Product category:
Building and Site Management
News Release from: Autodesk | Subject: Freedom Tower
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 23 September 2005
Technology partner to Freedom Tower
Design Team
Autodesk has become an important technology partner to the Freedom Tower Design Team, providing design software, project collaboration and consulting services.
An integral part of the team, Autodesk Consulting is providing Skidmore, Owings and Merrill LLP (SOM); Jaros Baum and Bolles (JB and B), and WSP/Cantor Seinuk Group (CSG) with training, implementation and content development services for the duration of the project The Freedom Tower is structured as an "Open Information Project"
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 23 May 2005 at 8.00am (UK)
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Autodesk Revit software for Freedom Tower
Autodesk's Building Information Modeling (BIM) platform, used for the Freedom Tower project, the first commercial building to rise on the former World Trade Center site in New York City.
Freedom Tower Project on Autodesk Revit Platform
Skidmore, Owings and Merrill LLP (SOM) has standardised on Autodesk Revit software, Autodesk's Building Information Modelling (BIM) platform, for the Freedom Tower project.
Autodesk works as an internal consultant, partnering with SOM, JB and B, CSG and Tishman Construction on devising and implementing innovative design and production methods as well as project management and collaboration protocols.
Building Information Modelling:.
* Since the late 1980s, when SOM developed its own AES software system, the firm has envisioned the use of a virtual 3D model, integrating all building components including building systems and structural engineering.
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* In a 1989 publication entitled Reality Before Reality, SOM identified the benefits of an integrated building information modeling approach: "This not only allows the visual guidelines of a building to be evaluated but also, because of its sophisticated analysis capabilities, allows the performance of systems and cost implications of design decisions to be assessed as the PROJECT develops." * Moving from use of AES to AutoCAD to implementation of Autodesk Revit on the Freedom Tower project, SOM has come full circle, finally realising its early vision of implementing a building information modelling strategy.
* After a competitive software selection process, SOM chose Autodesk Revit as the project's building information modeling solution because of its ease of use, fully associative views, scheduling capabilities and integration with other products.
Revit provides a competitive advantage with a minimal risk.
* Complemented by AutoCAD, Revit Building was initially used on the original design only for the building's complex subgrade levels.
After experiencing the strength of Revit, the design team gradually expanded its use to the tower's lower and main core; structure; enclosure; cable net; mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems; and finally the entire project.
Revit Building is now being used for design and construction documentation on the redesigned tower concept.
* With assistance from Autodesk Consulting, JB and B, the project's M/E/P engineer, has been using Revit to develop generic building systems modelling content.
Benefits include improved co-ordination with all disciplines, which is now carried out in 3D on a plasma screen in an SOM conference room.
* CSG, the project's structural engineer, used Revit and AutoCAD to model the tower's foundations and existing buttress slabs, core walls and columns on the original design.
The firm is now implementing Revit Structure for use for design and construction documentation of the new design concept.
Benefits include improved co-ordination with other disciplines, enhanced quality assurance and an anticipated reduction in revision time and RFIs during construction.
* Tishman Construction, the project's Construction Manager, will be exporting data from Revit to Excel for quantity take-offs as a way to verify the results received from traditional methods.
* AutoCAD is being used in innovative ways on Freedom Tower because its simplicity, customisation and programmability allow it to be harnessed in ways not obvious to most users.
Within the AutoLISP programming environment, SOM has created tools for modelling, analysis and documentation that enable team members to experiment with design ideas and get rapid feedback.
Some AutoCAD models were analysed visually, while others were analysed with routines that, for example: cast shadows to create post-processed images used to compute area and time in shadow.
Design Visualisation and Animation:.
* Autodesk 3ds Max is being used for design visualisation and creation of 3D renderings and animations.
* The design team uses the unique feature of 3ds Max to assign structural profiles to single-line DWG input in order to quickly visualise the complex geometry of the cable net structure.
This uses less computer resources and allows flexible design iterations.
* SOM is utilising the distributed processing (or 'render farm') abilities of 3ds Max to greatly reduce rendering times.
Online Project Collaboration Management:.
* SOM began using Buzzsaw.com in 1999 and was one of the first architectural firms to embrace the online collaboration service.
* On the Freedom Tower project, Autodesk Buzzsaw is the primary tool for keeping project team members connected.
It's the major tool for communicating project reports and sharing design documents.
Buzzsaw helps project team members share at least a hundred different subsets of drawings.
* Autodesk Buzzsaw not only facilitates collaboration and sharing of documents on the project but also serves as a "virtual project environment" that brings together all project information in one place and provides an ongoing communication log that documents team interaction.
* Autodesk is collaborating with SOM to customise communication forms within Buzzsaw Professional for use specifically on the Freedom Tower project.
The project has become a test case for setting the standards for using the expanded project management capabilities of Buzzsaw Professional.
* Autodesk is collaborating with SOM to customise the extranet views within Buzzsaw Professional for use specifically on the Freedom Tower.
The dashboards provide the WTC team a comprehensive and immediate glimpse into the project activities.
These summary views are vital to keep the team informed and focusing on the most critical, time sensitive tasks.
* Autodesk is collaborating with SOM in the integration of SOM proprietary tools, such as project calendar into Buzzsaw Professional dashboards.
This integration allows SOM to leverage the use of commonly used tools while supporting and enhancing the "project virtual environment".
* Autodesk Buzzsaw is helping the team meet the project's fast-track schedule by guiding project workflow and enabling team members to share information efficiently and in real-time.
Benefits.
Building design and construction has changed since the construction of the original World Trade Centre.
It's not just a building process; it's a community process as much as a building technology process.
Autodesk design software and collaboration management services have enabled SOM to make this transition more smoothly and have reduced the amount of time it takes to get things done.
The Autodesk Revit building information modelling platform is providing tangible benefits to the Freedom Tower Design Team, including the following capabilities:.
* Advanced understanding of design constructability.
* Visualising the project as it will be constructed, not as drawn.
* Revisions in much less time.
* Improved design co-ordination and reduced documentation errors.
* Enhanced team communication.
* Self-startup of new team members on use of software.
Autodesk Buzzsaw is optimising team process on the Freedom Tower project in a number of ways:.
* Providing a comprehensive view of all project information in a centralised place.
* Enhancing accountability among all project team member.
* Accelerating the speed of project delivery by enabling team members to access data anytime, anywhere.
* Facilitating better collaboration with the design team and consultants.
Autodesk Consulting is ensuring quick training of new team members, resolving implementation issues, and speeding content creation.
Autodesk Products and Services Being Used:.
* Autodesk Revit Building.
* Autodesk Revit Structure.
* AutoCAD.
* Autodesk 3ds Max.
* Autodesk Buzzsaw.
* Autodesk DWF Viewer.
* Autodesk DWF Composer.
* Autodesk Consulting.
Data Points.
Autodesk Revit Building/Autodesk Revit Structure.
* Freedom Tower design and construction documentation are being done primarily in Revit Building with additional work in AutoCAD.
* Revit model is being used during co-ordination meetings with or instead of 2D color co-ordination drawings.
* Complex area calculations will be performed in Revit.
* Revit-trained project team includes: 30 architects from SOM;10 M/E/P engineers from JB and B; Structural engineers from CSG (using Revit Structure).
AutoCAD.
* Master plan drafting and modeling of original design was completed in AutoCAD.
* On the original design, AutoCAD LISP routines were used for automated 3D massing model generation, automated curtain wall model generation, cable configuration modelling, solar shading device modeling, shadow analysis, energy analysis, sun angle-incidence analysis and area calculation of floor areas and curtain wall surface areas.
Autodesk Buzzsaw.
* There are over 150 members expected to use the new Buzzsaw site.
* Customised forms and logs were developed with the partnership of the Freedom Tower team and Autodesk Buzzsaw development team.
* The Freedom Tower team will be using automated role-based workflows to increase efficiency.
* Some web-based content developed by SOM will be integrated into the site such as a project calendar and drawing database. Request a free brochure from Autodesk ...
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