Today we chatted with Nicolas, VDC/BIM Lead BEng at Marlin Spring Developments to learn about his unique role and how he and his team collaborate with other teams. Read the interview below to get to know Nicolas and learn more about his achievements and aspirations.
Hi Nicolas! Talk to us about your role and your team. What are you responsible for and how do you collaborate with other teams? What do you enjoy most about your role?
As the BIM/VDC Lead at Marlin Spring Developments, I was brought into the company to introduce and lead the BIM department, leading to the formation of a new team within the Hi-Rise & Mid-Rise Construction team. Based on the successful contribution company-wide and among all our projects, the team got a new member and it is projected to continue to grow. The BIM team mainly conducts coordination between disciplines during all pre-construction and construction stages, managing site logistics, conducting constructibility studies, and verifying budgets using 3D models, among other things. We collaborate with Project Managers, Site Superintendents, and Suppliers; striving for alignment across all stakeholders.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
Our collaboration spans construction, development, and finance teams to ensure a macro-level understanding of each project's needs. This approach enhances project execution, prevents delays, and helps resolve issues early. What I enjoy most is the transformative power of technology—tools like BIM drive innovation and elevate communication and teamwork across all levels. The combination of cutting-edge technology and strong collaboration ensures we deliver projects efficiently and with greater accuracy, making each success more rewarding.
Can you share a memorable achievement or project?
One significant achievement was developing a comprehensive summary sheet for tracking project metrics. This tool has provided valuable insights into our ongoing projects and helped us approach new ones more efficiently. We analyze parameters such as budget line items, milestone durations, and quantity takeoffs from 3D models. Since implementing this system, we’ve significantly enhanced our project preparation, from pre-construction to completion. The clarity and precision offered by this tool have been invaluable in keeping our teams and clients informed and aligned at every step.
A standout example was the House of Assembly project, where our collaborative and transparent approach increased accountability among stakeholders. As the project topped off, it became evident that the collective effort and input from all teams helped us avoid major setbacks and deliver a successful outcome.
Seeing our department and company grow as we embrace new technologies has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. These advancements have improved not only our internal processes but also the quality and efficiency of our projects.
What are you most excited to work on in the coming months?
In the coming months, we’re excited to expand the use of BIM technology across our projects. Its effectiveness in improving coordination and minimizing errors has already been proven, and we’re eager to maximize its potential further. Completing the comprehensive clash detection checklist and template will be a major milestone, allowing us to identify and resolve design issues earlier, leading to significant time and cost savings.
Additionally, I’m enthusiastic about fully implementing BIM/VDC to foster transparent, predictable, and efficient collaboration with our consultants, departments, subcontractors, and partners. As our department continues to grow, we’re eager to explore how new technological advancements can further streamline operations, providing all teams with more accurate data for confident decision-making. We look forward to seeing how these innovations will elevate our project delivery and enhance communication among all stakeholders.