Blog: SECBE Awards 2022 finalist - OSG Architecture

25 March 2022

Digital sponsored by Artelia UK

OSG Architecture 

Digital Constructing Excellence SECBE Award 2022 finalist

OSG were appointed in 2021 to undertake the RIBA stage 3 architectural design services of Chalvey Medical Hub in Slough. A highly complex project in terms of healthcare requirements and overall volumetric design, OSG and the other major design disciplines excelled in utilising Autodesk Revit and the BIM 360 cloud server (Common Data Environment-CDE) to develop a highly coordinated and collaborative 3D BIM model and digital information exchange strategy. The 3D model successfully integrated the Architecture, MEP and Structural designs spatially and functionally, using visual clash detection methods pre-tender to limit errors, design change and ensure the client’s complex needs were to be met.

OSG and the other design disciplines harnessed the power of digital information to provide an exemplar service to the client. The level of modelled information (approx. LOD 3 for all disciplines) and the workflow the company undertook saved time in the design process and inspired confidence in the coordination undertaken. This would be essential in minimising or eliminating site errors or costly design changes following let of the building contract.

This is not to say it was a seamless process. As is the case with shifting workflows, the project team and the other disciplines needed to subscribe to different working methods in a collaborative, flexible and understanding way to ensure the process ran smoothly. Without this common aspiration for the full digitalisation of the project, the team don’t believe it would have been as successful an outcome – highlighting that whilst processes are important, the digitalisation of the construction industry relies on attitude, commitment and somewhat relinquishing the comfort of ‘business as normal’ to enact real beneficial change. Whilst not everything resembled a fully ‘by the book’ BIM project, OSG Architecture Ltd. believes that their approach embodied this spirit.

At OSG, its experience of the industry is that whilst many projects utilise Revit as a 3D modelling software, the uptake of BIM as a workflow in smaller projects is less common, even following the 2016 government mandate. The company is proud that this project, among others, has pushed their practices in BIM, allowing them to be able to provide these services with confidence to more clients as they see more and more projects requiring this workflow in the industry.

Key achievements:

• OSG created a coordinated and collaborative 3D model and data exchange strategy across a cloud based CDE.
• Difficult and complex healthcare design requirements and complex building volumetrics were coordinated in a timely manner using the 3D model in design team meetings.

• Site issues and structural issues were identified and resolved via visual clash detection methods.

• Client: Slough Borough Council
• Project Partners: OSG Architecture Ltd., MJA Consulting, MKP Consultants

Find out who wins at the Constructing Excellence SECBE Awards 2022 Ceremony on Thurs 30th June 2022.

About the Digital Award (sponsored by Artelia UK): 

Digital embraces BIM, GIS, Big Data and other evolving technological advancements.  Technology has transformed the world we live in and has potential to revolutionise the construction industry. This category rewards organisations, projects or initiatives that have adopted, advanced and achieved excellence in Digital. More info

>> Find out more about the other Constructing Excellence SECBE Awards finalists here