A few week ago, the Nemetschek Group launched a new workflow solution. Can you explain what kind of solution this is?
The new workflow solution Integrated Design will enable architects, structural engineers, and MEP engineers to increase collaboration by working as agile teams. The development of this next evolution of model-based collaboration between architects, structural engineers, and MEP engineers, was pioneered by three Nemetschek Group brands: GRAPHISOFT, RISA, and SCIA. Our Group approach of putting customers first and driving open standards and interoperability formed the basis for this innovation.
Interview partner: Viktor Várkonyi, Chief Division Officer of the Planning & Design Division and member of the Executive Board of the Nemetschek Group
Currently, most architects and engineers, especially in the early building design phases, work in so-called silos. While software tools have improved greatly in the last 20 years, the original process still stands. Architects create a design. At a certain stage, a structural engineer is called in. The different disciplines work on their own duplicated datasets, trying to coordinate changes as they loop through cycles. This is a rather slow and error-prone process with many iterations. This process is known as the “federated model” approach. A series of separate BIM models each produced by various consultants, architects, and the general contractor, are combined (federated) at various stages of the process. The structural engineer’s BIM model is sent to the architect and vice versa many times over as part of the normal design, engineering, and documentation phases of the project. This process also repeats with other consultants, architects, and MEP engineers. The outcome is slow decisions, made in silos of the professions, instead of being optimized for the overall objectives of the client. With an integrated approach, architects, structural engineers, and MEP engineers can instead work in the design processes as one team, in a more cross-functional, highly interactive, and collaborative manner. The result will be great buildings delivered on time and on budget.
