HOK Flying High with BIM
Airport design uses BIM’s diverse
Project:
strengths
Bengaluru International
Airport Terminal 1 Expansion
Location:
Bangalore, India
Type:
Airport
Scheduled Time of
Completion:
2013 & 2015
Following a board decision to adopt Revit in
2006, architectural firm HOK now uses BIM
on all projects worldwide. These include the
Hong Kong team’s current work on expanding
Bengaluru International Airport in south India,
a project that benefits in various ways from
BIM’s diverse strengths.
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The BIM model also helps the HOK team to
work closely with other consultants involved
in the airport expansion – notably Arup
engineers, who are responsible for mechanical,
electrical and plumbing systems (MEP);
the façade; structural engineering; and the
baggage handling system.
Baggage Handling System Pivotal
to the Project
“The baggage handling system is one of the
biggest components inside the airport,”
says Mr Thomas. “The planning of the BHS
is critical to minimise the impact on other
airport operations together with passenger
and staff flow.”
The baggage handling system was fixed early
in the design process. Arup developed the
system using intelligent blocks with a host of
technical data, such as the speed, direction,
HOK is lead designer of the expansion, which orientation, and length of individual conveyors.
is adding additional gates to the east and They passed the MEP model to the HOK team,
west of the existing Terminal 1 together with a who imported it into the Architectural model
new pier. These additions are unified with an to complete the design.
elegant hyperbolic roof. Complexities of the
project include the integration of new baggage “The BIM model was a massive help in
handling systems, amendments to security the design process,” says Ir. Andrew Mole,
arrangements and significant construction Associate Director of Arup. “There is only
zones wrapping around the fully functional so much information you can show in 2D
existing airport. drawings, since they must be interpreted to
understand the full spatial information. 3D
The design team has embraced the BIM models communicate better.” The BIM model
approach for the entire project. “The client allowed creation of multiple views of the
can get a better understanding of the design airport design, with minimum additional effort.
via Revit’s inherent 3D environment, and It was essential in assessing coordination
therefore become more engaged with the issues, for example helping in ensuring that
design process,” says Mr. Benjamin Thomas, where required the baggage system could rise
Senior Design Architect, Associate with HOK. over corridors or dip below basements without
clashes arising.
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Additionally, rendered 3D
views were used to review
the design with baggage
operations management
and staff. Jonathan Roberts,
Senior Consultant with Arup,
explained, “The 3D images
of the system enable non-
technical stakeholders to
far better understand the
facilities that they will be
getting. This results in far
more valuable questions
than had they seen only
2D drawings. In particular,
the advantages and
disadvantages of different
options can be easily
conveyed and very robust
decisions can be achieved.”
For example, it was relatively
easy to assess the spaces
available for contingency
handling, an issue of great
importance because of the
potential impact on the
entire airport operation
should the baggage system
experience a major stoppage.
Well Coordinated Roof Structure The ARUP team modelled the roof’s truss
structure, for coordination discussions
The roof structural steelwork was similarly
with HOK on how it would fit within the
imported into Revit, for coordination with the
architectural skin. ARUP also resolved roof
architectural model. “There was a considerable
drainage issues whilst maintaining the roof’s
advantage to using the BIM model for the
aesthetic quality.
roof,” says Mr Thomas. “For instance, we could
effectively cut away portions of the model,
to create 3D sections, and show how the roof Modelling Lighting
form related to the rest of the project.” By importing Revit data to Ecotect Analysis,
the BIM model helped with determining
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The BIM model is also a boon for information
on around fifty escalators, lifts and staircases
between floors; designers can quickly see
where these start and finish, coordinate with
structural arrangements and then extract this
information into a vertical transportation
schedule.
Phasing the project with BIM
The building information model also helps
with showing how the expansion will
proceed in phases. The HOK team has
produced each building component in the
building information model with a ‘time’
of construction. When the designer wants
to present the design for any phase of the
project, only those building components
belonging to that phase appear. Drawings
can be prepared for contractors, according to
different construction phases.
the position and number of skylights, as
well as the materials used for the building
facade. Ecotect allowed initial assessments
of lux levels at different times of day and
with varying sun positions, as well as ways
materials with certain qualities would affect
the quality of light.
Rooms, Lifts and Staircases
“We have very specific area requirements
for rooms and processing functions, such as
those for immigration and security,” says Mr
Thomas. “We could efficiently cross check
the configuration of the BIM design with the
requirements, and present this data to the
client.” When changes are needed, such as
moving an office to another location, Revit
recalculates design information, and the new
file can be exported to Excel for compliance
and reporting.
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Throughout the design process, the HOK team network to one which allows people to roam
found the client was very impressed with the and collaborate from remote locations using
3D models. Revit enabled HOK to quickly network clouds.”
update designs, whilst there were better
communications with the client than had Ir Andrew Mole likens the emergence of BIM
traditional 2D drawings been used. to the earlier switch from paper to computer-
aided design. “At first, it is not so efficient as
No Going Back to 2D Design people try to fit it into the old ways of working.
Though the BIM model proved a boon for the But as they use it and become familiar with
project, no member of the team can imagine its strengths, they start to see the efficiencies,
life without BIM. “Revit allows everyone to and there is better coordination.”
fully engage with the design process, allowing
valuable coordination and input to result in a
better designed product for the end user,” Mr
* All images in this article provided by HOK
Thomas adds. “Design is a very collaborative
exercise – relevant input at all stages is critical
and therefore I can see the future of this
software evolving from a centrally based office
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