'Designing in BIM, collaborating during execution'

A stepped residential block like Kensington presents technical designers with challenges. A completely vertical down pipe system, for example, is not feasible in the apartment complex. "Anyway, you can no longer do without 3D BIM," says Bertus de Zwaan of Breman Installation Group. "A building should actually be built virtually before construction starts, and good cooperation on site is essential."

The technical design for Kensington is completely "bimmed. Says De Zwaan, "In this case, installation consultant Hiensch worked out the TO in general lines, with basic piping zones. We provided detailed solutions for that." Breman Harderwijk lays the piping from the main sewer and water mains and completes the plumbing in all 233 apartments. "We also provide the floor heating including installation. We additionally deal with Rodenburg for the WKO. The ventilation and air treatment systems are from STEBOMA. As a rule, discussions are already completed in the BIM phase. This is necessary, otherwise you can get into a jam. And there is always a common interest: to deliver the building on time. Understanding each other's points of view is essential. There are parties here who get along well with each other in terms of approach. For example, we also built Holland Park in Diemen with main contractor De Vries en Verburg."

Stepped down down pipes

Residential buildings like Kensington are fairly rigid in structure. "Because it's already in BIM, you can move forward," De Zwaan continues. Almost all of the piping is prefabricated, so it arrives on site in its final state as much as possible. "For example, here we are dealing with stepped piping. For example, the sewer vent ducts run horizontally. In addition, terrace construction with stepped facades and roof terraces offers little room for external installation solutions, and the architect wants to see as little of it as possible in the exterior. It is also true that buyer requirements often come only at the end of the process. I can't stress enough that these days you have to have the building virtually built before construction starts. And that in the execution you always have to put good cooperation into practice, based on mutual understanding. If all that works, installation is a beautiful profession."