How Stamhuis Utilizes Construction Software On Innovative Retail Building Projects

Since their founding in 1926, Stamhuis has been building on a reputation for quality and dependability. They specialize in retail shop construction and renovations and work closely with their clients to create custom solutions that are tailor-made to help them get the most out of their retail spaces. Stamhuis has been exploring the possibilities offered by construction software in boosting their efficiency and creating added value.

Solutions Through Construction Software

The Stamhuis primary focus has always been on shopfitting, with additional planning and project management services available as well, and they have recently added modular housing to their portfolio with the completion of an intelligent prefabrication factory.

The complex business of outfitting (or up-fitting) retail spaces requires an intense attention to detail. Stamhuis takes great pride in their ability to plan and organize these projects in seamless collaboration with their clients. In order to build on this, Stamhuis looked to the power of construction software to increase value and lower waste.

_{Stamhuis looked to the power of construction software to increase value and lower waste when outfitting retail projects}

Complex Projects: From Challenge to Solution

Before integrating Autodesk Construction Solutions, Stamhuis was facing several issues:

1. Project information was not centralized.

2. During execution a lot of errors occurred.

3. Building plans where not up-to-date.

4. Specific plans for specific tasks were not commonly used due to conflicting drawings.

5. Available information was not used because it is in the model but not on a drawing.

6. Project managers walked endless rounds to see that defects are resolved before project delivery.

7. Drawings, calculations and changes had less quality due to lack of insights.

These resulted in production errors, loss of time and extra costs.

The turn to software-driven solutions was key in creating the Stamhuis Total Concept--not just a service, but an ethos that they offer their customers. The STC enables Stamhuis to create a convergence between AEC and manufacturing in one company, from concept, design and engineering to manufacturing, pre-assembly, installation and maintenance.

_{The Stamhuis Total Concept proves to be a successful and innovative building method for large retail chains at home and abroad. If needed, the Total Concept can be customized, which means that Stamhuis again proves to be a flexible building partner. Partly due to this new working method, Stamhuis has grown to become the largest and most innovative retail builder in the Benelux!}

As the market has tightened and becomes increasingly competitive, the team at Stamhuis knew they would need innovative solutions for reducing waste while increasing efficiency and quality. The Stamhuis Total Concept called for powerful tools for organization, planning, and collaboration. To meet this call, Stamhuis leveraged Autodesk tools to bring the integrated digital workflow to their process. The team at Autodesk provided extensive support and guidance to give Stamhuis the tools they need.

Delivering ROI Through Time and Cost Savings

To overcome these problems Stamhuis sought to streamline their process and support the Stamhuis Total Concept with the collaborative power of construction software. This resulted in a 15% reduction of design and construction mistakes, over the last 3 years. They have also seen a 10% efficiency gain in project team collaboration through simplifying communication and documentation.

Stamhuis takes great pride in finishing projects on time and within a set schedule. This focus allows them to promise a one week turnaround on their shop fitting process, minimizing downtime for their customers. They strive to avoid errors during execution, since this results in unnecessary additional labor and manpower, which is not only expensive but disrupts the tightly choreographed flow of the installation. They refer to their execution process as “well organized chaos,” which might look like a military operation with little-to-no room for additional hands.

_{Stamhuis saw a 15% reduction of design and construction mistakes over the last 3 years due to their investment in construction software processes}

Reinvesting: A Look to the Future

On the heels of their initial success, Stamhuis will expand their use of construction software to increase their quality and value in the coming years. Autodesk worked closely with Stamhuis to implement an Autodesk BIM 360 template which gives them the ability to easily copy projects and reuse project settings. Stamhuis is also developing a Generative Design solution for store floor planning together with the Autodesk team.

They are projecting a ROI improvement of 10% each year! With Autodesk BIM 360, Stamhuis, their partners, and their clients benefit from easy access of project information.

Stamhuis have already connected BIM to ERP, Calculation, Planning, and Maintenance software. Now, even the country’s largest retail chain, Ahold, is following their lead and uses the BIM project information to generate purchase orders. Due to their work with Stamhuis, customers across the country are mandating purchase orders based on Revit classification.

Their wish and ultimate vision is the convergence of all disciplines in the construction chain. A connected digital workflow, with Autodesk BIM 360 and the BIM model forming the central link of this process. By creating standardized systems, Stamhuis seeks to achieve high scalability, providing a unique process that can be implemented for all their customers. Creating this synergy provides benefits through the integration of people and resources, which ensures that a competitive advantage is realized. There is a continuous process of learning and improving to always build better, faster and cheaper.

Stamhuis is looking to have more synergy advantages by the “data at the centre” strategy. This is our mutual goal with Autodesk. We will continue to integrate all our different disciplines to work with the same data. From concept design, to engineering and fabrication we will try to merge workflows and combine construction software to a fully integrated and converged workspace.

- Ron Rijkers, Team manager: BIM and Innovation, Stamhuis