How Was BIM Used to Ease the Construction of the Royal Adelaide Hospital?

Originally constructed in 1840, the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) is South Australia's largest healthcare entity. After 183 years of standing tall, the RAH was getting outdated and therefore declared unfit for purpose by the South Australian government. The old hospital lacked the modern facilities and infrastructure required to meet the increasing demand for healthcare services. 

Additionally, the population of Adelaide and its surrounding areas was growing rapidly, putting acute pressure on the existing hospital. Furthermore, the advances in medical technology and treatment necessitated the development of a new hospital that could accommodate these innovations. So, the government proposed the construction of a New Royal Adelaide Hospital at the western end of North Terrace in 2007.

Completed and open to the public in 2017, the new RAH is designed to meet the needs of patients and the community for decades to come. The former RAH has now been redeveloped into a business and technology precinct.

An Overview of the New Royal Adelaide Hospital

The new Royal Adelaide Hospital is considered one of the largest and most technologically advanced medical facilities in Australia. The hospital is designed to accommodate 800 beds, 40 operating theaters, and 100 outpatient spaces. It also features advanced medical equipment and technology, including robotic surgery systems, telemedicine facilities, and a comprehensive medical imaging suite.

The construction of the new Royal Adelaide Hospital was a significant undertaking, with the total cost of the project estimated at AUD $2.3 billion. The hospital was designed as a joint venture between DesignInc. and Silver Thomas Hanley Architects. The construction work was undertaken as a collaborative effort by Hansen Yuncken and Leighton Contractors (HYLC). The new RAH project represents a significant investment in the healthcare infrastructure of South Australia, promising a healthy lifestyle to the local community. 

The Design and Planning of the New Royal Adelaide Hospital

The New Royal Adelaide Hospital's architectural design is a striking and contemporary addition to Adelaide's skyline. The hospital's design emphasizes natural light and open spaces to create a welcoming and calming environment for patients and staff. The building's façade features a mix of glass and metal panels, creating a modern and sleek appearance. The use of sustainable materials, such as recycled steel and low-emission glass, further emphasizes the hospital's commitment to sustainability.

Internally, the hospital is designed to enhance patient care and staff efficiency. The hospital is organized around a central spine, which connects all clinical areas and facilitates the easy movement of patients and staff throughout the facility. Patient rooms are designed to provide a high degree of privacy and comfort, with natural light and views of the surrounding city. The hospital's design also incorporates a range of innovative technologies, such as automated guided vehicles and robotic pharmacy dispensers, which enhance efficiency and improve patient care.

Why was BIM Adopted for the Design and Construction of RAH?

The construction of the new Royal Adelaide Hospital project was an ambitious venture for the South Australian government. Considering the scale and complexity of the project, all its stakeholders wanted to leverage technology and new-age processes for completing the project as desired. As a result, BIM emerged as a viable solution to design, construct, and manage the project. The use of BIM helped to ensure that the hospital was designed and built to the highest standards, with a focus on modernity, safety, functionality, and energy efficiency.

How has BIM Benefited the New Royal Adelaide Hospital Project?

Using BIM in the New Royal Adelaide Hospital Project enabled its designers, engineers, and project managers to realize their vision with much ease and efficacy. Let’s take a deep dive into how BIM helped the project in various stages of its development. 

Design and Planning

The architecture team leveraged BIM to produce efficient designs that resonated with the idea of modernism and agility. Here is how they used BIM during the design and planning stage.

1. Improved Visualization and Collaboration

BIM facilitated the creation of a detailed 3D model of the hospital, enabling the project team to visualize the structure and systems in detail. The model allowed the team to collaborate more effectively and share information in real time, resulting in better coordination.

2. Clash Detection and Resolution

Using BIM allowed the project team to identify issues early in the design process, reducing the risk of errors and rework during construction. The team could analyze the impact of design changes and make informed decisions to keep the project on track.

3. Design Optimization

Adopting BIM enables architects to evaluate various design options and select the one that made the hospital more aesthetic and functional. The model allowed for the accurate estimation of material quantities and costs, resulting in more realistic project budgeting and procurement.

4. Improved Energy Efficiency <h4>

The project team used BIM to evaluate building performance and identify areas where energy efficiency could be improved. BIM facilitated the selection and integration of energy-efficient systems and materials, further contributing to the hospital's sustainability.

5. Efficient Project Documentation

BIM provided a comprehensive record of the hospital's design details, facilitating easier maintenance and repair. With the help of the model, the team documented every aspect of the hospital that could be helpful for maintenance and repairs throughout the life of the building.

Read: How Can Sustainable Building Design Be Improved With BIM?

6. Construction and Management

The construction team used BIM to effectively manage the project, speed up the construction process and achieve structural precision. Here is how BIM helped them during the construction and management stage.

7. Improved Scheduling

BIM allowed the team to create accurate and detailed construction schedules that took into account the precise sequencing of tasks and the availability of materials and resources. This enabled them to optimize construction timelines, reduce delays, and minimize expenses.

8. Single Point Of Truth NewRAH Information Centre (SPOTNIC)

Developed by HYLC, the integration of SPOTNIC with BIM further enhanced the project management capabilities of the team. It provided real-time information on the construction progress, resource management, and quality assurance. 

9. Enhanced Safety

Using BIM allowed the project team to identify potential safety hazards before construction began, enabling them to develop strategies to mitigate risks and improve worker safety on-site. The model also allowed for the simulation of emergency scenarios, which helped the team to develop effective emergency response plans.

10. Cost Saving

BIM helped identify potential cost savings opportunities by optimizing construction sequencing and identifying areas where materials could be substituted with budget-friendly alternatives. It also facilitated the identification of clashes and conflicts in the design, allowing them to be resolved before construction began, reducing change orders and associated costs.

11. Improved Construction Quality

BIM facilitated the creation of precise and detailed construction documentation that improved the quality of work on-site. It allowed the team to monitor building components and joineries to achieve structural optimization.

12. Reduced Waste

BIM enabled the team to optimize building design during construction. Contractors were equipped with mobile tablets to access detailed 2D drawings and 3D models on-site and review design issues. It is believed that this initiative reduced the project’s waste generation by 12%.

Read: Revit MEP: Its Benefits and the Revolution of BIM workflows

13. Operations and Maintenance

The hospital management and staff are using BIM to run the building at its optimal best. Here is how they are benefiting from BIM in building operations and maintenance tasks.

14. Improved Facility Management

BIM provides a comprehensive and accurate digital representation of the building and its systems. This implies that maintenance tasks can be performed more efficiently, reducing downtime and improving the overall performance of the facility.

15. Asset Management

BIM allows for the creation of a detailed database of assets within the hospital, including all equipment, fixtures, and fittings. This information can be used to track maintenance schedules, identify potential issues before they become problems, and manage the lifecycle of each asset.

16. Energy Efficiency

BIM can be used to monitor and analyze energy consumption within the hospital. This information can be used to identify areas where energy usage can be reduced, resulting in significant cost savings and a reduction in the hospital's carbon footprint.

Read more: Energy-Efficient Buildings: The First Step in Design for a Better Future

17. Emergency Planning and Response

Using BIM provides detailed information about the building layout and systems, which can be invaluable in emergencies. The hospital management staff can use this information to quickly identify potential hazards and develop effective response plans.

18. Predictive Maintenance

By analyzing data collected through BIM, facility managers can identify potential issues before they become problems. This allows for preventative maintenance to be scheduled, reducing the likelihood of equipment failures and the associated expenditure.

In Conclusion

The new Royal Adelaide Hospital project is to date one of the biggest BIM-powered construction projects in South Australia. The successful completion of the project is a testament to the power of BIM and highlights the importance of embracing new technologies for improved project outcomes. 

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