BIM in the full life cycle of a building

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Ingenium prides itself on closely following trends in the sector and responding to them when we can create added value for our customers as a result. When 10 years ago the whole BIM thing was still in its infancy, Ingenium was already working on this and we were an absolute pioneer in this.

In the design phase of a project, BIM has pretty much become the standard. And more and more contractors are also turning to BIM in the execution phase. We go one step further because we want to offer advice throughout the entire life cycle and thus in every phase of the building. This teaches us that the biggest cost of a building is made in the operation phase!

A lot of building owners, facility managers and maintenance firms are looking in the direction of BIM to use its benefits in the operation phase as well. And we want to capitalize on this by taking the lead in implementing the BIM methodology in the operation phase of buildings. By actively assisting the building owner in managing his patrimony, we can create added value within asset management through Augmented Reality. With this idea we are going to work concretely in collaboration with Savaco, In The Pocket, and Vandemoortele.

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Case Vandemoortele

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Vandemoortele recently moved into their new Food Experience Center along the E17 in Ghent. For this new building Vandemoortele already drew the BIM card, both in design and execution phase. After delivery, they want to continue working with their BIM model in the execution phase. For HVAC, SPIE worked out a BIM model based on Ingenium's design model.

Together with Vandemoortele, we are developing a case where we want to use Augmented Reality as a solution to some of the problems they encounter on a daily basis when managing their patrimony.

Why?

Suppose... Several complaints come in that it is too hot in conference room 1A. And of course Vandemoortele wants to guarantee the comfort of all users at all times. So the technician on duty immediately goes in search of the cause of the problem. The information he would need for this is spread over several documents: plans, sheets, but also sensor data, temperature settings or valve positions in the building management system... Retrieving and analyzing this information is complex, incomplete and time-consuming.

And this is precisely where an app that uses Augmented Reality to display, for example, the position of the six-way valve of the climate ceiling in conference room 1A, the air intake temperature of the ventilation air and where exactly a valve in error position is located in the false ceiling, can provide an efficient and correct analysis of the problem. And, therefore, this problem can be addressed quickly and purposefully: it is no longer necessary to search for exactly where above the false ceiling the problem is located. In no time at all you can be brainstorming again in this meeting room with the necessary comfort.

BIM as a single source of truth

Thanks to an AR app, hidden technical parts are visualized in an accurate way: a wrong plan reading is not possible. There is no longer conflicting or missing information: the necessary information (BIM model & linked technical info) is stored on a Common Data Environment and thus becomes a 'single source of truth'. Live data from the building management system (sensor data and set flows, temperatures ...) is also displayed.

By bringing together both static and dynamic data from ventilation, heating and cooling into one model, their impact on comfort can be easily read. Thus, the necessary measures can be taken to further optimize occupant comfort.

The benefits?

By using an Augmented Reality app to make both BIM visualization of hidden technical components (e.g. six-way crane), display of technical BIM information (e.g. type of valve, service company phone number ...) and visualization of sensor information (e.g. blow-in air temperature) available to everyone, comfort complaints can be addressed faster and more efficiently.

The increased comfort, ease of use, time savings, and reduction of the risk of making mistakes are the biggest advantages here. By projecting the sensor information onto reality in a simple, intuitive manner, errors due to difficult analyses of the building management system and time losses due to look-up work are greatly reduced.

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Do you think Augmented Reality could also find an exciting application in your building?

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Or would you like to stay informed about this project? Contact our expert Niels Vercaemst and we will send you our findings and results. You can do so via: 050 40 45 30 or niels.vercaemst@ingenium.be