3D animation to demonstrate the BIM process to staff using the construction of Sainsbury's 107,000 sq ft store at Thanet, Kent
In the Autumn of 2014 Sainsbury’s used the construction of its 107,000 sq ft store at Thanet, Kent to trial intelligent Building Information Modelling (BIM) in the construction process. The trial was to be used as a blueprint for rolling out BIM across the grocery retailer in future construction projects.
BIM is a development in both process and technology that enables all members of the construction design team, architects, structural and service engineers, to work in a collaborative 3D environment.
All members of the design team work collaboratively on a central 3D model of the project. This provides a clear visual representation that all elements fit together perfectly with clash reports highlighting any issues. These can then be corrected before the construction starts saving time, money and reduces wastage on site.
To help staff and other stakeholders develop an understanding of Building Information Modelling, the Sainsbury’s store development team approached CADS to create a video demonstrating the BIM process.
Using the available BIM models, CADS’ 3D visualisation team created an animation showing the Sainsbury’s building rising from the ground, starting with the structural shell. Once the building is complete including the Sainsbury’s branding, the viewer is taken inside the store, up the travelator and into the empty store. The space is then quickly filled with the mechanical and electrical features followed by the retail fixtures and fittings.
The animation then demonstrates the range of information that can be added to the model from other data sources such as the macro-space detail from CADS’ StoreSpace®, micro-space information and additional specifications for equipment via ICON/Sainsbury’s specification management system.
Finally, the animation completes the picture by filling the aisles and shelves with products, while taking the viewer on a walk through the store, creating a real sense of the completed store’s look and feel.
Having worked with CADS 3D team on a number of visualisation projects, I knew they would be able to bring to life this complicated message in a vibrant and engaging way in a 3D walkthrough animation. They clearly understood the brief and delivered a fantastic animation on time and on budget. What more could I have asked for?
Sainsbury’s Michael Barber commented:
The completed video of this high profile BIM pilot project was shown to over 600 senior managers within Sainsbury’s. The 3D animation created a great impression, providing our managers with a valuable insight into the Building Information Modelling process. It also clearly demonstrated how a 3D model created for the design and construction of a new store could be used to link together existing currently unconnected data sources across the business.
Having worked with CADS 3D team on a number of visualisation projects, I knew they would be able to bring to life this complicated message in a vibrant and engaging way in a 3D walkthrough animation. They clearly understood the brief and delivered a fantastic animation on time and on budget. What more could I have asked for?
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