The successes achieved in design and construction of The Bloomberg Center have been directly attributed to the project team’s collective investment in a comprehensive BIM process. It allowed the team to have a single source of project information that easily shared relevant design information with project consultants and contractors in real-time, increasing the team’s productivity and reducing the staff needed to design, document, and coordinate deliverables.
Moreover, by using BIM to help coordinate the entire construction process, Morphosis was able to identify and resolve many building system clashes prior to construction. The resulting unified BIM model minimized the number of field conflicts and drastically reduced the added costs and schedule delays associated with in-field modification and subcontractor rework.
Bentley applications also helped the design team compare options to make informed decisions. The designers quickly created multiple iterations of a conceptual infrastructure design model with sufficient engineering content to effectively evaluate and compare design alternatives. Similarly, on the energy front, Morphosis used Bentley software to run analytical energy simulation models that accurately test and estimate the building performance of different design options.
Fulfilling a Grand Vision
Aligning with Cornell Tech’s inter-disciplinary academic mission, the design of The Bloomberg Center merges site and building planning, engineering, and architecture into an integrated and performative solution that achieved desired energy efficiencies. The all-electric building includes an energy canopy supporting a solar panel array that maximizes the site’s energy performance while shading the roof surface of the building to support thermal regulation and reduce load. Other sustainability measures include a geothermal well system, a rainwater collection tank for building and site use, and smart building technology to control building engineering systems. By utilizing the Bentley solution, Morphosis was able to deliver an exceptionally designed and environmentally sustainable facility, meeting and exceeding Cornell Tech’s expectation of a singular, revolutionary complex.
“For over two decades, Bentley’s modeling platforms have been central to Morphosis’ development and delivery of highly innovative, award-winning architectural projects.”
