The Blavatnik – Stirling Prize winning BIM?

• Client: Oxford University
• Lead Contractor: Laing O’Rourke

In Oxford, Laing O’Rourke has constructed a bespoke building with a complex geometry to house the university’s new Blavatnik School of Government, which has been shortlisted for the Stirling Prize. Tom Ravenscroft learns how Laing O’Rourke taught Oxford University BIM on the project.

Although this was a complex and prestigious £55m project, a full BIM protocol had not been established by Oxford University. Following the first stage of a two-stage appointment, main contractor Laing O’Rourke made the decision in consultation with Oxford University to implement elements of BIM due to the complexities of the project, and as part of the process of improving the company’s own delivery capability.

“The client only had a general requirement to utilise BIM but had no specific requirements,” says John Revelle, project digital engineer for Laing O’Rourke. “The implementation and use of BIM was driven by Laing O’Rourke to support our own business processes and construction methodologies.”

Although this is not a Level 2 BIM project, the client design team, including architect Herzog & de Meuron, did supply the contractor with a basic 3D model developed for coordination during the earlier design stages, which Laing O’Rourke was able to further develop for coordination, programme validation and construction sequencing. The contractor then added extra detail and data to the model for it to be used in asset management.

Along with its unique geometry, the architect’s desire for uncluttered, monolithic concrete meant that the use of BIM was essential to accurately install the mechanical and electrical (M&E) services.

To achieve the level of accuracy needed, M&E engineer Crown House Technologies digitally modelled all the containment.

As the majority of the wiring containment needed to be cast into the structure, it was essential that the positioning of all the services was correct first time.

To achieve the level of accuracy needed, M&E engineer Crown House Technologies digitally modelled all the containment. Using BIM mitigated re-work and ensured certainty of technical fit.

Revelle explains: “An example of its value was in the design of substantial underfloor services, coordinating with raised access floor in a round building of different floor plates. BIM significantly reduced risk and reduced the programme time of this aspect while increasing the certainty of maintenance access for the future for the client.”

However, although BIM provided benefits, the fact that it was not written into the contact by the client reduced the ability to effectively take full advantage of BIM.

Throughout the project Laing O’Rourke used the BIM model as a tool for engaging with the client.

“The main challenge for us was the fact BIM was not a main contract deliverable, which reduced the authority in asserting a managed BIM environment and deliverables from the design team and supply chain,” adds Revelle.

Throughout the project Laing O’Rourke used the BIM model as a tool for engaging with the client and has attempted to highlight to the client the benefits of BIM. This concluded with the contractor piloting a scheme to use an in-house solution to hand over a 3D model that is linked to the digital operation and maintenance established by the client to aid and enhance asset management.

“I can definitely say that the incorporation of the 3D model with the digital O&M was a success, considering this was a first for the university,” Revelle said. 

Oxford University has seen the benefits of the digital engineering connecting to the digital O&M data, and Laing O’Rourke is working with them to develop how best to incorporate this on future projects.

Revelle concludes: “Now that we have the support of the client we will have better buy-in from the design team and better quality models to use during construction and to hand over in the end. The method of data collection will be more streamlined as well from lessons learnt.”

Oxford University has seen the benefits of the digital engineering.

An example of BIM’s value was in the design of substantial underfloor services, coordinating with raised access floor in a round building of different floor plates.– John Revelle, project digital engineer, Laing O’Rourke