Tilbury Douglas has launched a first-of-its-kind digital solution in conjunction with Unity to help drive digital innovation within the construction industry.
The Connect Configurator marks a gamechanger for designing buildings, as it provides a web-based application for smarter and more-efficient creation of concept designs using approved standardised layouts.
The flexible platform can design whole buildings, by placing individual rooms which include building components.
Using prefabricated models and the latest 3D technology, Connect Configurator allows for more detail and information to be created earlier in the project.
This gives clients data at their fingertips so they can make informed, data-driven decisions based on live cost, carbon, and time estimates provided by the Configurator as the building is designed.
With the Connect Configurator providing editable RIBA stage 3 building layouts, it is also able to reduce the rework typically seen in the development of detailed designs, streamlining what is normally a very-iterative design process – therefore, significantly reducing design time.
Tilbury Douglas has worked with Unity to create the solution, which can be used to design whole buildings or individual elements
Mark Buckle, technical director at Tilbury Douglas, explains: “Collaborating with a pioneering digital expert like Unity, we have developed a platform which demystifies construction design for those not familiar with construction drawings.
“The technology utilises a centrally-managed, web-based common-object library for platform construction, materials, and parts. This means the system can create and export the base for a digital twin with all the data embedded and one which is not tied to any specific design software.”
“Ultimately, the configurator is just one part of our Connect digital strategy, and our investment in platform design setting the stage for digital twin delivery, launching early 2023.”
Dave Rhodes, senior vice president for digital twins at Unity, added: “This collaboration with Tilbury Douglas will help open up construction design for a host of new users, those across government agencies, architects, and engineers who envision, evaluate, and analyse how certain changes in a city will look and how these changes can meet the needs of the future generations.
“As we all know, there has been a major shift, not only in the global labour market, but also in how we work. Therefore, it’s more important than ever to connect people with the new skills needed for future jobs.”
