Our industry is experiencing a period of incredible innovation, driven by the advancements made in virtual design and construction (VDC) and building information modeling (BIM). Combined with tools like laser scanners, we can capture more data faster and more accurately. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, provide a new vantage point without leaving the ground, allowing us to investigate existing buildings and capture high-quality progress photos – a service that informs our work and documents the construction process. Now, augmented and virtual reality offer an immersive preview before we ever break ground.

The application of these new technologies in construction is drawing unprecedented attention to our industry, and Pepper is on the leading edge. It’s exciting to talk about them and find ways to use them on our projects, but we also understand they only matter when they benefit you. We've designed our services to scale because we believe every project, not just the large and complex ones, can benefit from the "I" in BIM. We use VDC to integrate our planning process and find ways to demonstrate tangible value for all partners involved.

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More Information

Benefits of VDC

Pepper’s virtual construction services provide more accurate and detailed information early in the preconstruction planning process, which benefits the project in the following ways:

  • Increases collaboration among design and construction team members
  • Allows owners to visualize the end result, which empowers them to make more informed decisions
  • Allows for cost-saving options, like prefabrication
  • Reduces the unknowns
  • Improves quality
  • Accelerates the schedule
  • Improves safety conditions

How we use technology

VDC is more than a 3D model. It's using the data that comprises the model to design and build the project and even manage the facility when the project is complete. We believe all projects can benefit from the use of BIM and virtual technologies, and we also take a practical approach in how we apply them. Pepper uses our virtual construction services on both large and small projects, based on the scope and needs of the project.
At the beginning of the project, we establish a BIM and technology execution plan that is incorporated into the project master plan. In addition to our own projects, we also offer our virtual design and reality capture services to architects and other industry partners as they work through the design before a contractor is on board.

In-house capabilities

  • Constructability review
  • Model authoring
  • Model-based estimating
  • Reality capture/laser scanning
  • Safety planning
  • Site logistics
  • Trade coordination/team review
  • Virtual and augmented reality
  • Virtual turnover/O&M
  • Visual scheduling
  • 3D printing

How we’re different

What sets Pepper‘s virtual construction services apart is our team and how we use the technology. We don’t rely on the tools for the answers. Instead, we use the technology to identify issues and options. When our virtual construction team identifies a clash, they also come up with solutions. When shutdowns are involved, they're thinking months in advance.
If your user groups are having a hard time making decisions, they add more detail and use the right technology to give a more realistic preview of the end result. The process of involving the entire team leads to innovative ideas that improve the budget, schedule, safety, quality and even the end user experience.