CGI’s and Augmented Reality combined in optimised tender response
3D Printing, paper, CGI’s and Augmented Reality combined in a winning optimised tender response.
Balfour Beatty were completing a compliant tender response for De Montfort University in Leicester. They were very capable of completing the response but they wanted to show that they could add ‘value engineering’ to the project. This optimised tender response needed to stand out as something special and demonstrate their thorough understanding of their project.
Hobs were asked to create a bespoke tender response box to house the various elements of the submission. This included a bespoke printed box, a 3D print, an Augmented Reality marker and high-quality CGIs. The box also included an iPad with a bespoke app; the iPad app had the ability to read the Augmented Reality marker, contained the project documentation and a 4D construction sequence animation showing the build process over time.
Ian Gaskell (Bid Manager at Balfour Beatty) said “This was the first time we had used 3D Printing in a bid submission, and it was a great relief to have the 2D and 3D elements created by Hobs. Having just one company to deal with really speeded up the process for us and helped us get the unified design we wanted. We were delighted with all aspects of the response and will be looking to replicate this success on future projects.”
Back at the start of the design process, Hobs created a mood board for a proposed tender submission, which included sketches and material samples. This tender response had several challenges as it was a multi-faceted submission which had a high specification across all materials. The submission also needed to integrate with the presentation tools that would be used and there were just three weeks for all elements to be completed.
To ensure consistency across all items, all the different elements of the submission would be created in-house, with different members of the Hobs team creating their specialist elements.
Hobs Studio created the Augmented Reality app which showed the project in 3D over the 7 month build. This 4D sequence used the existing Navisworks files from the building design and was created so the resulting model was also suitable for 3D printing. Architectural model-making finishing touches were added to the resulting 3D print to enhance the model and demonstrate scale. High-quality CGIs were also made from the computerised model to be used in the printed materials.
The graphic design and printing teams worked together so the documentation, submission box and the iPad app had the same design and feel. The hand-made box was created using paper-over-board techniques, and was printed on the highest specification digital printer. The lid opened to reveal the iPad and the 3D print housed in custom-cut foam inlay. A drawer was also revealed which contained the printed documents. The document itself was printed on a textured uncoated paper, again using the highest specification digital printer. The final touch was that the design on the top of the submission box was used as the marker to activate the AR app.
The submission box was submitted ahead of schedule and was a hit with both De Montfort University and Balfour Beatty as they won the bid and the building is currently being built.
The bespoke box featured:
- Augmented Reality marker on lid
- 3D print with model making finished
- High-resolution printed documents from Hobs Repro
- High Quality CGI’s
- Bespoke iPad App
- 4D Construction Sequence
- Custom cut inlay trays
If you’d like to enhance your next tender response, bid or pitch then make it an optimised tender response with Hobs.