Airbiz: communicating airport design through powerful visualization

We catch up with Blake Gaudry, Senior Terminal Planner at Airbiz, to learn how they use visuals to communicate innovative airport planning and design solutions seamlessly with stakeholders.

Q1. Tell us a bit about Airbiz:

Airbiz is a global leader in airport planning and design. We deliver innovative solutions that optimize airport operations and improve passenger experiences. Based in Melbourne, Australia, Airbiz has a portfolio spanning over 230 airports worldwide, including iconic hubs like London's Heathrow Airport and Singapore's Changi Airport and major airports in Australia, Japan, Canada, and Hong Kong. We have a reputation as the go-to consultancy for aviation stakeholders. 

Our highly skilled and diverse team comprises airport planners, aviation environmental and sustainability advisors, business analysts, project facilitators, and creative strategists. We offer a broad range of services. Each project is tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients—ranging from complex terminal designs and project feasibility studies to runway lighting and airside simulations. 

Airbiz's distinctive approach to communication is centered on creating highly visual and impactful presentations.  

SketchUp model of Airport terminal.

Q2. How does SketchUp fit into your overall design process? 

I first picked up SketchUp while studying architecture at university. After completing both my Bachelor's and Master's degrees in architecture, I used  SketchUp initially for more traditional architectural design. After joining Airbiz, I used it for aviation projects. 
 
Airbiz's designers have a deep knowledge of airport functionality, not just from an operational perspective of airport staffing but from the passenger experience standpoint. 

In my role, I regularly use SketchUp to communicate our planning strategies to clients visually. Using images, icons, and graphics, we simplify complex concepts into high-level visuals on a single page. This approach ensures that even non-experts can grasp the core ideas —SketchUp is invaluable in helping us achieve this clarity. 
-Blake Gaudry, Senior Terminal Planner, Airbiz

While we rely on other CAD software and Revit for detailed planning, once we finalize the strategy, SketchUp brings our ideas to life—especially for projects requiring passenger flow simulations or operational elements. For example, we've used SketchUp models in virtual reality to visualize airport security upgrades, simplify communication, and help stakeholders understand the impact of design decisions without overwhelming them with technical drawings. 

SketchUp model of Airbiz wayfinder.

Q3. How does the team at Airbiz use SketchUp? 

We have a diverse team with varying technical backgrounds, including engineers, data analysts, airport operations specialists, and architects like myself. SketchUp is the go-to software for our terminal planning team due to its ease of use and seamless integration with other software. 

Our analytics and modeling team uses SketchUp for their simulations. Having multiple teams use the same software allows them to work independently while sharing resources across teams. Airbiz encourages team members to work across disciplines. The software's user-friendly interface and the availability of online tutorials make it easy for team members to learn and adapt quickly. 

We primarily use SketchUp in the early stages of projects, where speed and efficiency are crucial. It allows us to build models, concepts, and spatial layouts rapidly. While we occasionally use Revit when collaborating with architecture firms on more detailed drawings, Revit's level of precision isn't typically necessary for our concept design work. We don't need to focus on specifics like window details or wall thickness at this stage, making SketchUp the ideal tool for our initial planning phase. 

We use SketchUp extensively, sometimes up to 50% of the total project time. For some projects, we rely on SketchUp throughout the design process, creating 3D models from start to finish. Its intuitive design and seamless integration into our workflow enable all team members, regardless of their technical background, to quickly create and refine models, improving overall project efficiency. 
-Blake Gaudry, Senior Terminal Planner, Airbiz

Q4. How does SketchUp enhance collaboration across teams?

At Airbiz, we have about 60 colleagues globally, with 10 to 15 regularly using SketchUp across various teams. SketchUp is primarily used for visualization. Its role in collaboration is crucial, as it provides a shared visual reference, ensuring everyone is aligned on concepts and spatial arrangements. This shared understanding enhances communication within the team and with clients, eliminating the need for complex technical drawings. 

Many airport projects we undertake involve collaboration with many external partners and stakeholders who often rely on their preferred software and tools. For instance, architects might use AutoCAD or Rhino for detailed design, engineers may turn to BIM-focused tools like Revit for structural or MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) planning, and airport operations specialists might leverage specialized software to optimize passenger flow or airside efficiency through simulations. 

Ensuring everyone works from a unified and accurate dataset is critical to the success of these projects, as it eliminates miscommunication and aligns all teams towards common goals. SketchUp's interoperability plays a vital role by breaking down data silos and reducing inefficiencies. 
Blake Gaudry, Senior Terminal Planner, Airbiz 

The 3D models created in SketchUp are easy to share, update, and integrate into other platforms, allowing each partner to access the most up-to-date version. With multiple external partners involved, collaborating smoothly and efficiently is critical to keeping complex airport projects on track. 

SketchUp model of self check-in area at an airport.

Q5. Can you explain the benefits of importing Revit models into SketchUp?  

Certainly! We've worked on several major design and build projects that involve taking Revit models—commonly used by architects—and converting them for use in SketchUp. Airport designs, in particular, are incredibly complex and often involve large, highly detailed Revit models that can be cumbersome to work with in their original form. 

We aim to create a high-level version of the architectural model that can be integrated into our simulation and modeling software. It's not uncommon for us to take a Revit model, strip it back, simplify it, import it into SketchUp, and do what we need to do. SketchUp's ability to import and simplify these large Revit files allows us to work more efficiently without losing sight of the essential design elements. 

At this stage of creating a high-level view of the model, we aren't focused on intricate back-end data or specific details like building systems or complex interiors. Instead, we need the basic form of the building or structure. The simplified model is used for passenger flow simulations, data analytics, and design validation tasks. This allows us to concentrate on the key aspects of the design, leaving the finer details to be addressed at later stages. 

We use different file formats—such as DWG, DXF, or IFC—depending on the level of detail and compatibility required. Additionally, our Studio subscription includes a Revit Importer, which allows us to import Revit files directly into SketchUp, enhancing our team's ability to work across different platforms.

Q6. What SketchUp extensions do you use to streamline your design process? 

We use CleanUp to quickly purge unnecessary data, optimize models, and reduce file sizes. This is the most essential extension I use. It helps me eliminate unnecessary vertices, polylines, or components that might have accumulated during the modeling process. Past software I've worked with struggled with handling too much detail, so using CleanUp helps me strip back the model to ensure only the essential elements are retained, which keeps my workflow smooth and efficient. 

PlaceMaker pulls in geographic data to quickly create a large 3D massing model. It is incredibly useful for visualizing urban developments. We can easily import roads, buildings, and other site details, which makes it a great tool for noise contour analysis and block planning. 

Q7. Can you share a project where SketchUp was particularly valuable? 

One example is a security upgrade project at an airport in the UK. We used SketchUp to create a detailed 3D model, which we then viewed in virtual reality to help non-technical stakeholders understand the space. This allowed non-technical stakeholders, such as airport management and security teams, to explore and understand the design changes in an immersive way. The 3D model helped to effectively illustrate how the new security measures would affect passenger flow and overall airport operations. 

In another instance, SketchUp models were integrated into CAST simulation software to analyze passenger movement throughout the airport. We imported simplified 3D models from SketchUp into CAST to simulate passenger flow and operational scenarios. This allowed us to test our designs with real-world data, like actual flight schedules and passenger numbers, and visualize how the airport will operate under various conditions. It's an invaluable way to refine designs before implementation.  

This analysis provided critical insights into how the proposed design changes would impact traffic flow and allowed the team to validate and refine their decisions. The combination of detailed 3D modeling and simulation tools ultimately led to a more informed and effective design process. 

Q8: What would be your recommendation for someone considering SketchUp? 

SketchUp's key strengths are its simplicity, intuitive interface, and strong community support. It's great for quickly building models, concepts, and visualizations. SketchUp's power lies in its ease of use and versatility in the early stages of project planning. 

Consider the level of training and resources available within your team. SketchUp's learning curve is much gentler than software like Revit or Rhino, which can be a significant advantage, especially if you have a diverse team with varying technical backgrounds. The ability to quickly ramp up new users and share models seamlessly across platforms is a big plus. 

If you work in an environment where collaboration is key, and you deal with multiple external partners who use different software, SketchUp's interoperability ensures everyone stays aligned without the hassle of file conversions or compatibility issues.
Blake Gaudry, Senior Terminal Planner, Airbiz 

In short, if your focus is on efficiency, quick modeling, and seamless integration with other tools, SketchUp could be a great fit.

Ready to use Trimble SketchUp's advanced visualization tools to bring your projects to life? Try SketchUp for free, or pick a plan that works best for you.

About Airbiz

Airbiz specializes in international aviation consulting. Its clients include airport owners, operators, investors, airlines, government agencies and other stakeholders. The company's team comprises airport and terminal planners, business analysts, aviation marketing specialists, project facilitators, simulation experts and creative strategists. They are renowned for their lateral thinking, which results in innovative and cost-effective outcomes. Airbiz is an active contributor and World Business Partner of Airports Council International (ACI).