High Complexity Buildings

NVBK-DACE SIG High Complexity Buildings (HCB)

Objective of SIG HCB

The objective of SIG HCB, as set out in its charter, is to share and exchange knowledge and experience relating to the construction of complex buildings, with Cost Engineering serving as the connecting factor.

In today's demanding society and (real estate) economy, we are increasingly dealing with complex buildings. This is often because numerous requirements must be met (including sustainability, multifunctionality and flexibility), while space is scarce and therefore expensive. Complexity often arises when multiple functions are accommodated within a building and/or its envelope, each with requirements that are not necessarily compatible. Cost Engineers are expected to provide accurate estimates of investment costs at an early stage, taking into account all aspects and potential technical solutions.

An additional challenge is often the short construction period in a complex environment (such as a railway station, hospital or factory), which must also remain operational during construction ("building while keeping operations running"). The large number of stakeholders involved, including clients, users, facility managers and permitting authorities, can also add to the complexity of the project in terms of scope and project control.

Types of Buildings

We classify the following types of buildings as complex in terms of their functionality and/or construction:

• Supporting buildings at industrial complexes (control rooms, etc.)
• Cleanrooms
• Laboratories and Research & Development centres
• Food production facilities
• Pharmaceutical facilities
• Data centres
• Bunkers (cyclotrons)
• Research centres
• Transport hubs (major railway stations, airports, etc.)
  
  

SIG HCB Participants

SIG HCB consists of a cross-section of professionals who are directly involved in the design and construction of complex buildings. Representatives from all stakeholder groups have already joined, although the client side (asset owners and their representatives) is still somewhat underrepresented.

All SIG HCB participants are members of NVBK and/or participants in DACE.

SIG HCB Participants:

Frank Michielen (chair)                
Harmen Bunk - ARCADIS Nederland b.v.          
Steffen Chang - Twynstra Gudde
Guide van Haalen - BAM Utiliteitsbouw
Rob van de Heiden - BOAG Advies en Management
Marc Hengstmangers (vice-voorzitter) - IGG Bouweconomie
Marieke Kappert-Lankhorst - Kontek
Bernd Karstenberg - BBN adviseurs
Mart van de Leur - ABT b.v.
Wienie van Lierop - BAM Utiliteitsbouw Grote Projecten
Roel Maas - Tebodin
Richard ’s-Gravemade                        
Jacqueline Schlagwein - Schiphol Group
Sander Stolk - Tebodin
Arie van der Ven - Aronshon Raadgevende Ingenieurs
Niels Vlieg - Schiphol Group
Anton de Vries - Dukers & De Cock
Erik Weldring - Grontmij Nederland b.v.
Simon Woude - Arcadis Nederland b.v.

Working Groups

During the founding meeting on 13 January, three working groups were also established based on an agreed shortlist of topics that SIG HCB will examine in greater detail in the coming period.

The shortlist consists of the following six topics:

• Business case (costs and revenues)
• LCC+ (Life Cycle Costs), including Total Cost of Ownership
• Contract types / co-creation
• Cost benchmarks (including cost estimating) and cost drivers
• Cost control (including the role of the cost consultant)
• Programme of Requirements / Scope