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Image c/o: KK Law
Advice
Example of a mainly successful project: Brock Commons — involved a high degree of collaboration: Integrated Design Process — design offered 3-4 options for every connection, which every stakeholder vetted — invested in building a mock-up, where many problems were solved in advance of construction — the design worked with standard panel sizes
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“Horizontal sprinkler pipes could be made from combustible materials as permitted by the Code for fire resistive construction”
Advice
General advice to those new to mass timber construction: "The devil is in the details". For example, an experienced installer knows what a problematic connection looks like.
Advice
Hire an installer before hiring a manufacturer.
Advice
Mass timber construction is still in the experimental phase. Standardization will happen eventually.
Advice
The installer should be thought of as a consultant and a vital team member. For example, when installers are brought to the table at the design phase and give input into connection details, constructibility improves. However, when the installer is brought on too late, other consultants have already spent the money, and no one wants to add to the cost. The resulting problems need to be solved on site by the installer, adding time and cost.
Advice
Do not ignore the advice of someone who has experience.
Advice
The installer should be talking to consultants. Do not rely on the manufacturer to know the details for installation.
Advice
Project teams should share BIM models as part of standard procedure, but be aware that BIM models can rarely be used for fabrication. The manufacturer still needs to produce their own models, often from scratch.
Advice
Engage mass timber supplier in DfMA system up front to ensure supplier milestones are met, and milestones and deliverables are agreed upon.
Image c/o: © 2020 Erika Brown Photography
Advice
Problems arise when project designs are not complete enough to schedule.
Advice
Key factors to manufacturing success: — project managed in depth with RFI control — mutually agreed to schedules — tracked submissions — dedicated resources to resolve issues
Advice
Supplier partners can get off the ground running when BIM models are shared, if the engineers/architects sign off on geometry and provide the base model.
Advice
Fully implement BIM standards and sharing between consultant and supplier. Client otherwise pays double: consultants develop models independently, and suppliers interpret and develop the models they need on their own. This duplication of effort costs time and money.
