Bentley Case Studies JPW's Computational Design Approach for Australia’s Largest Sustainable Commercial Tower

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	JPW's Computational Design Approach for Australia’s Largest Sustainable Commercial Tower Bentley

JPW's Computational Design Approach for Australia’s Largest Sustainable Commercial Tower

Bentley

Technology Category	Analytics & Modeling - Digital Twin / Simulation Sensors - Temperature Sensors
Applicable Industries	Buildings Construction & Infrastructure
Applicable Functions	Logistics & Transportation Product Research & Development
Use Cases	Digital Twin Virtual Prototyping & Product Testing
Services	System Integration
Challenge	Johnson Pilton Walker (JPW) was tasked with designing an iconic, sustainable tower structure as part of the urban revitalization and redevelopment of Western Sydney. The project, known as Parramatta Square, was a part of Western Sydney’s urban renewal initiative and aimed to revitalize Australia’s second-oldest city center. The project was challenging due to its location adjacent to a major railway station with limited road access and in a flood zone close to the Parramatta River. The project required careful infrastructure planning and design to ensure that the building and public domain were seamlessly integrated. Local authorities imposed strict guidelines to address heritage context, solar access, energy efficiency, sustainability, flexible workspace, and pedestrian permeability. The large-scale building form, combined with an expedited timeline, presented a range of design and delivery challenges. Read More
About Customer	Johnson Pilton Walker (JPW) is an award-winning architectural firm that was the lead design firm for the Parramatta Square urban renewal initiative. The AUD 600 million project aimed to broaden the city skyline and incorporate cutting-edge, sustainable, world-class design, reflecting the highest standards of global architecture. JPW was tasked with designing an iconic, sustainable tower structure as part of the urban revitalization and redevelopment of Western Sydney. The project was challenging due to its location, scale, and the strict guidelines imposed by local authorities. JPW was responsible for collaborating with multiple engineering disciplines and consultants to deliver the project. Read More
Solution	To overcome these challenges and meet all project objectives, JPW implemented digital BIM solutions to streamline workflows and optimize design. They relied on OpenBuildings Designer to model the basement, podium, and core according to traditional BIM principles. They integrated computational design for the geometrically driven design aspects—including the façade, tower structure, and ceilings—to advance BIM and workflow efficiencies. The interoperability of GenerativeComponents with Excel allowed interaction with the tabular structural engineering data for the floors, beams, and columns. The team could then use the conditional formatting features in Excel to load, check, and generate computational design models for the tower structure. The team generated multiple variations of the unique panels and fins, accommodating the changing panel radius and varying fin depths. The team used OpenBuildings Designer to generate a unique script that established a polygonal grid as an envelope. The grid encompassed the building where each polygon was parametrically modeled to simplify modification, as well as represented a panel type in the façade system. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Analytics & Modeling - Digital Twin / Simulation

Sensors - Temperature Sensors

Applicable Industries

Buildings

Construction & Infrastructure

Applicable Functions

Logistics & Transportation

Product Research & Development

Use Cases

Digital Twin

Virtual Prototyping & Product Testing

Services

System Integration

Challenge

Johnson Pilton Walker (JPW) was tasked with designing an iconic, sustainable tower structure as part of the urban revitalization and redevelopment of Western Sydney. The project, known as Parramatta Square, was a part of Western Sydney’s urban renewal initiative and aimed to revitalize Australia’s second-oldest city center. The project was challenging due to its location adjacent to a major railway station with limited road access and in a flood zone close to the Parramatta River. The project required careful infrastructure planning and design to ensure that the building and public domain were seamlessly integrated. Local authorities imposed strict guidelines to address heritage context, solar access, energy efficiency, sustainability, flexible workspace, and pedestrian permeability. The large-scale building form, combined with an expedited timeline, presented a range of design and delivery challenges.

About Customer

Johnson Pilton Walker (JPW) is an award-winning architectural firm that was the lead design firm for the Parramatta Square urban renewal initiative. The AUD 600 million project aimed to broaden the city skyline and incorporate cutting-edge, sustainable, world-class design, reflecting the highest standards of global architecture. JPW was tasked with designing an iconic, sustainable tower structure as part of the urban revitalization and redevelopment of Western Sydney. The project was challenging due to its location, scale, and the strict guidelines imposed by local authorities. JPW was responsible for collaborating with multiple engineering disciplines and consultants to deliver the project.

Solution

To overcome these challenges and meet all project objectives, JPW implemented digital BIM solutions to streamline workflows and optimize design. They relied on OpenBuildings Designer to model the basement, podium, and core according to traditional BIM principles. They integrated computational design for the geometrically driven design aspects—including the façade, tower structure, and ceilings—to advance BIM and workflow efficiencies. The interoperability of GenerativeComponents with Excel allowed interaction with the tabular structural engineering data for the floors, beams, and columns. The team could then use the conditional formatting features in Excel to load, check, and generate computational design models for the tower structure. The team generated multiple variations of the unique panels and fins, accommodating the changing panel radius and varying fin depths. The team used OpenBuildings Designer to generate a unique script that established a polygonal grid as an envelope. The grid encompassed the building where each polygon was parametrically modeled to simplify modification, as well as represented a panel type in the façade system.

Impact #1	The use of computational design methodologies was integral to the detailed design development and documentation process of the Parramatta Square project. It allowed JPW to optimize digital workflows while maintaining flexibility and rigor across the project. Bentley’s integrated design solution facilitated accurate building design, including input and changes from contractors. Modeling the objects familiarized JPW with the spatial implications that are important to architectural design. By integrating color-coding for visual differentiation and scripting failure mechanisms into the data flow, JPW automated design verification, replacing manual methods of error-checking and eliminating the risk of human error. The digital twin facilitated design coordination, allowing the architects to identify and timely resolve inconsistencies, mitigating any negative financial and architectural impact, and avoiding rework. The success of this project has shifted the perspective on design, encouraging JPW to adapt this solution on future projects, reaping the benefits and optimizing delivery.

Impact #1

The use of computational design methodologies was integral to the detailed design development and documentation process of the Parramatta Square project. It allowed JPW to optimize digital workflows while maintaining flexibility and rigor across the project. Bentley’s integrated design solution facilitated accurate building design, including input and changes from contractors. Modeling the objects familiarized JPW with the spatial implications that are important to architectural design. By integrating color-coding for visual differentiation and scripting failure mechanisms into the data flow, JPW automated design verification, replacing manual methods of error-checking and eliminating the risk of human error. The digital twin facilitated design coordination, allowing the architects to identify and timely resolve inconsistencies, mitigating any negative financial and architectural impact, and avoiding rework. The success of this project has shifted the perspective on design, encouraging JPW to adapt this solution on future projects, reaping the benefits and optimizing delivery.

Benefit #1	Bentley’s computational design application reduced modeling time for the façade panels from two weeks to less than one hour.
Benefit #2	The interoperability of OpenBuildings Designer with Excel automated design processes to save significant time, resources, and costs.
Benefit #3	Extracting data and documentation directly from the digital twin resulted in more accurate deliverables.

Benefit #1

Bentley’s computational design application reduced modeling time for the façade panels from two weeks to less than one hour.

Benefit #2

The interoperability of OpenBuildings Designer with Excel automated design processes to save significant time, resources, and costs.

Benefit #3

Extracting data and documentation directly from the digital twin resulted in more accurate deliverables.

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Overview

JPW's Computational Design Approach for Australia’s Largest Sustainable Commercial Tower

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit