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It’s a sign that three-dimensional building modeling has arrived when the biggest project in town is using it. In this case, that’s the Kaiser Permanente Westside Medical Center in Hillsboro.

The project placed its final beam on Monday. The hospital is scheduled to open in 2013.

While many similar projects use some level of modeling, the architects, engineers and the general contractor are all using modeling on this project, said Travis Baker, project director with general contractor Andersen Construction.

That’s key, Baker said. Sometimes some of the team members won’t use modeling, or will use a system that doesn’t integrate with the others. This time, all partners on the $360 million project are using compatible technology.

It saves time and money to catch problems before they’re built, Baker said, instead of ripping out an element and redesigning it in the field. “Moving the duct when it’s already installed is 10 times more expensive than doing it on paper,” he said.