Building Information Modeling

SDL has a long history of utilizing technology to provide innovative structural solutions for our clients. As an early adopter, SDL began using computers to design structures in the 1970’s – long before such practices were common. Often times, software was not commercially available and the firm wrote many of its own programs. Then in 1983, SDL began using Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) to produce construction documents thrusting SDL to the leading edge of the Architectural/Engineering industry. In the early 2000’s as BIM started to become a viable technology to produce construction documents, the firm recognized that it was the future of the Architectural/Engineering industry just as CAD had proven to be in the 1980’s.

Since 2006, Stanley D. Lindsey and Associates, Ltd. (SDL) has embraced Building Information Modeling (BIM) to aid in the process of developing and coordinating construction documents. Our primary BIM production platform is Autodesk Revit, and we are also skilled in use of Tekla, Navisworks, Dynamo, and IFC.

SDL emphasizes the use of BIM technology to aid in both structural design as well as in the preparation of construction documents by deploying both off-the-shelf tools and custom in-house scripts to link the structural analysis results and design models to the documentation model in Revit.  This effort increases efficiency and reduces errors throughout the design process.  SDL’s staff works closely with all members of the design team to keep the models coordinated throughout the design and construction process.  Besides enhancing spatial coordination between disciplines during design via clash detection, we seek to produce models that can be effective information containers for downstream model consumers during construction and facility operations and retain usefulness for material takeoffs, work sequencing, and shop drawing production.

What sets SDL apart from other structural firms with respect to BIM is our depth of knowledge and experience. SDL’s Director of BIM Operations, Ben Osborne, is a recognized expert in the field and is a frequent collaborator with the developers at Autodesk to help guide current feature development and mold future improvements to the software. Besides leading our in-house Revit education sessions and developing BIM tools and workflows, he often takes a hands-on approach to make sure projects get started in the right direction and is available to troubleshoot and optimize solutions for the entire project team.