Computational engineering as a service
Using data to deliver efficient engineering solutions
Buro Happold’s computational engineering consultants deliver a transformational, data-driven approach to solving problems and dealing with the efficient digital management of projects in real estate and the built environment.
Our multidisciplinary teams of experts around the world have a wealth of experience in using sophisticated coding-based tools to transform their engineering solutions. On a daily basis, we use computational methods to solve complex design problems, creating real value and depth to all our work.
We are also able to deliver these kinds of innovative digital interventions for clients through our dedicated computational engineering consultancy team.
From offering computational BIM (building information modelling) advice, to working alongside clients to customise or create bespoke computational tools to support architects, developers, construction firms and real estate funders at every stage of a project’s lifecycle.
Mobilising ‘big data’
The use of digital analytics and ‘big data’ interrogation tools is increasingly providing efficiencies in the built environment. Using computational engineering and coding to interrogate data flows, provides a flexible, but powerful approach to solving complex problems.
The real estate industry often requires overlaps of specialist skillsets to make, own and operate a building – including financial analysis, development, architecture, engineering, construction, asset management and operations. We work with clients at every stage – from governments, to investors, property developers, to contractors, through to asset managers – to create value using data.
By translating information into a common format, we are able to ensure efficient communication and understanding between the different stakeholders in a project. We apply analytical approaches – from spatial algorithms to machine learning – to gain unique insights that drive decision-making for our clients. Our bespoke computational tools enable our teams to embrace the challenges of handling a large amount of data to draw meaningful inferences and conclusions from it.
Our computational engineering services include
- Computational BIM consulting
- Bespoke computational tools and plugins
- Customisation of tools
- Project support for architects – selecting the right tools
- Rapid prototyping for developers
- Tools to assist contractors in 3D and 4D modelling and analytics, claims detection, and detailing optimisation
- Development of solutions to pull together different data streams – ie tabular data, geospatial data, temporal data and image data
- Feasibility analytics
- Existing asset diagnostics
- Advanced analysis of tender information
- Advanced 4D modelling for construction site logistics
expertise At every stage
Planning
Our experts work with clients to fully understand the data streams they have and isolate those that can most beneficially be interrogated through computational engineering.
We are able to bring deep analytical thinking and broad experience of driving multi-stakeholder projects in the built environment to inform the planning around data interrogation. Throughout this mapping process, our experts will inject new ideas based on the evolving capabilities of technology.
Design
We work with clients to customise existing tools or build the code for bespoke digital tools to drive this interrogation of focused data analytics.
Informed both by our experience as engineers and consultants on landmark project around the world, as well as on the mapping sketched out during the initial ideations phase, our teams design complex digital solutions that will deliver real transformational change to processes.
Run / Implement
Our teams then work alongside clients to run and implement the new data channels and to tweak their operability to maximise their impact.
Our data analytics skills, engineering expertise and understanding of local capability enables us to draw insights from the analysed data and advise the client accordingly – ie on evolving a construction methodology or sequencing.
Evaluate / Review
Our computational engineering consultants continue to support clients as data flows evolve to create a model for ongoing evaluation and development of computational engineering approaches.
We work closely with clients as a trusted advisor to provide strategic solutions, driven by core operational and business needs, in order to deliver maximum value and return on investment.
