Seeing sketches from yesteryear provides a moment for pause and reflection for every architectural studio. dhk Architects was established in 1998. A look through the project’s portfolio spanning nearly three decades highlights how the industry has grown, how technology has evolved and how the studio has evolved too. This transformation hasn't been by chance. Rather, it’s been driven by a strategic business intention to grow the studio’s digital capabilities to support clients on a global stage. At the forefront of this strategy is the creation and expansion of dhk’s building information modelling (BIM) team.
dhk Partner Peter Stokes heads up the studio’s tech portfolio, incorporating the BIM function. “With BIM experts based in both the Johannesburg and Cape Town offices, the team has grown significantly to meet the increasing demand for greater efficiencies and precision in the architectural production process, particularly on large-scale mega-projects delivered for international clients,” says Stokes.
BIM Lead and dhk Associate Kershlen Moodley leads the team, along with Sean Solomon in Johannesburg, and Mahdi Salie and Riyaad Karriem in Cape Town. The three were all promoted to BIM Managers late last year.
“The promotions were a significant milestone that recognises their contribution to the studio’s progress,” says Stokes.
The team also includes BIM Coordinators Edwin Jansen and Deen Kariem, and the studio is actively recruiting for an additional BIM Coordinator to support the expanding scope of projects underway at any given time.
Driving efficiency and innovation across all projects
The BIM team forms part of the engine that supports the practice operations, driving efficiency and innovation across all projects. BIM-led projects are guided by a set of principles that influence the development process in a three-stage approach incorporating design and engineering, construction and operations. Through the BIM execution plan (BEP), the team aligns with international standards and maximises technology to deliver greater efficiencies.
Under Moodley’s leadership, the team manages BIM protocols and architectural software across all projects, including deployment, maintenance and troubleshooting. The team has developed a comprehensive BIM handbook that ensures all staff are fully trained and aligned with the studio's methodologies.
Moodley explains the significance of this standardisation: “By standardising our project methodology and implementing the global ISO 19650 and 9001 standards, we can manage multiple projects of varying scales simultaneously, maintaining consistent standards throughout our studio and projects.”
The research and development (R&D) team play an important role in this respect. This team is briefed to test new software and artificial intelligence (AI) technology workflows to improve how BIM specifically, and how architectural designs, generally, are delivered. This has been effective in improving efficiencies on projects and throughout the office operations. Other technology including scan-to-BIM using Point Cloud and LiDAR scanning enhances the accuracy and efficiencies of capturing crucial information in a building or on site.
Projects-first approach and impact
By focusing on standardisation, better systems and more efficient workflows, the team has significantly streamlined production processes, helping project teams stay on track while improving their overall experience with their projects. The BIM team is embedded in nearly every active project across the studio.
“A key part of our philosophy is to work with information-rich, data-driven solutions,” Moodley explains. “We analyse each project’s unique needs to deliver tailored strategies that maximise efficiency, organisation, and, most importantly, job satisfaction within the teams. The results speak for themselves. We have happier teams, smoother processes and better project outcomes.”
With support from dhk’s senior management, the team has grown from strength to strength, overcoming complex architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) challenges in the ever-evolving world of BIM. The impact of this investment is evident in feedback from design and technical professionals across the studio.
Candidate Architect Zara Poorun emphasises the team's crucial support in a fast-paced environment: “With many things needing to happen quickly, having the BIM team on hand, ready and able to help with the health of models and systems, enables the design and construction teams to work efficiently on delivering quality work. With their input we can also brainstorm the best practice to get the right information to consultants and clients.”
Professional Architect Kounikui Karihindi agrees, noting that the BIM team has enhanced both office and project efficiencies by streamlining workflows and construction documentation, and in creating systems and strategies to improve design exploration and quality within the architectural teams.
“The BIM team helps us to improve our product. They have provided training and support, upskilling our team and the dhk studio more broadly. They have built bespoke plugin tools, saving time and money by eliminating some of the more repetitive tasks from our process. BIM has established benchmarks that inform everything from pricing work to streamlining project adoption,” he says.
This sentiment is echoed by Professional Senior Architectural Technologist Nhloso Nzimande. For him, having an in-house BIM team “is like having a teacher at arm's reach”. He explains: “Whenever someone gets stuck or needs to find an efficient way to complete a Revit task, the BIM team is always available to help. They've helped me learn the correct way to automate processes in Revit. This helps me to make sure that information is precise, and it also saves time when it comes to updating data. I get to learn something new almost every week.”
Growing from strength to strength
“Leading this team has been a rewarding journey, especially as we embrace new technologies like AI and automation. It places dhk at the forefront of digital transformation in architecture. It's exciting to see the practice embracing these new technologies, with the support of senior leadership and throughout every team. I'm incredibly proud of what we've accomplished across projects and how we've driven positive change through efficient systems, workflows and innovation,” says Moodley.
As well as a technological decision, the investment in BIM has an impact on the studio’s business success, concludes Stokes: “As we build our capabilities to work for global clients, the BIM team's input ensures that we maintain our competitive edge, for our studio and our clients.”
