FEATURED PROJECT: the CHUM Project, Montreal, Canada

Portsmouth, RI. April 10, 2018 - From 2011 to 2017 CDV Systems was hired by Cannon Design as the Revit and CodeBook BIM Leaders & Managers for the 3.5 million square feet, CHUM Hospital Project. Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM) in Montreal, Canada is the largest public-private partnership (P3) commissioned in North America. The project consortium includes: CannonDesign, Neuf Architects, Innisfree, OHL Construction Canada, and Laing O'Rourke Canada LTD. CHUM boasts the largest single construction project in North America and one of the largest academic medical centers. Phase 1 opened in September 2017. The overall project includes 3.5 million SF representing 14,000 rooms, replacing three existing hospitals. It serves 345,000 ambulatory patients, 22,000 inpatients and 65,000 emergency patients per year. It includes 772 single-bed rooms, ambulatory and diagnostic centers, surgery, intensive care, clinical laboratories and a research center for over 35 medical disciplines.

CDV's responsibilities included project setup and management of the Revit models and CodeBook database files, training of staff across 15 Cannon offices, database library management, model & content creation, integration with industry standard CAD and BIM design tools for modeling and shared data, creation of weekly detailed equipment reports & validations throughout the design & construction of the project and much more… The focus was to provide a BIM workflow to bridge between owners, designers and contractors and the facility managers responsible for future operation and maintenance; a 'whole life-cycle’ approach to procurement, delivery and operations.

Christine Cavataio, Senior VP & CHUM Senior Project Manager

"We had a terrific working relationship with CDV. Being the one of the largest projects fully executed in BIM with so many unique needs – dual language capabilities, staffing sizes and locations, equipment tracking, etc., we realized we needed the support of industry BIM leaders to supplement our team. Luckily we found CDV Systems who became an integral part of our overall team and helped us leverage tools, techniques, and talent to a new extent. Along with CannonDesign’s platform; we were able to utilize a team of 180 +/- architects in 5 times zones using the files with high consistency and quality."

"Nearly 180 architects across 15 offices worldwide have worked on CHUM. To ensure consistency, the team set strict protocols. It wasn’t going to be enough to just design the building. We needed to design the workflow as well. In late 2011, CannonDesign and NEUF hosted a project delivery meeting, which included each firm’s quality control and BIM leaders and the project’s BIM consultant, Boston-based CDV Systems, to establish a road map for the design and documentation process. These protocols applied to both routine and BIM-specific tasks, from email correspondence and transmittals to building equipment content and reference details in the Revit model."

"Consistent training is essential for maintaining the integrity of project protocols. Designers joining the team received a full week of training before they were allowed to touch the Revit models. They also had to shadow existing team members to see the project’s protocols in action. Even project managers, who don’t typically handle the model, received the same overview training. Though the process was time consuming, it was essential for maintaining project standards."

Jose M. Silva, AIA, LEED AP, Principal

CannonDesign found a great partner in CDV Systems. We initially engaged CDV during the pursuit to help our team learn and maximize Codebook, an equipment database software. We then engaged them for both Revit and CodeBook thought leadership and management. The input and leadership by CDV Systems was invaluable and helped to maximize our team and our success. 

Matthew Forman, AIA, Senior Vice President

"While technology was essential for the different offices and firms to communicate, it doesn’t supplant face time. CannonDesign regularly rotated staff members from the 14 remote locations through its Montreal office and scheduled in-person training sessions (done by CDV Systems). Don’t discount the value of technology, but nothing beats a face-to-face conversation.”

Jill Bergman, AIA, Vice President

“Codebook augments the team's BIM tools and leverages the database across the project, for equipment schedules and room data management into the design process. Managing all of the room types and repetitive data across this large project, we needed an application that would help us validate the model outputs, automating the review, and ensuring compliance with the hospital's emerging standard specifications for each type of space, without having to manually count or track anything.  We also know our client will use this database for facility management after we deliver this project.”

The primary BIM programs were Autodesk Revit 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, CodeBook V12 & PRD, ViewAQC, Bluebeam & Navisworks. The BIM graphic model structure was made up of six buildings with separate Revit models for core/shell, structural, MEP, interiors & equipm ent. There were 18 separate Revit room template models to manage all “exemplar” rooms used across the building models.

The 41 Revit architectural models were linked to six separate SQL server CodeBook databases (one for each building) combine all Revit building models to manage, validate and report the room data, equipment and doors weekly.

The 18 Revit Template room models were linked to a seventh SQL server CodeBook database to combine all Revit room template models which were loaded into building models as changes were made.