As GSA, Tocci/Driscoll, KlingStubbins and the bridging design team work during the design documentation phase, the Peter W. Rodino Federal Office Building Modernization was selected to be one of the GSA FM BIM Pilot projects. GSA Region 2 is truly leading the way in the FM-BIM integration effort with three pilot projects.

Since the FM BIM Pilot kick off in October 2010, Tocci/Driscoll has worked with Onuma Inc. and GSA to define the goals for the project. Recently, the Scope of Work was finalized and will include integration of BIM and CMMS using the COBIE data structure as well as bar-coding and QR-coding of equipment. Tocci/Driscoll will be working with Vela Systems to implement the bar-coding and QR-coding as well, as to support organization of the data. Onuma Inc. will be using its software to validate data.

GSA and Tocci/Driscoll are using this opportunity to implement new technology during both construction and building operations; the team will be using iPads with Bluetooth bar-coded readers to implement and utilize the bar coding system. The team has also opted to use QR-codes in addition to bar-codes, as we anticipate the technology improving and evolving during the construction phase of the project.

Through the Nationwide BIM Services IDIQ, the KlingStubbins/Tocci team is working with the GSA to test new ArchiCAD functionalities to meet the GSA’s Concept BIM requirement.

GSA Central Office selected the Van Buren Land Port of Entry, a Region 1 project, as the pilot project. Tocci is creating an ArchiCAD model of the project, which will be exported to an IFC format and tested to see how it can be used for spatial validation and energy analysis at Concept Design. Currently, KlingStubbins/Tocci is going through iterative review with Digital Alchemy, GSA Central Office and Graphisoft ArchiCAD to optimize the model and process.

Discovered nearly by accident while designing a chandelier for the 2007 Milan Furniture Fair, Dror Benshetrir’s QuaDror may very well be on it’s way to revolutionizing the way we look at structures of all kinds. This flat-packed, unfolding union of four ‘L’ shaped components has been tested by global engineering firm, ARUP, who declared it’s structural strength to be “outstanding”. Based on the glowing writeup by the fine folks over at FastCo Design, we may have only seen the beginnings of what can be achieved by this innovative form.

For a late afternoon dose of collaboration inspiration, head over to Olivier H. Beauchesne’s blog and marvel at the remarkable graphic created by linking scientific research collaboration across the globe. Below is a sneak peak at the outstanding image: