BIM and VDC At Jaynes: Driving Construction Innovation
Precision, collaboration, and planning are more than buzzwords in commercial construction—they’re non-negotiables. At the heart of these values are two of the most transformative forces in the industry today: Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Virtual Design and Construction (VDC).
At Jaynes, the BIM/VDC team isn’t simply another internal department; they’re the digital visionaries behind our physical builds, turning complex tasks and construction logistics into coordinated realities.
Why BIM and VDC Matter
Today, BIM isn’t simply 3D modeling—it’s part of a process that integrates every phase of a building’s life cycle, from conceptual design and preconstruction through construction, project completion, and facilities management. BIM allows for real-time collaboration among architects, engineers, and construction professionals, using a centralized digital model that evolves with the project. It streamlines coordination, reduces risk, improves cost predictability, and enables faster decision-making.
The Jaynes BIM/VDC team consists of designers, modelers, and VDC Specialists who combine technical expertise with field knowledge to help make project delivery at Jaynes more efficient. Joe Hawkins oversees this initiative.
Meet Joe Hawkins, Jaynes BIM/VDC Director
Joe leads the Jaynes BIM/VDC team. With over 14 years of experience at Jaynes, Joe manages and implements VDC initiatives, including project execution, strategy, and BIM process improvements. He also performs the required research on new technologies that his team tests and may use. His main focus is building systems integration and coordination during preconstruction and construction.
With an architectural background, Joe is keenly interested in Design-Assist environments, such as Design-Build procurement processes that link design and construction installation. “Our goal isn’t just to model projects—it’s to anticipate problems before they happen,” he explains. “We’re trying to think ahead so our Superintendents and Project Managers can plan and build with their subcontractors without surprises or mistakes.”
Quick Q & A With Jaynes’ Director of BIM/VDC Joe Hawkins
Q: How does Jaynes use BIM and VDC in the construction process today?
A: BIM and VDC aren’t just tools—we see them as strategic workflows that align teams, reduce risk, and accelerate delivery. For
Jaynes, it’s about building smarter, not just modeling in 3D. The model becomes a single source of truth that helps everyone, from design through closeout, stay coordinated and informed.
Q: Your team works across design, preconstruction, and field. What’s the key to that collaboration?
A: Communication. We invest a lot of time in training and building trust. We aim for superintendents to feel just as comfortable with the model as our BIM/VDC Specialists. When that happens, adoption skyrockets—and so does productivity.
Q: What technologies are you most excited about right now?
A: 3D scanning and reality capture are changing the game. We’re also exploring AI-assisted clash detection and robotic layout. But it’s not just about the tech—it’s about implementation. The best tools are the ones the teams use
Q: What advice would you give to someone starting in VDC?
A: Learn the language of construction. Understand how buildings go together. The tech will keep changing, but if you can speak to superintendents, architects, and Owners in terms they understand, you’ll be a bridge—and that’s where the real value is.
Q: You established the BIM/VDC team at Jaynes over 13 years ago. What’s something you’re proud of since then?
A: Seeing our junior VDC team members walk into a job trailer and get treated like leaders. That tells me we’re not just building a process—we’re building people. And that’s what makes this work meaningful.
The Practical Value of BIM and VDC
An advantage of BIM and VDC is that the technologies can connect the team at the project site with the office. Through laptops, tablets, and cell phones, the models created in the office are accessible to crews on-site in real time.
The Jaynes BIM/VDC team collaborates closely with Superintendents and subcontractors, ensuring everyone, from steel fabricators to electricians, has the most up-to-date information. When field teams encounter unexpected conditions, changes can be rapidly modeled and coordinated digitally before work resumes.
“Our job is to support the field team’s progress,” says Joe. “Construction doesn’t wait. So we build in the virtual world first to remove as much friction on site as possible.”
Jaynes BIM/VDC Project Highlights
Jaynes Corporation has effectively leveraged BIM and VDC across various complex projects, enhancing coordination, reducing risks, and accelerating project delivery for Owners. Here are some key projects Jaynes BIM/VDC Director Joe Hawkins highlights where BIM played a pivotal role:
Jaynes built Presbyterian’s 10-story, 135-foot tower with 656 patient rooms.
Presbyterian Hospital Renovation & Addition
In renovating and expanding the 111-year-old Presbyterian Hospital, Jaynes faced challenges such as complex systems integration, structural constraints, and tight schedules. By employing BIM, they efficiently managed design coordination, infrastructure upgrades, and issue tracking. BIM helped improve forecasting, reduce bottlenecks, and led to a successful project delivery. Jaynes created 335,000 square feet, in 10 stories, for over 650 new patient rooms.
Jaynes built this 28,000 SF Design-Build project with Studio Southwest.
Sandia Resort & Casino Office Complex
Jaynes’ Pueblo of Sandia spans decades and allows for efficient communication between the Owner, Studio Southwest Architects, and the Jaynes project team. Using 3D scanning technology to scan the existing space before any work was done we overlaid engineering files with our scanned data and found that the proposed radius was off. Using the scanned data to correct the error, we were able to eliminate issues throughout the remainder of that portion of the project scope. This Design-Build project involved a 28,000 square foot, 2-story office complex adjacent to the operational casino. Jaynes collaborated with Studio Southwest.
Jaynes built 207,000 SF of new facilities and 60,000 SF of renovated space.
In the development of Farmington High School, Jaynes employed BIM to facilitate clash detection and system coordination. This proactive approach minimized design conflicts and streamlined construction, contributing to the timely completion of the educational facility. In this multi-phased CMAR venture with FBT Architects, Jaynes built 207,000 square feet of new educational and athletic facilities and renovated 60,000 square feet of existing facilities.
Jaynes Accelerates Collaboration With BIM/VDC
BIM isn’t siloed at Jaynes; it’s embedded in every project phase. The team partners closely with preconstruction, estimating, safety, and operations to ensure alignment from day one.
The BIM team also works directly with Owners, helping them visualize design concepts, explore options, and plan future facility maintenance with data-rich models extending past ribbon-cutting.
And this collaborative spirit extends to external partners as well. Subcontractors are brought into the process early, giving them a seat at the table and a voice in model coordination. “It’s about building trust,” Joe notes. “When everyone’s on the same page, the whole project benefits.”
For more information on what BIM and Jaynes can do for you on your next project, contact us, and we’ll have one of our BIM experts follow up with you.
Connect with Joe Hawkins, Jaynes Director of BIM/VDC, on LinkedIn.