Virtual Design and Construction

Digitally building and coordinating your construction project

What is VDC?

Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) is defined as “the management of integrated multi-disciplinary performance models of design-construction projects, work processes, and organization of the design-construction-operations team in order to support explicit public business objectives,” (Fisher/Kunz, 2004).

In other words – we design, coordinate, manage and implement a project’s MEPS construction plan that minimizes collisions, errors, and misinformation, while monitoring progress throughout the installation process.

What is VDC+BIM?

  •  Virtual Design and Construction (VDC)
    • VDC is the process of managing integrated multidisciplinary models, using BIM and 2D/3D CAD.
  •  Building Information Modeling (BIM)
    • BIM is the creation of a digital representation of a project that includes data-rich objects in both appearance and function.

Our team is widely recognized as one of the premier VDC groups in northeast Ohio. Our VDC+BIM processes have led to significant savings in time, money and effort spent in projects we participate in.

We have decades of experience in the managing and creation of mechanical BIM models, as well as plumbing, electrical, and other project trades using our state-of-the-art design and cloud-based collaboration software.

3D Modeling and Coordination

Beyond the obvious benefits of greater visibility of a 3D model of a construction project, pre-construction coordination leads to:

  • One system that can take a project from design, to fabrication, to installation
  • Improved accuracy to reduce field coordination problems
  • Better decision-making
  •  Avoidance of in-field trade interference
  • Identification of non-constructable items/systems
  • The understanding of timelines for installation and scheduling between all trades
  • Massive cost-savings

We strive to build teamwork in our MEPS trade partners during the coordination process to help ensure success for all involved. We all
have the same endgame in mind; a successful project!

3D Model 3D Model

Clash Detection and Resolution

Using automated clash detection software, our VDC team can identify conflicts virtually, before expensive rework needs to be done in the field to correct them. Our purpose and daily goal is to create the most efficient and clash-free plan for MEPS install in our projects.

Itemized and reportable collisions between MEPS trades, as well as architectural and structural components, are tracked throughout our coordination process. Regular meetings between the design team help resolve issues before construction begins, preventing frustrating and expensive conflicts in the field.

From Design to Shop to Field

We take information provided by project engineers and create a fullycoordinated, exact-to-manufacturer model using precise equipment, air terminals, duct and pipework in our design software. The parts we model are exactly what we produce into the field.

Information is automatically extracted from our VDC+BIM process and put into our in-house duct fabrication shop. Sizing, seams, metal type, and identification of our pieces translate from our cloud-based model to our shop, which is then accessed by our experienced field team for installation.

Virtual Reality

We use the most cutting-edge technology and processes to translate information from virtual design to physical construction. Continued improvements made to Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR) will drastically impact the construction industry, which we have already integrated into our workflow.

Our team also stays up-to-date with progress made in machine learning and A.I. and its impact to design, information distribution and construction.

Our Toolbox

We have a wide range of knowledge in computing, hardware and software. Our current design portfolio includes:

  • Revit
  • AutoCAD MEP
  • Navisworks
  • Fabrication CAMduct
  • Autodesk Construction Cloud + BIM 360
  • Unreal Engine – Twinmotion

We also utilize and offer the service of providing 3D scans of existing/as-built conditions for our projects. This can provide valuable insight while working through our VDC+BIM process, as well as helpful analysis to General Contractors and Design Teams of existing conditions during pre-construction design.