WaltGalmarini AG: paperless construction projects with BIMcollab 

Zurich-based, WaltGalmarini AG, with over 68 years of experience in structural engineering, plays a crucial role in the “Dreiklang” hospital project. Known for their commitment to sustainability and innovation, they leverage the latest BIM technology. We had the opportunity to speak with Vytautas Peckys, who is responsible for implementing BIM on the structural engineering side of the project. In this customer story, he shares his enthusiasm for the transformative impact of BIMcollab, talking about its important role in advancing the project’s execution. 

The “Dreiklang” hospital project in Aarau, Switzerland is celebrated for its innovative and patient-focused design. Since the start, it has been setting new construction standards with its BIM-to-field methodology. Managed by Marti AG as the building contractor, the project spans 18 months and covers an area of about 110,000 square meters. It is one of the largest active construction sites in Switzerland.  

The main highlight of the project is the way of working on site. They strive to have a “paperless” construction site, with no printed blueprints for the team on the ground. Hence, teamwork and integration of digital tools is crucial. Workers use tablets to access real-time construction data directly from the BIM model. This improves communication and facilitates immediate problem-solving on-site. This method significantly boosts construction efficiency and serves as a testament to the powerful role of digital tools in modernizing construction workflows. 

BIM-to-Field Solutions at the Aarau Cantonal Hospital Project – Watch the BIM2Field Project Video

Creating detailed models and facilitating collaboration with BIMcollab 

Vytautas Peckys elaborates on some of the unique aspects of the structural project, and the role BIMcollab played in its execution: “We built this project completely from the BIM model, without traditional blueprint plans. This approach required us to create and rely heavily on a detailed structural model, as well as a reinforcement model that we delivered straight to the construction site. The demands for geometric precision and detailed BIM model parameters were exceptionally high. That made the accuracy and efficiency of BIMcollab even more crucial.”  

He also shares insights into the decision-making process behind adopting BIMcollab Zoom for model coordination and checking, describing it as one of the team’s best decisions:

Internal coordination and quality control 

BIMcollab Nexus and BIMcollab Zoom have been implemented in the “Dreiklang” hospital project in several ways. The project team used BIMcollab Nexus to create two specialized projects. The first focused on internal coordination between the structural and formwork model team. The second catered to the concrete reinforcement model team. For these models, multiple designers used various tools to create and process the models, highlighting the collaborative success of the project  

Additionally, BIMcollab Zoom was used to centrally manage quality control of the models. With BIMcollab Zoom, the team ensured that geometries did not clash, and the right BIM information requirements were met in the model parameters. By using the integrated workflows between BIMcollab Zoom and BIMcollab Nexus, issues were dealt with more efficiently, minimizing geometric and information conflicts.

BIMcollab truly proved to be a game-changer.

Leveraging the features of BIMcollab: a practical example 

“Zoom’s Smart Views were invaluable in the model validation process, particularly for validating structural and architectural models to ensure alignment with project requirements. We used around 2000 different filters to efficiently manage thousands of parameters. The project was divided into approximately 450 stages, with Smart Views primarily used to monitor geometry and parameters. For the structural model, Smart Views helped us check around 500,000 necessary parameters. 

We also used the Lists features to verify elements such as pre-cast supports, concrete volumes, design formwork, and order lists. This allowed us to maintain precise control over materials and timelines, enhancing project execution. Monitoring concrete volumes through the Lists further improved resource management and operational efficiency. 

Additionally, we addressed over 1100 BCF issues in BIMcollab Nexus. This significantly improved our internal communication and optimized workflows. BIMcollab not only streamlined our communication but also facilitated rapid problem resolution on-site. It provides a valuable case study on the impact of digital tools in enhancing building processes.” 

A seamless construction process 

The Aarau Cantonal Hospital project shows the practical impact of BIM-to-field solutions on modern construction methodologies. The insights provided by Vytautas Peckys highlight how BIMcollab facilitated a seamless, blueprint-less construction process through efficient model validation and management. It serves as an inspiring example for future large-scale developments seeking to integrate advanced digital BIM solutions effectively!