PALO ALTO, CA—The KPA Group has been selectedby the Department of Veterans Affairs office ofconstruction and facilities management to develop theBuilding Information Model for each of thebuildings and associated sites on the Palo Alto VACampus.

Approximately 60 building models will becreated and over 20 unique campus site configurations will bestudied. The Building Information Modeling will allow the VAplanning and engineering teams to review project phasing andconstruction scenarios in 3D and should contribute to the overallsuccess of the program and the life cycle management of thecampus.
VA's office of construction and facilities management (CFM) hasdetermined that Building Information Modeling (BIM) represents bothan enhanced technology and a process change for thearchitecture-engineering-construction-facilities managementindustry. The VA's mission is to deliver excellent medical servicesand this BIM supports that mission by maximizing lifecycle buildingperformance.
Paul Powers, AIA, NCARB and principal at The KPAGroup said, "We appreciate the trust the VA has placed in us tolead the Project Management in Architecture and Planning for thisVA Health Care Campus BIM. We agree with the VAthat Building Information Modeling (BIM) is an enhanced technologyand advancement in the method of delivery for thearchitecture-engineering-construction-facilities managementindustry. Our team at The KPA Group is proud to be part of thiscutting-edge process."

BIM provides a design, construction team with the ability toopen the lines of communication among and between teams. This highlevel of communication and coordination ensures a better building,less changes during construction, reduced costs and betterlong-term building management, Powers says.
The KPA Group, which integrates engineering and architecture, saysit is uniquely positioned to use BIM to deliver an outstandingproduct to its clients like the VA.
The KPA Group has an extensive portfolio of successfully completedmajor projects both regionally and internationally in aviation,veterans' facilities, justice, academic, public buildings andmicroelectronics. This portfolio includes approximately $2billion of projects.