The UCSF Minnesota Street Graduate Student & Trainee Housing is a new affordable housing facility aiming to accommodate over 800 residents — medical students and trainees who study at the University of California (UCSF). Because of the high living cost in San Francisco and the university’s ability to offer campus housing only to 14% of students, UCSF decided to construct two new buildings. Their program spaces include various types of rooms for purposes like studying, community meetings, fitness, games, laundry, and even a corner market.
For VEC, this 390,000-square-foot project consisted of five stories. When working on it, our team faced two critical challenges: The first was not to exceed the project budget and previously defined time constraints. The second was to collaborate with multiple trades efficiently.
VEC specialists worked on the UCSF Minnesota Street Graduate Student & Trainee Housing from 2018 to 2020. As a BIM & VDC partner, our company provided lighting and fire alarm (FA) modeling services for this housing facility.
Utilizing BIM technology allowed for better coordination and communication on the project with the general contractor, Skanska USA Building Inc., and other trades involved. Our Revit-created 3D models helped foster a collaborative environment and facilitate the construction process. The VEC team met all the necessary standards and requirements, which meant no extra testing and rework.
Our electrical BIM & VDC services cover power, lighting, and telecom system modeling. Also, the VEC team created a thorough BIM Execution Plan and shared it with all stakeholders to provide them with the correct understanding and management of relevant BIM deliverables.
Meanwhile, 3D systems’ models are vital to ensure their proper performance after construction due to the opportunity to detect and eliminate clashes quickly. That also strengthens project coordination as all parties get these 3D models and realize how the systems will be constructed on-site. After all, creating a unique environment that will offer student-centered learning is only possible with valuable BIM data and efficient cooperation between all contractors.
VEC’s specialists deliver exceptional civil underground services for this educational project. They encompass various tasks such as 3D modeling, project management, BIM coordination, civil underground wet & dry (VDC), and onsite technology work. We have effectively utilized BIM software solutions such as Revitzo, Revit, and Navisworks throughout the project.
Our experts promptly document all design-related issues using PDF Markups and propose relevant solutions, including fittings and pipe length adjustments. Besides, we have created installation drawings to ensure accurate implementation in alignment with the plans. Lastly, our team performed essential tasks such as 3D laser-scanning, reporting on deviations from the current conditions, developing as-built models and drawings, identifying clashes, etc.
"It's amazing how fast and how much the bluff has receded over the last year. To capture and analyze this data opens my eyes to what this technology can be used for."
"It was a pleasure working alongside AECOM to analyze the corrosion of the bluff using Laser scanning Technology and Drone Photogrammetry. The data we captured is essential as it will provide insight into the stability and safety of the bluff."