Renzo Piano Building Workshop

Giuseppe Semprini

Curiosity, Collaboration and the Challenge of Change

One of the most important experiences that helped to shape my approach in implementing BIM in complex architectural projects is the curiosity in always looking at new workflows, new tools, new possibilities that technology could provide. In particular, one incredible approach has been on a series of hospitals that we designed in Greece, where BIM has been used to satisfy client’s requirement from day 0: room data sheets, cost and project quality in all the disciplines. The project right now is under construction.

Translating that curiosity into real project outcomes depends on how well teams collaborate. We ensure this through standard workflows, procedures, common data environment and data-driven decision. Using workshared models and collaborative tools where it’s easy to track changes, versioning and issues is the key for the project success.

"Using workshared models and collaborative tools where it’s easy to track changes, versioning and issues is the key to project success."

Yet building that collaborative foundation is rarely straightforward. One of the biggest challenges is to inject new approaches, new tools, new vision to static environment that could be consultant, client and even internal team. The power of the communication and scalability/adaptability of tools is the key to let this happen.

Data as the New Asset in Architectural Practice

BIM is the key once the project is mature enough, as soon as the idea is ready to be documented, shared and realized. As soon as this happens, BIM is essential to manage large dataset, visualize and anticipate as much as possible of the building in order to reduce overworking, to miss crucial information and project coordination. It’s also necessary for a construction site, giving continuity from the design phase to the construction site.

Beyond the current project lifecycle, BIM has plenty of potential: data could be the new gold also within the AEC industry. AI could automate tasks, could predict errors and mistakes and anticipate decisions.

What is important, at least on my side, is always to keep in mind that a project must be built, otherwise all those empowerment remains digital, effimery. So the possibilities are endless, but must be always connect to the reality.