Building Information Modeling (BIM) Augments Sustainability in a University of California San Francisco Laboratory Renovation: A Case Study in Successful BIM Use

Eric Peabody and Christie Coffin, The Design Partnership

Building information modeling (BIM) allowed The Design Partnership to save and reuse existing resources on a biotechnology renovation for the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) in Health Sciences West, a 16-story long-span structure (HSW4). This presentation will examine a case study on this contemporary biotechnology laboratory where BIM augmented The Design Partnership's abilities to deliver sustainability and provide better coordination and quality.

LESSONS LEARNED
Specific advantages from BIM’s increased level of information and tighter coordination include the ability to:

1. Accurately locate existing systems during design and maintain coordination to allow reuse of more buildings and infrastructure. In HSW4, the long span structure required precision threading of above-ceiling building and laboratory services through existing beam openings. This was potentially cost prohibitive, however, with the extensive 3D coordination allowed by BIM, the space was effectively reused to meet the needs of contemporary science.
2. Prevent rework and so reduce wastage. More accuracy and thorough 3D coordination was provided by leveraging the collision detection system to coordinate all elements larger than one inch diameter.
3. Increase the accuracy of material takeoffs to reduce wastage. The model easily generates quantity surveys with greater specificity than by hand methods. This prevents ordering excess materials and facilitates just-in-time-delivery which is particularly beneficial at UCSF where access and staging areas are extremely limited.
4. Track features like building area as the design develops to maximize building efficiency. Any change in design instantly reports changes to the net/gross area efficiency allowing better evaluation. The project virtually eliminated corridors in favor of useable area though the use of a research laboratory suite.

NEXT STEPS
Extend the use of BIM through virtual prototyping and building simulation, in particular:

1. Use BIM for carbon and energy tracking and simulation both in early design phases where the most significant changes can be made and during construction documentation fine tuning.
2. Simulate daylighting with BIM model data.
3. Exiting simulation can further increase building efficiency by proving that more efficient designs, like suites, meet life safety requirements.

DESIGN APPROACH
BIM can alter the timing and the design process, in particular:

1. BIM shifts the design effort to earlier phases, changing the decision process.
2. The reduction of documentation effort provides more time for evaluation of sustainable issues.
3. BIM should be implemented early in the design process, allowing designers to test decisions in the schematic design phase and track the results throughout the process.
   

Biographies:

Eric Peabody, LEED AP, is a project manager for The Design Partnership. Having led a firm-wide transition to BIM, Mr. Peabody's current sustainable interests include BIM as a prelude to total building simulation, virtual prototyping, and off-site fabrication. His work as a laboratory designer includes numerous projects for the University of California San Francisco, Health Sciences and San Francisco General Hospital.

Christie Coffin, LEED AP, is a senior architect and planner for The Design Partnership as well as an adjunct professor at the University of Oregon. Ms. Coffin's current sustainable interests include exploring displacement ventilation in science laboratories, concise planning, daylighting, 24/7 planning, and related health care planning issues. Her work as a laboratory architect includes science laboratories in California, Oregon, and Taiwan.

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