Author: Amanda Perry, Head of Marketing, Baker Baynes
August 2024 — Baker Baynes is thrilled to announce Prinell Naicker as the winner of the 2024 Extraordinary Women in BIM competition. This prestigious award recognises Prinell’s remarkable contributions to Building Information Modelling (BIM) in the industry, her leadership within the organisations she has worked at, and her unwavering commitment to advancing digital transformation in South Africa.
Prinell Naicker, a Structural Engineer and BIM Leader at Bosch Projects, has emerged as a standout figure in a field traditionally dominated by men. Her dedication, innovative approach, and passion for BIM have not only transformed the way her organisation operates but have also inspired many within the industry to embrace digital technologies.
Prize Details
As the winner of this year’s competition, Prinell will receive a trip to Autodesk University 2024 in San Diego, USA, valued at R100 000. This esteemed user conference is a significant platform where industry professionals converge from around the world to share knowledge, learn about the latest technological advancements, and network with global leaders in BIM. For Prinell, this will be her first time outside of South Africa - a milestone that underscores the importance of her achievement.
Judges’ Insight
Prinell’s selection as the winner was unanimous among the judging panel, which included industry leaders such as Elna van der Merwe, Engineering Digital Manager from DRA Global, Anien Nauta, Senior BIM Model Coordination Manager, from AECOM, and Jani Viljoen, BIM Counsellor and Professional Services Director, Baker Baynes and Nikki van der Walt, Technical Solutions Executive at Autodesk.
Elna van der Merwe, Engineering Digital Manager, DRA Global
Elna, one of the esteemed judges, highlighted Prinell’s exceptional ability to support, train, and involve others in their BIM journey. “Actions speak louder than words, and Prinell’s actions in teaching new ways of working are commendable. She has a deep understanding of BIM, which is evident in the processes she has developed to streamline, gather, and represent information effectively”. She also praised Prinell’s adept use of technology, managing large file sets under unique timeframes, and ensuring that the diverse technological tools were applied correctly and effectively. Elna was particularly impressed with Prinell’s clear explanations of these processes and the wide variety of technologies used, noting that she painted “a full BIM picture.”
Anien Nauta, Senior BIM Model Coordination Manager, AECOM
Anien from AECOM added, “Prinell Naicker is a remarkable professional in the BIM industry, withextensive experience and impactful contributions since 2018. Her leadership is evident in her mentoring efforts, where she fosters a collaborative environment that empowers her team to leverage BIM technologies effectively.” Anien also emphasised Prinell’s role in refining and enhancing BIM processes within her organisation, leading to stronger adoption of BIM practices and more effective project delivery. Her technical proficiency and ability to navigate challenges in complex projects further solidify her as a vital asset to any project team.
Jani Viljoen, BIM Counsellor and Professional Services Director, Baker Baynes
Jani Viljoen from Baker Baynes echoed these sentiments, emphasising Prinell’s commitment to advocating for BIM education within her organisation. Jani highlighted Prinell’s efforts in developing BIM guidelines, Revit templates, and standards, ensuring their effective implementation across projects. She also commended Prinell’s ability to manage complex challenges, such as multi-regional cloud collaboration and clash detection, noting that her work in these areas was “pretty cool” and deserving of the highest recognition.
Nikki van der Walt, Technical Solutions Executive, Autodesk
Nikki praised Prinell Naicker for her comprehensive submission, highlighting her strong leadership in the BIM space. She noted that Prinell effectively demonstrated her ability to lead and support her team, which earned her a top score in the people section. “She has established a whole team and has gone about supporting everyone.” Nikki was also impressed by Prinell’s integration of authoring tools, quality assurance, and digital twin technologies, noting the complexity of bringing these elements together within the BIM framework. This earned Prinell high marks in the process category.
While Nikki observed that the focus on technology was more process-oriented than tool-specific, she acknowledged the effective, technology-agnostic approach Prinell used. Overall, Nikki recognised Prinell as a standout leader in the BIM industry, whose blend of leadership, innovation, and technical skill made her a deserving winner of the award.
Prinell’s Journey and Aspirations
In her own words, Prinell reflects on her journey: “I never imagined that I would be recognised in this way. Winning this competition is a defining moment for me, both personally and professionally. It has reinforced my belief that with passion and dedication, anything is achievable.”
Prinell’s journey into the BIM world was not straightforward. Initially drawn to accounting, she later shifted to engineering, where she found her true calling. Her passion for BIM grew during her tenure at WSP, where she was mentored and encouraged to explore and implement BIM processes. Today, at Bosch Projects, she leads the structural division in Cape Town, driving innovation and pushing her team to embrace digital transformation.
“Being part of the BIM community has been incredibly rewarding. It’s a dynamic field that’s constantly evolving, and I’m excited to be a part of that change. My goal is to inspire others, especially women, to step into this space and realise that they too can make a significant impact,” Prinell added.
Advice to Future BIM Champions
When asked about her advice to other women considering a career in BIM, Prinell emphasised the importance of perseverance and continuous learning. “Don’t be afraid of the challenges. Embrace them, ask for help, and always strive to learn and grow. The possibilities in this field are endless, and with the right mindset, you can achieve greatness.”
Looking Ahead
Prinell’s win is not just a personal victory; it is a testament to the growing recognition of women in the BIM industry. Her journey, filled with challenges and triumphs, serves as an inspiration to many, proving that with determination and passion, the sky’s the limit.
As she prepares to attend Autodesk University, Prinell is eager to continue her journey of growth and learning, bringing back invaluable insights that will further drive innovation within her organisation and the broader South African BIM community.
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