From Indonesia to 3D design at progressive
Most people, when they think of Indonesia, think of Bali.
Oky is from Papua.
A completely different part of the country, and a completely different upbringing.
“Papua is a whole different vibe,” he says. “If you ever check out Raja Ampat, it will honestly blow your mind.”
It is not just the scenery that stayed with him. It is the mindset. Growing up in Papua meant being surrounded by hard work, resilience, and making the most of what is in front of you. That early environment shaped how Oky approaches everything today. Adaptable. Driven. Willing to put the work in.
A natural route into construction
Construction was always there.
Oky’s dad worked in the industry, so it was something he was exposed to from an early age. But what turned it from a familiar path into something he genuinely enjoyed was the design side.
“What I like about design is that you can actually see what you have created being built in real life,” he explains. “It is not just an idea on paper. It becomes something real.” That shift, from concept to reality, is what stuck.
Why the UK and why BIM
Oky had options.
Universities in Australia. Opportunities in the Netherlands.
But he chose the UK for one reason. BIM.
“The UK is one of the leaders in BIM and digital construction,” he says. “I wanted to learn from the best.”
The MSc Construction Design Management course at the University of Exeter offered exactly that. A strong focus on digital construction, backed up with real industry exposure through placements. It was not just about learning theory. It was about understanding how it works on live projects.
The reality behind the results
On paper, a distinction in a master’s degree looks impressive.
In reality, it was long nights, consistency, and a lot of time spent in the library.
“You could find me on the ground floor, left side corner row, pretty much every weekend until 1 or 2 am.”
No shortcuts. Just putting the hours in and sticking with it.
“What I am most proud of is that all that effort paid off.”
What a Digital BIM Engineer actually does
Put simply, Oky uses digital tools to make construction projects run better.
He creates 3D models and coordinates them with architectural, structural, and MEP designs to identify clashes before they become problems on site.
It is not just about building models. It is about keeping everything aligned.
Tracking changes. Updating designs. Making sure everyone is working from the same information.
And when something needs explaining or visualising, he brings it to life in 3D so the wider team can actually see it.
Bringing 3D into cladding at progressive
Oky joined progressive through a recommendation from his lecturer, at a time when the business was exploring how 3D design could add value.
That is exactly where he has made his mark.
Day to day, he supports projects through 3D modelling, coordination, and problem solving. But one of the biggest pieces of work he is leading is the development of a 3D BIM library for the business.
At progressive, we are already pushing ahead with digital transformation in roofing and cladding, driven by the increasing demand for better coordination and smarter ways of working.
Oky’s work sits right at the centre of that.
The BIM library he is developing will support how projects are delivered going forward, helping the team work more efficiently, coordinate more effectively, and take on projects that demand a higher level of digital capability.
“One of my main strengths is taking something from a 2D drawing and turning it into a proper 3D model that the team can actually use.”
That shift alone changes how projects are understood and delivered.
Making a real difference
The impact is already clear.
By introducing more 3D capability into projects, progressive can now go after work that requires BIM modelling. Something not many cladding contractors can offer across multiple systems.
Oky has worked closely with Kingspan’s technical team, being one of the first to use there Tekla plug in ‘kingclad’, which is their new software for future 3D design.
That matters.
Most available models are limited. Expanding that capability opens up more flexibility in design and delivery.
It is not just about keeping up. It is about pushing things forward.
Looking ahead
For Oky, development does not stop.
The cladding industry, especially on the digital side, still has gaps. There is not a huge amount of information out there, which means a lot of the learning has to be self driven.
“You have to be ready to learn a lot by yourself,” he says.
His advice is clear. Focus on the tools that allow you to build and think properly.
“Tekla Structures is a strong direction, especially when you get into custom components and the logic behind how things are built.”
A different perspective, adding real value
Oky’s journey, from Papua to progressive, is not just a story about moving countries or getting a degree.
It is about bringing a different perspective into the industry.
A willingness to learn. A focus on doing things better. And the ability to turn ideas into something the rest of the team can actually use.
And as digital construction continues to move forward, that is only going to become more important.