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A museum in the shape of the human body. A soccer stadium on the roof of a shopping mall. A bouldershaped wellness center integrated into the landscape. Extraordinary projects call for extraordinary design tools. Read on and find out how internationallyrenowned architectural and engineering firms mastered these demanding challenges with Allplan. Discover Allplan and open a world of possibilities.
Allplan – Systematic Building Design Nemetschek Allplan offers object-oriented planning and design software for architects and engineers. It enables users to create architectural and structure models as well as obtain information on quantities and costs. What’s special about Allplan is that users can switch between 2D drafting and 3D design depending on the project phase or type. This way, users can combine the best of both worlds and use the approach that suits them best, at any time. The software makes it possible for all those involved in the design, planning and management of buildings to receive and forward the building data in full – without losses of data or transfer errors. And it thus provides the opportunity to plan a building at low cost, without errors and on schedule. Nemetschek Allplan – Software Partner for Architects and Engineers As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nemetschek AG, with headquarters in Munich, we are Europe’s leading software vendor for building design and management. Our innovative leadership is backed by 25 years of experience in software development, in-depth industry expertise and customer relationships based on trust. In our technology centers in Munich, Bratislava and Sofia we develop intelligent IT solutions spanning the entire building process – from the initial drafts to the actual construction. Our flagship software products Allplan Architecture and Allplan Engineering are currently available in 20 languages and are used by more than 60,000 customers worldwide. For more information, please visit our website: www.allplan.com.
Bathing Between the Boulders 2 Adelboden Alpine Spa/Switzerland – UC’NA Architekten
Calming Architecture
6 Autism Center, Dubai – Koschany + Zimmer Architekten KZA
Cutting a Good Figure with BIM 10 Corpus Museum, The Netherlands – 3D Blueprint
Advantage Through Innovation 14 E.ON Administration Building, Germany – MUCKINGENIEURE
Soccer Upstairs, Shopping Below
18 FCS Park Schaffhausen, Switzerland – 4D Design Loosli
An Arena with Effective Signals
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Le Phare Arena, France – Patriarche & Co
Visionary Architecture
26 Hotel Medical Spa Isla Valdecañas, Spain – Miguelangel Gea & Asociados-Arquitectos
A School Designed with Imagination
30 Quinto Vicentino School, Italy – GPA Architecture Firm
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Adelboden Alpine Spa/Switzerland
UC’NA Architekten
Bathing Between the Boulders 2
Set against the impressive mountain scenery of the Swiss Alps, a special kind of building project is due for completion by 2011.The Adelboden Alpine Spa breaks new ground in spa and health tourism and its architecture sets new standards. Construction of the 5,000 square meter Alpine spa resort is expected to begin in 2009. Guests can look forward to an exciting stay during which they will experience the worlds of water, health and meditation. The adjoining five-star hotel has around 100 rooms and offers the ultimate in “Alpine Wellness.”
The idea of the alpine spa has its origins in a local initiative of the HotWater Society and Adelboden Tourist Board. These two bodies have been developing the project since 2003 in conjunction with UC’NA Architekten and SwissSpaGroup, both based in Zurich. In the meantime, the project has successfully passed though the phases of a feasibility study, preliminary design, amendment to suit the land use regulations and creation of a resort services concept. The inhabitants of Adelboden were given their first glimpse of the draft plans in May 2006. Based on the positive responses, the project proceeded to the next phase. One year later, the council approved the preliminary plans and leasehold contract. The design team is currently working on the planning application. Innovative language of form amid the Swiss Alps The hotel built into the valley side forms the lower part of the building complex. Round subsidiary building forms intended to represent boulders stand on the roof surface. These striking shapes characterize the design and contain the tranquil spa facilities, such as the meditation spa, treatment zone and sauna. The space between is occupied by the lively water landscape with its 80 meter long channel of flowing water. In the outdoor areas the village square, sun terrace and open-air pool offer an unmatched panorama of the Swiss mountains.
A special challenge in this project was to ensure this large complex located high in the mountains would fit into the village structure of Adelboden, and be well integrated into the features of the countryside and its unparalleled natural surroundings: “The indoor pool at Adelboden is a unique building project that demands a sensitive approach. From the beginning of the project we sought to achieve a dialogue with the surroundings by means of the different and distinct structural forms. We had to develop the characteristics of the location in line with the requirements of the public and the future guests to create a special spatial experience. Architecture with a high sense of identity,” explains Manuel Alberati, Partner and founder of UC’NA Architekten. The Engstligen waterfall, the imposing Alpine scenery and view of the Lohner mountain range – all project themselves into the architecture of the alpine spa: “The mountainside location, proximity of the mountains and the interaction with the impressive water landscapes in Adelboden have greatly influenced our design. The boulder-inspired building shapes are positioned as organizational objects around the intermediate space, which reflects the immediacy and distance of the Alpine landscape, opening to the skies and admitting light. Their sculptural language allows them to fit into the landscape and therefore the complex does not confront nor compete with the existing buildings in Adelboden,” explains Manuel Alberati. In this way we were able to develop the spatial quality of Adelboden, whilst giving it an original, fresh expression. The planning of a building complex of this kind with its diverse range of possible uses places quite a demand on the architects: “We involved specialists with years of experience at an early stage in the concept design of the hotel and spa complex. We learned a great deal about the business management aspects of such a facility. We still had a high degree of creative freedom in the design of the spa. Here we were able to produce something novel; a design where we can place ourselves fully in the position of the visitor and create a unique attraction for future guests – a particularly exciting task,” adds Manuel Alberati. Optimized working with Allplan The specific requirements of this major project and the complex language of form set the designers a difficult challenge. Among the tools employed by UC’NA Architekten to make the task easier were the Allplan software and the support provided by Nemetschek Fides & Partner. The decision
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in favor of Allplan was not based solely on the language of form, but rather more on the complexity of the design. The many levels and inclines made working in 3D essential. The advantages of working in 3D lie in better correlation of the design and construction processes, and that the information is available to all project members at the same time, which is so essential to the work of an architect. Components can also be better coordinated thanks to improved information management with Allplan. Partners have direct involvement in the design, which means their requirements are easier to incorporate and sources of errors are minimized. Interfaces have to be formulated correctly to enable efficient exchange of data. Not just between different drawings, but also cooperative working on a common model. “This used to be just a vision for the future, but with Allplan and the ability to work in 3D we are much closer to the objective of collecting information on various levels, bringing it together and thus realizing a more rational process of building,” says Manuel Alberati. 280,000 spa visitors expected from 2011 The Adelboden Alpine Spa represents a significant project for the region in the context of sustainable development. In 2005 Adelboden was the first Swiss holiday resort to be declared an “Alpine Wellness International Destination.” The construction of the alpine spa further extends the portfolio of Alpine Wellness services in Adelboden and ensures the complex’s attractiveness as a summer and winter holiday resort. The planned capital investment for the Alpine Spa project is approximately 60 million euro. It will create about 100 new jobs in the region. Beginning in the spring 2011, the anticipated completion date, an estimated 280,000 visitors will be pampered at the spa annually. The visitors have access to over 900 m2 of water in numerous indoor and outdoor pools. Special attractions include the 80 meter long flowing water channel, mineral water pools, the large sauna and treatment zone and the meditation pool. Visitors can leave behind the stress of their day in the warm water of the bubble beds. The extraordinary view of the surrounding Alps invites the visitor to spend time lounging in the outdoor pools and on the beautiful sun terrace.
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4 Questions 4 Answers
Why did you decide to use Allplan as your design tool for the Alpine Spa? It was certainly a risk to use a new CAD software on such a complex project. But it was clear to us from the start that we would only be able comprehend and realize this project in 3D, and in some areas even in 4D. By using Allplan we were able to examine moving three-dimensional images at any time during the planning process. You have designed the project in 3D from the beginning. What particular benefits has this brought to you? Increased transparency, fewer errors and more accurate cost estimates at an earlier stage in the project are the most important advantages. Investors would like the cost frame to be as accurate as possible from the first phase of the design. The objective is to be able to identify problem areas, even at an early stage in the design when details are often still relatively unclear. Different variants and their costs have to be drawn up to allow investors and clients to make their decisions based on readily available, solid information. This was possible using Allplan.
Interview with Manuel Alberati, UC’NA Architekten
How do you rate the ability to create visualizations during the drawing process? The ability to move virtually through the buildings, check the components of the design and understand how the project fits together in spatial terms makes many of the design decisions much easier. We are able to recognize and solve difficulties earlier and thus achieve a better result with Allplan. The correlation of the output of the various design partners is key to a project of this size. How was this achieved with the Alpine Spa? We are cooperating with many specialist engineers and architects on this project. This involves considerable exchange of data between project partners, above all at the end of certain stages of the design. By using Allplan, we are able to consider aspects together more effectively than before, when they had to be dealt with separately. And the result is an optimized flow of information.
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Autism Center, Dubai
Koschany + Zimmer Architekten KZA
Calming Architecture 6
Professional 3D visualizations enable you to virtually “enter” a building long before construction work starts and to integrate it into the existing surroundings. The visualizations can give you a clear advantage when consulting for construction companies and help you to make a strong sales pitch. Koschany + Zimmer Architekten KZA used Allplan and CINEMA 4D to create highly realistic animations that were crucial elements for the architectural planning of the Autism Center in Dubai.
“Designing a building where autistic children can feel at ease and that is fully tailored to their needs is a particularly big challenge,” explains Christina Maas, project manager at Koschany + Zimmer Architekten KZA (KZA). Having been awarded first prize in the preceding competition in 2005, KZA as the structural planner worked with the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) to develop a therapy and education center for autistic children in Dubai. The client is the Dubai Autism Center under the patronage of Sheikh Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Construction work on the 16-million-euro project started in August 2008 on a generously-proportioned and centrally-located site right in the middle of the traditional school district, Al Garhoud. Completion is forecast for 2009/2010. “The construction of this center is in response to the need in the Arabian metropolis for therapeutic and educational facilities,” says Christina Maas, the KZA architect responsible for the design. KZA was founded in 1959 with 50 employees in Essen, Germany. Since 1995, the second generation, in the form of Axel Koschany and Wolfgang Zimmer, has been at the helm. The Dubai office was opened in 2005 and, like the German office, specializes in architecture, construction
consultancy, general planning and construction management. “Today, we are increasingly faced with the challenge of providing a fast and economical planning service and ultimately, of delivering a creative design that is cost-optimized and tailored to the individual user’s requirements,” says Maas. “That’s why it’s so important to us to use intelligent software solutions. For more than ten years now, we have relied on Nemetschek programs to support us in our day-to-day work.“ Soft Architectural Lines for Autistic Children The construction challenge – to design a building for autistic children that was both functional and visually attractive – was no small challenge for KZA. In the building, the children are taught about elements of everyday life, such as social behavior, perception and communication. The aim is to actively work against any significant impairment of the autistic person’s daily life. An intensive examination of the needs of autistic children formed the basis of a clearly-structured and balanced architectural concept. Large spatial structures, curved lines and colorful, child-friendly accents set the tone of the architectonic concept. “It was really important to us to do justice to the needs of autistic children. We achieved this by using soothing, almost soft architectural lines, as many private “retreat” areas as possible, and green, very shaded outdoor spaces,” summarizes Christina Maas. The experienced KZA team entrusted the professional implementation of their design to Allplan from Nemetschek. The organizational structure of the latest version of Allplan enables architects to leverage the various usage types of CAD software. From simple 2D drafting to 2½-D input to creating object-oriented building models, these usage types can be combined in whatever way the architect requires, even within a single project. To manage and organize their project data, drawings and plans in a unified manner, KZA used the Workgroup Manager in Allplan. This approach guarantees fast access to the project from any work station, and thus creates a solid basis for a well-functioning collaborative process. What is more, parallel team work means great convenience and huge time gains. All parties involved in the planning process are therefore always up to date – without the awkwardness of copying and updating data or time-consuming consultation processes.
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“This consistent data basis is a huge advantage for us in our daily planning activities,” says Lilian Panek, architect at KZA. “The project structure, too,makes our work easier, as it automatically organizes our projects in a meaningful way.” The curved lines posed a particular challenge to the visual communication experts in the process of creating an animation of the autism center: “Curved shapes always require very thorough preparation, because more often than not, changes are made in the design phase. Since we are using free modeling rather than working with architectural components, curved components can sometimes stretch the limits.
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With CINEMA 4D, though, free modeling always works well, even when changes are made.” The detailed visualizations enabled the KZA architects to implement every idea accurately and quickly, and thus to gain the client’s trust. “We are always pleasantly surprised by the results we get from working with Allplan and CINEMA 4D. For us, the highly realistic animations are an indispensable tool for eliminating any lingering doubts in the client’s mind and thus help us to lay the foundations of a successful collaborative process,” explains Lilian Panek.
3 Questions 3 Answers
Interview with Lilian Panek, Koschany + Zimmer Architekten KZA
Why did you choose Allplan Architecture from Nemetschek? With Allplan, we had a transparent planning system right from the start that supported us even with complex tasks. So there are very good reasons why we have been using Nemetschek software for more than ten years now – and we will continue to do so for all our upcoming projects in the future. Why are professional visualizations so important today when working with customers? Visualizations are usually created these days for competitions or as marketing material. They are also very useful in important client presentations for removing any lingering doubts the client may have. And when the visualizations are incorporated into actual photos, for example photos of the existing surroundings, they give a realistic overall impression. That convinces virtually every potential customer. What current and future trends do you see in the architecture sector? Today more than ever, sustainability is very important in the architectural world in particular. In these times of increasing costs for energy and building maintenance, the topic of “sustainable building” is on everyone’s mind. The buildings of the future have to be energyoptimized and fulfill all the relevant sustainability criteria. The classification “green building” is a new aspect that will someday be considered as important a quality criterion and unique selling point as successful urban architectural characteristics or outstanding design are today.
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Corpus Museum, The Netherlands
3D Blueprint
Cutting a Good Figure with BIM 10
The journey into ones self or your body is a dream that is shared by many people, and previously could only be experienced in the cinema. But that changed this Spring with the opening of the Corpus Museum in Oegstgeest, The Netherlands. Visitors can take an active journey through the human body from head to toe and find out “in situ” how we work.
This is made possible thanks to a 35-meter high figure of wood and steel that flanks the narrow side of the glass museum structure. Designed by PBV Architecten, construction of the building was a particular challenge, which the commissioned designers from 3D Blueprint Architects & Engineers overcame with flying colors. Thanks to Building Information Modeling and Allplan from Nemetschek Allplan, the Amsterdam-based architects were able to complete the building on time and even remained below the planned budget. Building Information Modeling (BIM) relates to the consistent use of a virtual building model across all phases and disciplines of design, construction and management. Thus, BIM makes it possible to design construction projects that are less costly, contain fewer errors and are more efficient in meeting deadlines than is the case with conventional planning methods. This is exactly what Joep Esser and Wubbo Hazewinkel had in mind when they founded their company six years ago, and they have therefore used BIM and Allplan from the very start: “3D Blueprint’s goal is to build better and at lower cost through effective cooperation,” explains Joep Esser, managing director of the company. The architects and engineers have developed their own working method for this, which they call the “Regiplan method”, and is based on Building Information Modeling. In Allplan virtual
building model, all project-relevant information is entered centrally and made available to all those involved across the complete planning and construction phase. The Nemetschek Allplan solution offers exactly the right range of features, as employee Persijn Bongers explains: “The software is so sophisticated and powerful that even the most unusual components can be saved as intelligent objects – an important prerequisite, if you want to work exclusively with BIM.” Reduce Construction Costs by 15 percent with Design2Cost The designers draw up the project requirements with the building client in advance in a “building program”, which formulates a clearly defined and feasible goal. An initial (basic) three-dimensional building model is created for this in Allplan, which allows reliable statements to be made on quantities and costs on the basis of the assigned material properties. Economic factors can therefore be taken into consideration from the start and tracked over the entire project period: “For decisionmaking, the coupling of planning and calculation of costs enables us to identify the lower-cost option and therefore counteract incorrect developments at an early stage,” explains Joep Esser. “As a result, we are able to reduce the costs of a building project by 10 – 15 percent, for example, or to deliver a higher-quality building without increasing the construction costs.” The Amsterdam designers have already executed a number of projects successfully in this way, including most recently a new building for the Dutch Railroad Museum in Utrecht. It’s therefore no wonder, that the company now employs 50 people and has long been coordinating international projects. 3D Blueprint has made a name for itself as a specialist in integrated project planning, and was involved in this capacity in the Corpus Museum project. The company was more or less called in to save the day: because execution and design planning had been carried out completely removed from each other in 2D, a number of planning errors had already crept in after just a short time due to the complex shape of the building. As a result, costs had spiraled out of control. In order to bring things back on track in time, the building client, Heddes Bouw, handed over the entire project coordination, as well as tendering, project approval and project management to 3D Blueprint.
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The planners soon got the project under control thanks to integrated project processing. All project information – that is, all geometric and technical data of all the companies involved – was merged and coordinated in a central Allplan building model. In the first step, 3D Blueprint created the building and the human figure as a 3D model, and generated floor plans, views and sections from this. A comparison of these plans with the steel construction data, which was imported to Allplan first in 2D and later as a 3D DWG file, brought a whole series of design errors to light. For example, there were points where the diagonal crosses of the reinforcing bonds ran exactly in front of doors, or the required heights for openings could not be adhered to because of the steel girders in front of them. By bringing together the various
disciplines in one single data model, these problems could be identified long before the ground-breaking ceremony and corrected in good time. This also applied for the building technology: once it had been ascertained that there was sufficient space for the required installations, all the installation plans were imported to Allplan and checked on the basis of the execution plans. This was mostly done in 2D, but also in 3D at particularly complicated points, in order to identify potential collisions between steel structures, finishes and building installation immediately on the model and correct these where necessary. The building client and planners were therefore spared any unpleasant surprises on the construction site. Production Made to Measure using 3D Models In addition, information from the 3D model could be used to manufacture the corresponding steel elements with a precision fit and the elements could then be installed at the construction site without any additional work. The steel company took the construction data and added further production-relevant factors to the 3D model. This 3D model for the steel construction was then re-integrated in Allplan via IFC and was then available as the planning basis for the wood structure, which together with the overlying metal elements, formed the external “skin” of the figure. In the end, a virtual building model was created in which all the key factors – relating to design, function, structure and production technology – were incorporated and optimized. It is therefore an excellent example of Building Information Modeling with Allplan – and was a determining factor in ensuring that the museum could be opened on schedule: by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, who had long had the date noted in her calendar.
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5 Questions 5 Answers
Interview with Joep Esser from 3D Blueprint
In your opinion, what is the ideal construction process? In our opinion, it is important that project requirements are specified with precision and that the construction team subsequently implements these requirements. This means that all parties involved work together without interruptions in the flow of information. To achieve this goal, we count on building information modeling, and on the “Regiplan” method developed by us. During this process, the building model in Allplanfunctions as a central hub for all project information and technologies. What are the benefits you derive from using Nemetschek’s Allplan? We consider Allplan a very high-performance software that is quite mature as well. For example, this affects working with intelligent objects – a requirement for BIM. In addition, the software provides a multitude of options for defining attributions for construction elements and offers extensive data exchange options – both are crucially important for working with a central building model. Does building information modeling help you keep costs under control?
3D Blueprint was founded in 2002, and already employs 50 people. How do you account for this extraordinary success?
Of course - from the very start of a project. In our initial draft, we already connect individual components of the 3D model with costs. This lets us find the appropriate architectural style while staying within financial requirements and specifications. As the project advances, coupling the building model with pricing helps us make well-informed decisions and counteract undesirable economic developments. Does building information modeling require a specific work method?
These days, the construction process often consists of a multitude of separate, individual steps. As a result, buildings either become too expensive, deadlines are not met or the usage options do not meet the specified requirements. The solution is continuous project processing with BIM, an approach that we have specialized in from the beginning with Allplan. Clients have recognized the benefits of this method and they specifically come to us with their contracts for this reason.
We are convinced that a structured process is a prerequisite for effective project management with BIM. We do this with the Regiplan method that we developed ourselves. BIM then makes it possible for the architects to stay on top of all aspects of the project and take on the role of general contractor – very much like the original job description for architects.
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E.ON Administration Building, Germany
MUCKINGENIEURE
Advantage Through Innovation 14
The engineering firm from Ingolstadt, Germany, has made innovation its guiding principle. Even the name “MUCKINGENIEURE – Innovative Structural Design” embodies the engineers’ central philosophy. To ensure that the firm follows this principle far into the future, Walter Muck, founder and sole owner, is always on the lookout for the latest software technologies. It is new technology that enable the firm to meet the challenges it faces, and to optimize its construction planning and costing processes. That’s why MUCKINGENIEURE have put their trust in Allplan Engineering from Nemetschek for 12 years now, and more recently, in Allplan IBD Engineering.
Founded in 1996, the 25-person engineering firm specializes in developing cost-optimized support structures for buildings and has expertise in all aspects of structural design. Be it solid, timber or steel construction, building physics or site supervision – the planners at MUCKINGENIEURE provide everything from a single source. Its portfolio includes residential facilities, production plants and public buildings such as hospitals, banks and schools. The engineering firm also has a department with a dedicated staff of eight, which creates a variety of connections and fabrication drawings for steel construction projects. As if that weren’t enough, MUCKINGENIEURE is also involved in the implementation of innovative steel construction projects, such as the creation of the standard roof section of the BMW World center in Munich, Germany. Cost-Effective Construction Starts with Planning Unrelenting cost pressures are forcing more and more planning companies to take rationalization measures in order to survive in the highly competitive construction industry. “Cost-effective construction is on everyone’s mind. Today, building clients and customers expect us to include detailed costing in our planning at an early stage.” says Walter Muck.
Added to that is the fact that planning and response times for construction engineers are getting shorter. This means that larger and more complex projects, in particular, are possible only with powerful support from IT,” explains Walter Muck. At the beginning of 2006, MUCKINGENIEURE received the commission from E.ON Facility Management GmbH to implement the structural design of an administration building at the Zolling power station, near Munich. “It soon became apparent that the geometry of the building was highly complex. We quickly realized that we would need extra-powerful software, especially when it came to 3D planning. Allplan IBD proved to be the ideal enhancement to the Allplan Engineering CAD system,” says Walter Muck. Allplan IBD consists of a comprehensive collection of CAD planning data that makes working with Allplan Engineering even more intuitive. More than 20 wizards provide a range of ready-to-use components, lines and symbols for virtually all uses. The user simply uses the wizard to select the element he or she requires and clicks the mouse to automatically insert it in the correct layer. The correct shape attributes, such as pen thickness, linetype and color, are set automatically, with the result that the user no longer has to laboriously enter the various parameters in the dialog boxes. Intuitive Work with Allplan IBD Close collaboration between the planners from MUCKINGENIEURE and the architects from the architecture firm Boesel Benkert Hohberg was required to construct the complex structure of the E.ON administration building. The sloped contour of the complex posed a particular challenge: the walls are angled at 26 degrees, and so the building tilts to the south rather than pointing vertically upwards. Also, the individual floors or stories are arranged in a graduated pattern rather than being at consistent heights with one directly above the other. “The key to the success of this project was a virtual 3D model that enabled us to represent the geometry of the building clearly and consistently. The fact that all the important spatial details of the reinforcement could be represented in a clear and graphic way made the structural design work much easier. With conventional 2D planning, on the other hand, it would have taken an enormous amount of planning work to implement the complex support structures – not to mention the effects of any planning errors,” clarifies Walter Muck.
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The engineers also benefited from working consistently in a central 3D model. Previously, three separate plans had to be created (formwork, reinforcement and execution plans), each of which had to be modified separately when changes were made. Now, engineers can switch between the various drawing types in a single 3D model. They modify the visibility and the display according to their needs, and the plan changes are then automatically imported into all the plans. Unified Office Standard for Collaborative Planning Another point in favor of interdisciplinary planning is the transferability of the IBD standard to the architects’ design model. “Before we started using Allplan, we had a unified project standard. While this worked well within our firm, it quickly reached its limits when cooperation with external planning partners was required. For example, there were often data exchange problems. With Allplan IBD, cooperation with external partners became much easier,” summarizes the construction engineer. After cost-optimized planning, Walter Muck regards teamwork as the second-most important success factors of his engineering firm. “Since we are now able to exchange information with all project partners, we are able to bundle our know-how and create valuable synergies. Exchanging unified planning data using Allplan IBD is a prerequisite for quick, thorough and cost-efficient planning in complex projects such as the E.ON building. Because intelligent construction data helps us to meet our own standards in cost-efficient planning in an optimal way, Allplan IBD will be an essential element of all our future projects.”
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4 Questions 4 Answers
Interview with Walter Muck of MUCKINGENIEURE
The building is at quite an angle; is this a challenge for planning, not to mention execution? Yes, the complex tilts to the south at 26 degrees and the floors are arranged in a graduated pattern. The key to the success of the project was a virtual 3D model that enabled us to represent the geometry of the building in a consistent way. The fact that all the important reinforcement details could be spatially represented considerably simplified structural planning and execution on site. With conventional 2D planning, it would have taken an enormous amount of planning work to implement these structures. Did data exchange work smoothly? Before we started using Allplan IBD Engineering, we had a unified project standard. However, this standard reached its limits when we worked with the external planning partner, and we did experience data exchange problems. Allplan IBD helped us resolve this situation. We were then able to exchange complex virtual geometrical data with the architects right from the beginning, and were also able to display the reinforcement plans in 3D. It would have been more difficult for us if we had had to use a separate model for each planning area. So Allplan IBD Engineering and teamwork are your success factors?
You have been working with Allplan Engineering for 12 years, and are now also using Allplan IBD Engineering. Why do you need this additional software? E.ON Facility Management GmbH commissioned us to carry out the structural planning for its administrative building at the Zolling power station, near Munich. Because the geometry of the building is highly complex, we decided to extend our software, primarily for the purposes of 3D planning. For us, Allplan IBD Engineering is the ideal add-on to our existing Allplan Engineering CAD system.
Definitely! Object-oriented work with 3D models provides us with a clearly defined structure for all project partners, and avoids redundancies. In addition, the drawing types enable us to work more efficiently, as we can derive shell and reinforcement drawings directly from the model. Before IBD, we used approximately 40% to 50% of the functionality of Allplan, but now with IBD, we are using between 80% and 90%. Because we are now able to exchange data with all project partners, we are able to bundle our know-how and create valuable synergies. For me, being able to exchange unified planning data using Allplan IBD is essential for quick, thorough and cost-efficient planning in complex projects.
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FCS Park Schaffhausen, Switzerland
4D Design Loosli
Soccer Upstairs, Shopping Below 18
An unexpected combination awaits Schaffhausen soccer fans when they get their own stadium in 2011. Rather than kicking the ball at ground level, the players of FC Schaffhausen will be playing at elevated heights, namely six meters up in a nine-story building complex (seven above ground, two below). Below their feet, those with less interest in soccer can enjoy a shopping trip in a modern shopping mall stretching over two stories. A two-story hotel with over 130 rooms is also planned, as well as restaurants, offices and various service offerings.
Multifunctional is the magic word, as the FCS Park in Schaffhausen offers far more than just excitement for soccer fans. The operators of this innovative building structure have a multitude of usage options available to them, and the imagination knows no bounds. One big advantage: with the income from activities beyond the soccer field, the Schaffhausen stadium will largely finance itself. The concept of a mixed-use soccer stadium – invented by Marazzi Generalunternehmung AG with headquarters in Muri, near Berne – has already been put into practice successfully in Berne and Basle. Complex Project Planning with Allplan and CINEMA 4D For ETH architect Hardy Loosli from Berne, the FCS Park in Schaffhausen is not the first building project of this kind that he has designed as part of a planning team. In addition to his involvement in Stade-deSuisse in Berne, he has also executed several preliminary projects for soccer stadiums in Switzerland on behalf of Marazzi GU AG. Project planning and 3D visualization are the focus of the 4D Design Loosli office, founded six years ago. The company used Allplan and CINEMA 4D from the very beginning. “In complex projects like the stadium in Schaffhausen in particular, 3D is soon involved in the process,” says Hardy Loosli.
In the planning phase, he usually starts off working in 2D alone, and switches to 3D at a more advanced stage. However, he had to use a new strategy for the FCS Park Schaffhausen: “Due to lack of time, we had 2D and 3D running in parallel at a very early design stage,” explains Hardy Loosli. With this kind of procedure, a two-pronged attack with Allplan and CINEMA 4D was ideal for him, as both programs go hand in hand. With this dynamic duo, he quickly created meaningful visualizations for project and design variants, which could be analyzed quickly, enabling rapid decision-making. The necessary calculations and cost estimates could then be derived from these 3D models in a short space of time. With simultaneous planning in 2D and 3D, he himself was able to achieve excellent results under severe time pressure. Complex Building Usage under control with Allplan For the team of architects from FRB + (Ittigen), OMG + (Winterthur) and 4D Design Loosli, the location of the stadium floor was a challenge: the primary issues of concern were being able to evacuate up to 10,000 spectators, and of course the static of the building. For example, a large ramp which runs to the upper level as an access route for trucks and emergency vehicles offers the necessary evacuation solution. All this together resulted in nodal points, which Hardy Loosli and the design teams were able to resolve skillfully with Allplan. In addition, a particularly large number of regulations have to be observed in the FCS Park Schaffhausen project. UEFA, FIFA, the Swiss Football Association and television have numerous regulations that need to be met. This was also true for the lighting: it not only has to suffice for spectators and players, it must also meet the special requirements for Television coverage. A building project of this complexity can only be mastered with the help of three-dimensional, digital models, according to Hardy Loosli. Sophisticated systems such as Allplan and CINEMA 4D, which offer the architect a suitable project structure and ensure the necessary planning security through constant visual control, are required. The result of the work was convincing: the large, multimedia presentations of the project to the authorities and the general public, with numerous views and animations in 3D, were a great success. The approval of the project is now just a formality.
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Efficient Communication Saves Time and Money The extensive data exchange and clarification processes with building clients and partners such as Marazzi Generalunternehmung AG, FRB+ Partner Architekten AG or OMG+ Partner Architekten AG also functioned smoothly, thanks to the numerous interfaces in Allplan. Integrated working, in which all specialists have access to the same information at the same time, plays a central role for Hardy Loosli, as it is the only way he can keep a firm grip on the ever-increasing time and cost pressures. Hardy Loosli believes 3D design and visualization are a central working method for the future. In architecture competitions, digital visualizations are required more and more often in place of the traditional plaster models. Customers can also be won over more quickly and easily with three-dimensional images, virtual tours and other animations. Not every building client can easily interpret twodimensional plans, and according to the Swiss architect, Allplan is the ideal software for these tasks: “I am impressed in particular by the ongoing further development of the 3D design instruments and the versatile interfaces, which are becoming increasingly important.�
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4 Questions 4 Answers
Interview with Hardy Loosli from 4D Design Loosli
So you used Allplan and the Cinema 4D visualization software from the very start. What was it about these two applications that impressed you? I was impressed in particular by the ongoing further development of the Nemetschek products over the years. By this I mean in particular the modifications to specific customer requirements, such as user friendliness, the simplified clarification processes with the help of the PDF exchange format or the large number of functioning interfaces. How have Allplan and CINEMA 4D helped you to deal with the FCS Park Schaffhausen projects with all its specific requirements? By using Allplan and CINEMA 4D, I was able to deal with the tasks facing me in a very short space of time. This was only possible because I was able to work with both programs in parallel from the outset, rather than having to start with 2D design and then switching to 3D. The design variants can also be created very quickly and easily with Allplan and shorten the decision-making process with the building client. What do you think will be the future planning trends?
With your 4D Design Loosli architecture office, you have specialized in project planning and 3D visualization. Why did you choose these areas?
Many modern buildings are becoming increasingly complex. There are more and more projects with difficult amorphous forms and geometries. It will only be possible to design and plan these buildings effectively if you work in 3D from the start. Integrated planning, in which all project members have access to the same information and in which smooth data exchange is guaranteed, will also play a central role. With its software portfolio, Nemetschek is staying abreast of these two developments, and can support the architecture and architects of tomorrow.
Before I set up my own office, I worked for seven years in the design department of a large architecture office, and tried out Allplan there for the first time. During this time, it became clear to me that there was a gap in the market in the area of digital visualization that I could exploit as a young architect. With the software from Nemetschek, I also had the right tools for the job straight away.
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Le Phare Arena, France
Patriarche & Co
An Arena with Effective Signals 22
It will be brightly lit, its lighting visible from far away: This fall, the “Le Phare” arena will place the French city of Chambéry in the spotlight. The arena’s name, which translates as “lighthouse” or “light signal”, is both its motto and its concept. After all, this building transmits signals – and not just because of its ringshaped, gleaming glazed façade.
This project combined great architecture with state-of-the-art technology – an achievement that resulted from the cumulative know-how at Patriarche & Co. The firm in the Savoys responsible for the design, consolidates architecture and building technology under one roof and was thus able to meet the challenges of this project especially well: Plan a venue for an audience of 3,000 – 6,000 people that can change its functions like a chameleon. Pop shows, sporting events, trade fairs or conventions – all these events in the same venue. Explains Jean-Loup Patriarche, who has been the second-generation manager at Patriarche & Co for more than 20 years: “Thanks to the integrated work method with Allplan from Nemetschek Allplan, we succeeded in creating a harmonious design for such a multi-purpose building.” Over 15 years experience working with Nemetschek Allplan The firm’s repertoire includes research institutions, factories, office buildings, multi-family residences, schools, sports and cultural venues, as well as bridges and piers. The company employs 75 people by now with branches in Paris and Montreal. The architects and engineers have been using Allplan from Nemetschek Allplan for project design for 15 years. According to Jean-Loup Patriarche, “The system makes unified project processing possible for us, by using a single, centralized building model. This means we can quickly create highly precise models in 3D and very high-class 2D drawings, as well as integrate various technical disciplines at the same time. This is of the utmost importance, especially with complex projects such as “Le Phare”, since the software helps us keep everything under control.”
At Patriarche & Co, Allplan has been installed on 28 workstations by now. Architects, designers, building and environmental technicians work on the same digital building model and thus can coordinate different design processes. Design architects at Patriarche & Co work out their concept with a digital building model. Based on an initial hand-drawn sketch, they create a rough computer model that they then continue to shape like sculptors, until the final form is developed. In addition, they visualize the draft with the visualization solution CINEMA 4D, in order to display and examine the building even more precisely. Says Jean-Loup Patriarche: “We simply import the model data from Allplan, assign materials and textures, and at the push of a button the software already creates a photo-realistic display of the building. It is really quite simple.” Visualizations don’t just assist design architects. At Patriarche & Co they are also an important tool for the acquisition process, including during the bidding process for the “Le Phare” arena contract: after the first round, only two firms remained in the running. The designers used CINEMA 4D to create an animated film that won the contract for Patriarche & Co during the final selection: animated pictures showed the building’s interior from a bird’s eye view, which clearly conveyed the design idea to the client, including functions and construction method. Jean-Loup Patriarche is certain that this is why his firm was awarded the contract in the end. The design firm from the Savoys also uses the CINEMA 4D visualization system to model unusual components. After all, such components can be freely modeled in the visualization system and transferred to Allplan, where they are available as actual architectural elements. For the multi-purpose arena in Chambéry, the firm collaborated with Arcora, an external engineering firm, to model the steel construction for the domed glazed façade in CINEMA 4D and then transferred it directly to Allplan, where complex steel girders were then avail-able as intelligent 3D elements and could be evaluated further, along with all their properties and attributes – such as, for example, in the form of automated bills of materials and quantities for cost planning, tendering and contract awards, all of which Patriarche & CO is also responsible for during the “Le Phare” project.
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Consolidated Building Services (HVAC) and Detailed Planning At the same time, the digital building model was integrated into the overall building technology, which plays such a pivotal role for the multi-purpose arena in Chambéry. Says Jean-Loup Patriarche: “Since we combine architecture and engineering design, integration of these two disciplines is, of course, quite simple. We all use the same model, which means we all work with the same data.” Heating and air-conditioning, automatic access systems, equipment for radio and TV transmissions, as well as all the technology required to assemble and disassemble the different scenarios – all of these aspects were integrated directly in Allplan. That is how HVAC planners could be sure that they were working based on current and correct data, and conversely, architects could, for example, take into account cut-outs in their detailed planning. Thus
it was guaranteed that technical equipment and building design truly fit together without conflicts – a major plus at the construction site, where production can then proceed seamlessly. In addition, the building data in Allplan was used to examine the thermal behavior of the arena, which made it possible to optimize the building’s energy efficiency. Communication with 3D PDF Designers at Patriarche & Co send project data in 3D PDF format to keep clients updated on the project status. This is a particularly effective communication option since a virtual building can be viewed on any PC in 3D. Explains Jean Loup Patriarche: “Everybody knows immediately what is going on and can work on specific details in a systematic manner.” Not only can the recipient view the planned building from all sides, he can also take a virtual walk through the interior of the building. The virtual walk through is also being used at Patriarche to test the subsequent functionality of a building. This testing occurs directly in Allplan, for example. A guidance system for streams of visitors was developed and tested in the virtual model. As it is possible to walk through the virtual building as you would the actual structure, the designers were able to prove in advance that visitors, athletes and artists would be able to easily navigate the building complex. Consequently, prior to the start of construction, it was already clear that “Le Phare” arena is not just a trend-setting project in terms of its design, but will also guide its visitors to where they need to go.
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5 Questions 5 Answers
You have been using Allplan from Nemetschek Allplan for 15 years. What is it that you particularly value about this solution? In my opinion, the software is miles ahead of other CAD systems due to its unified approach. As a firm for architecture and building technology, it is not important to us to create first-class floor plans, views and sections – we can do that with Allplan anyway. We deal with the building as a whole; we want to create great buildings – and that is an endeavor where Nemetschek’s Allplan is of substantial help to us.
Interview with Jean-Loup Patriarche of Patriarche & Co
Which trends do you think will define construction projects of the future? In the future, sustainable building will become increasingly important, which refers to the creation of buildings with state-of-the-art features in terms of offering comfort and energy-efficiency at the same time. We can already meet this requirement today. For example, we work with natural ventilation and natural lighting – technologies that we can take into account in the planning process from the beginning, because building service providers and architects are working and planning in parallel with the digital building model in Allplan.
In which project phases and what areas are you using Allplan? To what extent does Allplan affect your success as a planning firm? We use Allplan from the beginning, first as a design tool, and then while working on the entire execution and building services planning process. Since we integrate these tasks in Allplan, we can control and manage the costs for the entire project, starting with the initial sketch. What were the pivotal advantages of using Allplan for planning the “Le Phare” arena? For this project, unified planning was of the utmost importance to us. We can use Allplan to create very precise 3D data that describes the building’s geometry in detail. This enabled us to quickly generate high-quality 2D plans. Also, we could use the digital building model to describe the arena with all its functions and properties and thus work with and optimize the building as a whole, including its technology.
Allplan and the visualization software CINEMA 4D help us time and again to succeed in acquisitions and competitions. Just recently, we won a competition for a building that will become the headquarters of a pharmaceutical company. We had a week to design the building with approximately 10,000 square meters of gross floor space – and we met the deadline. With Allplan, within a week‘s time, we were able to design the building and create floor plans, sections and views, as well as a dozen visualizations of the highest quality.
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Hotel Medical Spa Isla Valdeca単as, Spain
Miguelangel Gea & Asociados-Arquitectos
Visionary Architecture 26
The “Hotel Medical Spa Isla Valdecañas” architecture and landscape unite to form an unusual entity which is unique in so many ways. Even the location of the Spanish luxury hotel is special. It is built on a steeply inclined island in the middle of a 7,200-hectare reservoir at the foot of an imposing mountain range, the Sierra de Gredos. But that’s not all. As part of a 135-hectare tourism complex, the wellness hotel is integrated in a large nature reserve. The luxury leisure complex with a golf resort, sailboat marina, holiday village, villas, sports complex and congress center is just 160 kilometers away from Madrid. With this multi-use mix, the project is the first of its size and type on the Spanish mainland.
An architecture design that harmonizes with the surrounding landscape meets the highest luxury standards and still takes conservation into account – the architects at Miguelangel Gea & Asociados-Arquitectos were more than happy to take up this challenge. Urban planning and tourism amenities are their specialty and form the core business of the company, founded 31 years ago and currently employing 15 people. “We designed the Hotel Medical Spa Isla Valdecañas from the inside out, so to speak,” says project manager and head of the company, Miguelangel Gea. “Guests should discover the landscape through the architecture, yet not notice the architecture in the landscape,” he explains. The building should blend into the landscape like a rock blends into its surroundings. The architects were able to achieve this by using a terraced, low design and green roofs, and through their choice of building materials. “We used only natural stone from the region and in yellow ochre tones,” says the company head. And particularly because most of the island and the surroundings are protected, it was extremely important that the building be integrated
into the landscape. In consultation with the environmental protection authorities responsible, an “architecture design” was created that respects and preserves the surrounding protected area. “Landscape and architecture should merge to form a unit. We don‘t have a fixed style for this. It should simply be a pleasure to be in the building,” the Spanish architect explains. Personal Hallmark The first drafts were created two years ago – with Allplan Sketch. A pressure-sensitive pen is used to sketch on a tablet PC as if on paper. The big advantage is that the initial drafts can be digitally edited and used immediately in the CAD system. At Miguelangel Gea, the draft architecture with Sketch is naturally an executive issue: “This tool saves us a lot of time without restricting our creativity. With Sketch we can achieve a scale of 1:1000 not possible with pen and paper and still give our drafts the personal hallmark of a traditional sketch.” At every preliminary meeting, the building client, Marina Isla Valdecañas, was also impressed by the interplay of creative individualism and the latest information technology. In these meetings, the initial Sketch drafts were simply projected onto the wall with a beamer. As soon as the draft was approved, it went to the planning department, which processed it to create a virtual building model. The architects used Allplan to design this model. BIM stands for Building Information Modeling and enables a project to be processed in full using a single, central building model. “This means we can model accurately in 3D, create high-quality 2D drawings quickly and at the same time integrate various technical departments,” explains Miguelangel Gea. Teamwork is the Trump Card Allplan including Workgroup Manager is installed on 14 workstations. This enables the team to work on one and the same digital building model and tailor the different processes to each other exactly. Workgroup Manager handles the organization of CAD and layout workstations in the local network. This central administration of design and construction projects ensures that all the projects on all the computers can be accessed and edited directly from every workstation. Teamwork is extremely important at Gea in any case: a core team of ten employees is responsible for construction of the Hotel Medical Spa Isla Valdecañas. Their range of tasks begins with the initial evaluation through to construction management. For engineering services and
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building facilities, the architecture office works in close partnership with two consulting companies, Calcousa and Engineers-Assesors. Development of the island, creation of the infrastructure, and construction of the golf club began one and a half years ago. The first three pilot villas will be built shortly in the holiday village, and construction of the hotels and other building work is scheduled to begin in January 2009. The first guests should arrive by 2011. Construction costs amount to 15 million euros, with a total of 190 million euros being invested in the tourism complex as a whole. Breaking with Tradition Sketches become 4D animations, 2D plans are created from a 3D model. “Building Information Modeling hugely simplifies our dayto-day work and gives us a lot of creative freedom, because we can make decisions very quickly in the individual work stages,” explains Miguelangel Gea. With Allplan, architects are no longer tied to a traditional sequence of steps: after the initial sketches, they create a rough model on the computer, which they can then modify until they arrive at the final design. “Like a sculptor who creates a sculpture based on a sketch, we model, and do not have to stick to rigid plans,” the company founder adds. In the virtual building model, all projectrelevant information is entered centrally and made available to all those involved across the complete planning and construction phase. In addition, they visualize the draft with the Allplan solution CINEMA 4D. “To do this, the model data is simply imported from BIM, materials and textures are assigned, and a photo-realistic representation of the building is created at the click of a mouse,” says Gea.
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Intelligent Integration If people work together, they need to be organized. This relates for example to clarifications with the client and partners: that they are always up-to-date, and that they regularly receive the CAD data exported from Allplan, including explanations, in 3D-PDF format. This is a particularly intelligent way of exchanging planning and design information, because it allows a virtual building to be viewed in 3D on any PC, regardless of the software application used. In addition, it means there are fewer questions from the building client, planning partners and contractors on the building site, and planning security increases. Thanks to integrated project processing, designers always have the project under control. All project information – that is, all the specialist data of all the companies involved – is merged and coordinated in a central Allplan building model. A comparison of the company‘s own plans with the imported data from the design specialists prevents design errors. This type of CAD-supported connection to specialist design eliminates redundant data, reduces processing times and avoids unnecessary additional costs. “Direct work in 3D also makes a big impression on the building client, who is therefore better able to make decisions, and it simplifies our work processes,” adds Gea. As a result, Allplan creates an important competitive advantage and is a great tool for helping us to acquire new clients.
5 Questions 5 Answers
Interview with Miguelangel Gea
Allplan and CINEMA 4D enable us to plan a building within the shortest space of time and create high-quality, photo-realistic visualizations, we also enjoy greater success in acquisition and have an edge on the competition. In which project phases and areas do you use Allplan? We use BIM from the very start. Thanks to the virtual building model, we can create clear, object-oriented work results and presentations before the plan is even printed. Building clients are thrilled if we can show them what the entrance area could look like, or simulate views from any perspective, even in the first design presentation. Integrated planning and design is hugely important to us. In Allplan we can control the planning and design steps from the beginning. This is where the software from Nemetschek Allplan beats all the other established CAD systems. How do you rate the user friendliness of the software? What’s important during the technical planning of construction projects? Cost and time pressures are very high today. The planning and construction phase must be as short as possible and technically sophisticated in order to execute a project efficiently. This requires a lot of flexibility and precisely defined project requirements so that all those involved in the construction process can work together without breaks in information, and can react flexibly to changes. We use Building Information Modeling from Nemetschek Allplan for this, as it enables us to achieve integrated project processing on a central building model with the maximum information data. Why did you switch to Allplan three years ago? Today, we are able to execute projects in a timeframe and with employee capacities that would have been unthinkable three years ago. BIM’s integrative concept makes our day-to-day work far easier and gives us a lot of creative freedom, because we no longer need to follow a rigid sequence of work steps. We start with the 3D model and visualizations and then draw the detailed designs in 2D. Becaue
The user interface of Allplan is extremely easy to use. This pays off particularly when we work with wizards. In our office, new employees who are not yet familiar with Allplan need only one month, before they are able to work very efficiently with the software. Three years ago, we successfully switched the whole office over to Allplan. This change didn‘t present any problems, even for our 62-year-old employees. How do you ensure transparent work processes and clarification procedures within your team and with external experts? The central administration of planning and design projects by Workgroup Manager guarantees that all projects can be accessed from every workstation – without a loss of security. If several users are working on a project simultaneously, the same dataset is provided for them all. There is no question of duplicate data maintenance. We use 3D-PDF for cross-office communication with design specialists and building clients. The 3D model created in Allplan can be forwarded in PDF format from the CAD system by e-mail. Design specialists receive the design data and add other elements to the 3D model.
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Quinto Vicentino School, Italy
GPA Architecture Firm
A School Designed with Imagination 30
Demanding projects require powerful software. Compliance with the strict school building regulations, and earthquake and fire safety were top of the priority list in the planning process for the Quinto Vicentino primary school in Italy. Accessibility for people of all physical abilities and low-cost energy consumption were also central requirements. To do justice to this complex project brief, the designers called on Allplan.
The construction of a primary school in Quinto Vicentino is one of the latest project implementations of the GPA architecture firm. The building has received particular acclaim both from local institutions and, most importantly, the children. GPA was founded in 1990 and today consists of two architects, an engineer and a surveyor. Most of their planning work is for private and public buildings, with a focus on kindergartens, schools, sports halls, conference centers and swimming pools. “State-of-the-art hardware and software are basic prerequisites at GPA. That’s why for ten years now, we have been using Nemetschek Allplan planning and design software, including Allplan Architecture, CINEMA 4D and On-Site Photo,” explains Gianluca Perottoni, who was responsible for the planning of the school. The project in Quinto Vicentino consisted of the construction of a new building for the town primary school to be located beside the existing, free-standing sports hall. The school contains ten classrooms, five special-subject rooms and three group-work rooms. The building also has a large multi-function room that forms the heart of the school, and a school cafeteria. The complex is surrounded by a green recreational area, and a covered corridor connects the school to the adjoining sports hall.
Meeting the Challenge The main focal points of the project were technical safety, compliance with the strict school building regulations, and earthquake and fire safety. Accessibility for people of all physical abilities was also important, as were the specific construction technology used and the need for low-cost energy consumption. To meet the challenge of these complex project requirements, the planners called on the multi-faceted functionality of Allplan. “Using Allplan for visualizations means that I can demonstrate my ideas to all the project members quickly and simply,” says Gianluca Perottoni. In order to do justice to the requirements and needs of the building client, the final design of the Quinto Vicentino school was arrived at only after several preparatory sketches and plans that incorporated the suggestions of the various parties involved in the project. These alternatives were discussed regularly with the building committee, the town council, the schools inspector and the school board of management. Ultimately, the decision was made for a modern, functional architectural approach. “We created the concept for the school building so as to allow sufficient space for cross-subject group projects and a large play area. The pupils spend a large part of their time in this building, so it has to offer them a lot of space to develop freely and just be themselves,” says Gianluca Perottoni. For this reason, surfaces consisting of simple, flowing lines and an imaginative façade with a deliberately chaotic structure are important elements of the new school complex. The project planning team had ten members who collaborated on the design of the creative structure. One particular challenge that arose was the need to convince the town council of the advantages of a modern architectural style. The council’s members initially preferred a traditional architectural approach with “Barchessa-style” components that are typical of the Venice region. Thanks to the impressive visualizations created with Allplan and CINEMA 4D, GPA ultimately succeeded in winning the client’s approval for an innovative project. GPA’s project concept showed a realistic model with views, plans and schedules for creating the final structure. Integrating the architecture into the environment and fulfilling the competition brief were also central considerations in the modeling process.
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Optimized Work Processes with Workgroup Manager The entire project in Quinto Vicentino was based on collaboration with all the experts involved. “Workgroup Manager enabled everyone to access the same project data, to add new information or change existing data,” says Gianluca Perottoni. Thanks to this enhanced collaboration and the consistent, always up-to-date data basis, Workgroup Manager greatly speeded up the progress of the project. After completion, the plans could then be checked by the engineers and building technicians from the construction viewpoint. For this to be possible, the various parties had to be able to exchange data in various formats. “This was hassle-free to do using the 2D and 3D formats, as everyone,
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including the private building client, can open and understand these formats at the click of a mouse,” explains the Italian architect. “Thanks to its incredible accuracy and precision in the planning process, Allplan has become an absolutely indispensable tool for me. I also use it to train new and less experienced staff. The professional visualizations also enable me to make a favorable impression on my client long before building work starts. The views are so realistic that when you see the finished building, it’s almost like a déjà-vu experience.” Construction work on the school project began in 2006 and was completed at the beginning of 2008, and the total investment amounted to € 2.25 million.
Interview with Gianluca Perottoni
Origami: Paulo Mulatinho, München
5 Questions 5 Answers
What are the main challenges in construction planning today? To surprise people with the simplicity of your design, to create fundamental but harmonious lines, to keep everything in proportion and to instill a sense of softly-flowing volume – I would see these aspects as important. And of course, keeping a tight rein on costs and building solid, long-lasting structures are central issues, too. What do you think are the future trends in the planning industry? Unfortunately, we are currently in a very difficult economic situation. So we have to make sure that we keep energy consumption in mind right from the start and that we create projects that require a minimal level of maintenance. Therefore, we have to create architecture using innovative materials that are reusable and cost-effective. What was your experience of collaborating with the other planners and the building client? And how did Allplan support you with the coordination process? For several years, I have worked together with colleagues from different architectural firms located throughout Italy in planning a wide
variety of projects. The PDF format enables me to exchange project data with my planning partners at a moment’s notice, and to show them the entire project clearly and in detail. This is a huge benefit in joint processes and greatly simplifies collaborative work. What additional information does the building model give you, besides basic planning data such as plans, views and sections? It gives us all the information we need. Besides plans, views and sections, it gives us a wide range of data on surfaces, volumes and construction costs planning for individual building components. And this information is available at each individual stage of the construction, not just at the end of the project. How important are professional visualizations and animations for you? As planners, we already have an overview of the project, and so visualizations serve as an extra checking function for us. For our building clients, the displays and the 3D effects – both static and in animated form – are particularly useful for helping them to get a really clear idea of the project, getting them excited about and committed to the project, and visually it sis a pleasant surprise for them too!
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