During December, we spend a lot of time reflecting on our year – our projects, our process and the industry. One of the trends that will likely carry over in the coming years is the consolidation of BIM software vendors. Although new software programs seem to be cropping up every day, there has been some interesting activity in both M&A and partnerships. The major things we’re still talking about: Autodesk’s acquisition of MAP and Trimble’s acquisition of Tekla.

CNC @ Fab Academy

Paul Seletsky, the Digital Design Director at Kieran Timberlake, recently posted some intriguing thoughts about the need for the AEC industry to make the R&D aspect of our profession more prominent. With the advent of popular community shops such as MIT’s FabLab (Boston’s lab is in the South End for anyone interested), the notion doesn’t seem too far-fetched. His case for such AR Lab checkpoints are worth a read. Here’s a snippet below concerning why  he believes AR Labs are necessary and be sure to read on at AECbytes blog:

• Architects’ project deliverables and instruments of service must reflect a new digital age.As the music, movie, and newspaper industries have discovered, publishing and distribution of traditional media has been radically altered. Architects are story-tellers who strive to maintain their content and intent exactly as written. Contract documents must be transformed from static entities on paper (or computers) to interactive, dynamic records on iPads to keep ideas intact. Steve Jobs showed the way. Will architects now be prepared to publish or perish?Architects need to control their own destiny by learning how to program software. Practitioners must be able to create open, interchangeable software tools as they see fit, to guide rather than follow commercial software developers. These tools must be unaffiliated with any one specific software developer and allow for true dynamic data interpretation (DDI)—the free flow of performative information independent of any associated software’s design geometry.
• Practitioners need a central library of certified building knowledge and software utilities.  An online, non-denominational (Wikipedia-type) library of building products, components and assembly methods would present practitioners and the public with codified design knowledge. Manufacturers could upload BIMs of their products, certain they would work in any software program (by enlisting an open “cooperative” approach among software developers) and contain all authorized performance and visual criteria. [One possible avenue for this idea is the National Institute of Building Science’s Whole Building Design Guide, but in a more interactive and editable version than currently exists].
• Architects and their clients need better methods to experience the Work before it is built.Immersive display rooms (widely used in automotive and aerospace engineering but too costly for architects) would enable everyone to investigate design concepts and experience spaces to validate lighting conditions, views, and occupant comfort. Contractors could be guided through complex assemblies or innovative installations. These spaces could also be rented to hold “immersive” teleconferences, where meeting minutes could be digitally recorded and transcribed.
• Robotic construction, digital urban design and mapping, and material analyses are needed. Multimedia surfaces and conductive materials, demographic and climate data embedded into BIMs all lead to better informed decisions. Tying physical and virtual performance environments together will simply allow us to “see” building designs in ways we have never seen them before.

The Detail Design Phase of the Marlborough Hospital Cancer Pavilion project has just finished, meaning that the majority of the design decisions and validation have been worked out by the project team. Additionally, the team has begun making material selections, based on S/L/A/M’s design options, helping to further shape the design. The interior will feature light-hued wood accents and specialty art ceilings in the treatment areas. The infusion section will look out onto a landscaped healing garden which is expected to incorporate fountains and pieces of sculpture. Finish work for the Linear Accelerator and CT Simulation rooms will include custom millwork to enclose the medical equipment.

Parallel to the design process, we have begun bringing contractors on board for the Fire Protection, Electrical, Mechanical, and Plumbing systems. Contractors will begin their processes by utilizing the Fitzmeyer & Tocci developed BIM, and working backwards from the devices down to the distribution, in order to assist with their design drawings.

Tocci Building Corporation has been implementing Virtual Design & Construction (VDC) since 2006. We have moved past the BIM basics (clash detection, quantity extraction, and logistics) and are well on our way to a total transformation of how we execute our projects. We are expanding our team to support current work, pave the way for new utilizations of BIMs (like field layout, code checking, high performance building analysis, rapid prototyping and building operations), and define new project relationships under IPD contracts.

Job Title: Virtual Design & Construction Manager

Position Description: The VDC Manager’s main responsibility will be overseeing all BIM strategies and activities for a life sciences campus that Tocci is currently managing. This includes directing overall project BIM strategy, ensuring standardized implementation across all buildings within the campus, directing management and supervision of the four modelers on the project, and developing and implementing “FM BIM”.
The project currently uses a variety of software, including Autodesk Revit, Bentley Navigator, Tekla Engineering, Solibri, fabrication-specific software, and other VDC software programs. Since new VDC software comes out every day, all team members test new software programs and functionality to make sure we are using the best out there.
The position requires a self-motivated, detail-oriented, open-minded, and dedicated individual that has an intuitive sense of the constraints and opportunities related to VDC. Successful candidates will be prepared to emotionally engage with Tocci and its projects. The VDC Manager will be based in Woburn, MA, but will also be required to work on the campus in Cambridge, MA. Future projects may require travel to jobsites and partner offices for co-location throughout the country (mostly in the Northeast). The position reports to the Director of Virtual Design and Construction.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage the campus team that is developing and coordinating BIMs, collocating with architects and training the construction team
• Direct VDC strategy and execution on the campus, and address potential/occurring delays and setbacks
• Ensure quality assurance/quality control on models
• Work with cost engineering staff to develop accurate and easy-to-use quantity takeoffs
• Work with project managers/visual scheduling to ensure high level of schedule optimization 
• Work with project managers and superintendents to guarantee models reflect as-built conditions
• Perform other tasks related to Virtual Construction implementation
• Understand and promote Tocci’s Virtual Construction process, and educate project partners as needed
• Participate in general office “chores,” such as emptying the dishwasher, moving boxes, decorating the Christmas tree, and re-stocking soda in the fridge– Tocci is very much a family, so we all pitch in

Qualifications:

• Minimum bachelor’s degree in architecture or construction-related field or equivalent work experience
• 8+ years in building or design industry required; work experience with VDC or BIM using Revit, Bentley BIM, and ArchiCAD required
• Preference will be given to candidates who are Registered Architects or Registered Engineers, with experience on life sciences projects
• Strong written and verbal communication skills required
• Experience with team management and leadership required; supervisory experience of 5+ employees desired
• Excellent technical skills– using computers, the internet, and file sharing required
• Strong personal management skills, dedication, organization, and open-minded required
• Creative thinker with ability to work in a close knit environment with like-minded personalities

Tocci Building Companies is a progressive construction services firm providing construction management, design/build, real estate development, and preconstruction services. Tocci is housed in a restored 19th century mill building that blends old-world charm and contemporary design. Tocci staff members are dedicated professionals who work hard but relax together at weekly breakfasts, monthly lunches, and occasional cocktail parties. Tocci provides a supportive business environment, competitive salary, and excellent benefits package.
Equal Opportunity Employer

Please submit resume, references, and salary history to: Laura Handler, Director of Virtual Design and Construction. Or, use our online job application form to apply now.

The Q5 team just got back from a whirlwind week of BIM in the UK: meeting with and presenting to contractors, owners, government agencies and designers. See the team’s activity below and read about it at the Q5 blog.