All players in the industry must be ready for change

SBB is currently testing Building Information Modeling (BIM) in around twenty pilot projects. Andreas Brunner, board member of SBB Infrastructure, is convinced: The way of thinking and working methods must change before BIM can be used successfully.

What exactly is Building Information Modeling?
Literally translated, BIM means modeling construction information, which is a fairly precise definition. In addition to the digital planning and execution of projects, BIM also enables the data required for the work to be determined and reused. It's about working with three-dimensional models that are nothing more than visually represented databases. It sounds more complicated than it is, but in fact it's just a new way of working. If we used to have two-dimensional plans, now we have
mo three-dimensional digital building models. It is important that everyone involved has access to the same data or is referred to in another way as the Single Source of Truth (Ed.). This ensures that the data stored in the databases is always up-to-date, correct and relevant for further processing. And that is exactly the biggest advantage.

Why did SBB choose BIM for construction projects?
In BIM we see an important potential for data processing and the entire value creation process. SBB expects a significant decline in investments in the planning, construction and management of real estate. This also applies to all of the railway infrastructure it owns.

We can also make an important contribution to reducing CO2 emissions as we can use the data we collect to simulate how the company will develop in the next 20, 25 years and beyond. Since projects can be compared, they can be learned and transparency can be created over the entire life cycle.

How is BIM used in the construction of the Letzitur tower?
The Letziturm was one of the first SBB Immobilien buildings to be constructed using BIM-based working methods and practices. It is also a training project related to the management phase. Planning and executing a project of this magnitude will be completed in ten years, but managing the building will take at least four times longer. For example, we will use the experience of the last tower to try out materials. We are working on obtaining planning approvals through the collaboration platforms. We have learned a lot and can use it to optimize planning and implementation. From our point of view, this is an important first step.

"One can no longer bear it alone as an owner."

What conclusions can you draw from using BIM today?
We recognized the potential of BIM for SBB very early on and actively promoted its development through the BIM @ FFS program set up for this purpose. We have made important progress since then. This program is based on four interlinked pillars: development, experimentation, approval and concrete involvement of the sector. We share all of our knowledge and experience at events with our partners, collect comments and observations, which we then integrate into the development process. We involve our community in this way. You can no longer build on your own, you need close cooperation between the parties. This is also reflected in the skills of the employees. On the part of the employees, we have clearly identified a great desire for mutual learning. The result is inspiring and instructive for everyone.

What are the advantages?
It goes without saying that data-powered designing and building is changing the way we work with our partners and how we develop projects with them that are now completed faster and more securely. Of course, only if everyone involved is willing to take over the system. An additional benefit, as mentioned earlier, is "A Source of Truth". Company data is stored in a structured way, is always up-to-date and can be found quickly. This means that the annoying and constant searching for and checking of data is largely eliminated. Compared to the past, communication is also more targeted and performance-oriented. Project groups can find solutions faster, visualize open problems and problems directly in the three-dimensional model and work out variants and alternatives more easily. This helps to understand each other.

Are there any disadvantages?
BIM is often only associated with the technological aspect. Of course, it would be nice to fly over the construction site with glasses that show us augmented reality. However, if the underlying data is incorrect, then the most advanced technology is useless. The data has to be correct, so we need a new way of working precisely. There are only two types of data: right or wrong. Today not everyone is ready to use new technologies and methods. However, all operators in the industry must be willing to change and do their part to make things work.

What could be the reason why BIM has not yet established itself in Switzerland?
Many associate BIM with the use of the latest software or the latest database technology. This is often necessary, but it is not enough on its own. In order to be able to use BIM successfully, we have to change the way we think and work. In the BIM environment, we often talk about collaborative project teams developing solutions together. This process takes time, but the trend gives me hope for the best. We also have to do our part as public sector clients in order to drive this development forward and to promote the use of BIM in the awarding of contracts, as we did for the Letziturm project, for example.
What are SBB's goals when using BIM?
We currently have around twenty pilot projects for which we provide background information. We also experiment with a variety of methods, technologies, and techniques. The knowledge gained from these projects flows into the development process. Thanks to regulations and standards, we can also take international basic elements into account. This way we are sure to keep up with the times. This knowledge is specifically given back to the industry. For confederate companies, the use of BIM will be mandatory for the construction of buildings in accordance with the federal digital strategy from 2021 and for infrastructure from 2025, as a lot still needs to be worked out in this area. This is our stated goal.

SBB and the BIM Letziturm project
Thanks to the renovation of the existing commercial and industrial areas, a new urban area is being created along the tracks between the Zurich-Altstetten and Hardbrücke stations. The Letziturm, a six-storey building east of the warehouse that has been declared a historical monument, defines a first urban horizon, which together with the two residential towers adapted to the height of Letzibach D forms a core of three tall buildings.

Construction began that year. The 178 residential units, consisting of apartments with 1.5 to 7.5 rooms, should be ready from autumn 2022. On the ground floor there are two main entrances and two commercial rooms, each of which offers a view of the future. Square and in the SBB workshops. In between are the ground floors of four larger, two-story residential units, which offer a combination of work and living spaces and, if desired, can be directly connected to the public space.

Both the smaller and the larger residential units are housed in the base building. Apartments with 2.5 to 4.5 rooms are planned above the 7th floor, where there is a common room. ■

Testo: Linda von Euw / Intervistato: Andreas Brunner, Ing. Dipl ETH, Membro di Direzione di FFS Infrastrutture, Berna.