UAB “PAVLIDI IR KO” has been providing building design services since 1995. Since opening till today engineers-designers who formed the core of the opened company are still working in the company. We talk to the company’s long-term employees about the acquired heritage, competences and changing design tools.
The company is engaged in the design of various buildings, mostly high-rise and individual residential houses, cottages, administrative public and industrial buildings throughout Lithuania. Most orders come from long-term partner architects.
From hand drawing to BIM modelling
Male designer Darius Kirvaitis remembers that at the beginning of his career he still drew by hand, and only later started using the AutoCAD software: “it was the beginning, the computers were not powerful, the capabilities of the software were also very limited. That’s why we used to joke that drawing by hand is faster than using a computer. It took time to realize that AutoCAD is more efficient than a pencil.”
Having worked with AutoCAD software for many years, having gained experience, knowledge and competences, the constructors felt the need for greater process automation.
“There are more and more clients demanding BIM modeling, and from this year the obligation to apply BIM in public projects came into force. Also, our team is not large, so in order to work with larger objects, you need to change work methods, look for tools that allow you to automate design processes and work more efficiently” – said Darius Kirvaitis about the reasons for switching to BIM modeling.
When choosing a BIM design tool, engineers took into account the capabilities of the software, but the most important thing was the experience and recommendations of other constructors.
Multi-apartment residential building project
The company was convinced of the benefits and advantages of the “Tekla Structures” software already during the implementation of its first 3D multi-apartment residential building on Visorių str. 27, Vilnius – project. The building consists of thirteen above-ground buildings and an underground part of the building connecting them. Car storage is designed in the underground part of the building. The length of the underground part of the structure is 245 m, the width varies from 90 to 72 m. The height of residential buildings is 4-5 and 7-9 floors. The maximum height of the above-ground bodies is 28.63 m above the ground.
The company’s constructor, Gžegož Zaranko, prepared 3D models and construction drawings of the designed structures in 3 months: “We have to admit that it would be impossible, or take at least 10 times longer, with normal CAD tools, working by one person.”
Among the biggest advantages of the software, interviewees emphasize automatic quantity calculation, easy change management and integrations with calculation programs.
“The attitude towards Tekla Structures software and the entire BIM methodology is very positive: productivity has increased, the number of errors has been reduced to a minimum. The BIM coordinator detects intersections, the model is immediately corrected, the quantities are redrawn and the drawings are generated automatically. Tekla software worked for us one hundred percent, after half a year we had a result – we successfully implemented the project incomparably faster” – says Darius.
After extensive training in Tekla Structures, where he acquired the basics, as well as independent daily modeling, Gžegož Zaranko classifies himself as an average user. According to him, the first 3D project is the most difficult, you need to learn a lot and prepare, gain experience. Another challenge awaiting the designer is detailing. The company still has 2D projects, but the goal is to gradually fully transition to BIM.
Darius Kirvaitis answers the question why the company “PAVLIDI IR KO” decided to change: “all larger companies use BIM for construction and planning, 4D BIM and 5D BIM are emerging. In order not to lose customers and long-term partners, it is necessary to adapt to technical progress and switch to new work methods, increase productivity. It was only a matter of time.”
Prapared by Laima Natkeviciute