Building information modellingfor the timber frame industry.Wolf Systems’ Horizon helps LoCaL Homes collaborate

When LoCaL Homes, part of The Accord Group,moved from AutoCAD to Revit® architecture

in 2015 it needed a timber frame tool that wouldsupport both BIM and facilitate greater collaborationbetween internal departments. Discover why WolfSystems’ Horizon software was selected as thetimber frame tool that would deliver BIM capabilityand a more joined-up way of working.

Timber frame manufacturer, LoCaL Homes is partof the Accord Group, one of the Midlands’ largestnot-for-profit housing organisations, providingover 13,000 homes and a range of services to over80,000 people.

LoCaL Homes produces high quality timber panels,including a fully complete wall system, providing asustainable, low carbon alternative to traditionalbrick-built structures for both its parent organisationand other housing associations across the country.

The challenge: Migrating from AutoCADto Revit® and the need for greater internalcollaboration

Since 2011 LoCaL Homes had been using Mitek’sWoodEngine, based on Autodesk’s AutoCAD forthe design of open and closed timber frame panels,with an automated timber frame assembly linereading output files from the design software toautomate the positioning and nailing of the timbermembers.

When The Accord Group’s architectural department,InDesign, changed from using AutoCAD to Revit®in early 2015, it was in fact its Autodesk re-seller thatrecommended Wolf Systems’ Horizon software asthe BIM-ready tool that could achieve its objectives.

The solution: Wolf Systems’ BIM-ready Horizon

LoCaL Homes’ Head of Manufacturing, Jason Powellwas impressed by Horizon’s credentials from theoff. “As we are a not-for-profit organisation, we areobliged to research the market and find the bestvalue solution possible in whatever we do. So whenwe were looking for a Revit®-based timber frame

Case Study

Wolf Systems’ Horizon helps LoCaLHomes collaborate

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solution, we did just that. We found that Horizon‘ticked the right boxes’, offering both the BIMfunctionality we needed, greater collaborationthrough the BIM methodology and a foreseeablereturn upon investment,” he says.

How Horizon helps:

Prior to Horizon, LoCaL Homes’ designers wouldhave to re-draw the whole building they receivedfrom the architects before they could generatewall panel output for the factory. This wasn’t avery effective solution as the redrawing processcould take weeks, so they began to look for waysto streamline the process.

Time and costs savings

“As the UK’s first timber frame tool built on Revit®,Horizon removes the frustration of having to re-drawa building that the architects have already spenttime creating. Instead, we can add the timber framewall, easi-joist® and roof trusses directly into thesame architectural model we receive, which meansthe margin for error will be eliminated and impor-tantly, we can generate factory output in less thanhalf the time we used to,” says Jason.

Better collaboration and communication

The Accord Group’s in-house architect team, InDesign also benefit from the introduction ofHorizon. Kevin Paddock, Production Manager atInDesign, adds, “The Accord Group was keen toimprove the information it passed on to its construction and facilities management departments.By using Horizon, an ‘as built’ Revit® model cannow be shared, providing detailed informationabout the timber frame structure.”

Design flexibility with 3D visibility

From a design perspective, LoCaL Homes Archi-tectural Technican, Valentin Gargarita is lookingforward to the using the new found functionality thatHorizon will bring across more and more projects inthe future. “Having used Autodesk’s Revit® for anumber of years at an architectural practice andbeing an Autodesk certified professional, I am wellaware of the benefits Revit® brings. So after seeingWolf Systems’ Horizon software and how seamlesslyit integrates with Revit®, I was keen to start usingit as soon as possible,” he says.

“Our other specialist timber frame designer has noprevious Revit® experience, but has quickly pickedup the software after the initial Horizon trainingcourse and is already seeing the benefits that true3D building information modelling brings.”

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Excellent customer support

“I was particularly keen to use a UK-based company to ensure ease of access for any customerservice issues,” explains Jason, “and am alreadyimpressed with how responsive and attentiveWolf Systems are.

“They have developed the software to meet ourparticular needs very quickly. The swift addition ofclosed panel factory reports and output files forour timber frame assembly line re-assured methat changing to Wolf Systems and their Horizontimber frame software was the right decision.”

Speaking on behalf of Wolf Systems, Wayne Methven,Assistant Customer Support Manager, says, “I amdelighted to welcome LoCaL Homes to Wolf Systems.

“I can see our Horizon software has introduced alevel of collaboration at the Accord Group that pre-viously wasn’t possible, enabling their departments

to work more closely than ever before, removingthe need for duplication and therefore reducingpotential errors.

“Horizon has also helped to speed up LoCaL Homes’external timber frame designs, where they createtheir own building models from scratch.”

For further information about Wolf Systems’ Horizon BIM software, call 02476 602303 or visitwww.wolfsystem.co.uk

To find out more about LoCaL Homes, visitwww.localhomes.co.uk

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Timber Frame SoftwareBIM for timber designers

Built on Autodesk® Revit

Powerful features for timber frame building design

Collaborate with architects, engineers and specialist roof and floor designers

BIM for timber designers Built on Autodesk®

Revit Powerful features for timber frame building design

Collaborate with architects, engineers

and specialist roof and floor designers

BIMfor timber designers

BIM for timber designers Built on Autodesk® Revit Powerful features for timber frame building design

Collaborate with architects, engineers

and specialist roof and floor designers

BIMfor timber designers

Tel: 02476 602303Email: info@wolfsystem.co.ukWeb:www.wolfsystem.co.uk