I must have too much time on my hands, or maybe I am just procrastinating from attending to my pile of finals to be graded. I just read the article below: Integrated Project Delivery and Building Information Modeling go Hand In Hand.

http://blog.mlive.com/squarefootagewm/2009/06/ipd_bim_go_hand_in_hand.html

The article made me think back 20 years, and I felt compelled to send out this "blog" to all of you who have been involved in CIFE and subsequent activities.

The title of the article caught my attention in my email in-box, because our shared vision in launching CIFE was precisely that well conceived, object-oriented data modeling and sharing conventions, linked to intuitive 3D CAD visualizations, could ultimately lead to more integrated and sustainable building processes in the highly fragmented construction industry, and hence to more sustainable project outcomes.

It may not seem like a big deal to read that digital Building Information Modeling is driving Integrated Project Delivery. However, until about a decade ago this industry was still using rolls of paper to communicate (just like the Egyptians did in 3000 BC); and fragmentation in the delivery process of buildings and infrastructure was perpetuating adversary relationships and suboptimal outcomes. So it is truly exciting to see CIFE's 1988 vision becoming reality just 20 years after we launched CIFE, even for smallish, non-union construction firms in the conservative heartland of the US.

This example of applied science and engineering that flows from "Vision ==> Creative Research ==> Validation ==>Education and Outreach ==> Progress" makes a career in academia truly exciting and fulfilling! It has been a real joy to share in this process with all of you thus far.

For those of who are not regularly connected to CIFE any longer, here's a very brief update on what some of the people in our department who were involved in CIFE and/or who are working in related areas are up to these days:

Martin, John, Kincho, John Haymaker, Renate, and others are continuing to drive CIFE's research agenda forward. And they are teaching multiple Exec Ed classes each quarter -- sold out, even in these tough times -- on Building Information Modeling and Virtual Design and Construction, to educate practitioners in how to implement IPD using BIM. Renate's class on Global AEC Teamwork continues to draw participation from students around the world.

Sarah Billington, a colleague in structures, is working with CEE Microbiologist Craig Criddle and Chem E, Curt Frank to create a new generation of "cradle to cradle" bio-engineered structural, thermal and adhesive building materials that are infinitely recyclable. Their work is part of the new Sustainable Built Environment initiative at the Woods Institute for the Environment that is gathering strength.

Bob, Martin, John Haymaker and others have been working with the new Precourt Energy Institute to study innovative ways to measure and reduce energy use in buildings. Our newest hire, Michael Lepech, is starting work on innovative life cycle assessment methods for cost, energy use, and other metrics in buildings and infrastructure.

Eduardo, Greg, Helmut, Anne, Jack and their colleagues are continuing to push the frontiers of "Performance-based structural engineering" to design structures that can provide economic viability following natural hazards such as earthquakes, as well as comply with code-dictated life safety concerns. In seismic zones, this is a key element of sustainable design and construction.

Craig Howard continues to develop next generation, object-oriented engineering automation technologies for conceptual process plant engineering and other applications at Design Power, now part of Bentley Systems.

I am currently working with Ryan Orr, Dick Scott, Doug McAdam, Jenna Davis, Tom Heller. Roger Noll and others in a new center called the Collaboratory for Research on Global Projects (CRGP). CRGP is following the same path of vision, research, education and outreach to develop new financing and governance arrangements that can exploit these IT advances and lead to more sustainable life-cycle delivery of sorely needed civil infrastructure in developing countries -- including California and other states in the US!

Thanks for all of your long term support and friendship in launching and sustaining CIFE and subsequent initiatives at Stanford for our industry. It has made and continues to make a difference for the industry and the planet. And it is fun to work on!

Raymond Levitt
Initially sent as an email to former colleagues and subsequently posted here for a broader audience.

Posted by rjorr at June 28, 2009 10:21 PM