Meet Tamás, BIM Coordinator Data Centres

Responsibilities of a BIM Coordinator

“Generally, I am responsible for creating the base models for the discipline modellers which will be the virtual copy of the building. That is where the design process is going on. We have to maintain these models to ensure full visibility for the lead engineers who reviews it. I am the link between that. In every discipline, I make sure that, for example, drawings and title headers are the same and represent the company’s standards. Sometimes we say: the BIM coordinator solves those problems, which people don’t know that they exist at all. We have to oversee the processes not only from the design perspective, but also how to put the design into a model or on the drawings.”

Diversity in my role

Our global team is spread out over the world, which means you work on multidisciplinary teams with colleagues across the border. “We work together a lot with the Nijmegen office in The Netherlands. Most of the new ways of working are being developed, tested and implemented there. In my opinion, I find it very interesting to introduce these visions and implementations in the Frankfurt office as well. Recently, I introduced a new folder structure which is very valuable for our office. In terms of projects, I work on multiple projects with colleagues from the Nijmegen office as well as the Frankfurt office. Even though I am contributing to the Data Centres Team, I also have knowledge of other design buildings like airports, high-rise buildings or hospitals. I think it is very important, as a BIM coordinator, to be widely informed about different buildings.”

The international atmosphere in the Data Centres Team

“We are with more or less 35 people here at the Frankfurt office. I can describe the team as very informal and nice. It is really nice to have an office location in Frankfurt since a lot of the designs are located here. Therefore, it is very efficient that local German-speaking senior engineers can consult the authorities while also being on site. However, there is an international mindset with colleagues from various countries like Russia, South Africa, Hungary and The Netherlands. Multiple architectural and engineering disciplines are represented such as structural engineers, architects, permit architects, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers and civil engineers. Besides that, I also talk a lot with external partners.”

Connecting physical and digital with Digital twins

Compared to an original 2D model of a building, a digital twin (3D) is the new backbone of innovation the team of Tamás is working with. Driven by relevant data, a digital twin is a virtual mirror of a real-world asset, process or even an entire system, like a data centre. This mirror provides insight into how that asset behaves under a variety of simulated conditions, helping you to improve decision-making and optimise business processes. Tamás adds: “This method for BIM is really about efficiency, we do not need as much energy to deliver models compared to the old way of modelling. The end product is more environment friendly now, also because we can present multiple options to our clients, based on defined criteria. It definitely pays off at the end of a project and that’s why my drive is to let more people work with this innovative model as the main source of information now and in the future.”

A trustworthy environment with appreciation from others

“I am treated very well because of the appreciation by others for my expertise and knowledge in this special field. That feels good because it motivates me, and it builds loyalty to others. I also find it great that I can manage projects with my own time management, indicating trustworthiness from the people I work with. I also make use of BIM trainings on a frequent basis, offered by the company. This is very important and useful because BIM is a very rapid and innovative field, there is always new stuff to learn!”