dhk’s BIM team: Keeping the studio at forefront of digital transformation

24 January 2025

Seeing sketches from yesteryear provides a moment for pause and reflection. A look through our portfolio spanning nearly three decades highlights how the industry has grown, how technology has evolved, and how our studio has evolved too. This transformation hasn’t been by chance; like everything we do at dhk, it’s been intentional. At the forefront of our digital transformation journey is our skilled building information modelling (BIM) team.

With BIM experts in our Johannesburg and Cape Town offices, the team has grown significantly to meet the expanding needs of our studio and clients.

BIM Lead and dhk Associate Kershlen Moodley leads the team, along with BIM Managers Sean Solomon, Mahdi Salie and Riyaad Karriem and BIM Coordinators Edwin Jansen and Deen Kariem. Sean, Mahdi and Riyaad were all promoted to BIM Managers in December 2024 – a significant milestone that recognised their dedication and expertise.

This year, we’re expanding the team even more: we’re actively looking for a BIM Coordinator.

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-driven 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 Kershlen’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.

“By standardising dhk’s methodology, we can simultaneously manage various projects of varying scales, maintaining ISO 19650 and 9001 standards throughout our studio and projects,” explains Kershlen.

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 is delivered, and how we deliver architectural designs. This has been effective in improving office and project efficiencies. 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

The BIM team is embedded in nearly every active project across the studio. This has been a key ingredient in improving office and project efficiencies. 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.

“A key part of our philosophy is to work with information-rich, data-driven solutions,” Kershlen 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.”

The BIM team’s impact 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, it’s great that the BIM team is ready and able to help with the health of models and systems. This allows the design and construction teams to work efficiently on delivering quality work. Having experts on hand also enables us to 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. As dhk continually pivots working for global clients, the BIM team’s input ensures that we maintain our competitive edge, for our studio and our clients,” 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

With support from dhk management, Kershlen has watched the team grow from strength to strength, overcoming complex architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) challenges in the ever-evolving world of BIM. He’s pleased with the strides they’ve taken and excited for what lies ahead as the studio expands its project portfolio locally and abroad.

“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. The support I’ve received along the way has been invaluable. It’s exciting to see how far we’ve come and where we’re heading next. 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 Kershlen.

Looking ahead, the team plans to build on its successes by implementing bold new initiatives. These include cultivating partnerships with local and international organisations in the BIM field to develop tools and automations that’ll make a difference to the daily lives of all Revit users.

Visit our job portal for more information.