BMW Group Campus

Salzburg has been an important location for the BMW Group since as far back as 1977. Now an additional EUR 28m has been invested in a 12,000 m² campus. The fact that it was completed within the planned timeframe and in line with the target costs – despite the Covid pandemic – is thanks in no small part to the consistent application of LEAN Construction and Building Information Modeling, or BIM for short. This meant that all calculations and specialist planning were presented in a digital building model right from the very start.

pde Integrale Planung was responsible for the design and planning, while the build was handled by PORR Bau GmbH. The contract was worth almost EUR 20m.

The main goal on this project was to implement the high-quality plans within the specified timeframe. In addition, the building project was to be realised using BIM and a modular construction method with prefabricated system elements for the construction process optimised in terms of both time and costs. Furthermore, comprehensive sustainability aspects such as energy efficiency, the optimised and flexible use of space, as well as recyclability and deconstruction options were additional considerations.

The entire project was carried out with the involvement of an integral planning team from pde in order to be able to exploit any potential for optimisation in every planning phase. To implement the client’s specifications, the project planning was carried out based on LEAN design methods to facilitate the seamless introduction of the construction site team to the LEAN construction methods.

To ensure the specified costs were not exceeded, pde had already developed numerous optimisation steps during the design planning phase, which were implemented in close coordination with the client. This also meant that all trades involved in the project were required to plan in such a way that BMW’s project goals could be met within the approved budget.

Estimates by BMW suggested that by 2028 almost 600 staff may be employed at this site, of which more than 300 workspaces would be in the new building. The desk-sharing model used by BMW promotes a flexible working environment, one that would be realised as a Flex Office as per the client’s specifications.

Mechanical ventilation is in place throughout the entire building. In order to avoid odour transmission via the ventilation system, the workshop, training centre, canteen and offices each has their own ventilation unit. Training areas, offices and the canteen are heated in winter and cooled in summer via heated and cooled ceilings. The workshops are heated by means of radiant ceiling panels.

In the spirit of sustainability, a large photovoltaic system was installed on the main roof of the west wing. The campus also offers various charging stations for electric vehicles. An access control system was installed in the office building to separate the areas. Video-over-IP cameras were installed on the facade of the office building for video surveillance.

A central condition for the awarding of the contract was that the LEAN principle should not only be applied on the construction site, but right from the planning phase as well. This is why pde held weekly LEAN meetings to present the planning processes of the individual trades in a way that was transparent and easy to understand for everyone involved. To maximise the benefits and optimise the processes, the on-site subcontractors also took part.

For the planning, pde relied on the BIM software Revit by Autodesk. The resulting 3D building model included not only the architecture but the structural design as well. Due to the amount of data, a separate model was used for the building services, which was referenced in the main model to avoid any redundancies.

The plans were also created in PDF and DWG format from the Revit software in order to display the current status. Whether a task had been completed was determined exclusively using the official status sheets. The data exchange with BMW was conducted using a file server. Contractually agreed status updates, such as the plan volume of the design planning or the permit application, were additionally submitted on CD and flash drive.

Conforming to LOD 300, the level of detail of the Revit model corresponded to that of a model for permit application purposes. BMW did not require the model to be used for facility management after the handover of the building.

Almost one-and-a-half years after construction began, PORR was able to hand over the campus to the BMW Group in October 2020 – on time and on budget. The extension has space for an ample training centre, employee restaurant, 470 parking spaces, and office space for 450 employees from 16 nations.