The 72nd Air Base Wing is the host organization for Tinker Air Force Base. The wing provides installation and support services for more than 27,000 personnel assigned to the Air Force Sustainment Center headquarters, Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex, and more than 45 associate units assigned to six major commands, including the 552nd Air Control Wing and the Navy’s Strategic Communications Wing ONE.
Among many other responsibilities, the 72nd ABW is responsible for the facilities on Tinker Air Force Base, which is at the forefront of creating innovative and sustainable architectural solutions for the entire United States Air Force. In fact, many of the facilities designed, engineered, and constructed at Tinker Air Force Base are often embraced across the wider Air Force.
To help meet their design, construction, operations, and maintenance goals for buildings and infrastructure, the 72nd ABW and the broader team at Tinker Air Force Base have embraced Autodesk’s Revit, a Building Information Modeling solution that enables the creation of elaborate and detailed 3D models of facilities and buildings. The team embraced Revit in hopes that its advanced features and central database would streamline the design process, promote cross-discipline coordination, and boost overall project efficiency.
Autodesk recently spoke with Matthew McLarty, USA Ret., Architect / Project Manager, TAFB 72 ABW/CEPD, and his team to discuss Revit’s impact on their operations. Their findings were compiled into a case study entitled, “Revolutionizing Efficiency: How Revit Propelled Tinker AFB to Unmatched Success.”
Here are five of the most impressive benefits that Revit has delivered to the team at Tinker Air Force Base, courtesy of the case study:
1. Dialed in Estimates:
Revit’s streamlined workflow resulted in critical time savings and cost savings for Tinker Air Force Base. With Revit, they’re able to complete projects faster, optimize resources, and avoid costly revisions—overall helping minimize the question: “Why do we need this?”
According to McLarty, Revit also “…allows for more accurate numbers when it comes to referencing the budget that will be sent for review to Congress.”
2. High-Quality Deliverables:
Thanks to Revit’s comprehensive documentation capabilities, teams could be confident that construction documents were accurate, consistent, and met industry standards. This helped in obtaining approvals and permits more efficiently, further streamlining project timelines.
3. Keeping Teams on the Same Page:
Revit’s centralized BIM model allows all stakeholders to work concurrently on the same project. This collaboration enables real-time updates and minimizes the changes of data discrepancies.
4. Enhanced Visualization:
With Revit’s powerful 3D modeling capabilities, the firm could present its designs more effectively to key stakeholders. Enhanced visualization helped the team better understand the design intent, which helped them make informed decisions—ultimately reducing the likelihood of costly design changes later in the process.
5. Delivering Better Buildings for Everyone:
Revit’s intelligent clash detection facilitated effective collaboration between architects and engineers. This led to early identification and resolution of multiple elements taking up the same space before they reached the build stage, significantly reducing errors and rework during construction.
Revit also enables different installations to share facility designs and models. As McLarty explained, “We are also able to share our model with our installations, and we have received Revit files from previous projects completed at other installations…”
Featured Image: The footing for Tinker’s new air traffic control tower has been put in place and is being prepared to receive concrete on March 9, 2018, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. The new control tower will sit near the center of the airfield to provide controllers with a better vantage point and will incorporate modern technology and comforts. (U.S. Air Force photo/Greg L. Davis)
