For
a firm with an architectural staff numbering over 50, finding
the right mix of innovation, adherence to standards, and business
success is both a priority and a challenge.
ArchiCAD
helps The Orcutt/Winslow Partnership achieve that balance.
Users since
1990, the Phoenix, Arizona (USA) based Orcutt/Winslow has made
ArchiCADıs Virtual Building concept an integral part of their
business. Recognizing the key role that technology would play
in their long-term success, Orcutt/Winslow formed in-house committees
to monitor computer system development, database development,
CAD standards and, most recently, Virtual Building system development.
Among
the important resources that have come out of the Virtual Building
committee is the Virtual Building Manual. This 66-page document
established a company-wide standard of approaching the design,
documentation and presentation of projects. All of Orcutt/Winslowıs
projects start from one of several standard model files, with
layers and layer groups preset, and are modeled in such a way
that the construction documents are simply a byproduct of the
computer generated Virtual Building.
The hope
was that by putting these standards in place there would be
more time for design. "Knowing that the detail entered into
design documents will not have to be redone allows us to spend
more time on details like reception desks and general building
massing and character development," explained principal and
cofounder Paul Winslow, FAIA.
When Orcutt/Winslow
began to fully embrace the Virtual Building method of working,
they had to rethink their billing process. "The time spent on
project is greater upfront, but the documents phase time and
effort has been significantly reduced," Winslow said. ArchiCADıs
single, integrated database allows them to start the input of
specific materials and systems at a much earlier point in the
design phase. With this method, they can show these details
at any point, and comfortably make modifications because any
changes made will be updated in all views. "Our schematic designs
show a much more complete three-dimensional presentation to
the client and allow us to evaluate the design in 3D more thoroughly
at early stages."
"Office
morale and profitability are both on the rise and we are currently
in the process of shifting our project phasing percentages to
take into account the Virtual Building methodology," added project
manager Russ Sanders. "More time is expended up front establishing
the links from the primitive model to the layout sheets. Once
this is done, the rest of the project can be developed within
the model. By the time we have completed the design development
phase, we are actually about 60 percent complete with construction
documents."
"By
the time we have completed the design development phase, we
are actually about 60% complete with construction documents."
With yearly
billings close to $11,000,000, Orcutt/Winslowıs projects include
medical, educational and public buildings, research facilities
and commercial office space. Recently they accepted a project
that, for political reasons, they had to complete for a low
fee. In order to keep the costs to the bare minimum, they decided
to hand the job over to one person who was well-versed in the
Virtual Building process. "It was the only way we could come
close to breaking even," Winslow explained. "The project was
finished by that one person in about three-quarters of the time
and under our fee budget."
They also
took advantage of the Virtual Building process for the first
time on a remodeling project: an addition for a local high school.
The result was a complete 3D model of both the existing building
and the proposed solutions. "The model file contained floor
plans (demolition and new), reflected ceiling plan, roof plan,
building elevations, interior elevations, custom details, axonometric
details, window and door elevations, and legends," Sanders said.
"The
schematic design and design development presentations were done
entirely in 3D. Because of the Virtual Building approach, we
had better document coordination, and the client was not surprised
with the final product. This project lead to the creation of
a remodel/additions template file for office-wide use."
The Orcutt/Winslow
Partnership upgraded immediately to ArchiCAD 6.5 upon its release
in the United States. The latest version has been installed
on all workstations, and they are now praising the new tools
and enhanced functionality.
"ArchiCAD
6.5 has made it easier than ever to edit in the 3D window, while
at the same time strengthening the reliability of the hotlinked
construction documents," Sanders said. "At Orcutt/Winslow, we
would much rather model it once than draw it with lines and
arcs five times. With 6.5ıs enhanced 3D modeling and editing
features, weıre spending more time than ever in the 3D window,
and less time worrying about 2D output."
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