User Note:

While great efforts have been taken to provide accurate and complete information on the pages of CPEP, please be aware that the information contained herewith is considered a work-in-progress for this thesis project. Modifications and changes related to the original building designs and construction methodologies for this senior thesis project are solely the interpretation of $!!STUDENT!!$. Changes and discrepancies in no way imply that the original design contained errors or was flawed. Differing assumptions, code references, requirements, and methodologies have been incorporated into this thesis project; therefore, investigation results may vary from the original design.


The AE IPD/BIM Thesis was a very valuable and worthwhile year-long experience.  I feel that I made the right choice in participating in this pilot program.  The knowledge I gained in working in a collaborative manner will prove to be very valuable in my future career.  I am also proud of the fact that my contributions to the IPD/BIM thesis will aid in the progression of this type of program.  The path that the AE department is taking in the development of this curriculum is definitely a step in the right direction.  The team work and collaborative learning offered an experience that mimics real life situations.  I have gained valuable knowledge of the other disciplines and how they interact with my work and the project as a whole.

Through the two semesters, I experienced two different sides of team work.  In the first semester, the three Lighting/Electrical students were able to analyze the existing systems in the New York Times Building.  In this process, each of us was able to learn from one another.  This allowed us to fully understand how the New York Times Building functioned.  Without the help of my fellow colleagues, I feel that this task would have been overwhelming in regards to the size and complexity of the design.

In the second semester, I began working solely with my respective IPD/BIM team.  Through this experience, we were able to explore the limits of each discipline and find what worked and what didn’t.  Our team felt the hardships of working in a group but the results were well worth the trouble.  Our final goals were reached through the use of integrated project delivery.  The intercommunication skills learned in this process will prove to be very beneficial in years to come.

Although the overall program was a success, there is a lot of room for improvement.  The fact that there was no individual thesis proposed for IPD/BIM program was probably the biggest downfall to the project.  With each discipline trying to complete separate thesis requirements set by his or her advisors, the ability to approach this collaboratively was drastically limited.  The addition of one overarching set of thesis requirements would allow each discipline to fully contribute and interact with the team.  The lack of interaction between faculty also limited the potential of this program.  To truly make the IPD/BIM thesis work in the future, there must be full cooperation and input from each department.

The use of BIM was also a problem experienced by each of the three groups.  Our knowledge of the software and the interoperability of different programs was inadequate.  The size and complexity of the models also made using the software difficult and frustrating.  To combat this, additional guidance and training is a must.  The addition of more and better computers also wouldn’t hurt the progression of the IPD/BIM Thesis.

Looking back at my experience in this pilot program, I can honestly say that I enjoyed the process as a whole.  The final outcome and contribution to the future of this program made this adventure well worth the trouble.  I would strongly suggest for future students to partake in this unique thesis program.  The knowledge and experience gained through the IPD/BIM Thesis is far more valuable than that of the individual thesis projects.

The New York Times Building


620 Eight Ave. Between West 40th and 41st Streets
Times Square, Manhattan, New York

Casey Leman | Lighting/Electrical Option | 2009 - 2010 | Contact: csl162@psu.edu


source: www.guardian.co.uk

This Site was last updated by Casey Leman on Friday, September 11, 2009 at 12:46 PM
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