ZBlog by Ziggurat Systems

Scan existing conditions for a retrofit project at Mattel Toy Company

Written by Ziggurat Systems

675 Ave of the Americas in NYC is a beautiful Beaux Arts building designed in the early 1900s by architects DeLemos & Cordes who were commissioned by Samuel Adams. The six-story structure covers seven acres of floor space. In the late 1990s Mattel Toy Company took over the top three floors, giving the Adams & Co. building the new name “The Mattel Building”.

The project was a major retrofit of Mattel’s NYC HQ offices. It consists of approximately 40,000 sq ft. of open space on the 2^nd floor.

Ziggurat was retained by the GC to scan existing conditions and coordinate the 3D BIM shop drawings phase. The architects required an existing conditions scan to be delivered in Revit format and be used during the construction phase coordination process, and later be part of the “as built” model submitted to Mattel’s facility management.

Once demolition phase was completed, we moved in and within couple of days we scanned the space and delivered a cloud point scan and Revit model to the architect and the sub-contractors to begin their shop drawings modeling. The architects and the drafting team found the accuracy of the Revit model of existing conditions very useful during their coordination process, which enabled them to avoid design clashes with unforeseen existing conditions.

Ziggurat converts 2D construction documents to 3D BIM and coordinate a new sports arena

Written by Ziggurat Systems

Ziggurat was retained to utilize its AutoCAD plaug-in to convert 2D CAD construction documents into 3D BIM and perform clash detection and coordination using Navisworks. The designing team for the new 3,000 seats, 120,000 sq. ft. sports arena continued using 2D CAD design applications, but were able to take their plans through thourough 3D clash detection analysis to verify that all spectators enjoy a clear and unobstructed views of events taking place in the new arena.

Ziggurat performing review of Columbia university medical center educational facility 3D model before proceeding to bidding and construction.

Written by Ziggurat Systems

The building, designed by diller scofidio + renfro and JB&B is due to open in New York during 2016. Sciame Construction retained Ziggurat to perform model review on the design documents prior to releasing documents to bid and moving to construction phase.

Located on existing Columbia property between West 171st and West 172nd Streets, the 100,000SF Medical and Graduate Education Building will be used by students from all four CUMC schools (P&S, Nursing, Dental Medicine and the Mailman School of Public Health), and the biomedical departments of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. The “Study Cascade” is the principle design strategy of the building. The Study Cascade creates a single interconnected space the height of the building, stretching from the ground floor lobby to the top, and conducive to collaborative, team-based learning and teaching. The “Study Cascade” interiors are complemented by a distributed network of south-facing outdoor “rooms” and terraces that are clad with cement panels and wood. The “Study Cascade” is also an urban gesture that, with its transparent façade, aims to become a visual landmark at the northern limit of Columbia University’s medical campus.

Ziggurat retained again to provide BIM coordination services to the 2nd and 3rd phases of DASNY's Bronx Mental Health Redevelopment project

Written by Ziggurat Systems

Ziggurat was retained again to provide BIM consulting services to the 2nd and 3rd phases of the Bronx Mental Health Redevelopment Project, the Children’s Center and the Central Utility Plant. Ziggurat supports the winning bidders and their sub contractors complying with the advanced BIM requirements that are part of the project. The project requires the GC and the trades to develop a BIM implementation and execution plans that are to be pre-approved by the Owner and Consultants, namely Jacobs Engineering and the Spector Group of New York. BIM is used to coordinate their shop drawings and develop the AEs models into a construction model later to be commissioned upon completion to the facility manager.

You can learn more about Ziggurat’s involvement with the project in an earlier blog post (April 20th) and on DASNY’s web site at http://www.bronxmhredevelopment.com/overview.asp.

3D BIM used for logistics planning around NYC High Line

Written by Ziggurat Systems

Hudson Yards is a proposed mixed-use real estate development that will be part of the Hudson Yards Redevelopment Project in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. The development is expected to consist of 16 skyscrapers and is planned to contain over 12,700,000 square feet (1,180,000 m²) of new office, residential, and retail space.

At the southwest corner of West 30th Street and Tenth Avenue, the Related Companies is beginning work on a new 33-story residential tower (rendered below). The contractor was looking to utilize their own hammer head crane at the site, which posed a significant logistical challenge, being that it swung over heavily trafficked areas including the High Line. The Ziggurat team converted the 2D CAD logistics plan into a 3D live model, that included animation of the crane's operation. The model was presented to the NYC DOB's Cranes and Derricks Unit which oversees the design, installation and safe operation of equipment used for hoisting or lifting purposes. The 3D model presentation was a major contribution to the eventual approval to use of this crane, saving the contractor and developers hunderds of thousands of dollars. 

Another high-end retrofit project takes advantage of 3D coordination

Written by Ziggurat Systems

Dubbed as the "next 15 Central Park West" also developed by Arthur and William Lie Zeckendorf; 18 Gramercy Park also share the same architect, Robert A.M. Stern. A two-bedroom maisonette will start at $9.25 million, the average price is $17.5 million, and the priciest unit will be a five-bedroom duplex penthouse with two outdoor pools and a $42 million asking price. 

The developers and Stern have been working to modify building layouts, formerly a Salvation Army residence. Although the project was designed using traditional 2D CAD methods, the developers decided to implement again advanced 3D BIM process to increase design and construction efficiency.

Many retrofit projects face similar challenges; how to integrate existing conditions with new modern design, while maintaining the integrity and demands of the modern design such as maximizing ceiling heights, dense MEP systems etc. 

Ziggurat was hired by the developers to assist in cellar MEP coordination. Ziggurat converted the 2D MEP Structural, Architectural and existing conditions survey into a 3D BIM model. Once the 3D model was analyzed for design clashes ("hits")  between HVAC systems, existing beams, stairs,  head height requirements, slab penetration and ceiling heights,  multiple deviations were discovered and were resolved during design stage accelerating the coordination process and enable the project to transition to construction phase with fully coordinated set of plans.

Safety engineers use Ziggurat to convert 2D safety plans to 3D models for fast approval by NYC DOB

Written by Ziggurat Systems

The New York City Department of Buildings recently unveiled a safety initiative that encourages contractors to submit 3D/BIM site safety plans. The initiative makes the City’s Building Department one of the first to accept and review safety plans in this manner. 

The Department’s new 3D Site Safety Plans program uses Building Information Modeling (BIM) software to create and electronically file site safety plans. The program enables the Department to virtually tour sites and see step-by-step how a building will be built and visualize its complexities and challenges. Under the program, site safety plans are digitally submitted, amended and reviewed, improving the compliance review process and accelerating the approval process like never before.

With Ziggurat plug-in for AutoCAD, any 2D CAD plan can be quickly and easily converted to 3D model to comply with NYC DOB requirements. The Benefits of 3D Site Safety Modeling include:

• Increased Site Safety: Safety risks can be identified early in the process before issues arise in the field
• Faster Approvals: Three-dimensional, real-time images enhance communication between field inspectors and office supervisors, helping them resolve issues immediately
• Better Service + Fewer Office Visits: Site safety plans submitted through this program will be reviewed, modified and approved – all through the online document management website

Autodesk® endorses our solution to convert 2D plans to 3D models for BIM coordination

Written by Ziggurat Systems

This endorsement to our solution from Autodesk has been around for some time and it is even more valid now that there are so many more projects that require 3D BIM coordination, but the lack of skills and expertise in the field prevails, and too few contractors can comply with the basic task of developing and coordinating the construction phase in 3D BIM. The folks at Autodesk provide a very good endorsement for our solution. Read more