BIM and Bridges Design and Modeling
BIM Modeling | UtARK Project
I fell in love with bridges
Working as a BIM Modeler and BIM Coordinator on the UtARK bridge, not far from Utrecht railway station in the heart of the Netherlands, was such a beautiful experience! It gave me lots of technical experience and life experience. I was part of a big team of great professionals, creating something very meaningful, beautiful, and durable—something that withstands time and weather. I fell in love with bridges!
The UtARK Bridge: A Story of Precision, People, and New Life
The Bridge
The UtARK bridge was built between two existing bridges in Utrecht—right in the city center, in a very tight location. The existing bridges had to remain operational throughout construction. There was no room for error.
The Process
The bridge was assembled near the site from prefabricated steel pieces that were floated to Utrecht via the canals. At a specially built construction site, the pieces were assembled on a wheeled platform. Once the structure was complete, it was moved along a specially built road and slid into place between the two existing bridges—all within just 72 hours. Super exciting!
Personal reflection
I worked on the BIM model during the design phase while carrying my first child. It was challenging—traveling across the country every day, working in Dutch (not just speaking, but writing technical documents and leading workshops for a team of echte Nederlanders—real Dutch men).
It felt funny and somehow poetic: I became pregnant when this big project started, and I gave birth to my daughter just as the design phase ended. The team jokingly called her "the UtARK baby."
I fell in love with bridges.
It felt funny and somehow poetic: I became pregnant when this big project started, and I gave birth to my daughter just as the design phase ended. The team jokingly called her "the UtARK baby."
I fell in love with bridges.
The meaning
I fell in love with bridges. Not just because they're beautiful and durable—but because this one taught me that I could be an engineer, a mother, a foreigner finding her voice, and still build something that would stand for generations.
Working as a BIM Modeler and BIM Coordinator on the UtARK bridge, not far from Utrecht railway station in the heart of the Netherlands, was such a beautiful experience! It gave me lots of technical experience and life experience. I was part of a big team of great professionals, creating something very meaningful, beautiful, and durable—something that withstands time and weather. I fell in love with bridges!
Bridges are more than a structure
Connecting it all together
To me, a bridge is more than just a structure. It connects people, communities, disciplines, and even lifetimes.
Through my work on the UtARK bridge, I learned more about bridges—and they became special to me. Years later, when I returned to the Netherlands, I was amazed by the beauty of Dutch bridges. They are intelligent, durable, and strong. I was fascinated by how beauty, style, design, and engineering came together.
I could gaze at the Erasmus Bridge with excitement and adoration. I felt a special bond with it.
Now, reflecting back on my time working on the UtARK bridge, I realize that deep work gave me the ability to see bridges much deeper—not just as structures connecting roads, but as something more.
Through my work on the UtARK bridge, I learned more about bridges—and they became special to me. Years later, when I returned to the Netherlands, I was amazed by the beauty of Dutch bridges. They are intelligent, durable, and strong. I was fascinated by how beauty, style, design, and engineering came together.
I could gaze at the Erasmus Bridge with excitement and adoration. I felt a special bond with it.
Now, reflecting back on my time working on the UtARK bridge, I realize that deep work gave me the ability to see bridges much deeper—not just as structures connecting roads, but as something more.
