Member Article

North Wales firms adopt latest BIM technology and processes to streamline Holyhead schools project

Partners involved in the construction of a new primary school in Holyhead are taking an innovative approach to planning the project, ultimately reducing waste and inefficiency.

Civil and structural engineering consultant Caulmert is working with contractor Wynne Construction to design and build the new £9m Holyhead Primary School.

The project includes a new two-storey development and the refurbishment of the existing listed Cybi building.

The school is one of the first in North Wales to adopt Building Information Modeling (BIM) to the full level 2 standard, which allows designers and constructors to work collaboratively to streamline and accurately model a construction project before work starts on site.

The government requires all publically funded construction projects to be undertaken using level 2 criteria by 2016, in an effort to reduce waste and inefficiencies.

The BIM concept has been around since the 1970s, but it wasn’t until the recommendations of the UK Governments Construction Task Force in 2011 that it started to become a mainstream part of construction sector projects.

Caulmert director Allan Smith said: “As a business, we took the decision a few years ago to embrace BIM and develop our in-house design processes to achieve the level 2 standards.

“These techniques have now become second nature within Caulmert, allowing us to achieve more efficiencies to assist clients in achieving their aspirations.

“Our significant up-front investment into the software, hardware and staff training allows us to work with Wynne Construction and the other design team members, to comply with the Welsh Government’s policy of requiring all publically funded projects to be BIM level 2 standard by 2016.”

Chris Wynne, Managing Director of Wynne Construction, said: “I am delighted we are working with our partner Caulmert to deliver a full BIM level 2 school for Anglesey County Council through a shared common data environment.

“Using the BIM technology platform has enabled the team to work more efficiently, improving project delivery.

“The BIM process will ensure a fully co-ordinated solution is delivered, providing a cost-effective solution for the client. Wynne Construction has fully embraced this process and through this new facility will deliver the first full BIM Level 2 schools project in North Wales.”

Gareth Thomas, architectural services manager for Anglesey County Council, said: “The New Holyhead Primary School Project will be the first BIM project for the Authority and has been a new learning experience to deliver an excellent collaborative working opportunity and project delivery solution on the first of many 21st Century Schools Projects.”

Holyhead primary school is one of a number of educational projects Caulmert is working on in North Wales. Caulmert is also applying its broad base of expertise in engineering, environmental and planning services to a range of renewables, infrastructure and commercial developments.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sam Harris .