Mortenson was an early pioneer in the application of 3D and 4D technology in the construction field. Mortenson began to focus on research and development associated with Virtual Design and Construction (VDC), Integrated Delivery, and BIM in 1996 with the creation of our Center for Construction Innovation (CCI). 

When challenged to construct the groundbreaking Walt Disney Concert Hall project in Los Angeles, we sought the expertise of the best minds from Stanford University and Walt Disney Imagineering. The building’s design of fluid shapes and unique architectural components challenged many standard construction practices. To help visually translate the two-dimensional design, our team modeled the complex shapes and structures to literally “build” the project in the computer before we built it on site, which helped us anticipate obstacles and optimize productivity.

The “unbuildable” facility was the first large-scale project in the country to use a 100 percent model-based design and fabrication process. This was a pioneering project that advanced the science of construction and pushed 4D modeling into the commercial construction realm.

After realizing first-hand the incredible value of this tool, Mortenson invested in the people and the technology to truly demonstrate our commitment.  Our Integrated Construction Coordinators are stationed at many of our project sites to encourage daily interaction with owners, designers, consultants, subcontractors and trades people.  This hands on communication has enabled owners and project teams to experienced real, tangible benefits including:

• Increased understanding, communication, and team collaboration
• Improved estimating accuracy, competitive pricing, and cost control
• Accurate analysis of constructability and design coordination issues
• Better scheduling logic and preplanning of work to minimize costly schedule delays and potential quality problems
• Greater schedule and cost control via construction sequencing and trade coordination
• Site logistics / hazard anticipation
• Project team education

By virtue of our knowledge and expertise, we are now considered by many to be the BIM/VDC leader in the industry.

We believe that the most successful projects are those where strong and trusting relationships are built early in the project and then maintained throughout. The concept of an Integrated Project Team can be taken to many levels but at its essence involves the following:

• developing a truly unified project team with common goals and one vision,
• developing a means of sharing information including design, cost and schedule on an immediate/live basis so that the entire team stays informed at all times (a common platform), and
• utilizing the vast knowledge and expertise of our trade contractor and supplier community by bringing them on board and integrating them into the project early, and focusing on eliminating waste and redundancy at all levels of the project. 

The results of a truly integrated project team can be staggering. Budgets can be better maintained, schedule improved upon, levels of quality increased, safety statistics improved, and perhaps most important of all - the development and execution of the project is a vastly more enjoyable process for all involved.