Old is good. New is better.

Building remains a beautiful profession

If old is good and new is better, that's certainly promising for the future. Hans van Pelt, structural engineer, asks for your opinion with regard to realizing projects in due form, using the latest techniques. Do you accept the challenge?

Wout Eijkelenboom, who I always allude to as 'The E in EGM', said the following in his speech on the occasion of the opening of Tiel's town hall: "The profession of architect is the second oldest in the world - first, people need food, second, they need shelter and protection." A homage to construction.

Construction is a beautiful profession. Its impressive, formidable history is filled with inspiration. That is why the search for a building's history is a fascinating pursuit for any architecture enthusiast. The discovery of old techniques, amazement at the craftsmanship of olden days and the Gothic master builders' ingenuity make for a truly intriguing voyage of discovery. I am one of those enthusiasts.


Expo 67 Montreal

Old is good. New is better. After all, we should always look ahead. Last summer, the Nieuwe Instituut organized the exhibition "What is The Netherlands - 14 contributions to Universal Expositions". EGM designed the pavilion for EXPO 67, which took place in Montreal. During the exhibition "What is The Netherlands", it was possible to virtually visit this pavilion using VR-3D glasses. A true nostalgia trip for those who had visited the original pavilion!

I had the privilege of "building" the BIM-model of the pavilion designed by Wout Eijkelenboom. This was a fantastic challenge. The search for that which "was", combining photos of one thing with drawings of another, and as such discovering the architectural surprises in the project that are so characteristic of Wout's style, once again confirmed to me: construction is a beautiful profession. Old is good.

 

BIM: building in 3D

I was a building contractor - temporarily, that is to say! A BIM-model is a building in digital form. One on one. Impressive. And good by definition. Because the software will not accept digital building errors. You either fix it, or leave it mercilessly visible. The latter is not an option. You become inventive. What is easier than building something that has been built before? You do it for the second time, so the process ought to be flawless. You go over every document. And discover reality must have been different from the design, because photographs don't lie. Changes must have been carried out during construction, which haven't been documented. Or maybe it should be adjusted at some points which were understood differently as a result of means of communication that - by today's standards - were fairly primitive. I solved it digitally. And I'm proud. Because the BIM-model proves it: construction is a beautiful profession. And new is better.

I've relinquished my status as a building constructor - though not entirely. Because BIM-ing is designing, building, using and maintaining all at once. Up front. With a team. A team which generates an optimal product for the client, and realizes construction is a profession. And which justifiably relies on demands having been uncompromisingly translated into what is to become a building. That is why we have to look to the future. Become resourceful. Innovate. Intertwine architecture and construction engineering with digital possibilities, which will make it a joy to build, use and maintain a building. To take on the challenge as a construction chain to generate a product that does the client proud. BIM-ing is the future. New is better!

Mine is a beautiful profession. We are faced with wonderful challenges, starting from future-oriented rules and regulations. In 2020, the 20-20-20 objective will come into effect. These are percentages expressing the reduction of carbon emissions, energy consumption and renewable energy. I would like to add a challenge: in 2020, will the building chain succeed in realizing 20% of projects in due form using BIM?

 

Hans van Pelt, Dordrecht, 2015