Construction Technology for a Successful Future 

HFB is a full-service BIM (Building Information Modeling) office in Rotterdam, Netherlands where human relations and construction technology go hand-in-hand. HFB’s transition into cloud-based construction collaboration software started after the 2008 crisis when they realised the need to embrace the latest technologies in order to continue towards a successful future.

“We had a very strong gut feeling: virtual construction will be the future. The power of prediction turned into our favor: from architecture we became a market leading virtual construction company.” - Rob van Dorp, HFB Director

 

 

Building Without the Limits

HFB explored many technology solutions and decided that BIM 360 would be the dynamic set of tools to help them win new business and continue to grow their portfolio. Embracing this technology demolished design limits for HFB. Now they are designing labs, hospitals, office buildings and even an entire city centre.

 

“We streamline all communication using BIM 360 Glue, BIM 360 Field and Revit.” - Rob van Dorp, HFB’s Director

 

The company also uses 3ds Max and Stingray to create images in virtual reality that are essential for their communication with their clients.

According to Sharif Ben Chamach, Deputy Director at HFB, there isn’t a better time to introduce existing BIM technology than now.

 

“Legislation, processes, communication and reluctance to change are the biggest challenges in applying the technology that is available today. HFB tackles these issues head-on. Ultimately, BIM is about managing and sharing information.”

 

Consultative Role

The implementation of construction technology in organisations requires a great deal of adaptability from employees company-wide. By amplifying this technique, HFB is able to provide extensive consultancy and guidance during the implementation of new technology methods in other organisations.

 

 

“Constant monitoring of information creates an integrated unit and better cooperation, but also reveals bottlenecks. Because everybody can see who does what, it is instantly clear who is lagging behind in the work that was agreed upon. People often have to get used to the high level of transparency.” -Ben Chamach, Deputy Director at HFB

 

This collaboration provides a significant cost-benefit ratio for HFB. Their projects stay on time and under budget, and allow teams to work more seamlessly together.

 

Project Summertime

Project Summertime, a design by Search Architecture and Urban Planning with construction by BAM Woningbouw Amsterdam, is one example of proving how HFB is using BIM 360 to drive results. An extremely unique project with complex workflows, this apartment complex is designed and constructed with no two corners the same.

 

 

Project manager Jeroen Horlings says, “We have designed and developed this project in Revit, and used Navisworks for simulation, clash control and quantity take-off.”

“BIM 360 is the backbone of the project. From safety checklists to management inspections, from material checks to the administration of suppliers, everything is done through BIM 360 Field.”

 

Best BIM Office

 

 

The results for HFB are paying off time and time again.  The National Business Success Award in the Netherlands is selected annually by a group of well-respected and well-known Dutch industry leaders. This powerful jury declared HFB as the absolute specialist in the construction industry category. To top it all off, HFB was awarded the prize for best BIM office in the Netherlands.

Nowadays, the company is using BIM in multidisciplinary projects such as historical buildings, houses, museums, laboratories, royal palaces, hospitals, city centres and even controlling of production robots. Starting with construction to redevelopment, renovation and facility management, every part of project lifecycle is completed successfully with the help of BIM.  

 

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How are you using construction collaboration software in the field?

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