Every cable, every layer, every detail in view

Five years ago, Jan Roelof Leidekker, Wouter Bets and Remco Kluiver started Novis Roads. Their goal was clear: road design in infrastructure could be faster, more transparent and more reliable. “We don't want any more blind spots in a project,” says Leidekker. “Everything we model must be visible, from the existing situation to the end result outside. That gives certainty to both client and contractor.”

Novis Roads is working on major infra projects in the Netherlands, such as the widening of the A9 between Badhoevedorp and Holendrecht, the flushing of the A15 and the execution design of the Plesmanlaan in Leiden. They are also involved in the A44, where they are developing and coordinating the GWW design in 3D. In doing so, they use the BIM methodology. That means: first asking the right questions, then determining the data and then working everything out in 3D.

Leidekker: “By making it clear at the front end exactly what a client needs, we can think about the desired output in a focused way. We then visualize this three-dimensionally. A drawing says something, but a 3D image says it all. This allows us to identify bottlenecks as early as the design phase and resolve them in a timely manner.”

Novis works for contractors, engineering firms and clients. The activities range from modeling a road widening to total 3D coordination at BIM level in all stages of the project. The starting point is always the same: preventing surprises during the design process and execution.

Novis Roads“ approach is strongly intertwined with Novis Group, from which it emerged. Novis Group focuses more broadly on visualization and digital processes, while Novis Roads specializes in road design. Leidekker: ”We are a niche within Novis Group. Whereas Novis Group looks broadly at integral models and interfaces, we make sure that the GWW design itself is right down to the details. Together we strengthen each other."

An important difference from traditional design processes is that Novis Roads not only considers the final situation, but together with Novis Group considers every ‘new’ and temporary situation outside as a construction phase. As a result, all above-ground and underground infrastructure is understood and controlled. “If you see on a drawing that a cable is at one meter, but in reality at thirty centimeters, then things go wrong outside,” Leidekker says.

Novis“ models are a tool for those around a project. By providing early insight into traffic phasing and temporary situations, municipalities, implementers and even residents can see what to expect. This simplifies discussions with stakeholders and prevents misunderstandings during implementation. Leidekker: ”For us, it's not just about technology, but also about trust. When everyone sees the same picture, there is peace of mind in the project."

This successful method of working ensures that they are increasingly involved in a project from the start. Large engineering firms are knocking on the door for their specific GWW design knowledge. Growing into a large company is not their ambition, Leidekker emphasizes: “We deliberately remain a small team of specialists that focuses entirely on quality and overview in design.”