The University of Queensland Oral Health Centre stands as the largest and most comprehensive facility of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, spanning 307,309 square feet and representing an investment of $134 million. Initiated in 2009 and completed in 2014, the Centre opened its doors in 2015.
It holds the distinction of being Australia’s first large-scale project to fully integrate Building Information Modeling (BIM) across its design, construction, and operational phases, showcasing the groundbreaking potential of BIM in delivering complex infrastructure. Designed by Cox Rayner Architects in collaboration with Hames Sharley and Conrad Gargett Riddel, the project also benefited from a $3 million contribution by the Queensland State Government.
- The site was formed by reinstating the park’s symmetrical relationship with the historic building. A primary emphasis of the design was to promote maximum interaction between the disciplines. This emphasis, together with the parkland setting, generated organic forms and spaces that depart from the rigid planning models that have historically characterized large specialist health learning and research facilities.
- The planning consolidates the dental laboratories in the centre, such that circulation envelopes the building, comprising a system of timber-louvred glazing that facilitates natural ventilation throughout the movement spaces. This system and that of articulated white concrete panels underpin this large building’s crafted and humanistic architecture.
- Complex design and functionality: The Oral Health Centre was designed to house both educational and clinical spaces, requiring intricate planning to ensure that it met the needs of students, faculty, and patients. Balancing the educational requirements with the medical and clinical functions of the facility, including state-of-the-art dental technology, was complex.
Draftech’s Involvement:
To meet their contractual position for this project, KLM Group (now known as Programmed AU) actively sought Draftech as the solution to:
- Model
- Coordinate
- Provide Clash Detection Resolutions
- Provide Shop Drawings for the Electrical Services component of this project.
Our journey began on the 134-million-dollar project by incorporating the sophisticated use of BIM along with our team’s knowledge to optimize the design of Electrical Services, ensuring smooth installation on-site while minimizing costs and errors for our client.
Weekly coordination meetings started on site with each discipline attending and working through the main tight areas of concern within the project design. As the project progressed and with the changes in IT technology at the time, we started running remote meetings which became more productive and resulted in further cost savings for the project and our client.
It was a privilege to be a part of a project where not only the client, Queensland Health but also the main contractors wanted to embark on the full BIM journey for the first time. It demonstrated the potential of BIM to deliver projects more efficiently, sustainably, and cost-effectively, setting a new standard for the construction industry.
It was concluded by the main contractor that without the use of BIM the project would have taken much longer to complete and have a detrimental effect on the project’s budget.
Since its completion, the University of Queensland Oral Health Centre has gone on to become Australia’s most awarded project at the 2016 National Australian Architect Institute Awards as well as gain recognition across several other national and international bodies awards.
Draftech – Your Project, Our Expertise
For more details about this state-of-the-art Oral Health Centre, please explore the links below.
https://dentistry.uq.edu.au/about/oral-health-centre
https://dentistry.uq.edu.au/article/2016/10/134m-uq-facility-leader-australian-oral-health
https://healthcaresnapshots.com/projects/3356/university-of-queensland-oral-health-center/
Testimonials
Very professional and efficient organization. Delivered a great product to a tight deadline.
ACE Power
Karl and the team are very professional and have a vast knowledge of BIM coordination.
Dwayne Willaims Babinda Electrics
We had multiple large projects with tight deadlines and needed a company we could trust. The teams delivery, attention to detail and understanding of what is being designed is always executed to a high standard.
Martin O’Donovan Envar Engineers
Draftech offered a flexible and reliable approach to working collaboratively with our team. They met our expectations and quality requirements and also offered up new ideas.
Draftech have proven to be a valuable and trustworthy resource and we will continue to work with Draftech on other projects.
Simon Marsden Umow Lai
Draftech is different from others in the professionalism and features they provide.
The ability to walk through projects in real time online provides invaluable insight into problem areas and helps provide an efficient resolution on the spot without many phone calls, emails and the necessity for us to paw through countless drawings to understand the issues.
Todd Morris Manager - Air mech
Draftech were put forward to FIP Electrical as the solution to Coordinate, Model, carry out clash detection, provide Electrical Services Shop Drawings, as built documentation and completed electrical model.
Simon Thorpe FIP Electrical
In close collaboration Draftech set up all our systems and model deliverables. In this process Draftech have proven to be a valuable resource for us and demonstrated commitment, understanding and professionalism.
David Skelley DJCoalition
Draftech’s attention to detail and proactive nature throughout the project assisted us in identifying issues before becoming evident on site, saving us both time and unexpected costs.
Matt Payne PJM Engineering Services
They delivered very high quality Revit models and associated 2D documentation at key milestones, working to a tight budget and in strict accordance with the Architects’ BIM requirements.
Peter Thomas Geoff Hesford
We found Draftech’s work to be of high standard and the team delivered exactly as agreed, in fact, when we considered the project complete, Draftech put further resources into the project as they were not satisfied.
John Johnson Beca
Engaging Draftech during design gave us the tools to make smart decisions.
Hansen Yuncken Design Manager - Michael Harkins
The drafting service is timely, reliable and fit for purpose for the built environment.
Peter Harvey Harvey Industries
Draftech stands apart from other drafting services that we have previously used in their attention to detail and ability to adapt to the individual client’s requirements.
Doug Holt McCaig Aircon
I can confidently recommend Draftech as a solid and reliable supplier, and experts in their field. I look forward to working with them again in the near future.
Chris Behan Norman Disney & Young
After seeing the benefits Draftech provided us on the Townsville Hospital Redevelopment we have set up a relationship with Draftech and intend to continue to use their BIM knowledge and skills for our future projects.
Brad Lund Energy Power Systems
Draftech has no competition as they are in a class of their own.
John Boyes Babinda Electrics
Draftech Developments Drafting and Design Capabilities, in conjunction with their outstanding level of Client service and support has provided great solutions to our engineering and Drafting Design portions within our Gorgon Barrow Island Project.
Aaron Hazelton Applied Electro Systems Pty Ltd
Draftech set up necessary systems and workflows very quickly, but also setup auditable estimating and weekly cost tracking processes that we utilised, requiring little maintenance.
TOM PURDON MPM GROUP
