be construction and occupancy of a new 327,000 sf 13 story LEED certifiable corporate headquarters in 17 months.
SUMMARY:
The challenges confronted by the team in achieving an integrated design process included;
Design Phase Challenges:
• Integration and model accuracy;
• Forwarding an accepted process for collaborative model use;
• Integration of the 3-D Rivet Architectural model with the 2-D structural, mechanical and electrical documents into one comprehensive model
• Develop model to be flexible and adaptable with various other platforms (ie. structural steel fabricators “connection model”)
Construction Phase Challenges:
• Coordination of the A/E/MEP/FP design by SMMA with the Structural
• Model developed by Canatal to be integrated with the MEP/FP model with added structural intelligence developed by VBL
• Converging varying systems platforms of the architect their in-house
• MEP and subcontractors into one model;
• Bridging various design and fabrication disciplines into a model that the team had full confidence in;
• Provide early answers for fabrication of steel precast, elevators prior to buyout of MEP Trades
• Coordinating multiple subcontractors modeling formats to integrate fully with the BIM model.
• To better lead and apply the talents of the subcontractors in the areas of productive fabrication and installation methods, including streamlining organization between the subcontractors and the design team.
• Enhancing various deliverable schedules for design and building materials.
BCBS and Dimeo’s integration solution began with the engagement of VBL, a full service CAD/BIM, Design Document Production, Modeling and Facilities Management Integrator. VBL served as a third party to support the team in working with the CM, the architect and their in-house structural/MEP consultants, construction subcontractors and vendors. VBL became the master integrator, updating and guaranteeing the accuracy of the building model while providing continuous support to all design and construction entities involved. While SMMA designed the project in a full architectural CAD platform with BIM integration, the BCBS and Dimeo project teams were intent on carrying the process through to the subcontractor and field construction level. VBL played a key role as a bridge to the actual field, subcontractor, design, and construction processes which this supported.
On the A/E side, SMMA’s Principal Architect/Project Director for the project, Mark Spaulding, AIA, LEED AP, recognized that the design team would need to move from design intent to constructability earlier than typical, even as they were increasing their skill with BIM tools. One challenge was early steel. The client’s selected site was already prepared for construction and the platform placed by the developer. Steel needed to be ordered immediately. But SMMA’s structural engineers were not facile with BIM software. In the interests of time and quality, SMMA designed the structure using standard tools, which VBL subsequently incorporated into the full model.
The process really got started at design development documentation. Early in design development VBL cross platformed a fully virtual model including structural and MEP/FP. This model proved to be the team’s “collaborative prototype” from which all parties could collaborate on deficiencies, analyze clash detection and work towards identifying ways of making the design more efficient and constructible. As the design evolved, VBL correspondingly translated and integrated the various file platforms, updating and maintaining the project’s virtual model. At each point the CM and design team benefited from working within the model to continue to improve building spatial relationships, constructability and MEP coordination.
Early in the project, SMMA also experienced some attitude adjustment. Project Manager, Gordon Brewster, PE, is a 30-year veteran, accustomed to embarking on project relationships with, as he says, “my guard slightly up,” expecting to defend design intent vigorously. The first working meeting that involved the full team’s interaction with the 3D model dramatically altered his thinking. “It was exciting, truly collaborative. BIM is transformational. If you have a builder who embraces the full application of Building Information Modeling, you have a whiz-bang opportunity for a great project; if not, you just have a 3-D model.”
As part of the BIM deliverables, VBL created a 3D construction phasing model to facilitate a better understanding of site logistics and subcontractor coordination. While viewing the phasing model Dimeo’s VP of Operations, Paul Aballo, noticed a potential issue with the curved glass curtain wall and its eventual construction and attachment to the building. At one point the curtain wall stood away from the building at over 16’ leaving plenty of room to work between the building and curtain wall. But after further review it was realized that the same attachment process could not be applied for the other end of the curtain wall because of the close proximity due to the wall curving back into the structure. This issue caused for an entirely new approach to the curtain wall construction before an issue in the field arose saving much needed time and cost.
Nearing the completion of the construction document phase and prior to the start of building construction, SMMA and VBL produced a fully coordinated structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing, engineering design. This, in turn, enabled Dimeo to develop and issue highly detailed and complete bid packages, far more extensive and advanced than typical. The integration process resulted in a high level of pre-coordination that assured major time savings by avoiding traditional issues such as identifying steel penetrations for MEP/FP systems, and MEP/FP trades not having to coordinate among themselves. Also, the traditional preparation of shop drawings, subcontractors shop drawings and coordination is completely changed. Instead VBL provides assistance to the selected MEP/FP, subcontractor further refining their shop drawings and design documents. This involvement also facilitates computer aided materials fabrication processes in the areas of structural steel, duct work and plumbing, further saving valuable time and enhancing the model for actual as-built locations and conditions of installation.
SMMA’s Brewster attributes much of the success to the team’s weekly meetings at the construction trailers. Architects, engineers, contractors, sub-contractors, construction coordinators sit before a flat screen monitor, going through the building model floor by floor, item by item. Meetings involve discussion and resolution on the spot. Brewster points out, “There are places where some system design elements don’t look at all like our original drawings, because of the quality of information available.” Spaulding agrees, noting “the ease of dialogue among architect, engineers, general contractor, and sub-contractors…. a change in the tenor of the conversation.”
As in all projects, theory and practice occupy two different realms and in this case issues such as subcontractors with great field performance but lacking in areas of understanding of BIM integration were mentored through the VDC process by Dimeo and VBL. Subcontractor software formatting issues such as, compatibility between conflicting software, were satisfied by using converting and bridging platforms developed exclusively for the project. Integration of theory and practice and the experiences gained between the CM/BIM teams on how, when, and where to address issues has come down to the communication in weekly or sometimes daily project meetings. Minimum weekly team meetings involving BCBS/Dimeo/VBL/Subs, addressed TQs, and RFIs and their eventual resolution or tabling for further discussion after investigation, have led to project success and owner satisfaction.
The results of the team’s collaboration are significant over traditional coordination methods in assuring accurate and complete integration of MEP and structural disciplines prior to the award of Mechanical and Electrical contracts and start of on-site construction. According to Dimeo Vice President of Construction Paul Aballo, “Much of the time traditionally spent (typically 22 wks for 15 levels vs. 12 wks with this process) early in construction to develop and approve shop drawings and coordinate drawings is instead used to refine design, conduct pre-installation planning, enhance quality control, and conduct earlier materials fabrication. In effect we are improving the project’s overall schedule and eliminating potential cost exposure.”
"The MetroCore technologies project"
Today along with a dedicated team of industry professionals VBL has become involved with a project called “The MetroCore” which is a business and technology plan designed to aid in the planning, engineering, modeling, construction, and long term operations of sustainable systems. The MetroCore provides developers, engineers, architects, and planners with the tools necessary to model complex systems. Then once built The MetroCore system provides systems designed to help manage and operate Smart Buildings and Smart Systems.
The Contractor - Owner 6D Advantage
The 6D Advantage
2D-3D
As an Owner the BIM benefit pays for itself from project inception on through to its reclamation. At project inception the BIM allows the owner to see the structure or project as a virtual As Built Model and to make changes early on through better visualization. The cost benefit of changes made at the design stage can be considerable. As a contractor the 3D model allows broader project knowledge and understanding of the As Built project before the construction phase saving a considerable amount of time, money and resources.
4D
The 4D or Scheduling portion of the BIM Model allows the contractor an invaluable resource of great proportion. Allowing the contractor to see the project at all phases of construction through As Built simulations gives the ability to better schedule work force and materials to insure a savings in time, money, and resources.
5D
The 5D portion of the 6D advantage is an incredible resource to the owner in the fact that it allows a more precise estimate of the cost of the project and materials to be used in its construction. VBL can show how to pull detailed material information is brought out of the model and used for a more defined overall project cost allowing for changes early on in construction.
6D
The final and possibly most beneficial portion of the BIM is the 6D portion or the Facilities Management end of the project. Here the Model allows a detailed one stop source for all Building Information from occupancy on through reclamation. This information can prove to be an invaluable source and cost savings to the project owner and Facilities Management Firms.
Building Information Modeling Described
BIM is the next step up from CAD (Computer Aided Design) or 3D Drafting. BIM is a Multi-dimensional Accurate Intelligent Object or Smart Model. BIM takes a 2 dimensional or paper drawing representation of a building or any construction project and turns that drawing into a 3D parametric Intelligent Model. The term Intelligent or Smart Model is used because BIM builds into the model highly detailed information relating to every object required to build the building or project, its build schedule (4D), and project cost (5D). This intelligent information details the components all the way down to the type and model number of the nuts and bolts used and there relationship to all surrounding objects.
Why The Use Of BIM:
Why The Use Of BIM:
BIM is the best source for dollar savings and GREEN building ability. VBL demonstrates these abilities through the collaboration with clash detection software (almost eliminating RFI’s, design conflicts, and Change Orders), and therefore accelerating project schedules.
Knowing your Building schedule allows your subcontractors to better understand there role in the project and increases there efficiency in collaboration. Better safety on the site is attained through this understanding also.
Green building comes through the acceleration of project schedules and off-site prefabrication which significantly reduces waste on construction.
This increase in knowledge transcends the build cycle into the Facility Management cycle through a data rich, sole source for all project information.
The end all is a better managed property through its lifecycle because of this one stop source of Building Information.
BIM Team Support
VBL Team Philosophy:
Formed to address the rapidly growing demands placed on developers, owners, contractors, design teams, and trade contractors VBL addresses BIM technology and processes for there clients projects. Partnering with licensed Architects and a LEED accredited Project Manager VBL’s capabilities are wide reaching. Our belief in integrity, ethics, and solid industry experience helps to support long lasting relationships with our clients, partners and co-workers. VBL staff strives for excellence on each project through industry leading technology and leading edge processes. With over 100 years of combined industry experience, VBL respects the position that no two clients are the same, just as no two projects are the same and we pride ourselves on the ability to meet and analyze each as a unique opportunity.
Who is Your Project Team:
Your Project Team consists of a Team Leader who in many cases is on site and your key point of contact and Team Modelers who work specifically on your project from its inception on through its completion. At times our projects have required Teams to travel throughout the US and Internationally.
Each Project Team has vast experience in all disciplines and each Team has the flexibility and commitment to insure Quality, Accuracy, and On time completion of the project at hand.
Team-Customer Relationships:
Our Project Teams develop a seamless working relationship with clients and work with them continuously on multiple projects and proposals. Giving peace of mind to the client who always expects and receives the highest quality of work attainable is the primary goal of every VBL Team member.
Focus on what you do best...
Virtual Building Logistics is a global leader in providing Building Information Modeling services. Our clients include owners, architects, engineers, trade contractors, construction managers and facilities managers. Our team has proven global market experience in design, engineering, construction management, facilities management and the application of leading-edge technologies. VBL as your partner enables you to focus on what you do best, while enhancing your firms’ ability to win and take on higher complexity projects. VBL is helping firms transform the way they do business through business process improvement, resulting in a greatly increased workload bandwidth of your firm. This synergy also creates new opportunity for growth through broadening your firms’ deliverable offerings.
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