London, 14 December 2017 – Integrated design and operations consultancy for the built environment, Bryden Wood, and BIM technology innovator, 3D Repo, have launched a new platform for visualising how construction projects change over time.
Using Virtual Reality technology and 3D Repo’s database driven Digital Construction Platform, the new 4D sequence visualisation tool gives users a new perspective on design and construction projects. Accessed using market leading VR headsets, such as Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, the outputs will improve collaboration between project stakeholders, facilitate decision making and allow for better communication at all stages of a project. This functionality, together with enhanced online collaboration and visualisation features, is released as a Bryden Wood digital portal powered by 3D Repo.
4D modelling is a term used in the construction sector and refers to the fourth dimension of time, so a 4D schedule is a 3D model that includes the construction sequencing. This enables teams to analyse events on a time-line and visualise the steps required to complete tasks within the construction process.
“Once a design or construction project is underway, the sequence of construction steps required to assemble it is one of the most important factors to be considered,” commented Phil Langley, Director of Digital Delivery at Bryden Wood. “As the saying goes, ‘time is money’ and, by providing an accessible, easy to use 4D VR solution, we can help save valuable time when it comes to sharing information for decision making.”
Jozef Dobos, CEO of 3D Repo said, “By partnering with Bryden Wood to develop the 4D VR experience, we have played to the strengths of both parties. Bryden Wood understands the different stages of design and construction projects and how they develop over time, while we are experienced in developing the latest innovations, such as VR, to improve data sharing and analysis.”
The 3D Repo-Bryden Wood digital solution builds on 3D Repo’s cloud based BIM platform that allows users to access, via the web, the latest 3D models and make real time changes and informed decisions. Often described as an online knowledge base, the 3D Repo platform is different from other collaboration tools as it uses a component-based database – meaning that information is live, useful and accessible throughout the entire project lifecycle.
The use of sequencing within original authoring tools allows a timeline of models to be created, which can then be played back in VR. Multiple sequences can be applied to each model, allowing different scenarios and outcomes to be visualised. 3D Repo is also working on a number of improvements to the new 4D sequence visualisation solution, including direct web access and integration with other planning/4D software.
Contacts:
Enquiries to Pavol Knapo at 3D Repo at pavol.knapo@3drepo.org
Editorial enquiries, contact Robert Peel on tel +44 (0)1666 823306
Colour separation requests to robert@market-it.co.uk
 https://3drepo.com/
 
Notes to Editors
 3D Repo is a multi-award winning company offering a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform for Building Information Modelling (BIM) in the cloud. Instead of architects, consultants and contractors sharing massive proprietary files in a costly and time consuming manner, they can simply point their web browser to an encrypted knowledge base in order to examine each project stage virtually, even on mobile devices.
With 3D Repo, users can manage model revisions and highlight potential issues using live collaboration tools, which allow the whole project team to work from a single source of truth. More than 40 different 3D file formats are decomposed and federated in the company’s big data repository. Additionally, the project knowledge base can be accessed via VR giving a live experience which has applications in Health and Safety training and client experiences.
The 3D Repo team has collaborated on a number of large scale projects with companies such as ARUP, Balfour Beatty, Skanska, Crossrail and Canary Wharf Contractors. https://3drepo.com/
Philip Langley, Bryden Wood, Architecture, Board Director, ARB
Phil joined Bryden Wood in 2009 as an associate architect and digital specialist and has since directed the company’s approach to digital integration and BIM. Phil is responsible for driving digital innovation in the practice and has overseen the company-wide transition to BIM across all disciplines and leads the development and implementation of the company’s ‘Digital Delivery Strategy’, which includes the coordination and integration of all digital work flows in the office. Phil is currently the project coordinator for Bryden Wood’s innovative digital research project ‘Participatory BIM’, in collaboration with The University of Sheffield. In addition to his work in practice, Phil has worked extensively in the field of computational design, and is an expert in ‘generative design’ techniques such as genetic algorithms and artificial intelligence, and has published and presented his work internationally.
Bryden Wood was founded in 1995 by Mark Bryden and Martin Wood. It has grown into a 175+ strong architecture and integrated design company, whose activities span from analysis and business strategy, through architecture and engineering. The business is operated on solution based strategy and a fascination with construction methodology detail-derived aesthetic. The retained client base has increased to include many blue-chip clients across a range of sectors. Bryden Wood has become the UK leader in off-site design and systemisation and has recently entered new markets, including the Far East and Africa.

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