At Robert Bird Group, our experienced engineers are supported by our Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) teams, who are skilled in animation, image creation, special effects, game design, coding and BIM implementation. We are experts in creating digital content that transforms the way we deliver complex projects. We offer digital content in many forms, from videos and images to interactive online models and 4D models produced with industry-standard scheduling engines. Whatever the visual medium, our goal is to digitally rehearse critical building sequences in a virtual environment before even setting foot on site, identifying issues and optimising the plan in advance. By combining engineering expertise with these visual tools, we help project teams save time, improve decision-making and speed up processes.
Developed in-house, our custom visualisation platform Reveal turns engineering designs and schedules into immersive, interactive simulations that anyone can explore. Rather than static drawings or Gantt charts, project stakeholders can walk through the build sequence step by step, see equipment and logistics in context and understand how different phases will unfold. This clarity improves communication, identifies clashes and safety issues early and builds confidence among clients, contractors and design teams.
“When you see a project simulated in a single visual medium, the speed at which you can spot mistakes, uncover opportunities, coordinate and manage risk increases dramatically. This is much more than a digital production exercise, however. The real output is not the visuals themselves, but that the production of these simulations supports the design of a more robust construction methodology, a more coordinated design and a validated construction programme. When you come to RBG, you’re not just engaging digital artists to produce content, you’re engaging construction engineers who use this content as a tool to deliver your project on time and on budget.”
Matt Marsden, VDC Manager (West)
“Virtual Design and Construction offers a transformative approach to project delivery by enabling digital rehearsals of complex construction processes before any physical work begins. These rehearsals allow project teams to identify and resolve potential conflicts, optimise sequencing and streamline communication across disciplines. By simulating real-world conditions in a virtual environment, VDC significantly reduces rework, enhances coordination and supports data-driven decision-making throughout the project lifecycle, ultimately leading to improved quality, reduced costs and faster delivery.”
Stephen Lester, VDC Manager (ANZ + Asia)
VDC in Action: Project Highlights
The best way to demonstrate the power of VDC? Just take a look at the world-class projects it has already transformed:
- Snowy Hydro 2.0 (Australia): A large-scale pumped-hydro expansion scheme in a complex Alpine environment. Virtual Design and Construction is being leveraged to detail the intricacies of tunnelling, underground power station construction, extensive civil & services works, as well as Environmental Impact studies and site rehabilitation. VDC is enabling precise coordination between design, engineering, and construction disciplines, allowing for clash detection, optimised scheduling, and progress monitoring. By integrating 3D models, 4D sequencing, and data-rich environments, VDC is supporting proactive problem-solving, enhancing safety planning, and helping to ensure that this nationally significant infrastructure project is delivered efficiently and sustainably.
- Abu Dhabi Midfield Terminal (UAE): This 700,000-square-metre terminal accommodates up to 40 million passengers each year. RBG contributed to the design and construction of its enormous central roof formed by 18 steel trusses, each up to 180 metres long. By simulating the sequencing and alignment of these elements, we ensured accurate coordination, reduced delays and gave stakeholders a clear understanding of a complex process.
- Battersea Power Station Phase 3 (London): One of London’s most ambitious regeneration efforts, marked by its scale, complexity and significance. RBG produced construction simulations to digitally rehearse building sequences years in advance. These simulations proved vital for validating design decisions, assessing buildability, and planning logistics in a highly constrained site with phased openings, major infrastructure connections, and multiple contractors. By overlaying activities, crane operations, and access strategies over time, the simulations clarified risks, revealed interdependencies, and guided coordination workshops.
Discover More About VDC
Our VDC capability is revolutionising how we plan and deliver projects, helping teams coordinate more effectively, visualise the build and test options before committing on-site. It’s a powerful tool for improving outcomes on projects of every scale, from major international infrastructure to complex urban redevelopments. To learn more about how we apply these techniques in practice and get in touch with the team, visit our Virtual Design & Construction webpage, and explore the new RBG VDC YouTube channel for immersive videos showcasing our work.