Architecture Firm Doubles Productivity With BIM Services From ARC Document Solutions

PHILADELPHIA, May 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Architects are hired for their expertise and experience, but it's their vision of a project that typically drives their success. That's why renowned Hawaiian design firm Benjamin Woo Architects (BWA) was so careful about choosing their partner for building information modeling (BIM) services on their part of a $1 billion Park Lane Ala Moana design project – they needed someone who could not only help articulate their vision but also expand their horizons.

The Solution: ARC's Proven BIM Expertise

Park Lane Ala Moana is a large luxury residential/resort development next to Waikiki in Honolulu. Two years ago, BWA was engaged to design a group of residential buildings within the development which was being constructed next to a commercial area.

"We got the project going, but our team for the Park Lane project was five people, and we needed 10 people on it," said Brandon Fujimura, Environmental Planner/Designer/BIM & IT Manager for BWA. "It was a great help that ARC and its BIM staff knew the language of architecture."

Because the project was complex and designed in three dimensions using Autodesk's Revit^® software, it required a specific set of skills and resources that could scale with the project needs. BWA leaders were cautious about who they might hire for any outsourced work, but ARC Document Solutions ("ARC") offered proven BIM experience with Revit and a deep understanding of the design requirements and workflow and provided a team of experienced professionals. "ARC demonstrated its ability to deliver quality BIM work," explained Benjamin Woo, principal at Benjamin Woo Architects.

The Results: Saving Time, Reducing Headaches

With a solid partnership with ARC, BWA was not only able to meet Park Lane project deadlines, but the firm was also able to deliver the project under budget. By supplementing its own capabilities with ARC's BIM services, the firm reduced staff and production time on the job by more than 50%.

"ARC doubled our project manpower and did more than half the work," said Fujimura. And that opened up other opportunities for the firm.

BWA, like architectural firms everywhere, operates in a world where artistic vision and technical expertise are constantly being buffeted by technological advancements. Simply keeping up with change has become a core component of running a successful design firm.

"The world of drafting and architecture is changing quickly, with new software solutions and tools offering many benefits. But there just isn't enough time to stay current and also do the work. ARC's BIM services team enables us to go full speed ahead while staffers are learning about new technologies," said BWA's Fujimura.

Woo said, "We feel like ARC was part of the Park Lane design team. Their participation also gave the developer a sense that our team was capable of doing the project. Frankly, I don't think we would have been able to do this project without their help."

And Park Lane was just the beginning for BWA and the team at ARC. Woo thinks ARC's BIM services will enable his firm to land more complex projects in the future.

BIM and Industry Tech Trends

Building Information Modeling, or "BIM" as it's more commonly known, is the development and use of a computer software model to simulate the construction and operation of a facility. Tools designed to generate such models allow the user to view and analyze a structure from any angle and visualize operations, and provide the ability to virtually "fly" through a building. Its advantages include:

• Faster and more effective design and engineering processes—information is more easily shared and reused.
• Better design—building proposals can be rigorously analyzed, simulations can be performed quickly, and performance can be benchmarked, enabling improved and innovative solutions.
• Controlled whole-life costs and environmental data—environmental performance is more predictable; lifecycle costs are better understood.
• Better production quality—documentation output is flexible and exploits automation.
• Automated assembly—digital product data can be leveraged in downstream processes and used for manufacturing/assembling of structures prior to delivery on a job site.
• Better customer service—proposals are better understood through accurate visualization.
• Lifecycle data—requirements, design, construction and operational information can be used in facilities management.

ARC Document Solutions recently conducted an Architecture, Engineering and Construction industry (AEC) survey to identify participants' views about industry technology trends and to evaluate the role BIM will play in the future of global construction.

Most respondents predicted that design and development will become paperless in the next two to five years. Asked to identify the main reason behind the elimination of paper in the AEC industry, 36.7% of the participating architects said that clash detection in BIM helps design and construction teams resolve issues without having to print numerous drawings.

Another survey question explored the distribution of documents in PDF format and use of BIM solutions. While the majority (73.5%) of the architects in the study said that PDF and BIM files will continue to co-exist, 20% of the participating architects said that BIM files will take over and become the solution of choice on which to base pricing and construction planning.

About ARC Document Solutions BIM Services

ARC professionals help customers plan, design, build, and manage BIM projects. BIM Support Services from ARC include:

• Model creation for all or single trades MEP/FP
• Clash detection and collision reports
• Discrepancy/RFI reports
• Data-rich Revit models
• CAD and Revit drafting support
• 2D and 3D architectural support
• Photo-realistic renderings and 3D animations

To find out more, visit ARC Document Solutions at the American Institute of Architecture (AIA) Convention 2016 in Philadelphia, May 19-21, Booth #2361 and meet Darren Boihem, ARC's Global Director of BIM and Visualization Services.

About Benjamin Woo Architects (BWA)

Since its founding in 2000, BWA has gained a reputation as Hawaii's leading design-centric architectural firm based on its impressive portfolio of high-profile projects. The firm has been kept purposefully small, driven by a tight-knit collective of architects and creative professionals who believe that their compact size promotes efficiency, allows them to work on a more personal level with their clients, and fosters a collaborative atmosphere.

About ARC Document Solutions ARC

ARC Document Solutions distributes documents and information to facilitate communication for design and construction professionals, real estate managers and developers, facilities owners, and a variety of similar disciplines. The company provides cloud and mobile solutions, professional services, and hardware to help its customers around the world to reduce costs and increase efficiency, improve information access and control, and communicate faster, easier and better. Connect with ARC at www.e-arc.com and on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

ARC Document Solutions is a registered trademark of ARC or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or other countries.  Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.

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SOURCE ARC Document Solutions