Jack Kurtz/The Arizona Republic - Ondrei Poliak of Hunt Construction holds a building-information modeling field tracker. The tablet shows a 3-D model of the building that streamlines construction and facility management. Phoenix's CityScape is the first in North America to use this technology
An innovative software program is helping the developers of downtown Phoenix's CityScape know the building inside and out - without having to peer into every nook and cranny of the sprawling project.
The software allows programmers to create 3-D models of a building before construction and incorporates all construction information and documentation. The program not only assists in spotting construction issues but ultimately is expected to mean smoother building management and maintenance, according to CityScape project managers.
CityScape is the first project in North America to use the building-information modeling software.
Hunt Construction Group, based in Scottsdale, teamed with Artra Inc., the software's creator. Artra Inc. is a part of AEC Design Group based in Gathersburg, Md.
The software enables Hunt to virtually navigate through the buildings and find potential mistakes in the construction beforehand.
"It's like being in a video game. You can navigate through it like a flight simulator," said Ondrei Poliak, national director of building-information modeling technologies for Hunt.
The Artra software interfaces with a platform known as NavisWorks, which also provides a virtual model. What makes Artra unique is the depth of the software. After all the mechanical, electrical, plumbing and construction information is used to create the model, all the associated documentation is attached, along with a construction schedule.
While searching through the construction model, a user can select a part and find its serial number, manufacturer and warranty information. Having all the information in place enables the process of construction, and facility management after completion, to be streamlined onto one disc, eliminating the need for stacks of drawings and documentation.
"We have developed CityScape with a focus on being the highest quality in the marketplace today. While we did not require Artra, its use is consistent with the standards we have set for the project," said Jeff Moloznik, the project manager for CityScape and RED Development LLC.
Artra also has created a handheld module known as a field tracker. This device allows workers to create "punch lists" as they inspect buildings, looking for any defects or broken fixtures. With the field tracker, a photograph of the problem can be taken and recorded with the documentation. When the device is loaded back on the docking station, it syncs that information to the software so the necessary individuals are notified and the proper action is taken to resolve the issue.
After the building is handed over to its tenants, the field trackers can be used by facility-management staff.
"Things fail over time," Poliak said. "They will need to be able to reference the documentation, and Artra embeds all of that digitally."
Hunt chose to use CityScape to launch its work with Artra because of the type of building. Hunt is only responsible for the retail and office-space tower currently being constructed in Phase 1. He said this particular building is a "core and shell" project, which makes it simpler to test the software for the first time.
"We wanted to poke holes in the software and resolve them with the Artra staff," Poliak said. "This is a good test bed to load up data and see what it can do."
Moloznik said Hunt also will use Artra during the construction of the Kimpton Palomar Hotel in CityScape's Phase 2.
"The timing was right to use this technology. Its use compliments and enhances the vision of the project in ways that serve the users, but is invisible to them," he said.
Steve Dales, director of U.S. business development for Artra Inc. and the creator of NavisWorks, said working with Hunt has been terrific.
"They saw the light. There are very good people in Hunt who are very forward-thinking," Dales said.
Artra has been used in construction in the United Kingdom since about 2002.
Dales said about 15 projects in the U.S. are currently looking to use Artra, and the company is serious about the marketplace in the States, having already invested $2 million in marketing.
"With this software, we will revolutionize the way the construction industry works," Dales said.
Phoenix's CityScape uses new building program
