BIM Project Approaches Panel Discussion at GeoWeek 2022 | BIM Designs

By Luke Lightning

September 14, 2022

In this week's mini-episode of the Future Construct Podcast (90 min interview), we are excited to feature Mark Oden (@MarkTOden), CEO of BIM Designs, Inc. (@BIMdesignsInc) as the host of the BIM Project Approaches Panel, along with Dustin Williams - CEO of Flywheel AEC (@FlywheelAEC), Tim Riefenberg - Senior Process Manager at Balfour Beatty (@balfourbeatty), and Kurt Johnston - CAD Applications Lead at Kiewit (@kiewit), as they talked during GeoWeek 2022 about how to best apply BIM to projects without adding more time or complexity to that project, what their approaches are to integrating BIM into their processes, and how BIM has improved their AEC workflows.

Click to listen to our interview on Apple, Spotify, or Google, or watch on our Facebook or YouTube channels.

Highlights of the BIM Project Approaches Panel at GeoWeek 2022 include:
- Explanations on BIM Designs, Inc., Flywheel AEC, Balfour Beatty, and Kiewit are involved in the AEC industry, and role each panelist plays in their respective companies.
- How we can ensure we're getting every single stakeholder along the process to buy in to the integration of BIM?
- The methodology behind keeping communication flowing with the owner and general contractor, but also with the field
- Dealing with general contractors and primes that don't have BIM in-house, and how to get them up to speed and everyone on the same page

Dustin founded FlywheelAEC, a technology solutions provider for architectural, engineering, and construction projects. He is also the CEO and co-founder of Remote Optix (@RemoteOptix). He is a creative and innovative leader who specializes in BIM for infrastructure as well as reality capture utilizing drones and laser scanning. He has over a decade of engineering, surveying, and BIM experience in California, Colorado, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Dustin’s expertise includes working from conceptual planning through design, construction, and operations on a broad range of commercial, residential, institutional, and mixed-use projects.

Tim started off as an architect, designing and building custom plantation homes in Bluffton, SC. He shifted focus to his technical skills to get a job. His expertise brought him back to Chicago as a consultant, specializing in advanced modeling and laser scanning several large GSA projects in Chicago. When the economy recovered, he was brought into NELSON Chicago (@NELSONworldwide) as a design architect. This role led him to begin teaching Revit firm-wide. Later on, he would be responsible for converting Balfour Beatty's MEP department to REVIT MEP.

Kurt has been with Kiewit for 9+ years, with his role being centered around system design & support for MicroStation, AutoCAD, NavisWorks and everything in between. Prior to Kiewit, he was previously a BIM Manager  for Virtual Building Logistics, and a Design Associate for Olsson Associates, a nationally recognized, employee-owned engineering and design firm founded with the mindset of improving communities by making them more sustainable, better connected, and more efficient.

Click to listen to our interview on Apple, Spotify, or Google, or watch on our Facebook or YouTube channels.

 SHOW NOTES

10:23  - Dustin Williams introduces Flywheel AEC, explaining the company's background and the role they play in the AEC industry.

22:33  - Tim Riefenberg introduces Balfour Beatty, detailing their history, projects, and service offerings.

34:52  - Kurt Johnston introduces Kiewit, detailing their background, experience, and service offerings.

55:36  - Panel Question: The BIM process can be so simplified, but how can we make sure we're getting every single stakeholder along the process to buy in to the integration of BIM?

1:02:32  - Panel Question: How do we not only communicate with the owner and general contractor, but also with the field?

1:13:47  - Panel Question: Have you dealt with any general contractors and primes that don't have BIM in-house, and how do you help them get up to speed and everyone on the same page? 

About BIM Designs, Inc.

BIM Designs, Inc. is an agile BIM design, modeling, consulting, and coordination service provider for architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) contractors and developers that desire experienced journeymen detailers and engineers for Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Fire Protection (MEPF) modeling, Laser Scanning, and Virtual Design Construction (VDC) projects.

If you need 3D BIM modeling, design, and MEP detailing services, BIM Designs, Inc. (BDI) has the expert tradesmen who know how to precisely design and model your systems. Contact us today for a free estimate or to discuss your project needs.