The Change | An Efficient BIM Process for Sustainable High-Rise Construction

grabowski.spork architektur is designing "The Change,“ Eschborn’s first timber-hybrid high-rise office building on behalf of PE Merhenthaler GmbH - a joint venture of Bauwens & Ampure, two of Germany’s largest property development companies.

The architectural firm values the innovative use of materials, showcasing a diverse range of options. This project seamlessly integrates wood and concrete to create a hybrid superstructure. Concrete is predominantly used for the building foundation and access core, while on the upper floors wood replaces concrete for its structural qualities and to reduce the building’s carbon footprint. This combination not only benefits the environment but also enhances the interior, creating a welcoming and comfortable working environment. 

With this project, the team aims at achieving the prestigious DGNB platinum certification. To achieve this goal, the design team incorporated sustainable technologies. A significant portion of the building energy supply will be sourced from a geothermal solar photovoltaic system. The building will also have charging stations for electric vehicles. Smart water management systems, including a cistern for rainwater harvesting, provide an innovative solution to reduce overall water consumption. The existing trees will be preserved and complemented by diverse plantings, while greenery adorns the roof areas, enhancing the microclimate and biodiversity.

Alongside inviting workspaces boasting ultimate comfort, serene retreat spots, and a seamless connection to nature, the building amenities include a chic restaurant and café that cater to employees, while amenities like a yoga studio, fitness room, and changing areas promote wellness. Abundant natural light floods the office spaces through expansive windows, and four rooftop terraces offer scenic views with spaces to socialize, relax, and work. One of the roof terraces, the “Sundowner,” features a rooftop bar and provides a picturesque view of the Rhine-Main region.

The intricate planning and thorough technical coordination for "The Change" were carried out using Vectorworks Architect. Leveraging the benefits of BIM workflows — such as precision, consistency, transparency, and material waste reduction — was crucial. The close collaboration among all team members resulted in a highly efficient BIM process. Initially, a BIM Execution Plan (BEP) and Project Information Requirements (PIR) were developed through workshops involving all stakeholders. The BEP outlined the project's specific organizational structures as defined by the PIR, while the PIR established project goals, objectives, and responsibilities. Working closely with the client’s BIM coordination team allowed grabowski.spork architektur to align the project’s BIM goals with the entire design team.

As established during the planning and BEP, the entire design team and the client’s BIM management team met on a bi-weekly basis to coordinate BIM models. Under the guidance of grabowski.spork architektur, in partnership with Build Effects GmbH, each discipline’s models were seamlessly integrated into a federated model to perform a clash detection report prior to each meeting. Clashes were reviewed and assessed at each meeting, and BCF issues were created and assigned to the corresponding discipline by the BIM manager using BIM collab as the BIM collaboration issue management platform. Following these meetings, each discipline was able to make appropriate changes to the model and resolve the BCF issues in BIM collab, keeping the entire team up to date at all times during the design process. In addition to the official BIM coordination meetings with the project's BIM manager, the design team held a weekly BIM coordination meeting, which allowed them to uphold architectural excellence and elevate the overall design quality.

“For us, 'The Change' was the first project set up for a full BIM collaboration process across all design disciplines. We learned a lot during the process and were able to gain valuable insights for our future projects,” the architects said. “After a successful preliminary construction request in August 2023, we can also say that the additional effort was worth it in every respect. The quick adaptation with an unfamiliar process and the intensive, interdisciplinary teamwork on the digital twin were ideal for getting started in developing routines for the complex workflow, but also for working together.”

• Design & BIM authoring: Vectorworks Architect
• Model checking & validation: Solibri
• Project management: Thinkproject
• BIM collaboration: BIMcollab

For more information, visit The Change property page.