March 9, 2020

International Women’s Day – Interview with Karina Delcourt

In honour of International Women’s Day, we sat down with Karina Delcourt, Digital Integration Manager at Omicron, to learn how technology is driving our business in the way we design, manage, and construct projects.

Briefly describe your journey to become Digital Integration Manager

My career began as a Project Assistant within the Urban Planning department of a large, multi-discipline design firm. After my first experience working with many stakeholders and designers on a high-profile project, I began working as an Architectural Technologist. A couple of years into my career I was introduced to Revit, which immediately appealed to me because it required me to understand the process of construction while creating the model.

While I’ve moved through a few different companies in my career, the multi-disciplinary approach using intelligent software remained a constant, and the ability to integrate design decisions without dealing with the limitations of contracts with external consultants, was a huge advantage. When I started at Omicron, the scale of the organization allowed me to round out my understanding of all moving parts of a project. Once I had a clear grasp on this, I was given the opportunity to move into the Digital Integration Manager role, where I could apply these systems throughout all phases of design and construction projects.

Tell me a bit about this ‘Digital Integration’ – what does it all entail?

It’s about giving people the tools and understanding of our process to execute it digitally. The methods of project delivery used to require the recreation of the same information in multiple formats, causing inefficiencies throughout the process. With the digital tools available to us now, our project is enhanced – but only if we input the right information. My role is to not only evaluate and provide new tools to deliver projects, but to ensure we aren’t allowing the software to dictate how we do it. If it doesn’t make the project easier, it’s back to the drawing board!

What’s a big project you’re currently working on?

Deloitte is moving their Vancouver offices to an iconic new Westbank building near the central branch of the Vancouver Public Library. My role is to guide the team of multiple external consultants and stakeholders throughout Canada to deliver the project in a streamlined, efficient BIM model where we transfer ownership of elements from one party to the next, without losing information.

What do you find most rewarding about your role?

Many people are skeptical of what technology can do at first – learning a new program can be daunting. If I can teach something and have people say, “that was so easy!”, I feel rewarded.

What’s been your biggest accomplishment in your career thus far?

I’d have to say that it was working on the new Molson Coors Brewery, designed by Omicron and completed last year. The new brewery, located in the Fraser Valley, recently opened its doors in 2019. I didn’t start in the project until part of the way through the process, which meant I had to learn the entire program, each of the international players (there were consultants from four continents!), gather the required information, and deliver it to the Construction Manager in 13 drawing packages. The facility totals 410,000 sq.ft. and makes enough beer on an annual basis to fill 120 Olympic swimming pools! It was a challenge but gratifying once complete.