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Symbiosis at the Design Table: How Mechanical Engineering and Building Automation Merged at STUDIO IN-EX
One of the greatest advantages of a closed BIM-based design process is its ability to continuously reveal new opportunities for improvement. At IN-EX, the close collaboration of our nine engineering disciplines has now reached another milestone: by integrating our Mechanical Engineering (MEC) and Building Management System (BMS) disciplines, we have taken efficiency and data integrity to the next level.
Traditionally, Building Management Systems (BMS) have been associated with the Low Voltage (LVO) design disciplines. However, experience gained over recent years, combined with the evolving demands of modern building operation, has highlighted a fundamental fact: truly integrated, energy-efficient buildings that perform reliably throughout their lifecycle depend on the seamless integration of mechanical systems and building automation.
To elevate this integration to the highest level, we dedicated the past several months of development efforts to a bold—but entirely logical—step: merging the MEC and BMS models into a single, shared model.
The essence of this development is the elimination of duplicate data. From now on, the underlying structure of our single line diagrams—including codes and symbols—is fully unified. The models are not just similar: the mechanical and building automation symbols are, in fact, the very same model element, with discipline-specific parameters displayed according to the needs of each engineering team.
Within the shared model, the workflow is clear and fully traceable:
- The Mechanical Engineering (MEC) team places sensors, transmitters, and motorized control valves in their physical locations, establishing the system-level foundation.
- The Building Management System (BMS) team then enriches these same elements by assigning the exact product type, manufacturer, and all control-specific parameters required for automation.
Eliminating the “Fire Damper Effect” and Communication Errors
Like most engineering firms, we previously faced recurring challenges related to manual data coordination between disciplines. A typical example involved fire dampers: the mechanical engineer named and coded the elements, the BMS engineer corrected the identifiers within their own workflow, and then sent the updates back to the mechanical team for manual implementation. At that point, human error inevitably became a risk—the updates were either applied on time or overlooked due to tight project deadlines.
This source of error is now a thing of the past.
Thanks to the live, shared model, synchronization is both immediate and bidirectional:
If a BMS engineer updates a code, the change is instantly reflected in the mechanical single line diagram.
If the mechanical engineer modifies the system, the update appears immediately on the BMS side as well.
Why Does This Matter for Owners and Facility Managers?
The benefits of this development extend well beyond the design office. By dramatically reducing the potential for errors, we deliver more accurate construction documentation, resulting in fewer on-site improvisations, reduced rework, and lower construction costs.
The biggest beneficiaries, however, are the building owner and the future facility management (FM) team. The Single Source of Truth established during the design phase ensures that the completed building’s digital twin—its as-built model—contains reliable, validated data throughout. This creates a trustworthy digital asset that forms the foundation for intelligent, energy-efficient building operation.
At STUDIO IN-EX, we believe that closed BIM is not a static methodology but a continuous process of optimization. This latest development demonstrates that there is always room for even greater accuracy, deeper integration, and smarter engineering.
Author: Norbert Pekola, Studio Leader
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