Location: Kiribati, Gilbert Islands, Pacific Ocean (circa. 2006)
Design Brief: New Build Structure, Walkways, Stairs and Balustrades
CAD System: StruCad
Quite often we are presented with projects on tight deadlines. This can be due to a variety of reasons, but how often is it because there is only one boat leaving and the next might not be for another three months or so?
This is how this project began with a two week turnaround for the metalworks and structure design package to be completed, including review and approval. It was with these criteria that I was presented and asked, ‘can we make it happen?’ The answer was, ‘yeah, but it’s gonna be tight!’.
So. No time to spare. Impossibly large package of work to complete. What could go wrong? The answer to that is, nothing. Nothing could go wrong, there was no room for that either.
My plan was to model the main structural components to form a project basis and split the work packages into two areas. Main Structure and everything else.
I got to work and completely modelled the structure without connections. This allowed us to have an accurate layout. Then I shared the model with my colleague where he continued with the structural connections and I continued with the walkways, stairs and balustrade details.
It was with this strategy that we were able to complete our design in time as well as having a fully coordinated package, all of this before multiuser space really took off.
I’ve found that when we are confronted with problems there is an opportunity to think outside the box to find solutions. It’s the mindset that helps drive a solutions based approach to my work.
