Tipee is not originally specialized in BIM technology. The society based in La Rochelle brings together scientific and complementary technical skills of several researchers and engineers’ profiles. Each one of them is specialized in different sustainable building themes to effectively meet the challenges of the energy transition.
Since 2014, Tipee has developed a digital activity around several axes: the assistance to the owner builder, BIM management and consulting (e.g. the Social Union for Housing or the French Building Federation).
Cécile Jolas coordinates this pole, born with the project presented that morning.
Hold by the Public Office for Housing of the Urban Area of La Rochelle and coordinated by Tipee, Rupella-Reha is a winning project of the “Call for Expression of Interests” launched by the Environment and Energy Management Agency on the theme “buildings and islands with positive energy and minimum carbon footprint”. In 2013, Tipee wins the call for tender.
A small operation to “test” the BIM
This is a small rehabilitation operation of 16 housing in La Rochelle: 1,000 m² for 650 000 € of work budget.
It is since this test operation that all the BIM methodologies that Tipee now uses on a daily basis have been designed. Tipee has accompanied – and been accompanied – on this project by the architect’s drawing board and the owner builder who launched their BIM activity as well.
Between the end of 2013 and the beginning of 2014, the question whether to throw yourself into BIM was far from being obvious. Cécile Jolas even explains that “at the time, everyone was in total discovery mode”.
The building in rubble, from 1954, is a typical set of the hinterland of the Charente, which offers accommodation from a studio apartment (T1) to a flat of about 95m2 (T5) with a repeating pattern per floor. The building has not been subjected to any modification (on the structure, in terms of energy improvement, …): the 1954 plans are therefore accurate.
The rehabilitation in occupied site presents an objective of 50 square meters per year, the architects will use insulation from the outside.
The 3D scan, mixed results
At the beginning, the decision was made to test the 3D scan technology for the project.
In 2014, the price was prohibitive: the scan costed 8000€ for 1000 meters for the statement of points only (therefore no modeling).
It was also an operation in an occupied site: in order to make this statement the approval of the tenants was needed: this scan constituted an access to the private life. It was also necessary to make appointments with each tenant.
The report of such an operation is nowadays mitigated as it has been time-consuming: a day work was needed for the outside and four for the inside. Every apartment has been stated within an hour.
Indeed, the advantage of such a scan is that it was no longer necessary to return to the site for additional statements but the apartments being occupied, the furniture and the people present sometimes distorted the statements.
Nine versions of the digital model in a year
The general contractor (architects drawing board and design office) spontaneously proposed to build the digital model of the project from the point cloud: it was formed and equipped with software for this purpose. The architect chose to use Archicad while the design office equipped itself with Revit. The project being a public order, it had to be delivered in the IFC exchange format.
The first digital model was not « exceptional » according to the euphemism used by Cécile Jolas. It took 9 versions to be fully exploitable and importable in IFC.
NB: the architect of the operation now intervenes as an expert during days devoted to the exchange of models between different software. It is this project that has allowed him to develop such expertise.
The quality of the models
To realize its digital model the design office Fluides first chose a software that “has been inconclusive” and finally equipped itself with Revit.
At this point of the presentation, Cécile Jolas points out the fact that a complete and detailed model is necessary to make its exploitation possible. For example, in the case of the Fluides model, the integrity of the connectors (above the sheath and the ducts) had to be present in order to make relevant calculations. Cécile Jolas insists on the necessity for manufacturers to provide their BIM objects.
Tipee’s teams have focused on the models’ quality and the need to obtain workable elements for studies… With “perfect” models, the synthesis part was reduced: it simply had to be superimposed.
In order to obtain this quality, Tipee has worked a lot on the working documents given to the project’s stakeholders. For example, the team developed a very precise method for reviewing the model: each element that was not correct was captured and integrated into an excel with the mention of what was wrong so that the designer of the model could make corrections.
The part under construction
The project is today under construction. That part also posed question to Tipee: how to integrate in the BIM the very small companies that work on the site (in separate state bodies)?
The integration was made from a digital and collaboration perspective: the companies were asked to connect on the platform set up by Tipee (on the base of the actual Kroqi of PTNB). They had to submit the data sheets of the products laid down, their commercial references, their guarantees and maintenance notes…
The tree structure of the platform was tailored to the project with the general contractor and each company had a space dedicated to his batch to file his documents.
At first, such an operation required a lot of pedagogy and technical assistance but today these companies see the interest and the value of that digitalization.
The general contractor first since it recovers files very easily: this greatly facilitated the realization of the record of executed works for example.
The project will be delivered in 2019, Tipee keeps on supporting project stakeholders to promote their rise in competence.
In parallel with this project, the design of a tool to optimize energy costs
From this test project, Tipee also wanted to go further by creating a tool more in relation with the primary skills of the team: the optimization of energy costs for new projects or rehabilitation. The project was supported by the Environment and Energy Management Agency .
Generally, and for a project like the one that Cécile Jolas presented, we study two or three scenarios of rehabilitation. The economist, the Fluides office, etc. make their quantitative and simulations on their side.
The tool developed by Tipee reviews many interesting scenarios to better assist the design. Based on the product information found on Edibatec, it incorporates different variables for high floor, walls, windows, low floor, exterior joinery, heating system, etc.
These different products are combined to determine what is the most optimal combination of products and the best cost/consumption/performances ratio. There are a few thousand possible combination that are calculated by this algorithm (which represents around 200 years of work for a human being).
The interest of that tool? Give priority to innovative and efficient products (beyond those that one would have chosen for ease or habit).
We suggest the following articles:
The European Copper Institute is part of the worldwide network Copper Alliance that federates the global copper industry. Its mission is to develop and defend the copper markets and to contribute in a positive manner to the sustainable development goals of our society.
Olivier Tissot, France Director of the European Copper Institute answered an interview with Polantis upon the realization of the first step of the Institute’s digitalization process. The interview is to discover below.
What were your motivations? Why having started a BIM approach?
The digital model happens to be a more and more indispensable tool for the building designers and copper components that must logically be part of this process. Whether for architectural applications (roof, facade) or pipe networks in copper tubes, the availability of digital data is a lever for prescription and growth.
Why having started this approach with Polantis?
As a European professional organization and in order to maximize the approval and availability of data, it seemed advisable for the European Copper Institute to turn towards Polantis which has both expertise in the creation of objects for BIM and a multilingual database. The access of the digital information for the digital model and the follow-up of the consultations of these data are also major points of interest for which Polantis has offers.
Why have you modelized those products or this product range?
The first step of our digitalization initiative is copper tubes for the construction of networks for the transport of fluids inside buildings. In the competitive plumbing pipework market, the availability of the copper tubes’ characteristics presented as BIM data is an essential step for the good knowledge of the material by the users, the prescribers, the design offices.
What are the particularities of the products that are online?
The copper tubes have the right to use the NF mark, which guarantees, among other things, compliance with the European standard EN 1057: “round seamless copper tubes for water and gas, in sanitary and heating.” In this context, they are subject to a third-party certification that covers their characteristics such as chemical composition, the mechanical properties, the internal purity of the tubes, the dimensions (diameter, thickness).
What kind of message are you willing to convey to the users of the platform who download your products?
This first step into digitalization of copper products for the building makes it possible to obtain the information relating to the characteristics and dimensions of the copper tubes defines by the norm in force. The currently online product range extends from the outer diameter of 10mm to 54mm in different thicknesses. An extension is already planned for the largest diameters as for the family of the sheathed tubes. Architectural products for roofing and facades will also be digitalized soon.
Find the BIM objects of the European Copper Institute on Polantis.com by clicking over here.
Click here to access to the website of the European Copper Institute.
We suggest the following articles:
BIM in Germany, an update on the situation
The German Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) has put in place an action for planning and digital construction that will impose a new culture of construction and operation to industry players. We are in the middle of the 2nd phase of this action, let’s make a point.
At the beginning of 2015, the BMVI founded the L.L.C. « Planen-Bauen 4.0 » which is a group of associations of the German building industry. This structure dedicated to BIM was created and developed on private funds. The stated objective of the Government is to ask the sector to intensify its efforts to define standards and new processes in the coming years.
On December 15, 2015, the BMVI presented its three-step plan for the launch of BIM in Germany.
The first step was a preparatory step: four pilot projects were chosen, while they were in four different phases. These pilot projects would be conducted using a BIM approach. The objective is to identify the benefits of BIM for the different phases of a project.
Pilot Project « The bridge over the lake of the city of Petersdorf »
For this project, the Owner Builder wanted to adopt a BIM approach after the design phase: the existing 2D plans were the basis for modeling digital mock-ups. This BIM project was interesting to follow because the teams made a panorama of the BIM solutions existing on the market.
Pilot Project « The viaduct of Auenbachtal »
The decision to use BIM was taken from the outset for the Auenbachtal Viaduct, however the objectives of such a method were limited as they related only to quantity estimation, cost estimation and visualization of the model.
Pilot Project « Filstal Railway Bridge »
For this project, BIM was used for the implementation phase. The digital model was linked to the construction schedule and updated in real time. This model (we speak of 4D) was the main tool for controlling the progress of work and budget monitoring.
Pilot Project « The railway tunnel of Rastatt«
The use of BIM has been from the planning phase to the building permit. The digital model – designed on the basis of 2D drawings – helped detect clashes and estimate quantities. This model was in 5D because it included information on time and costs.
Nowadays, the second phase of the plan is underway: other pilot projects have been added, they allow to test the BIM for all phases of a construction project. This phase allows the production of guides, checklists and schematics useful for future projects. All of these projects are in BIM level 1.
The third phase will focus on the study of new BMVI projects from 2020.
This third step is also essential since it will make BIM mandatory for all public infrastructure projects from 2020.
A BIM Competence Center for Germany
The BMVI is planning a BIM competence center in Berlin to support administrations and the building industry in their BIM approach. The knowledge derived from the observation of the pilot projects must be transmitted in the same way to the public and private sectors and to all the actors of the construction sector.
The missions of the BIM Competence Center will be as follows:
We suggest following articles:
Moreover Camille Foucher (developer and integrator of 3D Unity in augmented reality and virtuality at Bloc in Bloc) and Arthur Rousseaux (managing partner of Liber – D) talked about their work on the presented projects.
Emmanuel Sorin wanted to give the morning a special meaning: He presented an overview of projects to the audience in order to show that the digital model is an aid to all projects if we know the objective we want to achieve.
He started his presentation with a comparison: Why use the point cloud to make an inventory and what are the advantages of using this approach compared to a 2D method?
With the classic 2D method:
With the 3D inventory and BIM:
The modeling process of the agency SONA
As part of its modeling process, the agency SONA works with three software programs: Scene (software for 3D documentation from FARO), ReCap (reality capture and 3D digitization) and Revit Architecture.
Scene allows you to choose the starting point of the height measurement, the ceiling height, the height of the stringers, the dimensions of the built elements.
Recap allows you to clean up the points and create zones. It allows the zones of a document to be linked: each zone can be identified and geolocalized using a URL.
Revit allows modeling. It takes several days of work before you can start working with the software. The modeling takes place in 4 stages:
If these steps are not followed in advance, modeling will be poor, and the inventory will ultimately not be reliable.
After this technical excursus, Emmanuel gives an overview of each project and the benefits of the BIM for each situation.
In order to understand the structure of the building and the benefits of part of the facade, the architect requires modeling the building in two « parts ». One includes the part to which the question relates, the other does not. Thus, building rehabilitation research may be performed with or without reference to that part of the structure.
If the builder needs to revert to the modeling here (next phase, the point cloud), that’s because it was useful to integrate the intelligence of the engineer, who said « this must be like that, even if we’re not sure », in addition to the simple inventory.
Artelia asked the agency SONA for an analysis to find out how machines can be exchanged in a factory. The building shows many obstacles to the project (elevator, ceiling height of 1,70m …). How can this project be best organized? Will the size of the machines be problematic? In this case, we move away from the work of the architect. SONA’s work here provides a dimensional guarantee: the digital model allows the transition to a technical investigation.
The inventory of the skeleton building of the « shop 3 » (concrete building with metal skeleton construction) of the Samaritaine, former Parisian department store, was problematic. In order to obtain a detailed structure, the builder commissioned SONA to scan the entire building. After completion of the work, each bearer received an identification number, which allowed the architect and the design office ‘Structure’ to define – for example – the bearers that were the first to be relevant to the refurbishment of the building. In this case, the model created by SONA was used as a diagnostic tool.
Usable in many ways
A tool for decision making, a technical examination, a diagnostic tool or even an augmented reality for museums, communication tools … the digital model can be used in many ways: the important thing is to define the goal of the modeling before starting the modeling itself.
As a rule, the more expensive the land, the more likely the client will use BIM to support his project.
We suggest the following articles:
BOLON and ARKIT are two brands of floor coverings that are highly praised by the market players of the decoration market.
Their materials stand for design, durability and easy care. They can be used by everyone and for all projects, private or public.
Bolon is the pioneer and the global leader in woven vinyl flooring. These floors combine design, quality and functionality. They are very resistant. Thanks to a production according to sustainable processes, they have the best environmental certifications in the world. (Breeam, Floorscore, NAA, Emission COV A+, Portico…). The different collections, formats and sections offer almost limitless creative possibilities.
ARKIT is positioned on the LVT market and the brand meets the new expectations of the architects in search of innovative materials. The collections display an ultra-contemporary character with motifs that are hand-made French creative works and that are proposed in large slabs of 91.4 x 91.4 cm.
A BIM approach to bring better benefits to the specifiers
With the aim of enlarging their network of specifiers and improving their work with the architects, the teams of BOLON and ARKIT were looking for an efficient platform. They referred to Polantis to make their products available online. From now on the specifiers can find all product information (business contacts, visuals, technical specifications and product sheets), as well as the BIM textures of both brands in one place.
Check out BOLON‘s product information and BIM textures here.
Check out ARKIT‘s product information and BIM textures here.
We suggest the following articles:
The Irish Kingspan Group is specialized in building and insulation materials. It is represented with 6000 employees in 85 countries, including France.
Kingspan is creating the products of the future today. Innovation is at the heart of every product, every project and every step in the manufacturing process. Kingspan innovates to propose efficient, sustainable and safe solutions to their specifiers.
Kingspan proposes different product groups:
In order to strengthen their presence on the French market and to provide their products to the French specifiers, Kingspan called on Polantis. Polantis is the leader of BIM objects on the French market and has already modeled objects for the French company Ecodis, which was recently taken over by Kingspan Group.
Three product ranges are available on Polantis’ platform: facade systems, wall panel systems and roof panel systems.
They represent 266 references modelized by Polantis’ architects and engineers in CAD and BIM (Revit) format.
Particulary noteworthy are the following three unavoidable references:
Kingspan’s CAD and BIM objects are available on Polantis.com.
For further information access Kingspan’s web site by clicking here.
We suggest the following articles:
The DNA of AGP : built heritage
Art Graphique & Patrimoine (AGP) was born in 1994 from the passion for stone crafts and the restoration of historical monuments. Its R&D center, specialized in 2D and 3D architectural and archaeological surveys, has contributed over the years to the evolution of digital techniques for protecting and enhancing built heritage.
Project by project, between traditional know-how and innovative spirit, AGP has collected more than 1700 prestigious references in France and abroad. Today it is considered one of the leaders in France in its field.
The agency has a BIM department which is managed by Esther Sélo.
BIM and existing built heritage: the example of the Villa Majorelle
Esther Sélo presented the agency’s methodology for designing the model of the existing built heritage.
The creation of the building’s digital copy always starts with a laser survey on site. Depending on the complexity of its architecture, the building may require more or less work.
The Villa Majorelle has required a lot of work because it is a very complex architectural work. With its sculptures, its typical Art Nouveau decorations, its ornamental, floral and organic forms, it required no less than 275 scan positions on the site, inside and out.
In order to create a perfect digital copy, the teams mix several techniques: they proceed to the laser capture of the building and its restitution in photogrammetry. Then they assemble these data into a cloud of points. For Villa Majorelle the cloud of points was composed of 40 billion points: the accuracy of the survey was quite exhaustive.
After the on-site survey, the teams proceed to assemble the obtained material: they gather the stations but also carry out topographical calculations to ensure that there is no deviation of the stations.
The Webshare viewer makes it easy to take ribs fast, without requiring additional trips to the site.
Once the building is modeled with the help of the point cloud it gets inserted in Revit to create the digital model.
The BIM objects
The teams of AGP occasionally work with generic objects included in Revit or according to the study book with artifacts found on Polantis.com. This use makes it possible to produce the nomenclatures from which the BEs and the architects will realize their quantity and thus get a more precise idea of the economy of the project.
The particularity of AGP’s work, specialists in existing BIM heritage modeling, consists of designing customized objects from the point cloud.
The importance of not interpreting
The elements on which no information is known are systematically indicated on the model requiring a survey and diagnostic work.
The connection of the networks, to provide an example, will be the object of particular attention: the connections can be interpreted provided that this interpretation is notified on the object through a color code or a comment.
Potential usage of the digital model
Esther Sélo concludes her presentation with a range of possible uses of BIM regarding the existing built heritage.
We suggest the following articles:
TELLIER BRISE-SOLEIL, the specialist in shading systems and external cladding, provides its BIM catalogue for the prescribers.
Environmental concern and appealing design
Combining thermal comfort and natural light, Tellier Brise-Soleil’s sun protection systems made of aluminium permit to optimize energy consumption and reduce blindness phenomena. It is an effective and aesthetic bioclimatic solution designed to protect buildings from high temperatures.
Beyond their functional aspects, these sun protection systems contribute to a nice ambience. With a neat design, they fit aesthetically on all buildings regardless of the architectural style.
With a wide range of profiles and finishings, the product range offers multiple design possibilities.
Customized, independent and responsiveness thanks to BIM
The main objective of the manufacturer’s BIM approach is to offer total autonomy to the prescribers in the design and modeling of their architectural projects. The BIM catalogue of Tellier Brise-Soleil has been modeled by Polantis’ architects and engineers.
The BIM catalogue is composed of 12 BIM objects (Revit, Ifc…):
Simple and intuitive, these parametric objects allow prescribers to create customized sun protection systems within just a few clicks, whatever the applications and dimensions desired. Beyond the 3D representation of the products, all technical information is accessible through a detailed sheet (Building references, Installation and maintenance …).
Visit Polantis.com in order to find the entire range of Tellier Brise-Soleil’s BIM catalogue.
We suggest the following articles:
GEGGUS GmbH’s reputation of excellence
GEGGUS GmbH was established over 70 years ago and is specialized in the manufacturing of entrance matting systems with aluprofile (TOP CLEAN). Today GEGGUS GmbH manufactures a full range of products, for the interior as well as the exterior.
They offer a wide selection of finishing touches (ripped carpet, rubber mats, cassette brush, scraper bar), colours and accessories of 10/17/22/27 and 42mm height. Besides they offer custom-produced designs (special cutting and finishing for frames and mats) in order to respond to the demand of all designers. In addition they offer honeycomb rubber mats (Karo As, Domino), coarse haired rep mat (Master) and ripped carpet (Enter).
The company’s reputation of excellence is based on the high product quality and their constant research for customer satisfaction: GEGGUS GmbH proposes an outstanding cost effectiveness and short delivery time.
Custom-produced BIM objects
GEGGUS GmbH represents their excellent work through BIM objects. The company took the decision to offer their architects the full range of entrance matting systems in CAD and BIM formats (Revit format). Therefore GEGGUS GmbH called on Polantis whose team of architects and engineers knows how to meet the needs of the users of the BIM method.
Easy access to BIM objects
In order to access the available BIM objects of GEGGUS GmbH the architect proceeds on the manufacturer’s web site, product section (accessible here) and makes his joice among the products with the help of a filter. Once a product is selected the indication “demonstrate showpiece” appears and leads you to the product sheet.
If the product is digitally available the link “download” leads you directly to the product page on Polantis.com.
You will find all BIM objects of GEGGUS GmbH on Polantis.com by clicking here.
We suggest the following articles:
The anniversary party was held on the rooftop in a welcoming Hawaiian atmosphere. The aim, to hold onto summer a little longer, has been totally achieved by the guests who wore skirts, flower necklaces and “ananas glasses” with the most beautiful effect, while sipping their cocktails.
After the candles of the birthday cake were blown out, Itaï Cellier and Laura Proust welcomed the users of Polantis’ platform – ever-increasing numbers around the world- who contribute to the company’s success every day.
They also thought of Polantis’ partners: architectural agencies or design offices who are testing products, speakers at Prescription Thursday’s, supporters of the BIM Contest (Plan Transition Numérique dans le Bâtiment, Ordre des Architectes, UNSFA, Club BIM Prescrire, Sightline Group, HEXABIM, BTP.tv, Mediaconstruct, etc.)
Lastly Itaï Cellier and Laura Proust thanked the ever-increasing number of manufacturers and builders, without them Polantis would not be what it is today. A few years ago the usage of BIM was less widespread among the prescribers. So Polantis’ first clients were pioneers in their approach. Congratulations on their daring!
Besides the event was a great opportunity to unveil the new Polantis logo: Its colours are more sober and it has straighter and more structured lines which reflects the quality of the objects designed by architects and engineers in a better way.
The logo is the first of various projects the team was working on the whole summer. More surprises will be unveiled in the coming months.
We suggest the following articles: