In a previous article on the GovDesignHub, we sat down with Christian Serck-Hanssen, Senior Project Manager at Norconsult, to discuss the company’s award-winning design of the Kattås Water Treatment Plant in Norway. This project involved using innovative digital design solutions to design the new water treatment plant that will serve to supply safer drinking water to the people in Asker and Bærum.
Norconsult’s project not only helped their community but also redefined what is possible in increasing productivity and reducing errors. The company’s use of digital design solutions – such as BIM and a digital twin – saved the company 300 engineering hours each month of the project. Additionally, Norconsult was able to automate workflows in Autodesk Revit and Civil 3D, which ultimately led to reducing interdisciplinary control errors by 76 percent.
In the second part of our conversation, we spoke with Kristoffer Spendrup Bugge, digital transformation specialist at Nornconsult, to talk about the innovative solutions used for the Kattås Water Treatment Plant design, including 3D/4D BIM modeling, a digital twin and virtual reality (VR), and how these solutions streamlined the project.
GDH: Why is a 3D/4D BIM model of a structure like the Kattås Water Treatment Plant important for a successful project?
Kristoffer Spendrup Bugge: The Kattås Water Treatment Plant is a custom, completely unique construction. A data-driven BIM model of the treatment plant is crucial for success due to the project’s high complexity in both its process and design. The model ensures clarity and consistency of intricate structures – even with two sub-projects, more than 14 contracts, and more than 30 disciplines.
Not only does the BIM model help keep designs consistent, but the model’s data-driven collaborative approach facilitates process alignment among stakeholders, enhancing communication from design to maintenance, thus avoiding misinterpretations and ensuring everyone is unified in their efforts.
GDH: How do BIM models improve workflows and make the program run more efficiently? Has Norconsult found that the use of BIM models has helped ensure that projects like this are completed with less rework? Has it helped keep projects like the Kattås Water Treatment Plant on time and on budget?
Kristoffer Spendrup Bugge: I always say, “High speed never replaces the right direction.” And this mantra is solidified by the use of BIM models. These BIM models help ensure everyone involved in the project shares the same goals.
In order to achieve this unified purpose, we start by building a foundation of cooperation, ambition and respect. Then, we consider the chances we’re willing to take, the risks we aim to reduce, as well as the values Norconsult prioritizes – beyond financial gains. This process then allows us to allocate resources appropriately. BIM Models are a vital component of these workflows and processes.
“Our digital workflow experience, along with the BIM model, resulted in a remarkable 300 hours per month saved in engineering hours and a 76 percent reduction in interdisciplinary errors.” — Kristoffer Spendrup Bugge
Another important component of Norconsult’s workflows is the workflow pillars of Norconsult’s Integrated Digital Delivery (IDD). These pillars include Collaboration, Process, and Product; all these components work as a connected roadmap for successful project execution and IDD.
Our digital workflow experience, along with the BIM model, resulted in a remarkable 300 hours per month saved in engineering hours and a 76 percent reduction in interdisciplinary errors. Real-time project information access and enhanced communication through the model-based approach contributed to seamless collaboration in meetings. This not only reduces rework but also aids in accomplishing project deadlines and budget goals.
GDH: The Kattås Water Treatment Plant also has extensive concurrent design in a digital twin. How has this digital twin benefitted the design and construction of the plant? How can it continue to be used in the future management and maintenance of the facility?
Kristoffer Spendrup Bugge: The digital twin of the Kattås Water Treatment Plant has proven invaluable for design and construction. This trending technology produced a digital representation of facilities, increasing the efficiency and accuracy of planning, safety, and environmental control. All these benefits are vital, especially when the site is located deep inside the mountain.
“…the digital twin will be a powerful tool for ongoing facility management, providing immediate access to essential information for proactive decision-making.” — Kristoffer Spendrup Bugge
I would also like to highlight that customer acceptance and stakeholder involvement in the digital twin was a key factor in the success of this project.
Normally, clients are hands-off with technical aspects like digital twins, but this client was 100 percent involved in the digital design early in the operation. This client involvement early in the process created collaboration not only with the design team but with the client and then with the construction parties as well.
Looking toward the future, the digital twin will be a powerful tool for ongoing facility management, providing immediate access to essential information for proactive decision-making.
GDH: The operations team conducted reviews of the Kattås Water Treatment Plant in VR during the planning stage. Why did Nothconsult choose this method?
Kristoffer Spendrup Bugge: The client’s curiosity and enthusiasm around digital tools initially drove VR use. However, never before have we utilized multiplayer VR reviews as such a highly productive tool during the planning stage as in this project. Integrating the BIM model with VR provided a comprehensive view of data, meeting connections, progress plans, goal monitoring, safety, and information.
“Having the client involved in the design process in this innovative way was also a great way to manage the expectations of stakeholders.” — Kristoffer Spendrup Bugge
The immersive experience also enhanced collaboration and decision-making, making it a crucial component of Norconsult’s integrated delivery process. The client could even collaborate and participate in the digital design through VR.
Having the client involved in the design process in this innovative way was also a great way to manage the expectations of stakeholders. The client saw so much value in the multiplayer VR technology that they incorporated all of their operations teams so they could shape and optimize their own workspaces effectively.
Though integrating the BIM model into VR was an overall success, there were some client team members who were not ready to adopt this new technology. In order to combat this issue, Norconsult produced a closed-circuit television (CCTV) solution that can follow the VR avatars around on the screen. This solution created a whole new way of conducting inclusive meetings “onsite.”
To read the first part of our interview, click HERE. To learn more about Norconsult’s award-winning project, click HERE.
