Winter Construction used Building Information Modelling (BIM) before renovating the Atlanta Hyatt lobby to save the project time and money before it even started.

1. BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING
Shaping the Future of Construction

2. Building Information Modeling (BIM) is the process of generating and managing
building data during its life cycle.
It uses three-dimensional, real-time, dynamic building modeling software to
increase productivity in building design and construction.
BIM encompasses: building geometry, spatial relationships, geographic
information, and quantities and properties of building components.

3. A CASE STUDY:
HYATT REGENCY ATLANTA

4. The Project: Design a New Slab at the Lobby Bar.
The Workspace: Adding a new slab above a high-ceilinged meeting space
to complete the lobby bar would require changes to the building’s plumbing,
pipes, and mechanical equipment.
The Challenge:
To minimize
disruption to the
hotel, we did not
have the luxury of
tearing open the
building to assess
the structure, nor
did we have the
option of operating
during daytime
hours.

5. The Solution:
We went in to the hotel at night and exposed the structure
temporarily to a laser scanner. We were then able to use
BIM to produce a 3D model of the area with exact
dimensions and building components.

6. Using these 3D models to compare the existing to the
proposed new structure, we were able to determine two areas
of potential conflict.
1. The team discovered a potential conflict between the
existing steel beams and the design plan for the Mechanical,
Electrical, and Plumbing layout. The proposed beam would
have been 3 inches too long.

7. 2. The second conflict was between the existing and new structure and the
curtain wall layout. We discovered that the architect and the steel
subcontractor were using different backgrounds and start points for the
steel layout, which would have resulted in multiple conflicts with the new
and existing structural steel.

8. Furthermore, the Hyatt wanted the ceilings to be as high as possible. BIM
was used to detail the layout of the MEP and fire protection systems to
ensure everything would fit in the restricted ceiling space. Pipes needed to
be re-routed and ductwork needed to be split. Without BIM technology it
would have been nearly impossible to plan for the minute details of raising
and lowering materials in the structure.

9. Winter, the architect, and the subcontractors worked together
with 3D images to solve all conflicts BEFORE starting the
fabrication process – as opposed to finding the conflicts in
the field. The team saved the Hyatt from costly delays,
disruption, re-design, and re-ordering of materials.

10. The beauty of BIM was realized in the construction of
a new lobby bar, free from structural conflicts in its
mechanical, electrical or plumbing systems…

11. …and a lower level seating area free from conflict
between the curtain wall and steel structure.