Often perceived as a constraint, BIM models are powerful allies for large-scale projects. Here’s a look at a real-world application.
The former Centre de Communication Nord (CCN) building was demolished between 2023 and late 2024. This site will soon host an entirely new development consisting of four buildings covering a total area of 160,000 m², accommodating residential spaces, offices, and various facilities such as shops and services. This ambitious project will significantly transform this major urban hub and redefine its outdoor spaces by creating various living areas.
One of the key challenges is to construct the new buildings on existing underground structures, through which metro lines run, while minimizing disturbances during both the construction phase and the future operational phase.
Bureau greisch has been involved in the project since the design phase, particularly through its expertise in structural stability. One of the key deliverables of this project is the quantification of the structural elements of the buildings. This task, often time-consuming, was particularly complex given the scale of the project.
To simplify this process, the BIM team at bureau greisch developed a Revit extension via its API (Application Programming Interface) for modelers, as well as a standalone application for engineers, relying on a database that hosts the BIM models. These tools allow for automated quantity estimation, linked to the various sections of the specifications. The data is verified through a set of rigorous validation rules. Across the nine BIM models of the CCN project, over 400,000 data validations were performed for 31,500 objects, distributed across 228 specification items.
BIM objects, identified by a unique number, can be easily located in both native models and project deliverables, such as plans, quantity takeoffs, and IFC files. The control and updating of metadata ensure quality and consistency throughout the process, benefiting all stakeholders: the project owner, the contractor, and bureau greisch, with an internal final review.
Moreover, our BIM development team ensures uniformity across all our professional software tools, thereby facilitating interoperability within our firm and with our partners. This global process, which will be applied to all upcoming projects, guarantees quality and reliability in quantity estimations while offering significant time savings.
- Project Owner: CCN Développement (AG Real Estate, ATENOR)
- Architect: Architectesassoc and DDS+
- Structural Engineering Firm: bureau greisch