Modeling and Bill of Materials

At Rhodes Architecture, we've found that the highest level of team collaboration is essential to modeling for integrated estimating within the IPD model, as well as intensive use of building information modeling (BIM). Also helpful in this process are the other benefits of IPD - collaboration, communication, sustainability, LEED certification, team knowledge, design documentation, and architectural process. One of the areas where cost most commonly rise unexpectedly is in the final detailing. That's why it's important to work together with detailers from the beginning to agree on the format of the files to be used for the BOM before committing to the project.   Effective modeling has a big impact on the effective creation of a bill of materials (BOM). Lean manufacturing eliminates waste and provides improved supply chain management. This happens as the design phase nears completion and a bill of materials is created.  This is the case regardless of the project type - church architecture and church design under a church architect is just as relevant to this process as a commercial of a civic project.

The integration of 3D modeling from detailers is highly computer-intensive. Thorough analysis with these tools makes it possible to analyze the material needs of project in every phase. The effort pays off by anticipating conflict, allowing for optimal planning of conflict management and collision prevention. The estimating is also much more accurate than traditional methods, increasing efficiency considerably since there's no need to revisit the budget with more increases in cost.  All this adds up to the best possible way to apply lean manufacturing to our projects. The results are clear: shorter lead times, improved supply chain management, reduced waste in manufacture and fabrication, and reduced labor through a more streamlined work flow, to name a few. 

Each group in the project team will need access to current data. Doing so insures that each element of the project is integrated, working in concert to meet the project outcomes. 

Since the principles of lean manufacturing apply mainly to repeated manufactured elements, that's where they are most cost effectively applied in our projects; tilt panels, trusses, precast concrete, fire sprinkler systems, pre-built panels, and mechanical systems. 

Integrated Building Design
A project that incorporates the philosophy of integrated building design brings together apparently unrelated disciplines to work together on an element of the project. The result is a synergistic approach that can yield surprising benefits. 

This is especially the case with green building design strategies. For instance, different, seemingly unrelated elements of the project can create synergistic savings; rainwater collected to be used for flushing toilets is an excellent way to conserve potable water. Green strategies can also be highly valuable in the areas of landscaping design, mechanical, and electrical design.

Integrated Modeling
BIM has revolutionized the modeling process in planning our projects. The level of analysis is much higher and more thorough. Multiple solutions can be easily analyzed and considered, insuring the best results for the lowest possible cost. This method is highly useful in early systems modeling (ie, light studies), but it should also be applied to fabrication modeling in the early production model (ie, truss fabrication). 

BIM and estimating software are both excellent tools in insuring the smooth progression from one phase of a project to the next. But these tools need to work together to create an accurate bill of materials that's usable by both designers and contractors.

In BIM, ever parameter and value of the model can be clearly defined. All the materials are fully integrated into both the model and documentation. The schedules, phasing and quantity takeoffs are easily accessible by the contractor simply by accessing the database. This is far more seamless than the old way of transferring data manually into a usable format for the contractor. This software is highly sophisticated, taking even details such as finishes into account. For instance, flush doors have different definitions for flush wood or hollow metal doors. 

Architectural elements made up of several components, such as walls, are also taken into account. BIM software allows for the takeoff of all details for these individual components, including face materials, structure, model, manufacturer, relevant URL links, assembly description, assembly code, fire rating, and cost per unit, all of which are incorporated into the BOM. 

These benefits even extend to the structural and mechanical engineer model with material takeoff such as concrete volume, weight of steel, rebar, duct work, piping, and unit details. 

All this adds up to a sophisticated and detailed integrated fabrication, all through a BOM that's entirely automated.

If you have any questions, or if you’d like more information, please contact us today. We can be reached by phone at 206.465.2021, or you can submit to the right and we’ll get right back to you.