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Leading structural steel building contractors know the importance of using an integrative model in their approach to building construction including all aspects of design and steel detailing to final project delivery. Many benefits arise from using integrated building design (IBD) including costs savings through minimizing waste and other inefficiencies through maximizing the talents of all the design and construction specialists involved in large building construction. The historical model of building construction is quite linear, moving sequentially from predesign to design to bidding and finally to construction. Advanced technology in the form of steel construction software such as Tekla Structures has virtually changed the commercial building industry. Using an integrated approach using 3D structural drawings allows all the construction professionals to engage in a collaborative process by engaging the entire team from the start of the project through its completion. Rather than entering and exiting a project when their particular role is called for, integrated building design gives all specialists involved a view of the big picture. In this way, the team can see how each system operates in relation to others, allowing for greater efficiency in project coordination, a decrease in wasted materials and time, and the flexibility to correct or enhance particular building features early on if needed. All of these features combine to improve the profit margin and enable the project to reach deadlines on time. Integrated building design is different from previous methods of building construction in that a great deal of the work takes place at the front end of the job. That is, building architects, engineers, steel detailers and steel fabricators invest the majority of their time early on in order to create the working model of the project prior to construction. That way, when actual construction begins, every contractor benefits from a shared vision for the project as well as clear goals and expectations. This collaborative approach to structural steel building construction allows the project manager to literally track and assess every detail of the job and provide accurate reporting to local inspectors, building owners and other stakeholders. The Whole Building Design Guide of the National Institute of Building Sciences points out that to achieve the best results using integrated building design requires certain commitments from all parties, including: 1) clear and continuous communication, 2) rigorous attention to detail, and 3) active collaboration among all team members throughout all phases on the project. The application of integrated building design is relevant to all commercial and industrial structural steel building projects from a parking garage or bridge to a 40-story business building. Today, the best projects in the world approach their work using advance 3D technology and an integrated, collaborative building model. For more information the benefits of integrated building design and structural steel detailing, see Tectonix Steel.
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