The Digital Decathlon is a unique training that offers participating students an easy introduction to digital planning and prepares them to work together in international teams - an intensive learning experience. The competition connects higher education institutions in Europe and promotes European identity, it is interdisciplinary and intercultural and opens up new horizons of knowledge, contacts and perspectives.
Our first competition will kick off on 10 October 2023 with a joint meeting bringing together all the participants and our project partners in Wuppertal. This will mark the beginning of an exciting journey that will culminate in a grand finale in the city of Florence in February 2024. Over the course of several months, the participating groups will embark on a transformative journey. They will channel their creative energies into developing their designs across a spectrum of 10 different disciplines, each presenting a unique set of challenges and opportunities. It's a test of innovation, adaptability and ingenuity as they navigate through this diverse range of disciplines. In our digital age, communication knows no boundaries. With this in mind, the participating groups will engage in weekly online exchanges with our project partners. This exchange is not just a formality, but a crucial aspect of the competition. It's a platform for sharing insights, troubleshooting, and refining their designs based on valuable feedback and collaborative insights.
The content is divided into 10 different disciplines. These ten disciplines provide project participants with a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the world of Building Information Modelling (BIM). By delving into these different areas, participants will gain a holistic perspective on the multifaceted aspects of BIM and its central role in the architecture and construction industry.
D01 ARCHITECTURE:
Covers the principles and practices of architectural design.
D02 CONSTRUCTION:
Focuses on timber construction, project planning and execution.
D03 MEP (MECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL AND PLUMBING):
Examines mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems in buildings.
D04 MODEL CHECKING:
Teaches the process of meticulous model checking to ensure design compliance.
D05 BIM DESIGN COORDINATION and COMMUNICATION:
Covers Building Information Modelling (BIM) for design coordination and effective team communication.
D06 CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULING:
Covers construction scheduling, project time management and resource allocation.
D07 LIFE CYCLEASSESSMENT:
Examines environmental impact assessment and sustainability practices in construction.
D08 SIMULATION:
Explores simulation tools for optimizing design and construction processes.
D09 CONSTRUCTION PRODUCT TRACEABILITY:
Focuses on product traceability to ensure the quality and integrity of building materials.
D10 REPORTING:
Develop effective reporting skills to communicate project progress and results to stakeholders.
These ten disciplines provide project participants with a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the world of Building Information Modelling (BIM). By delving into these different areas, participants will gain a holistic perspective on the multifaceted aspects of BIM and its central role in the architecture and construction industry.
Thiscooperation will take place in five internationally mixed groups to traincollaboration, to connect people, and to promote exchange, communication, andunderstanding among each other. Group workis at the heart of the Digital DECATHLON project, which aims to teach studentsfrom different European countries practical digital design skills usingBuilding Information Modelling (BIM) tools and methods. This collaborative approachnotol mproves understanding of digital transformation, but also strengthensinterpersonal skills and intercultural cooperation among students.
Group work begins in the early stages of the project, when students from different European countries meet in a common location to launch the design competition. Here they get to know each other, exchange ideas and form multidisciplinary teams with students from architecture, civil engineering, building services and related disciplines. This encourages the sharing of knowledge and different perspectives. However, the real collaboration takes place when the students return to their home cities. They use a specially designed virtual working platform, tailored to the competition, to collaborate. This platform encourages active student participation and guides them through the different phases of the competition. Teachers and trainers provide support throughout the project. The virtual platform also provides access to customized learning modules, allowing self-directed learning to further develop their digital design tool and BIM skills. During the semester-long competition, student teams work on their projects in ten different disciplines, from architecture to reporting. This not only allows them to apply their acquired knowledge, but also hones their ability to work in international teams. The competition culminates in a second meeting, where all participants gather at a different location to present their results, followed by an awards ceremony. Group work in the Digital DECATHLON project isn't just about learning digital design skills; it's also a platform for students to build international networks, develop intercultural skills and promote European cooperation. It opens up new horizons of knowledge and cooperation that are crucial for the future of digital transformation in the construction industry.
The results of the five groups will be announced after the final event in Florence. For real-time updates on each group's progress throughout the competition, we invite you to follow our Instagram account. To keep you informed and engaged, we will be posting weekly updates on the platform, with each group sharing insights into their journey and performance. Thank you for your interest and stay tuned for further developments in the digital Decathlon and the final results after the competition finals in Florence.
Our second competition started on 17 November 2024 with a joint meeting of all participants and our project partners in Warsaw. This was the beginning of an exciting journey that will culminate in a grand finale in Joensuu in February 2025. Over the course of several months, the participating groups will embark on a transformative journey. They will channel their creative energies into developing their designs across a spectrum of different disciplines, each offering a unique set of challenges and opportunities. It's a test of innovation, adaptability and ingenuity as they move through these different disciplines. In our digital age, communication knows no boundaries. With this in mind, the participating groups will communicate online with our project partners on a weekly basis. This exchange is not just a formality, but an essential aspect of the competition. It is a platform for sharing insights, troubleshooting and refining their designs based on valuable feedback and shared knowledge.
The content is divided into 10 different disciplines. These ten disciplines provide project participants with a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the world of Building Information Modelling (BIM). By delving into these different areas, participants will gain a holistic perspective on the multifaceted aspects of BIM and its central role in the architecture and construction industry.
MODELLING: In this phase of the Digital Decathlon, students dive into 3D modeling! Their task is to create three essential 3D models for an exhibition pavilion. Armed with detailed floor plans, sections,elevations, and technical information, students are challenged to turn these blueprints into accurate, professional 3D models.
D01 ARC Model - The architectural model that captures the design, layout, and visual essence of the pavilion.
D02 STR Model - The structural model, focusing on the framework and stability of the structure.
D03 MEP Model - The mechanical,electrical, and plumbing model that ensures the functionality and technical systems of the Pavilion.
MANAGEMENT: The Digital Decathlon isn’t just about design – it’s also about effective management and communication!
D04 Project Management
Keeping the project organized, on schedule, and ensuring that every detail is accounted for.
D05 Coordination and Communication
Collaborate exclusively through the Common Data Environment (CDE), the central tool for communication, file sharing, and results submission across all disciplines.
AnalysisWith their models free of collisions, it's time for the student teams to dive into the analysis part of the Digital Decathlon. These analyses provide critical insights to help teams identify the changes needed to improve their models - making them better, more efficient and greener.
D06 Construction Schedule -
Plan a step-by-step timeline for the construction process of the pavilion, ensuring efficiency and precision.
D07 Life Cycle Assessment
Assessing the environmental impact of the materials used, with a focus on sustainability and resource efficiency.
D08 Solar Path Simulation
Analysis of sunlight patterns to optimize the pavilion’s design for energy efficiency and natural lighting.
Design
The final phase of the Digital Decathlon is all about visualization and reporting - showcasing the hard work, creativity, and teamwork behind the exhibit pavilion designs. This is the part where all the disciplines come together:
D09 Visualization
To help every one truly experience their concepts, student teams are creating visuals and videos.These highlight the atmosphere of the pavilion, the materials, and the feel of the spaces, bringing their designs to life.
D10 Reporting
Documenting the journey is as important as the final design. This includes: Public Outreach: Sharing updates and results on platforms such as Instagram, LinkedIn, and the Digital Decathlon website. Final Presentations: Creating detailed project reports and presentations to showcase their teamwork, innovation, and finalresults.
This cooperation will take place in five internationally mixed groups to traincollaboration, to connect people, and to promote exchange, communication, and understanding among each other. Group workis at the heart of the Digital DECATHLON project, which aims to teach studentsfrom different European countries practical digital design skills usingBuilding Information Modelling (BIM) tools and methods. This collaborative approachnotol mproves understanding of digital transformation, but also strengthensinterpersonal skills and intercultural cooperation among students.
we will shortly update this section with results of the students work, after final presentation in Joensuu.
The results of the groups will be announced after the final event in Joensuu. For real-time updates on each group's progress throughout the competition, we invite you to follow our Instagram account. To keep you informed and engaged, we will be posting weekly updates on the platform, with each group sharing insights into their journey and performance. Thank you for your interest and stay tuned for further developments in the digital Decathlon and the final results after the competition finals in Joensuu.
Here you will find the learning material developed for the two competitions of the DigitalDecathlon. For each of the ten disciplines, step-by-step instructions are provided, guiding you through the individual tasks. These materials supported students in developing their design projects and offered valuable assistance for the competition challenges. The learning material is freely available to all interested parties.
Downloadmaterial
