________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
A collaborative mindset
The Paterson project had collaboration at its core . It needed to design a new building , following a devastating fire that destroyed the original . Fundamentally , it also needed to meet the current and future needs of the three separate client organisations : the Christie NHS Foundation Trust , the University of Manchester , and Cancer Research UK . Each of these organisations is a leader in its respective field but sought to come together under one umbrella with the aim to establish a cutting-edge facility that would drive world-class advancements in cancer research .
To realise this aspiration , a unified mindset had to extend to the project ’ s design team . Arup and BDP Architecture worked together from the outset , initially leading extensive stakeholder workshops , and then continuing to collaborate throughout the detailed design stages , construction , and handover .
The use of digital innovation and BIM further enhanced excellence of delivery by improving design and programme certainty . Arup , BDP and the wider project team had experienced , and suitably qualified , digital and BIM experts on-hand to rapidly develop the concept through virtual design . Importantly , these respective BIM leads organised regular workshops , which alternated with the usual design team meetings , to further embed the values of digital collaboration into the project .
BIM technology and native model authoring tools , such as Revit and supporting cloud collaboration tools , were used to visualise the many detailed interfaces throughout the building . This enabled rapid decision making and implementation , given the presence of designers alongside modellers who could make suitably considered changes on the fly . As a result , only the more challenging coordination items were carried over on the agenda for the wider design team meetings later each week , or quickly followed up post- BIM-meeting with sketches , figures , and interim model releases to enable continued efficient model development .
Through RIBA Work Stages 1 and 2 , the ( planned ) early integration of the Arup structural analysis model into the corresponding documentation ( Revit ) model ensured the designs were aligned from the outset . In parallel , BDP and Arup MEP were developing their respective models , which , when federated together , ensured that the highly constrained and technically packed site was also fully coordinated from the outset . This joined-up approach led to both time and cost savings by minimising design changes and abortive construction works .
Adapting and overcoming hurdles
The Paterson ’ s development took place during the global Covid-19 pandemic , posing a significant risk to its progress . However , the team ’ s strongly established project culture and adaptable mindset ensured weekly BIM and design team meetings were not interrupted , with the use of Teams and other virtual engagement tools rapidly embedded into ways of working .
In fact , the use of virtual meetings arguably accelerated the pace of collaboration , permanently changing the way Arup works with all stakeholders . It provides the design team with a greater ability to host short coordination calls , while screen sharing resolves issues with relative immediacy . This is in stark contrast to how the industry used to operate , a mere five years or so ago .
The enormous potential in BIM
The Paterson acts as a testament to what BIM projects can achieve when backed by teams that work together in a flexible manner . Thirteen years ago , the 2011 Government Construction Strategy was
16