DEFINING LEVEL OF DEVELOPMENT //

As an owner asking for BIM in an RFP, how do you make sure you’ll get the model(s) you need?  As a designer responding to an RFP, how do you make sure you’re on the same page as the owner?  As a contractor asked for an estimate based on a 50% DD model, how do you know if you can use the model for quantity take-off, and if you can, what quantities?  A “BIM” can be a huge range of models – everything from a massing model to a fully coordinated construction model, or maybe a specialized model for structural or energy simulation.  To address the need for definition the Level of Development (LOD) framework was created – initiated by Vico Software, subsequently published by the AIA as the E202, and now taken on by an AIA/BIMForum working group to test it, refine it, and publish a catalog of examples.  This session will present the current official AIA/BIMForum definitions of the LODs, the logic behind them, and what the working group is doing to refine the definitions and facilitate their effectiveness as a means of communication.  The session will include a panel to discuss issues raised by the audience.

Speakers: 

Jim Bedrick, FAIA, is principal of AEC Process Engineering, a consulting firm focused on Integrated Project Delivery, Virtual Design and Construction, and collaboration.  A registered architect, Mr. Bedrick holds degrees in Architecture and Electrical Engineering, and has over 30 years’ experience in the AEC industry.  After practicing architecture for ten years, he moved into the design and management of information systems for architecture firms.  In 1998 he joined 3Com Corporation, directing information technology for their worldwide construction and facilities management division.  In 2001 he joined Webcor builders, where he led the development and implementation of both Virtual Building processes and technology, and the company’s Integrated Project Delivery capabilities.  Mr. Bedrick is active in many organizations working to advance collaborative tools and processes for the AEC industry, including Stanford University’s Center for Integrated Facilities Engineering, the International BuildingSmart Alliance and the American Institute of Architects, where he serves on the Contract Documents Committee and is a major contributor to the Integrated Project Delivery effort.

James Vandezande is a registered architect in New York State and has worked on a wide variety of projects ranging from high-end residential to large transportation projects. His experience includes budgeting, programming, code analysis, design and construction documentation, shop drawing review, client relations, and construction administration. In 1999, he landed at SOM and transformed his technology skills into a 10-year span as a digital design manager. In this capacity, he pioneered the implementation of BIM on such projects as One World Trade Center, a.k.a. Freedom Tower.

James is considered a pioneer in the field of building information modeling and has lectured at many industry events including Autodesk University, VisMasters Conference, CMAA BIM Conference, McGraw-Hill Construction, AIA Technology in Architectural Practice and the AIA NYS Convention. He is a co-founder and president of the NYC Revit Users Group and is an adjunct lecturing professor at the NYU School for Continuing and Professional Studies as well as the Polytechnic Institute of NYU. James also announces his first published work, “Mastering Autodesk Revit Architecture 2011” which was published by John Wiley and Sons earlier this year. He joined co-authors Eddy Krygiel and Phil Read in writing one of the best selling BIM books on the market today.

Special interests include: Architecture, Integrated Project Delivery, Building Information Modeling, Virtual Design and Construction