The Challenge

A leading global construction engineering design firm was appointed as the Lead Design Consultant for the KVMRT Line-2 Project in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia a large-scale underground metro development.

The design phase was fast-paced and highly dynamic. Between evolving inputs, tight deadlines, and intricate underground service layouts, the project demanded precise BIM coordination from the very beginning. But there was one big challenge: an acute shortage of BIM technicians in Malaysia with experience in transportation projects.

The client needed a skilled BIM team but building one in-house under pressure was not feasible.

Client’s Initial Hurdles

• Limited local BIM expertise: A shortage of skilled BIM resources for infrastructure projects in Malaysia.
• High workload: Required a fully coordinated LOD 400 BIM model and 1200+ detailed MEP drawings.
• Inefficient manual processes: CSD annotation took 4 hours per sheet, creating a significant bottleneck.
• Tight timeline: Any design delays could disrupt the construction schedule and cause ripple effects.

Why This Was Critical

Why couldn’t the client build an in-house BIM team?

Due to a shortage of transportation-experienced BIM technicians locally, onboarding and training a team from scratch would have taken months—time the project couldn’t afford.

Why was BIM so central to this project?

Underground metro stations involve complex MEPF coordination. Without accurate BIM models, even minor service clashes could delay execution or trigger expensive rework.

What made the CSD annotation process a bottleneck?

Each sheet took approximately 4 hours to annotate manually. With 1200 sheets, this would have required nearly 2700 hours a clear risk to timely delivery.

What were the consequences of not meeting deadlines?

Any delay in submitting the design package could derail the start of construction, impact contractor mobilization, and create contractual penalties for the client.

Gaps in Existing Information

While the client shared 2D DWG drawings, they lacked the coordination needed for a complex underground metro. Without a centralized BIM model, clash detection was difficult, forcing the team to rely on manual coordination. The manual CSD annotation process was slow, error-prone, and unsustainable for 1200+ sheets turning routine tasks into project bottlenecks.

Why Specific Requirements Mattered

This project wasn’t just about producing a model—it required a digital partner who could fully embed into the client’s ecosystem and deliver with precision under pressure. The client's expectations went beyond conventional modeling: they needed a partner who could hit the ground running with minimal ramp-up time, integrate with their internal workflows, and actively participate in design coordination meetings. The requirement to develop a LOD 400 model for MEPF services meant the team had to operate at a high level of detail and technical

The Desapex Solution

• Team Deployed in 1 Month:
  • 1 BIM Coordinator onsite in Kuala Lumpur
  • 1 BIM Manager offshore
  • 10 BIM Engineers offshore
• Deliverables:
  • Created a LOD 400 BIM model for all MEPF services
  • Generated ISD, CSD, SEM drawings
  • Attended VDR meetings to resolve clashes and align services
• Automation Benefit:
  • Reduced annotation time from 4 hours to 1.5-2 hours per sheet
  • Enabled accurate, fast, and scalable drawing production

Project Timeline & Milestones

• Overall duration: 18 months
• Team mobilization: Within 1 month of kickoff
• Automation implementation: Early in project lifecycle, supporting the production of 1200+ drawings
• Coordination and modeling: Continuous, in sync with client reviews and design updates.

Software & Technology Used

• Autodesk Revit
• AutoCAD
• PDF viewer
• Navisworks Manage
• Solibri Checker

The Real Business Value Delivered

With Desapex’s support, the client was able to:

• Deliver all design packages on schedule, even with multiple iterations and design changes.
• Reduce total annotation time from 2700 hours to 1800 hours a savings of 900 hours.
• Achieve a 50% productivity boost on drawing generation.
• Ensure accurate MEPF coordination, setting up a smooth transition into the construction phase.
• Avoid potential penalties or rework costs associated with delays or documentation errors.

What This Means for Future Projects

The success of the KVMRT Line-2 project has set a strong precedent for how complex infrastructure projects can benefit from a hybrid delivery model. By combining on-ground presence with offshore scalability and automation, Desapex enabled the client to overcome local talent shortages and meet demanding deadlines without sacrificing quality. This case demonstrates that with the right digital strategy and execution framework, resource limitations need not hinder delivery. For future projects particularly in transport infrastructure this model provides a roadmap for handling high-volume, detail-oriented BIM requirements while maintaining agility and precision. It also highlights the long-term value of investing in automation and digital collaboration to drive better outcomes across the design and construction lifecycle.