Build a Digital Value Chain with Revit+BiM360+SpaceIQ+Forge & its results

TAKUMA OGAWA: Good morning. We are going to present Build a Digital Value Chain with Revit, BIM 360, SpaceIQ, Forge, and its results. Let us introduce ourselves. My name is Takuma Ogawa. I've started to study BIM in University. To apply it into practice, I joined the Daiwa House in 2019. In 2020, Daiwa House obtained ISO 9650 certification for the first time in Japan. I was very excited to be a part of the project. In my past-time, I like cooking, especially with fresh whole fish. I cook by myself, for example, sushi and sashimi.

TOMOHIRO MIKAMI: Hi. My name is Tomohiro Mikami. I have also been studying BIM since University. After joining Daiwa House in 2019, I worked on a framework to streamline the information collaboration by utilizing BIM in the classification. My hobby is driving and traveling with my wife. I'm so lucky to be able to participate in Autodesk University for the first time this year. She's just [INAUDIBLE].

TAKUMA OGAWA: Daiwa House was established in 1955. At that time, we developed a prefabricated warehouse or railway facility called pipe house. It was the first prefab construction in Japan. It was created by quite a unique idea from the founder, utilizing the standardized component shown on your right.

Daiwa House has expanded its business into houses, [INAUDIBLE] houses, commercial facilities, hotels, warehouses, offices, and medical facility. We have grown into a $40 billion company. We are not just a housing company, but the largest construction company in Japan.

Daiwa House has been providing new products to customers around with the time and realize the value chain. Today, we live in a digital society. By adding all kinds of information generated by digital society to conventional products, we provide services to enrich people's activities, not only the customer, but also the employee, stakeholders, and the many people living there, and achieve digital value chain.

As the digitalization with BIM model's progress, it has created a new barrier that couldn't be brought about by conventional 2D work. For instance, interference checks by models or simulation analysis based on environmental information. However, these are only a small part of benefits of BIM.

By reforming our business operations through BIM and improving the productivity and the quality of the entire construction process, we can provide a better product to our customers, which in turn becoming the foundation to deliver new value and services. Improving the productivity and quality of the entire building lifecycle, it is necessary to share and utilize all kinds of digital information throughout the construction process.

To achieve this, it is necessary to build a data-centric data protocol. Furthermore, by associating information such as GIS data, product or specification data, construction data, quality data, and building operation data with a BIM model in each process, as value-added information, it enables a digital value chain in the construction process.

How will the construction industry change? By establishing the data brought to home and to achieve the data value chain. In this session, we will first introduce a case study that became a catalyst for this initiative. It is our operation and management BIM cooperating with the BIM models and databases. In conjunction with the case study, we will also share what we are currently working on with SpaceIQ. As many of you know, Autodesk and SpaceIQ formed a partnership last year. Our project is proceeding with the support of the partnership.

TOMOHIRO MIKAMI: So now, we would like to talk about a project we worked with our group company, focusing on the use of BIM in facility management. This building is called Kotokurie, our large-scale training facility located in our prefecture in Japan. It was completed in June last year.

As the owner of the facility, we explored how BIM can be effectively utilized in the operation and management phase. This output was reported to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism as a part of a model project for facilitating building production and maintenance management processes using BIM initiatives. To begin with, please watch the [INAUDIBLE] video for Kotokurie.

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TOMOHIRO MIKAMI: As mentioned lately in the video, the collaboration between Revit and Archibus is a key in our project. First, I'd like to share a brief introduction to Archibus. Archibus is an FM system for facility owners, originated in the US. It provides a database environment for slowing data and web applications for implementing various functions.

The most important reason why we chose Archibus is data can be updated bidirectionally between database and BIM parameters in real-time. From the next slide, I'd like to return to Kotokurie case study and talk about operation and management BIM collaborating with Revit and the Archibus. Among the policy initiatives, we have tried to utilize operation and management-based BIM at the Kotokurie. We picked up two case studies to share.

The first case study is about the central supervisory control system. This is fundamental core to achieve digital twin. This figure shows a conceptual diagram of the central underlying system. At the initial wall layer, one, the Archibus display layer. And two, have the data storage layer. And three, have the data acquisition layer and the physical wall layer, actual building layer with sensors installed. Base is [INAUDIBLE] in layer four.

In order to capture the ever-changing conditions of actual activities in the building, air conditioning [INAUDIBLE] sensors, [INAUDIBLE] equipment sensors, electrical equipment sensors, and image sensors are installed. Data captured by the sensor passes through the acquisition layer [? via ?] a gateway approximately every 10 minutes and is stored in the storage layer. For instance, the [INAUDIBLE] sensors have been stored at the Kotokurie for various verifications.

Next, here is an example of automatic alarm function. Each sensor installed in Kotokurie has its own [INAUDIBLE] value. When the value debits largely from the [INAUDIBLE] value, the central monitoring system is allotted as highly important failure. The [INAUDIBLE] is also generated in the BIM viewer, the location where equipment can be performed. [INAUDIBLE] can also be checked.

Facility personnel will check the information and send instruction to the field worker if [INAUDIBLE] is clean. So field worker is notified in the BIM viewer. And the required cost is automatically issued. After executing the task, the worker will report the result of task execution on the tablet.

The [INAUDIBLE] as well as history of treatment on each facility can be recorded in the database. So it's a system. In addition, the information on BIM viewer is also shared to the [INAUDIBLE] layer, who is working remotely. So [INAUDIBLE], consultation, and instruction can be done smoothly. Some of the reported defect may be a problem with a particular piece of equipment. Or it may be a potential problem in the equipment itself.

Based on the [INAUDIBLE], we can analyze the issue and take necessary action in advance. This is a great advantage not only for building owners, who manage many properties, but also for a company like us, who construct many buildings per year and provide maintenance services. By linking and managing the operational data in physical world with additional work through the central monitoring system, they could achieve responding and analyzing political issues much more quickly and extensively than before.

The next case study is about the visualization of the space usage utilizing digital twin. Kotokurie is unique facility, including a wide variety of spaces to support people's creative activities. To maximize support for users facing limited space, verification of space optimization became a major theme of Kotokurie project.

We thought, it is important element to analyze what, kind of, space people prefer and what, kind of, activities they are engaged in there. One of the indicators to watch is the visualization of usage of each room. As an example, the dashboard displays the current number of users, carbon dioxide [INAUDIBLE], and room temperature for each space.

And here is a plot of the number of people unloading each space on the floor plan. Green indicates 10 or more people. And click on the link to see the number of uses for the day in chronological order. The usage history in the past year can also be displayed. It hasn't been easy to prepare the data to support decision or budget planning for mid to long-term periods or space allocation in office buildings.

However, if fiscal data can be checked from the manager's perspective, decision for better capital investments in the required space can be made more clearly. So we will develop an environment to design better spaces for users. By creating the digital twin with BIM model and Archibus, we could successfully respond to the building owner's requirements in a facility management phase much better than before.

We also found it even more effective when multiple buildings are managed at the same time. On the other hand, we saw challenges as well. In this project, it took more effort and time than anticipated to prepare for AIM. Because geometrical data, known geometrical data and document data in PIM, were not collaborated each other, the information had to be conserved to prepare for AIM.

If we update PIM around with the process, and maintain the quality of PIM and links information to AIM in real-time, we can significantly reduce the work time. So we want to leverage the benefits of collaboration between Revit and the Archibus to overcome the challenges and build that framework as a service.

TAKUMA OGAWA: Here, we would like to talk about our project with SpaceIQ. To share information across each process throughout the building lifecycle, it's a common data environment to encompass the entire process and the database environment to manage across each project as necessary. We are establishing the data [INAUDIBLE] home by using Revit as a BIM too, BIM 360 as a common data environment, Archibus as a database ranking to Revit, and for the API, as a technology connecting each solution.

There are three main areas we are currently working on with SpaceIQ, establishing the building database. The building database managed all projects handled by Daiwa House. It is responsible for correlating ERP information with BIM 360 and Revit data using technologies such as Forge API.

The element of technology of SpaceIQ project are ranked on the basis of the building database. The building database is based upon the Archibus database. Beyond this FM system, a prime Archibus from the start of the project, the BIM model and the database are ranked at an early stage in the lifecycle. This centralizes information source and enables seamless transition between each process. It also improves traceability by allowing buildings and assets to be managed across project boundaries.

Second, building a common design element to library, DEL. DEL is a rivalry of technical elements for designer. It works with the BIM model and enrich the information. DEL manages all types of data, master data to monitor the data parameters of each manufacturer's product and as that information, and other data. [INAUDIBLE] combination of multiple master data.

Project knowledge data contains product specification information defined in design, construction, and maintenance process. Physical data, operational data, including billing materials and equipment such as walls, glass, and grasses. With DEL, we can utilize downstream information in upstream. It enables designers to work data-centric approach.

Third, creating the proposal database. Proposal database manages two types of data. One is a project of data. And it's in the proposal process. The other is a project data, completed construction. Proposal database searches for similar project attribute information such as building use, site, configuration, cost, floor plan, et cetera, and provide information to designers. Combining it with generative design technology, creating a similar planning suggestion, might be possible.

To achieve them, we first brought the process down to the functional Revit. Then we've defined LOD and LOI for each process. We also define who, when, where, how, and what information is created before asked and updated. To connect Revit attribute information with the database information, we provide a corresponding database table with Revit family category or more subdivided classification Revit. We also mapped the parameters of each family to the feed in the database.

The challenges we are working on, having a major challenge for the entire construction industry for many years. The key to [INAUDIBLE] Revit model, Autodesk Construction Cloud, Archibus database, and the Forge API technology to connect them, especially after this Construction Cloud has enhanced attribute integration. And for the API, it started to update. [INAUDIBLE] with the right to share some of our near future to be revolutionized rights by establishing the data protocol.

TOMOHIRO MIKAMI: But first, we will look into the design phase. Till today, designers made a decision on specification based mainly on their own knowledge and experience. It is highly dependent on individual skill level and the quality and the cost for value. By building a digital platform, we can decide optimal specification based on static data such as cost, functionality, and performance rather than relying on individual skills. Bio engineering is achieved.

[INAUDIBLE] digital platform [INAUDIBLE] data from operation and management phase, where we link to the design phase. With this, designers will be able to select the product and specifications based on the real performance data rather than catalog values published by manufacturers. This will trigger to create new value or to provide an added value with the proposed activities for clients.

Next, let's look at the construction-to-handover phase. In conventional work, the supervisor checks the delivered product, whether it has adequate performance and costs. Then the result is recorded and saved, attaching to the delivery note. After construction is completed, the model and other related documents are updated based on changes during the construction.

These include [INAUDIBLE] human error and the lead time from the building handover to the delivery of [INAUDIBLE] model. As we saw in Kotokurie case study, the lead time would be further extended while [INAUDIBLE] the maintenance management system. Sorry. Instead of paper drawings or delivery notes, the supervisor will visit the job site with a tablet. That installed product information will be shown on the tablet. He or she can check, confirm, and update [INAUDIBLE].

Updated data is linked to the database in real-time and reflected to the BIM model. Human error is eliminated. And the lead time from building handover to delivery of [INAUDIBLE] model is significantly shortened. It allows a seamless transition to the operation and the management phase.

When we talk about Kotokurie case study, we saw some benefits in operation management phase. Or is that all? We believe to have even greater impact from the data circulation. So that's the building lifecycle on the digital platform. Workers will use tablets to report the problem in the equipment. The collected data is linked to the database in real-time, where similar defects are reported in several locations. The data is updated as highly screened information.

The information from other buildings will also be consolidated. We can see at a glance where and how much asset and product is being used and investigate the necessary treatments when the program happens. Furthermore, the information is immediately linked to design and the construction phase through the digital platform.

Creating a digital platform will not only improve traceability in maintenance management, but also improve risk management for work in progress buildings during design or construction phase. The experience and knowledge of the buildings will be recorded in the database and be passed on to other buildings and the new buildings being created in the future. Our buildings will grow together with people. We will provide such services to our customers.

TAKUMA OGAWA: Ready to conclude this session. We are trying to build a digital platform and achieve a digital value chain by 2025. And then, we would like to move on to the next step to rewrite data transformation across industries. As a final [INAUDIBLE], please take a look at the video summarizing our vision for the future.

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- The key to digital integration comes from the further possibilities created by pairing the building database with the database BIM model.

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For example, by essentially constructing digitized real and virtual data, it is possible to have real-time facility management after construction. And maintenance is more efficient and faster even after construction.

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Utilizing BIM digital information in the database will bring about a new future. This integrated database will then open the door to the future.

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Daiwa House industry will use a digital environment to create a new information infrastructure, promote collaboration with various industries, and start the creation of an unlimited amount of new businesses. This will lead to a digital transformation.

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One day, we will become a company that not only constructs buildings, but also utilizes them.

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- In the near future the design department achieving automated design will become a reality, along with full automation and visualization on site.

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- I think that the era of being able to do more than just save on labor, but also to monitor the safety of on-site productivity remotely, is coming.

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- Rather than people utilizing technology, BIM will link communities, companies, and departments. I truly think that the era of technology is coming.

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Daiwa House Industry will continue to make new challenges towards the future of the construction industry.

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TAKUMA OGAWA: Thank you very much for your attention.