ArchShowcase Susan Smith
Susan Smith has worked as an editor and writer in the technology industry for over 16 years. As an editor she has been responsible for the launch of a number of technology trade publications, both in print and online. Currently, Susan is the Editor of GISCafe and AECCafe, as well as those sites’ … More » Dow Chemical Company Brazilian Corporate Headquarters, São Paulo, Brazil by Athié | WohnrathFebruary 27th, 2011 by Susan Smith
One recent interior design project that highlights many of the benefits A|W has derived from using Building Information Modeling (BIM) is the Dow Chemical Company’s new Brazilian corporate headquarters—a 10-story, 12,000-square-meter building in São Paulo that will accommodate around 800 employees and include office space, an auditorium, and a restaurant, as well as laboratories and other technical facilities.
Corporate Interior and Architectural Design Projects: Athié | Wohnrath (A|W) Location: São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Project: Dow Chemical Company Brazilian Corporate Headquarters Area: 10-story, 12,000 Square Meter Building Software employed: Autodesk Revit Architecture, Autodesk 3ds Max Design, Autodesk Inventor During the bid process, A|W used Revit Architecture and 3ds Max Design to help convert the original 2D building drawings into a vivid, information-rich 3D model and a series of high-fidelity presentations. After seeing these presentations, Dow Chemical engaged A|W to customize the building’s interior for greater sustainability and target LEED Gold™ Commercial Interiors certification. The Solution Once Dow Chemical awarded the project, A|W continued developing the BIM model it had begun in the pre-award phase, thereby helping to accelerate and simplify the design process.
The model also facilitated other aspects of the design process, which proceeded concurrently with construction of the building’s exterior. For example, at one point the client realized that the building needed to accommodate a greater number of employees than originally planned. The model also proved helpful in performing quantity takeoffs and conducting design review.
The Result The BIM process helped A|W to maintain accuracy and consistency while keeping pace with numerous design changes on the highly technical project and notably reducing design time. Established in 1990 and employing more than 375 professionals in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Athié | Wohnrath (A|W) provides integrated services for all phases of corporate interior and architectural design projects, including retrofits. The firm’s clientele includes some of the world’s largest and most successful companies, such as Nike, Nextel, Microsoft, Intel, IBM, and Warner Bros. Categories: 3dS Max, Autodesk Inventor, Commercial Building, Revit |