To Autodesk Construction Cloud and Beyond: 100 Projects, 500 Million Square Meters, and 1,200 Stakeholders

FERNANDO BELLO: Hi, everybody. Welcome to this Autodesk University session called "To ACC and Beyond, 100 Projects, 500 Million Square Meters, and 1,200 Stakeholders." I am Fernando Bello, BIM manager at the firm Luis Vidal architects. And today, I will be presenting with Sara Moreno, BIM director of the firm.

In this session, we will explore the journey that the firm Luis Vidal Architects began more than a decade ago, trusting in Autodesk solutions to incorporate the BIM methodology into its workflows. We will highlight the mistakes, successes, problems, and challenges encountered along the way and dive into the key decisions that were taken.

Today, we are going to develop the following points. Luis Vidal Architects-- experience, innovation, and diversity; challenge-- change resistance versus digital transformation in AEC; before the solution-- learning and troubleshooting; BIM 360 application-- uninterrupted operation and data diffusion; the ACC revolution-- a breakthrough in project quality.

SARA MORENO: Hi, everybody. This is Sara Moreno, BIM director at Luis Vidal Architects. Luis Vidal Architects-- experience, innovation, and diversity. Luis Vidal Architects is a globally recognized firm known for delivering innovative and high quality solution driven by its business-minded approach to architecture.

Since its founding in 2004, the firm has opened five offices across Spain, the Dominican Republic, Chile, and the United States. Over the past 20 years, it has designed more than 200 projects at all scales, from new urban planning and building design to industrial design.

The firm has an international team of over 1,080 skilled professionals with solid training and expertise in various disciplines. It has become a global leader not only in airport and hospital design, but also in the design of large office complexes and educational and cultural centers.

One of these most distinguished projects is Terminal 2 at London Heathrow Airport. This project has received over 27 international awards and became the first airport terminal in the world to achieve bringing excellence certification and sustainable design.

The firm's executive and operational approach is shaped by the challenge of managing diverse projects across its global network of office with numerous collaborators and stakeholders involved in each project. In this context, effective and fluid communication is essential.

Despite these complexities, the studio maintained its commitment to meeting deadlines as one of its most distinctive traits. Deadlines are always met, regardless of the project's scale, because Luis Vidal Architects is aware of the increased costs that are generated by delays. As a result, a careful planning and proactive attitude and agility in fixing problems are critical to their process.

The DNA and the philosophy of Luis Vidal Architect are rooted in the commitment on improving people's quality of life through sustainable, flexible, and innovative designs that become legacies for the future generations. That commitment has positioned the firm as pioneer in approaching architecture through the lens of user experience, which serves as the ultimate goal and reference point on each proposal.

As Luis Vidal, president and founding partner of Luis Vidal Architects, states, "Architects must work in balance between innovation and technique, with innovation exploring the unknown and technique operating within the realm of established knowledge."

Finally, if the identity of this award winning and renowned architecture studio have to be summed up in three terms, they will be social commitment, economic responsibility, and an environmental duty.

FERNANDO BELLO: Challenge-- change resistance versus digital transformation in AEC. There's no question that adopting digital transformation is essential for business to remain competitive and successful, especially in the traditionally conservative AEC sector.

Today, the BIM system stands out as a key tool driving this revolution. BIM is recognized for improving design and construction, boosting coordination between disciplines, saving time and resources, and improving communication among stakeholders.

However, this perception has not always been the same. To understand the context of this success story, we must first look at its origins. In 2012, digital architects transformed its design and coordination workflows by implementing the revolutionary BIM system. Although this methodology was already emerging in other countries, the firm became one of the pioneers of BIM in Spain, partnering with Autodesk and embracing the challenge with competence.

The challenge wasn't easy. In the early years, there was a significant resistance to change and a lack of investment. This prevented firms from achieving the potential benefits, such as higher operational margins, more revenue per employee, better market value, and a greater efficiency. However, a group of pioneers decided to embrace digital transformation, viewing it as a professional opportunity and a way to be competitive.

At that time, there was also a lack of specialized training, with few courses or master programs available. This forced people to rely on self-teaching with limited resources apart from software providers. The experiences of other colleagues weren't a reference point, either, as roles were still undefined. However, it was a time in which professionals supported each other, creating strong bonds between those dreamers that decided to abandon traditional CAD workflows to begin a new era.

Moreover, in the early days of BIM, the methodology was still inadequate, resulting in a decreased efficiency and productivity. This was mainly due to the huge time spent on manual tasks and the still ineffective workflows.

With all that background, Luis Vidal Architects began implementing the new methodology. They invested in upgrading both hardware and software, including tools like Autodesk Revit, Navisworks, and AutoCAD. The firm trained staff in these technologies and allocated resources to create new roles within the team.

The first opportunity to apply this knowledge came with the Marga Marga Hospital project located in Chile. Apart from the technological challenges of the time, the project began in parallel with the opening of the new office of Luis Vidal Architects in Chile, adding further complexity. For the first time, the team used Autodesk Revit collaborative tools, working in a common data environment, creating a 3D model of intelligent objects, and producing coordinated documentation.

However, this virtual collaboration faced many obstacles, including depths, poor decision making, and resistance to change. Some main uses, such as interdisciplinary coordination, accurate cost estimation, and quantitative abstraction were impossible at that stage.

Even before the Marga Marga project was completed, a new opportunity emerged in early 2013 to apply the BIM methodology. This time, the project was developed in the Madrid office with a new team, further expanding the use of BIM within the company.

The project was a new campus for Loyola University in Seville, Spain. At this stage, the understanding of both 3D and 2D were deeper. The team began to unlock the full potential of the BIM model, using it to justify fire safety regulation and design software protections for a building envelope. The designing process was so accurate that the complex became the first integrated campus to achieve LEED platinum certification.

Despite these advances, the environment remained challenging. Consultants from other disciplines resisted the change. As a result BIM uses, such as interdisciplinary coordination, quantitative extraction, and identification of construction systems within the model remained impossible to achieve.

After this, the firm began the renovation and transformation of Castellana 77, an architectural landmark in Madrid's financial district. The building was a great challenge for the firm, being the first renovation project carried out using the BIM methodology and considering that the existing building had a total area of 21,000 square meters, with 18 above-ground floors and five underground levels.

The use of Autodesk AEC collection, including Autodesk Revit, 3DS Max, Navisworks, and Vasari, was crucial. The complexity of working with an existing structure required integrating both physical and digital realities. Architects need to visually explore the current building to make rapid adjustments in the design.

For the design of the new facade, the team carried out solar studies to choose the most sustainable solutions. The results determined the position and size of each panel to achieve energy savings and improved comfort for occupants.

Thanks to this approach, the building achieved the LEED platinum certification and was one of the first in Spain to achieve the World GOLD certification. Using Revit design options, the team reduced the time required for design decision making and improved the communication with the client by visually presenting proposals. The BIM model was essential, too, for coordination between disciplines, as data were sent to consultants through these means.

This project also faced critical situations, including a repositioning of the course position, which impacted project documentation. However, thanks to the use of Autodesk Revit, these changes were integrated in the design process without affecting deadlines or resource allocation. Certainly, Castellana 77 marked a turning point for BIM implementation at Luis Vidal architects.

SARA MORENO: Before the solution, learning and troubleshooting. After this process, the firm began to reduce previous issues, optimize workflows, and streamline both 2D and 3D production. From that point on, the firm adopted a "model as it is built" approach. Data were input [INAUDIBLE] only where needed, facilitating a smooth transition to the construction phase.

However, while working on these early BIM projects, Luis Vidal Architects didn't have internal protocols or documents to help guide team members working with these technologies and processes.

The BIM department of the firm recognized that the need for standardization set out to decide what had worked and what hadn't in early BIM efforts. They spoke with a staff member and started project documentation to get a clear sense of what could be improved and how.

Much of this work focused on teaching staff how to use BIM to streamline and improve project collaboration. The aim was to increase efficiency by developing norms around communication channels and emphasizing the need for a central, single point of coordination within teams.

Digital culture was established in the firm. A strong BIM methodology was developed internally, covering the distinct phases that sits in a project, such as research, strategy development, content creation, 3D modeling, and data extraction, including 2D drawings, coordination reports, schedules, solar studies, media images, and quantity [INAUDIBLE].

However, despite all the work done, certain barriers remains. Challenges such as information overload, excessive permutation of smart objects, and experimental revelation often distorted the desired goals.

In 2014, Louis Vidal architects, in contrary to a growing challenge faced by many firms, offshoring, transitioning from teams working in the same office, city, or country to project members dispersed across Madrid, Santiago de Chile, Santo Domingo, and Miami presented significant obstacles.

Communication and the software tools employed became crucial. The firm continued using Autodesk Revit as a collaborative tool in association with Revit service, but this was only a temporary solution, as the system didn't fully connect to the gap between remote office.

During this time, project communication also depend on complex document platforms imposed by some clients. Document distribution wasn't accessible to everyone. There is no clear historical record. Storage space was limited, and access control was complicated.

In response, the firm developed a continuous data generation and distribution strategy. The European office reviewed data entered the previous day by USA team's and passing projects the next stage, after which the USA and Latin American office resumed the work.

This approach liberates timezone difference to enable seamless collaboration across globally dispersed locations. The layering implementation of modern tools significantly reduced time and cost, saving managers up to 10% percent hours per month and architect up to 50 hours.

One understanding project that executes under this offshoring model was the new international terminal at Arturo Merino Benitez airport in Santiago de Chile, designed in collaboration with ATPI. This cutting-edge [INAUDIBLE] was capable of accommodation up to 5,000 passengers per hour and was inspiring by Chile's diverse landscape, geography, flora, fauna, and traditional crafts.

The project employed more advanced methodologies than previous ones, particularly in content creation, such as templates, file organization, and families. The architects were already experienced in the BIM and Autodesk tools and working counter with all stakeholders throughout BIM models. For the first times, document management platform was utilized, paving the way for the future implementation of BIM [INAUDIBLE] team.

As the project approached completion, Louis Vidal Architects embarked on the design of Matta Sur Community and Health Center in Santiago de Chile. This project was celebrated as a model of adaptive reuse, seamlessly connecting the city's historical heritage with its futures.

Coordination across [INAUDIBLE] shelters while 70% of the team was based in Chile, some colleagues have to deal with the time zone difference working from Madrid. Additionally, there was a constant need to share information and ideas with consultants across multiple regions.

To address these challenges, the team employed the most advance design software available, Autodesk Revit and Navisworks. Two models were used, one for the exterior structure and another for the new building. Project members' access with both models via private cloud enabled them to synchronize local files with the main model.

This process allows the team to anticipate on-site usage and make quicker decision, achieving several outcomes. The communication workflow was improved, reducing by 20% the number of emails and videoconferences between Chile and Madrid teams. The use of pre-built models helped solving the complexity inherent in restoring a damaged historic building and connected it to a new one. The new structure paid tribute to the historic building through [INAUDIBLE] material without imitating it, merging tradition with innovation.

A study of sunlight and solar gains was done using a specialized software, Insight getting valuable information to team to design a sustainable envelope for the building. Interdisciplinary coordination was achieved, essential for the building construction. Addressing these challenges and evaluating the results afterward provided firm with invaluable insights into transitioning to BIM, marking a significant turning point for the practice.

FERNANDO BELLO: BIM 360 obligation, uninterrupted operation and data diffusion. While all of this was happening at Luis Vidal Architects, Autodesk was focused on launching BIM 360 team, marking the beginning of a new era in project development.

This solution that later evolved into BIM 360 and Autodesk Construction Cloud permitted the integration of all applications, improving BIM workflows and adding great value to the AEC industry. A special mention should be made of the unlimited storage capacity of the cloud for all file types. This allows the complete tracking of project stages, including modification dates, publications, and version comparisons.

Another important point to highlight is the simplicity achieved in communication, reducing the need for multiple channels like emails, phone calls, and video conferences. Now information is unified under one single platform and accessible to all stakeholders with controlled permissions that can be managed by an administrator that controls the platform.

The adoption of these solutions in Luis Vidal Architects began in 2016 with the project of Castellana Art District in Madrid, where the Madrid office collaborated with Rodgers Stirk Harbor and Partners in London. For the first time, the team faced an urban scale project using BIM methodology.

This required a shift from traditional object-based modeling to focus on simpler geometries, like masses or areas. The main objective was to evaluate different volumetric and usage distribution scenarios, so rapid scales became an absolutely necessary tool.

To manage the large-scale data exchange, the team required a user-friendly document management platform capable of viewing Autodesk Revit files in real time, facilitating data comparison and quick decision making between both offices. The new Autodesk's BIM 360 Team proved to be the perfect solution, so the platform was set up for the first time with the assistance from Autodesk partner.

Although the tool was new to both teams, the potential benefits were much greater than the initial concerns, so they decided to implement it for its ambitious project. The platform was managed by only one BIM manager from Luis Vidal architects, while the project was led by expert-level BIM architects. Gradually, the rest of the team was integrated, sharing the expertise across the office.

The experience was such a great success that it gave the firm the confidence to adopt the platform for future projects, regardless of scale, number of participants, or geographical distance. From that moment onward, the team was committed to working within the same BIM framework, no matter the location.

The next project developed with this advanced tool was Terminal E at Boston Logan International Airport. This landmark was designed by Luis Vidal Architects in collaboration with AECOM, looking to set a new global standard for airport quality. After the successful implementation, Luis Vidal Architects took the initiative to use BIM 360 Team, helping AECOM to configure everything and strengthening the professional partnership between the firms.

As with previous projects, the use of perfected methodologies allowed an accurate model parametrization and rigorous quality control and an efficient extraction of data, such as 2D drawings and schedules. Coordination across multiple disciplines and the involvement of many companies were all achieved through the use of Autodesk Revit and Navisworks.

A standout feature of this project was the use of Dynamo and mathematical algorithms for the first time to design the building envelope. This resulted in an open roof structure that maximized natural light while reducing energy consumption. The geometry is distinguished by dynamic roof lines aligned with the sun's path and two bands of windows facing north that protect the interior from direct sunlight. To the south, the flowing, curved volume guides traffic and circulation and offers visitors a striking view of the city's skyline in the distance.

Even before its completion, Autodesk launched its new platform, BIM 360, a new cloud-based solution that incorporates their-- incorporated user-driven improvements. The success of previous projects led to the decision to further advance the system, adopting this solution for Boston and configuring future projects indirectly within the new platform.

An outstanding example of one of those projects was the expansion of Terminal D at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. This airport is one of the largest connectivity hubs in the US and was the second busiest airport in the world in 2022. The expansion included four new gates and 14,000 square meters concourse connecting the original Dallas-Fort Worth Terminal to a new one.

An interesting note about the building is that the facades are made of NeoGlass, a dynamic glass that automatically adjusts its color and opacity, optimizing the interior natural light while reducing energy consumption by up to 50% in the new terminal.

An early example of project developed in BIM 360 is the Pittsburgh International Airport modernization. This new airport has been designed to accommodate between 12 and 18 million passengers per year, creating a more efficient and enjoyable experience from arrival to boarding.

Landside and airside operations are unified within a single and adaptable facility. The design concept of the building is rooted in an innovative and exclusive approach called NATECO, which combines nature, technology, and community, the three elements that make Pittsburgh unique. Both projects successfully use the document management and BIM 360 design modules, enabling real-time collaborative work and comprehensive document management.

With this background, by mid-2018, the firm had the capacity to adopt this method across all projects. By the end of that year, BIM 360 was being used in nine projects. At that stage, the firm was successfully outstanding in BIM implementation. All the managers and coordinators were proficient in the use of the platform, knowing its advantages, managing its operation, and solving issues related to it.

The architectural teams integrated the cloud-based collaboration and data management into their workflow, no matter where their offices were located. In 2019, this approach was extended to both new projects and those initiated in previous years. The main reason for including early projects in the cloud was to ensure continuity and avoid the inefficiencies of operating in distinct areas before and after the cloud adoption.

ACC revolution, a breakthrough in project quality. In parallel, Autodesk University in 2019, Autodesk unveiled the evolution of BIM 360 Autodesk Construction Cloud. Since then, the platform's improvements have only increased, helping users in their daily work and transforming the AEC industry.

By 2020, Luis Vidal Architects had already integrated this solution into their workflows, enabling a smooth transition to the new working conditions imposed by the pandemic. All users were already familiar with Autodesk Docs and collaborative projects.

Today, at Luis Vital Architects, we cannot imagine a project without a cloud-based document management system. It has become our primary communication tool, a clear example of resource optimization, a guarantee of traceability, and a productivity booster.

The use of a permission control network has made information exchange fast and accessible from any location or device. Moreover, the advanced and new modules included in ACC have helped the firm to achieve success in several projects during both the design and construction phases.

One of the first projects developed by the firm in ACC was the new Colón Towers, a landmark in the skyline of Madrid. This pioneering project transformed an old-fashioned office tower into a cutting-edge, 21st-century building with a renewed exterior image and interior configuration. This almost-new building stands out as Spain's first near-zero energy business tower and the most sustainable and technologically advanced office building in the capital.

The design of the towers included sustainable initiatives, such as a 40% increase in natural ventilation, the strategic use of natural light, natural materials, user-controlled lighting via mobile devices, and a high-efficiency facade that improves the building thermal and acoustic performance.

Additionally, the project incorporated landscape outdoor spaces with native vegetation and added four new office floors while maintaining the tower's original height of 117 meters, and most important, the overall floor area.

The use of the Autodesk Construction Cloud platform was essential for its successful development and execution of the project. While many tools already exist in BIM 360, the ACC platform brought significant advantages.

The project's starting point was once again dictated by pre-existing conditions and imposed limitations. A point cloud survey of the surroundings was developed and hosted on ACC, ensuring the accuracy of the BIM model. This streamlined information exchange and provided faster updates on real-world conditions, which became more complex as the project advanced through demolition and new construction. The platforms greatly enhanced decision making and improved the presentation of the design options to the client.

The version comparison integrated within the document management module was crucial for this project. During the design phase, it permitted tracking changes made at every stage of development and managing the quality control of models, generating key performance indicators for elements modified weekly. During the construction phase, the tool made possible the monitoring of weekly progress in both 2D and 3D and the verification of construction changes against the original project documentation.

In terms of coordination and design review, the issues to make possible the direct communication between teams during both the design and construction phases. This ensured full traceability of changes, problems, and solutions adopted.

The tool's simplicity and efficient report generation had an overall positive impact on the project's workload. In this occasion, the build module was not implemented during construction due to a lack of agreement between the parties involved. However, after internal analysis and comparison with later projects, it was found that using the build module would have greatly improved the quality and efficiency of the project's workflow.

Despite this limitation, the tools used made possible the successful renovation of this [INAUDIBLE] icon, overcoming the complexities of the construction systems used in both the original project and the new design. This work was especially challenging given the unique structure of the building, where the floor slabs are suspended from the upper structure that is supported by the central core of its tower.

Another successful project worth mentioning is the expansion of the new CIBAO International Airport. This pioneering project focuses on innovation, efficiency, and passenger experience. The program integrates a new terminal equipped with cutting-edge airport security technologies, while the existing building is repurposed into a multifunctional space, accommodating parking, airport offices, and a variety of commercial, dining, hotel, and business services.

Over 2 kilometers of roads and 3,000 square meters of green areas will also be added. Sustainability is a priority, from material selection to implementation of rainwater harvesting systems. The curtain wall facade is designed to maximize natural light, reducing internal climate control dependency while ensuring optimal comfort for users.

During the design phase, ACC tools like ducks and Collaborate Pro played a crucial role in documenting existing conditions, providing the basis for the project's design. Features such as permission management, folder structure, version control, automated publishing, and multi-format file sharing enabled the creation of an accurate BIM model.

One of the major challenges of the project was interdisciplinary coordination, given the number of specialties, firms, and professionals spread across various regions. Fast and agile collaboration was essential for speeding decision making. The issues to streamline project reviews, assigning corrections to responsible parties, and generating real time progress reports. This methodology reduced coordination times by 30% compared to other projects and avoided the generation of complex documentation.

This time, the build model was successfully implemented in the construction phase with Ingenieria Estrella acting as the general contractor and Luis Vidal Architects in charge of design and supervision. This tool was essential for construction management. The integrated interface allowed teams to manage reports, construction photos, files, schedules, and more.

For the first time, everything was unified under one platform, facilitating the project manager's role and ensuring total control over quality, cost, and safety in a digital environment. Additionally, the complexity of expanding the infrastructure while maintaining operational functionality was managed efficiently, minimizing disruptions to airport operations.

The module Autodesk built brought important benefits. Communication between construction teams and the contractor was highly improved, with a 60% increase in workflow efficiency. Paper formats were almost eliminated, shifting every document to a digital support. And the most important aspects-- highly valued by every team member, the possibility to access any documentation digitally during site visits, including reports, photos, plans, and technical seats.

FERNANDO BELLO: So conclusions. Our ACC implementation in figures. More than 100 projects created and securely stored in ACC; more than 500 million square meters designed, developed, and coordinated throughout ACC; more than 1,200 stakeholders working smoothly without interruptions under the same platform; more than 175 companies collaborating through ACC on various projects simultaneously.

And I always say, always, Autodesk cutting-edge technology and unique interoperability have significantly improved projects, workflows, resulting in better designs, a precise, multidisciplinary coordination, and a more efficient communication with clients and consultants, ultimately saving time and resources.

And some conclusions. Luis Vidal Architects is a leading firm in BIM today thanks to the ambitious decision made more than a decade ago to trust in Autodesk solutions and incorporate the BIM methodology into its workflows.

The mistakes made and the success achieved throughout the entire process are part of the continuous learning that make Luis Vidal Architects an experienced and trustworthy company. Both have equally contributed to the development of an effective and optimized methodology that enables the achievement of excellence in the results obtained today.

The company's technological trajectory has always been aligned with the evolution of Autodesk products, resulting in continuous improvements in product development and the achievement of the product excellence.

Finally, the upcoming development of the new Autodesk tools that facilitate the coordination, review, and construction of projects opens up a world of potential technological improvements in the AEC industry over the next few years.

And why the customer choose use Luis Vidal Architects? Solutions. Our team consists of trained and qualified professionals dedicated to tackling a new challenge. They are digital leaders and entrepreneurs equipped with the latest technology to optimize processes, willing to comply with quality standards and constantly monitor efficiency indicators.

Results. By providing strategic guidance to the client, we ensure the achievement of the project objectives while maintaining full compliance with the BIM standards and the current regulation, focusing exclusively on aspects with a tangible application and discarding those without practical relevance.

Excellence. Digital model must be a reliable capture of the quantities, surface, a tool for the interdisciplinary coordination, and basis for updating changes and guarantee of the compliance with the current regulation and a means for implementing sustainable solutions.

And finally, confidence. Customer trust ACC for its proven expertise, recognizing its ability to effectively leverage available tools and swiftly resolve issues with agility. Thank you very much, everybody.

FERNANDO BELLO: Thank you.