The One Za’abeel project is a combination of cutting-edge design and technological advancements. In 2017, the project contractor for this project, ALEC Engineering, used drones, BIM, 3D and 4D modeling to ensure that dozens of stakeholders, including architects, engineers, and contractors, could collaborate, coordinate and communicate at the same time and lead the construction plan. In the initial phases of the project, drones were used to survey the project site to capture spatial data and in future supplement the modeling process. Additional geospatial tools were used to capture imagery (LiDAR, aerial imagery) and build different scenarios to understand the risks and the construction environment of the project.

The contractor also used 3D modeling in each aspect of the build phase, which included critical elements of construction such as the steel frame, mechanical systems and concrete. 4D BIM, which is the ‘time’ dimension, allowed engineers to plan and conduct predictive analysis, to anticipate potential problems, and to track and monitor all processes before beginning with actual on-site construction. The imageries collected from drones were used to compare the digital simulations created during the modeling process to ensure timely delivery of the project. The use of 4D modeling, in particular, Bentley’s SYNCHRO technology, in a project of such enormous size and complexity, helped stakeholders to visualize as granular and nuanced picture as possible of the project in its entirety and make any alternative design changes before the construction could begin. Using Synchro, the architects and engineers could test all possible scenarios to get the ‘best constructible’ scenario.