2022 WINNERS
BEST APPLICATION OF TECHNOLOGY
WINNER: ARC – AUTOMATED CABLE ROUTING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM | BRYDEN WOOD WITH TRANSPORT FOR LONDON
Upgrading cabling in London Underground tunnels used to be time-consuming and labour-intensive. Bryden Wood’s data-driven design automation technology for underground signal upgrades makes cable routing faster, safer and smarter.
Results from ARC’s tests show that once the point cloud survey is complete, TfL can provide design outputs in less than two days.
The judges described the technology as “relevant and innovative” and praised its impact on finances, time, safety and quality.
BEST USE OF DATA ON A PROJECT
WINNER: APPLYING SMART DATA CONNECTION AT THE HCA CANCER CARE HOSPITAL | VINCI CONSTRUCTION
Vinci worked with US firm Openspace to introduce 360-degree data capture for recording site progress and deployed it on the HCA Cancer Care Hospital in Birmingham.
The process for updating the programme is a weekly site inspection. Vinci wanted to increase the efficiency of this process and improve planning activities using the structured data captured.
Thus its digital team developed a ‘Smart Data Connection’ that automates data entry from any structured data and connects this into a new ‘Digital Information Hub’.
The use of SDC on the hospital resulted in a 60% improvement in time taken for site inspections. Vinci also shaved three weeks off the programme.
“A great idea and use of AI to extract data from site to provide real practical benefits,” said the judges.
DELIVERING NET ZERO WITH DIGITAL INNOVATION
WINNER: CARBON REDUCTION PLANS: AN EXERCISE | LYNCH WITH SKANSKA COSTAIN STRABAG JV
The Skanska, Costain, Strabag joint venture on HS2 asked Lynch Plant Hire to reduce plant idling by 20% to improve the air quality for those surrounding the site.
Lynch developed an Eco Driver Training Programme that educated its operators on how they can impact fuel consumption and carbon emissions. Using telemetry data, Lynch tracked the results of the training month-by-month and provided personal feedback to the operators.
The idling percentage for the focus group at the start of the exercise was 41% (amber category). However, by the end of January, it had dropped to 24% – green idling – which represents a 46% drop in CO2 emissions.
The judges said this was a “great example of how data and technology can change mindsets and training operations to deliver real results”.
DIGITAL CONSTRUCTION PROJECT OF THE YEAR
WINNER: AUTOMATING DIGITAL HANDOVER | BUILD PROMPT AND HS2
The judges were impressed by the “comprehensive assessment of digital tools and their application as a holistic system for design, build and future operations: it’s a strong step forward for the sector”.
Digital tech underpinned the platform for design for manufacture and assembly approach on this office development in London for Landsec.
Sir Robert McAlpine and Mace collaborated with Bryden Wood to deploy:
Disperse 360 photo capture and automated progress-reporting
Qflow monitoring of waste and deliveries
iFire, a fire-stopping monitoring tool
robotic welding machines linked to BIM models to create temporary works kit
Converge concrete strength monitoring meant reduced strike times.
Overall, the digital innovations and manufacturing approach meant construction delivery required 20% fewer site operatives needed than for a traditional project.
DIGITAL EXCELLENCE IN A CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS
WINNER: SKANSKA GEOBIM: THE GEOSPATIAL DIGITAL TWIN FOR INFRASTRUCTURE | SKANSKA AND NATIONAL HIGHWAYS
In transport infrastructure, Skanska faces challenges to enable the digital twin, including interoperability and connecting data. While Geographic Information Science and BIM are two key data sources for this, they are not natively interoperable at a data, process or systems level.
So Skanska created GeoBim, a format- and software-agnostic, geospatial solution that integrates G.I.S and Bim.
It is deployed across road and rail mega-projects within Skanska Infrastructure and has reduced the time spent finding the single source of truth by 99%. It has also generated a cost saving of approximately £100,000 per year based on 12-plus file formats that it brings together.
The judges said this was excellent recognition of the reality that data needs to flow and not be constrained by system boundaries or type.
DIGITAL EXCELLENCE IN A CONSTRUCTION SME
WINNER: VISUAL 5D
Visual 5D developed a process that combines gaming technology and its own software, linking the start and completion dates from the schedule to an animated 3D model. This results in a “movie-style” animation that combines the best of both worlds: high-quality visual graphics with technical data that accurately reflects the construction schedule.
It had to undertake a training process to bridge the two worlds from which modellers typically come: construction, with no experience of gaming software; and the gaming industry, with no experience in construction.
In 2021/22, Visual 5D contributed to 13 winning construction bids worth a total £3.8bn.
The judges were impressed by the company’s focus on people and skills, and bringing together different skill sets.
DIGITAL PARTNERSHIP
WINNER: THE DIGITAL CUBE | DIGITAL CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGIES WITH COLLEN CONSTRUCTION
Recognising that in working together they were not extracting the maximum benefit from digital tools, Digital Construction Technologies and Collen Construction set about creating the Digital Cube, an onsite ‘Bim cave’.
The Cube enables both site and office teams to overcome the challenge of collaboration and work cohesively at the coal-face where they are most effective, with real-time digital information and coordination platforms.
On the data centre project on which the Cube was tested, a cumulative saving of 3,000 people hours was estimated over the 18-month construction period.
The judges thought the Cube was simple yet hugely effective, and an example of great client/contractor collaboration.
DIGITAL INNOVATION IN DESIGN
WINNER: MVIEW: VISUALISATION TO OPTIMISE WATER TREATMENT PROCESS DESIGN’ | MWH TREATMENT
The desalination process is complex compared with a conventional water treatment plant, and limited data on existing assets or operational records were available at the outset.
To address these challenges, MWH Treatment developed a digital strategy, centred around its mView software.
It brought together 3D photogrammetry, point cloud data, digital validation, 3D simulations of the water treatment process and 4D simulations of logistics and the build programme.
The judges liked the game-changing software that provides analysis to drive optimal design that also mitigates health and safety risks.
DIGITAL INNOVATION IN OFFSITE CONSTRUCTION
WINNER: THE FORGE | BRYDEN WOOD WITH LANDSEC, SIR ROBERT MCALPINE, MACE, NG BAILEY AND EASI SPACE
The Forge office in Southwark is Landsec’s demonstrator project for its platform design for manufacture and assembly strategy. Bryden Wood’s research demonstrated that DfMA could be used for 80% of the project.
The project brought together new and existing technologies, linked through a central ‘pine of data, to ensure offsite benefits were transferred onsite and evidence-based learnings were gathered to take on to future projects. Elements included platform design, algorithmic design, cassette design, digital delivery and automation.
Ultimately, Bryden Wood’s approach generated an increase in net lettable area, improved safety; and a 50% reduction in site operatives for superstructure and façade.
The judges noted that this project highlights how taking an innovation-led approach to data capturing can increase productivity and provide the best value for clients.
DIGITAL INNOVATION IN ON-SITE CONSTRUCTION
WINNER: THE ATOM ON MISSION-CRITICAL PROJECTS | XYZ REALITY
The Atom is an augmented reality headset. The AR capability means the wearer can see a visualisation of the as-built digital twin, 3D rendered, delivered with pinpoint accuracy.
Project teams use HoloSite software to upload data from industry standard software, where it is converted into a format that plugs into The Atom. This allows site teams and remote workers to check if works are executed as detailed in the BIM model.
The tool, when used by PM Group, pinpointed multiple positional discrepancies in network connections before any major works were undertaken, saving more than £250,000 and 3.5 weeks of predicted rework.
The judges described the Atom as “an impressive, multi-faceted innovation”.
DELIVERING INNOVATION IN HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELLBEING
WINNER: COVENTRY CITY COUNCIL RETAIL QUARTER PROJECT | PAPERLESS CONSTRUCTION WITH EUROVIA
Eurovia trialled Paperless Construction on the Coventry Retail Quarter project for 18 months. The technology allowed Eurovia to digitise its activities, remove paper from its processes and increase productivity.
This included digitising health, safety and environmental compliance.
Safety briefings are now recorded in a fraction of the time, with a full digital audit trail. Via the app, everyone on site has access to their training records, while site management can check all training records, competencies, fatigue hours, and medical information by scanning QR codes.
Eurovia has now rolled out Paperless to 120 of its projects.
The judges noted the “evidence of benefits and achievements and the opportunity for use on future projects”.
DIGITAL CONSTRUCTION CHAMPION OF THE YEAR
WINNER: EMMA HOOPER, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, HEAD OF R&D AT BOND BRYAN DIGITAL LTD
Now there is no shortlist for this category. Several very strong nominations were received by the organisers for the Digital Construction Awards Digital Champion of the year 2022.
This category recognises an individual who has played a key role championing digital transformation on a project, in an organisation, or an industry sector, during their career.
The winner of this year’s Digital Champion award has been championing the use of BIM and digital information for a number of years. She is especially passionate about IFC and has been on a mission to get everyone speaking the same data language.
She began a career that would see her move from CAD to pushing the boundaries of information management, to become one of the UK’s foremost experts on IFC – the standard for open BIM data exchange.
She is a member of the BSI B/555 committee for BIM standards, part of the BuildingSMART UK & Ireland committee and an ambassador for the UK BIM Alliance. She is also one of only 10 people in the world certified as being proficient in COBie.
She has used the experience gained to make construction projects more efficient by joining up the dots between people, process and technology to enable true collaboration with an emphasis on open linked data.
When reviewing the nominees for this category one name was at the top of everyone’s list. She exudes enthusiasm for the industry and the people working within it. She is at the forefront of the digital revolution, delivering ‘Better Information Management’ for her clients whilst simultaneously researching and developing strategies that will benefit the whole industry.