Project Snapshot: Caterpillar Assembley Line

The model for Caterpillar Assembly Line was the largest and most intricate model that I have worked on in my architecture career, so far. The final model measured about 5'x6' and consisted of literally thousands of tiny parts, palates, and pieces. Everything that goes into building a tractor is represented on this model, and you can see the tractors being completed as they pass down the assembly line. In addition, the entire building housing the assembly line and the parts storage area were modeled as well.
The picture above is an in-progress photo and the the other project team members from PSA Dewberry are shown. Unfortunately, I don't have an image of the finished model, but if anyone out there has a photo of it I would love a copy.

Fondulac District Library

Fondulac District Library in East Peoria, IL, was a very exciting project that I worked on during my time with PSA Dewberry. This project called for a new library facility to be built on the location of the current facility, which has become outdated. You can see the proposed floorplans and layout below.

I am extremely pleased with the final model, built by Brett Pudik and myself. This model is extremely detailed and could not have been any better. This helped in getting PSA Dewberry several more large scale detailed models including the new Bradley University Sports Complex, the Illinois State University Basketball Arena, and also an enormous and insanely detailed model of the Caterpillar Tractors assembly line.

Unfortunately, as is often the case in this industry, the library board recently changed their expansion plans drastically by moving the location of the new library facility to a different site , adjacent to the new city hall. However, if you want to see the model in person it is currently on display in the basement storage closet of Fondulac's current facility.

Rockford Federal Courthouse

Rockford Federal Courthouse is a fantastic project that I was fortunate enough to work on during my time with PSA Dewberry. I came into this project when it was in the construction document phase and this was a great opportunity to learn how a building this complicated goes together.

Following the completion of the construction documents, the decision was made to convert this into a BIM (Building Informational Modeling) project. BIM modeling is the new standard for all Government Service Agency projects. Rockford Federal Courthouse was the first project to be done in this manner and therefore has set the precedent for all following BIM projects. This was also the pilot project for PSA Dewberry's conversion to BIM. It was very exciting to be involved in this aspect of the project. I spent a great deal of time modeling the architectural elements of the building, and en even greater amount of time checking the coordination between all of the building elements. Proof checking in this manner saved millions of dollars in change orders and drastically increased the coordination between the multiple disciplines.

Rockford Federal Courthouse was a finalist in the 2008 BE Awards. Unfortunately, the remodel of the Sydney Opera House took first place that year. However, a great article about the use of BIM in this project can be found in BE Magazine, myself and the rest of the architecture team are mentioned in the article, so please take the time to check it out! The images shown here and in the BE article were created by Mike Justice and myself.