Moving into a new location to operate your business? Take a sneak peak at what might come if you move into a property without doing your due diligence on existing building violations or if the building is constructed according to code for your needs. A little background info New York City Department of Buildings (NYC DOB), Fire Department of New York (FDNY), and other regulatory authorities regularly do inspections on commercial buildings and make sure that they are operating under full code and safety compliance. This is very important - remember the explosion that took out Pommes Frites and left many injured and dead down in the east village? This was a result of a serious fire code violation - the owner attempted to make an illegal gas split, which leaked and exploded. The city and fire department are very serious about preventing such tragedies, and this is why compliance is extremely important and violations are extremely expensive. We recently got in touch with a moving company which had moved into a warehouse and started their operations, without understanding the implications of "just move and operate" without doing due diligence to be sure their operation was allowable by code. A sample FDNY summons What happened next? The moving company got 4 summonses from FDNY over 90 days. The most serious one was due to their improper storage of propane for their forklifts- the summons was for storing and handling explosive gases, a violation of a very important safety regulation under New York City Fire Code (Fire Code/FC 2301). Although our client unknowingly or unwillingly started operating in violation, it doesn't matter, FDNY will still shut your operation down either way. The moving company had no choice but to stop operating their forklifts and other equipment at the location for 90 days, resulting in a huge loss of revenue. During this time, they approached us to help them through the complex process of updating a commercial building - in this case, a warehouse - up to code. How did we help? We helped them every step of the way. First, we made a site visit and LiDAR scan in order to develop a model of existing building conditions. This allowed us to assess if there were any additional code violations that they might have to contend with later on down the road. Better to do it now and only pay once, than to have to assess later on and pay again! Luckily for them, they had no further code violations in the building. The next step was creating a design for the correct storage of the propane tanks. Using our knowledge of NYC codes, we designed the correct storage system with the minimum amount of changes they'll need to make in order to comply with city requirements. After the client approved the minimum design (aka concept design), we add more details that the city needs in order to approve (permit design). We gave the design to our architect to do all the code calculations and put their stamp to show that the plans are correct and safe. As we waited for the city to approve the design, we searched for a good contractor on behalf of the client. While contractors can give quotes based on what they see in the permit set, many contractors require a construction set - which shows all the minute details of exactly how to construct the project and the accompanying material list. Making a construction set might seem overkill to you.... But which would you prefer- a contractor guessing about how your project should be constructed, maybe getting it wrong, and failing the city inspection - leading to even more opportunity costs? Or your contractor confidently moving forward, constructing exactly as the architect intends, and the city approving the project on the first inspection? We studied the impact of the way the client handled moving into the new space, and concluded that they took losses of more than 300k dollars. All this could have been easily handled if the moving company had just approached a designer and did the necessary changes according to code before moving into the building. All that could have cost under 50k. A simple yet powerful lesson for business owners in NYC.

Having a brand-new home built feels exciting, but it’s also a time when conducting your due diligence up front will pay off for you. Whether this is your first rodeo or you’re doing this again, these questions will help you get important ideas as to whether your chosen new home is worth the yearlong commitment. What is your experience in construction? Constructing good-quality, durable homes that fit your unique personality and needs is a specialty skill gained through experience. Before signing the contract with a home builder, do your research on what their experience is and if it fits your requirements. Are you local to my area, or are you familiar with my area? Even if the builder’s main office is the next state over, your builder should have local knowledge of the area’s geography, architectural styles, and building styles. The builder should be able to show you how they will make your house unique while fitting into the local area. What kinds of houses do you build? Some builders prefer to build the same style over and over - and if you want that style, all the better for you! Other builders might have experience with many styles such as ranch, two-story, or even multigenerational plans; this provides more options as you determine what’s important to you. Can I choose my design options, like kitchen cabinetry or tiling? All new home builders know that their buyers want quality features that don’t need to be upgraded, but also want the freedom to personalize to their tastes. Find out how much personalization each builder offers, and definitely don’t assume that all builders provide the same options - they don’t! How long is the process of home building? While some builders put up whole neighborhoods at a time for convenient and quick closing periods, others prefer to build custom for each client. There’s no right or wrong here – you might love the matching look of a neighborhood filled with similar homes – or you might prefer to live in that unique house on the corner! However, for the unique house, you will likely need to plan ahead – in 2022, with labor and material shortages, builders are estimating up to 18 months from contract to close. Can you build in energy-efficient features? Any home builder worth their salt will offer energy efficient features as a normal line item, for several reasons. First, many states are legally requiring new homes to be built to specific energy standards, and are including those energy calculations in the permitting process. Second, the demand for energy efficiency is high! A builder who is uninterested in energy efficiency is not one you should consider working with, because what other corners will they cut? New homes are generally more energy efficient than older homes, but you still have control over how efficient your new home will be. When you are considering the design, ask about the projected HERS ratings (Home Energy Rating System), which are industry standards for rating your home’s energy efficiency. Tell me about your warranty policy. One way of knowing whether a builder is trustworthy is to find out if they offer a good home warranty. Be careful to read the fine print, because if you find a defect in the home later, some warranties are difficult to use. How much communication will we have post-closing? Same as with the home warranty, it’s important to understand what services the builder offers post closing. For example, follow-up visits after you’ve moved in to check on everything can do a lot for your long-term satisfaction. Gathering this important information at the beginning will help you have a good relationship with a builder you can trust, allowing you to enjoy the home building process for what it should be—an exciting new chapter in your life. So, make sure to ask!

Construction is one of the largest industries in the US right now. Incredibly lucrative and vital to our overall economy. Construction statistics and key metrics are changing the way suppliers, subcontractors and even homeowners approach a project. Why? The business isn’t as closed off as it used to be. Thanks to modern tech and design-bid companies, today it’s never been easier for a person to have more control over their architectural project, whether they have experience in the field or not. Yearly indicators, and KPIs, have shown that the industry is booming. Permit solicitation is up, investing is at an all-time high, and mortgage rates are low — a perfect storm. These factors plus modern contraction approaches like Design-Build have really given the industry a jolt to the heart. In this article, we’re going to tell you what Design-Build actually is, and its benefits. What is Design-Build? There are two primary methods consumers can undertake when facing the challenges of either building or renovating a property. Design-Build Design-Bid-Build The latter, Design-Bid-Build, is also called design tender or D/B/B. It is a strategy in which an individual tries to negotiate each instance of their project with different firms. Each one only assumes the responsibility of the phase they are involved in. It is an incredibly complex process, and the main goal is to save a buck or two. For example, you’re renovating your backyard - let’s say you want to install a gazebo and a comfy swimming pool. In a D/B/B strategy, you would go out and hire a studio to design the blueprints. After they deliver, you’d start a bidding war with contractors. Wait for them to file in their tenders - their estimates. Pick one, and finally hope they deliver what they promise and start constructing. Each phase is utterly disconnected from the former. Different companies, different approaches. Design- Build (D/B) on the other hand is when you find one firm that does all the lifts — heavy, or otherwise. One contractor, one work crew, one design team all working under the supervision and contract stipulations of a project manager. There is only one head-honcho, one focal point of responsibility. You’re paying for a company that is in charge, and at fault, for the whole project — they can’t pass the blame or find a scapegoat if something goes wrong. This in turn produces delays, risks, and sometimes even costs. It is a comprehensive, integrated approach that's far more optimized, and efficient in the long run. Amongst its many benefits, when compared to passing out tasks, responsibilities and contracting different vendors, is that since the construction has one leader, the client can seek out legal remedies in the case there is a faux-pass. This is a bit harder to do in D/B/B because crews will try to shirk responsibilities and lay the claim on the other team’s doorstep. Benefits of Design-Build In a Design Bid Build approach, the design team might not be up-to-date with construction costs or current equipment available. This does not occur in a Design-build model. In Design-Build, contractors, and design teams work together, giving each other precious input, which will in turn lower cost and help clients obtain a better quality product. There is open transparent communication between all team members. Another communication perk is that you will only have to talk to one person, the project manager. You won’t be the link between teams as is most often the case in D/B/B Faster delivery method since it’s likely that the team has been working in unison for some time. It is the most effective method for large projects. The more complex a project the more chance it has of experiencing challenges and issues. This is one of the great benefits of D/B crews, they have faster reaction times. Studies have shown that in the long run, this model is actually cheaper and can save clients up to 43% in project costs. One team, one accountability. They simply can’t pass the blame off to someone else if something hits a snag. It is a one-stop buy whose primary ideal is to let clients sleep easy, save them headaches, and deliver a professional well-rounded project.

So you’ve decided to build a new home- congratulations! Building a new home has many benefits - check out our blog post comparing whether to buy or to build. Now that you are set on building your own house, what’s next? First, select your architect. You can also go with a Design Builder, a company who does all design and construction under the same umbrella. Or you can go with an Owner’s Rep, who selects and vets all professionals on your behalf, so you can focus on what you care about most, and the Rep will enforce everything for you. (Skip this step if you have decided to purchase from a builder who only offers a selection of houses to choose from.) Next, select your contractor. Now, onto the building process:

Congratulations on your plans to move into a new home! Before you go all in designing your dream home, there are a lot of factors to consider before opening up your wallet to a home-builder. Location, location, location Does the home location fit into your life patterns and needs? In some areas it can be hard to find a lot that’s a good price, near your work, in a good school zone… You will be more likely to find a favorable location if you shop for an existing home. But market availability for existing homes is low. If location is your most important objective, you should consider both options while shopping with a knowledgeable local realtor. Price Due to global supply chain issues, material costs are highly variable - and emphasis on high! While a new home has many advantages, you’ll be paying a premium to build in 2022. The National Association of Home Builders says that in most American markets, building is more expensive than buying. However, sometimes you can find the right existing home that you can renovate to fit your needs at a lower overall price than building new. If your budget is a little lower, you can buy an existing home and live in it for some time before renovating, to use the house’s appreciation in value to pay for the renovations and avoid too much money coming out of your own pocket. Resale value If you are planning to sell your home after some time, the resale value is an important thing to keep in mind. A newer home tends to appraise for a higher value, thanks to its updated code and energy efficiency. A newer home tends to have fewer and more predictable maintenance costs. And a brand new home usually comes with a warranty. But if you buy a fixer-upper and renovate with an eye to resale value, you should be able to get a good return on investment with an existing home as well. It just tends to have more variable challenges than a new build, and will require more work than a new home to create and prove its worth. Energy saving You might have nostalgic feelings for that 1870s farmhouse standing on the edge of town. But the energy costs will be high, and so would the renovations necessary to upgrade it to modern energy efficiency. You can add historical-feeling touches in a new build and be sure to include all the energy saving details much more easily. An even more important advantage is that you have a chance to future-proof your house – you can run conduits to easily swap out internet cables, design for solar electricity, and install energy and water efficient appliances. Market trends If you are good at seeing the potential in an existing home that you might want to repaint or renovate, go for it! You can also partner with a designer like Building Data Labs to make concept plans for If you have specific tastes that don’t match the HGTV trends, then a new home is the right choice for you. Property condition With so few existing homes for sale this year, you might feel forced to take a lower quality house than you want, or get into a price war for the one perfect home on the block. Building a new home will help you control all of these aspects so you have exactly what you want. Time It will take longer to build a new home than to buy an existing one and move in. Especially with material delays, some contractors are saying “It will take as long as it takes.” If you have a time crunch on your hands, you should definitely buy an existing home - after going under contract, it usually takes about a month to close. But you’ll be living there for years to come - if you don’t want to compromise, building a new home is the best option. Complicating factors When building a new home, not only do you have to find the land, which may not be in an existing neighborhood, you also have to factor in the time to find an architect or builder, and choose every element of the new structure. Making sure that you choose the right architect and builder, and making sure your contract is all in order, is a job in and of itself! But if you are sure about building a new home, it’s well worth the effort. The Bottom Line Even if you start out expecting to buy a house (or build it!) the process of searching for the right property may result in you choosing the opposite. It’s important to know what your deal-breakers and deal-makers are. Keep your bottom line in mind while searching - that bottom line is different for everyone. In either case, working with a knowledgeable professional — whether that's your local real estate agent, a general contractor, or an owner’s rep—can help ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible. Want to know more? Schedule a free 1-hour consultation with our real estate and construction experts!

A home addition can be a great investment in your property—but only if it’s designed correctly. The right architectural designer can help you figure out the layout, choose the right materials, and more. But how do you find one? And what should you look for when interviewing potential designers? Below, we answer all of that and more. These are the following types of additions that you want to use an architect for: General addition Foundation extension Porch extension or addition Porch or patio enclosure Garage extension or addition Garage conversion Attic conversion 2nd floor addition Dormer addition In-law suite In-law addition Bathroom addition Mudroom addition Why should you use an architect for these? Because of the complexity of the project, you want to be sure you have someone experienced who can advise you on the best options for your home and budget, and make sure you get the best return on investment for your house’s value. The process of adding on to a house is complicated. Even in a small job, there are so many details to consider—from foundation to finish work—it’s hard for anyone (even an experienced do-it-yourselfer) to lay out the details just right. It’s not only about design expertise. Your architect will be your guide through the maze of permits, zoning, inspections and financial considerations as well. Designing a project from scratch, or heavily modifying the house you live in, means engaging in some of the most important money decisions you’ll ever make. It affects your options for remodeling later and for reselling the house. If you want to add an addition, change the layout of bedrooms and bathrooms, or undertake extensive repairs, then doing so without professional help is risky—and is also likely to be more expensive than if you were to get help from a designer. Tiers of architectural design service First we have Architectural Drafters or Modelers – these people can put your ideas down on paper (or more likely, Computer Aided Design (CAD) software.) Then, we have Architectural Designers – often they have a degree in architecture and varying levels of experience doing design, but they don’t have a license. Architectural Designers normally work in a company alongside a Registered Architect. A Registered Architect has gone through all the education, internships, and exams to earn a professional license. These people are qualified to tell government agencies that the plans you are making for your home align with local codes and will be safe to construct and live in. Why you should use an Architectural Designer We are the ones to call when you have a problem with your house and don't know where to start. An architect makes initial drawings, following your comments and wishes, that help you make an informed decision on the best way to handle a difficult situation. Before adding to your house, a good architect will ensure you are making the most of all existing space. Even the smallest houses often have underutilized areas that can be reconfigured and brought back into daily use. Sometimes what seems like a square-footage shortage is really a circulation problem that can be solved with a few alterations. For a major remodel or addition, you want an experienced and knowledgeable collaborator who can provide expertise to help you make the right design choices. You want an architect who can translate your ideas into a proper drawing of your home with enough precision to be used for construction. Ideally, that architect should be a licensed professional who has planned dozens of homes like yours in the past and knows best practices around remodeling. Your local building authorities require one. In many communities, for remodels, an architect might not be required, and you can use your contractor to pull your permits. However, depending on your location and project type, you may need an architect or engineer to sign off on your plans. You should always check with your local building department to be completely sure. If you’re planning work on a unique or historical house, changing its style, or building on a complicated site like a hill or a wet area. Maybe you want to raise the roof on your 1700s saltbox. Or change your 50 year old builder colonial into a more modern style. Or maybe you want to add a second story to a home perched on the side of a steep hill. When and where design is critical, you must hire an architectural designer. If your budget is tight. This may not make sense to you, since hiring an architect means one more professional to pay. But a good designer will save you money in the construction and give you more bang for your buck in the end. We do this through value engineering—figuring out the best way to get you the features you want in your budget. We might substitute a more cost effective building material to get the same results. We can also help you avoid making mistakes in material or design that could cost you more money and lead to regrets. How to choose the right architectural design firm for you Now that you’ve decided to hire a designer, you need to find the one that fits your needs best. You want a firm who that’s skilled in designing the style of remodel or addition you want, and you also want your project designer to communicate well with you, and whose cost model works for you. Make sure that the design fees are factored into your overall budget – if you are planning to take out a loan for your remodel or addition, you can include the design fees in the total loan amount, which means the extra few grand you spend on design will divide out to be only a few dollars more on loan repayments. It's easy to find an architect online these days – most architects will show their portfolios right on their website or can send you sample projects upon request. An architect who doesn’t want to send samples is one to be avoided – they should be proud of their past work. How to prep for an interview with a potential architect First, you want to interview about 3 architects to get a general feel for how the project should go. You should bring a few ideas with you for how you want the space to look, a few inspiration photos, and maybe a hand sketch of your future floorplan. This shows the architect a good idea of what you’re planning to do, and gives them a chance to show you how they’ll make your vision a reality – maybe even better than you were originally envisioning. Share your overall budget with the architects you’re interviewing. How they react to this information will help you decide if the project itself is feasible. If two architects say yes, you can roughly do this project in this budget, and the third one says you’ll have to double the budget, take that feedback to the other two and ask them to elaborate a bit more. This will help you get a good sense of whether they are working for your bottom line. What to ask the designer What is the architect’s design philosophy? This should be clear from your research, but now you have a chance to talk about how the designer will bring their vision to your project. Is their focus on sustainability and energy? Low cost or bang for your buck? High end luxury feel? Your architect should be willing to focus on what’s best for you, but some architects have a specific focus that matches – or doesn’t match – your specific needs. What is the design firm’s process? Most firms follow a specific path for all projects, but that process can vary a from firm to firm and project to project. The usual phases include initial consultation, concept design, permit sets, construction and bid sets, sending those sets for bidding and negotiation, and construction management. Can you show me samples of projects you’ve done similar to mine? You want to ensure the designer can handle the size and complexity of your project. Who will be my designer? Whether it’s a large firm or a boutique outfit, you will want to know who your contact person will be. Do you predict any problems with my planned project? If you’re dealing with a complicated site, a small budget or other complications, make sure the designer knows about it. How they respond to this information will tell you whether they’re the best option for your project. What is the design process and construction timeline? Be sure the designer has the time to spend on your project and can get it finished in your timeline. Remember, the designer can account for the time they spend on design, but not for delays caused by you changing your mind, or a contractor’s scheduling problems. What is the project output? Will you be able to view your project in 3D, or do they still use paper blueprints? A designer that uses more modern drafting techniques is also more likely to be flexible on construction techniques and material choices, which helps your bottom line. What will the designer be responsible for, and what will I be responsible for? Designing a major remodel has a lot of moving parts. Make sure both of you are clear on the exact scope of work the designer will provide. What is the design fee and its structure? Make sure you get a firm understanding of what the design fees are and what they’re based on, and the billing schedule. Be wary of a firm that asks for the total fees upfront. Most firms will bill based on phase of project. You can expect the architect to charge about 10% of the total project cost for design. Different types of design fees Architects’ fees vary widely, depending on the project, the local economy, and the architect’s experience and reputation. The typical design fee is about 10% of the total project cost. But fees can range in price, depending on the size and complexity of the job. Your best bet is to speak to several architects about the design fees for your specific project. And remember -- as with any important service, the cheapest quote is not always the best one. Contract details When you’ve decided on your designer, they’ll send you a contract to sign. The contract should detail out the scope of the work, the services the firm will provide, the project schedule, the fees for each phase, and when to pay them. The AIA has developed contracts that many firms use. Make sure the fee you’re paying includes everything you’ll need. Some firms leave out the cost of drawing up plans, for which you’ll have to hire a separate modeler. Site surveys, 3-D modeling, and other services might incur additional costs – make sure everything is spelled out in black and white. Also, check to see how design revisions will affect the architect’s fee – sometimes additional revisions are an extra charge. A good designer will explain how their scope compares to another one’s, so you can be sure you’re comparing apples to apples. The contract also clarifies who owns the plans—normally, it’s the design firm. That won’t be anything to worry about unless you and the firm stop working together before the project is finished. In that case, you’ll want to be sure that you have the right to modify the plans to complete the project with another architect. I’ve Signed with an Architect. What Should I Expect? Most residential architects follow a similar path when designing or remodeling homes. The following steps are typical. Every bit of data that we collect in the previous stages helps us plan your project. So, for a remodel, we start right in the beginning with sophisticated technology to measure and make a 3D model of your existing building conditions - what your house looks like right now. At the same time, we do a zoning study – this helps us understand what kinds of buildings the city allows for your neighborhood, and we make sure that your plans for your house fits inside those parameters. For projects of a bigger scale, like multifamily, we also calculate the cost-benefit ratio of what size building to build and other financial elements, in our feasibility study. From there, we create the concept plans for how you want the house to look. These are very minimal, just enough for you to understand room layouts and flow. Next is the permit set, required by the city in order to obtain a construction permit. The set normally includes floor plans, elevations, sections, and a site plan. We sometimes also put out a construction set, which is the most highly detailed set of plans, with all the smallest details about how to construct and install elements of the space. This is important for projects with a lot of millwork, complicated fixture installations, custom built-ins, structural idiosyncrasies, etc. Securing a Contractor. Once the plans are complete, the architect can help you hire the right contractor by speaking with those interested in the job and answering any questions they might have about the project. They may also recommend builders they’ve worked with, but ultimately, the choice is up to you. Construction administration. As the project goes to construction, your architect should be available to answer questions, resolve design issues, create additional drawings if needed, and approve contractor payments. The job at this point is to make sure everything goes according to plan, and to help avoid major issues when they don’t. Help your Architect Help You—and Save Money After you’ve signed on with an architect, there are a few things you can do to make sure your project turns out just right. Above all, be available. Check over drawings and material suggestions quickly. Make up your mind. If you’re struggling to make a decision, tell your designer. They should have strategies and information to help you with a breakthrough. Ask all your questions. The more you understand the design when it’s in progress, the less likely you’ll have an unpleasant surprise during construction. See something, say something if there’s an aspect of the design you want to change. It’s much easier to do a double sink in the bathroom or move a closet when it’s on paper than after it’s been framed out. Designers all agree that the more engaged their client is, the better their project results. Successful projects don’t just happen - you need to find the right person to help you bring your vision to life. It’s an investment not only in your property, but your happiness and satisfaction living there. How Building Data Labs handles your project is by using our team of accomplished Architectural Designers and Modelers to help you make your vision into a reality. All the while, we take into consideration your local codes, zoning requirements, and specific municipal bylaws, and then hand the draft over to our network of local Registered Architects to calculate and stamp the plans. This helps keep your project cost effective, but still good quality and correct to code.

The pandemic has changed how designers and contractors are managing projects. Although contractors have been getting more jobs, bottom line profit has been dropping quickly. Last year, our team worked with multiple contractors, and finally a pattern emerged. Losing money on site visits: Before, everyone visited the site however many times they needed to without thinking about it. Normally, the business owner visited the sites first and then the hand off happens to the project managers. Each round trip in the city should take 2 hours and an additional hour to do the necessary work. Assuming the cost of your employee after overhead is $35-40/hour - "Each trip can cost up to $120, and all of it comes out of the profit line. It doesn't go into your employees' pocket nor yours, it just vanishes into thin air." This is a huge cost in small jobs because the profit margins are so razor thin. The Scan to CAD / material estimate generation: The pandemic forced our team to find a way to capture as much information as possible from a building the first - and only - time we visit. It's easy to control this with the right tools and skills: photo- realistic scanning along with highly precise drawings which represent the building have become more accessible than ever before to small scale contractors. You can even measure things from the comfort of your office. Check out an example of our scanning for a combination commercial / industrial property: Getting a scan for a property could cost as little as $500 in and around NYC. The best part is, Building Data Labs has even figured out a quick and easy way to generate floor plans, ceiling plans, elevations, sections, etc. Depending on the need, we even develop 3D models to get accurate material measurements and do construction sequencing. We will hold this scan for you and provide necessary drawings as and when required. Each drawing of <2000 sq ft building might cost you as little as $200-$300 using our à la carte service model. Day 1, you might only need a floor plan, but a year later you might need more information. We, and you, don't have to pay for site visits again and again because of our scan to CAD method. Check out our samples: Existing Building Drawings Sometimes contractors ask us to do a concept design:

Design a Tiny House on Wheels. Requirements: Fits on a 6 x 20 feet trailer bed, maximum house dimensions 8.5 W x 20 Lx 13.5 H (from the ground) Uses lightweight materials, 100% passive, off grid. Sustains a temperature range of 110 to -40 F. Water storage capability of minimum 300 gallons each for potable water and grey water. (additional storage is a plus) No flushing toilet Additional points: Stackable/augmentable design (combinations of multiple pods or tiny houses to make a normal house) Autofiltration / generation of potable / useful water Uses recycled material, construction waste, landfill material, etc. (Bonus if you can provide links to buy it in northeast USA) Design considerations: 2 people live there full time, most probably getting on each other’s nerves! Kitchen counter space of 10 sq ft total, electric stove, toaster oven, small dishwasher. Include space for a washing machine. Submission: A3/tabloid sheet with the concept fully laid out including basic mechanical calculation, electrical calculation and bill of material.

Please contact us to join our talent pool for project-based work! We want to hear from BIM Managers, BIM Coordinators, Project Managers, and MEP professionals. We hire for tomorrow! Are you seeking an opportunity to work for an innovative company with their eyes on the future? A leader in its field? A company who strives to build long-standing relationships with its employees and clients? Then look no further than Building Data Labs LLC and come grow with us. Role/Purpose: Technical Consultants work with many different leading-edge firms to help them implement and adopt new technologies across a variety of exciting projects. In this role, they specify and implement technology-based solutions to help clients address issues and achieve business goals. An Associate Technical Consultant functions as a trusted advisor to organizations by helping them incorporate practices into their workflows through leveraging strong industry knowledge, in-depth technology product knowledge and business acumen. They also assist the client in implementing these solutions on actual building design projects. Job Classification: This position will move from one client to another based on the clients’ needs. This is an hourly 1099 position, $25-65 per hour based on role and experience, with the possibility of later becoming a W-2 position. International STEM Students on OPT or with EAD are welcome to apply. What does an Associate Technical Consultant do? • Support Technical consultant, assesses current client business processes, recommends and implements solutions to meet client needs. Works closely with clients to document business goals and related procedures. • Produces project deliverables on-time and on-budget. • Support Technical consultant, execute solution implementation, including any task that might be necessary to complete project deliverables. Examples include: training or mentoring, software configuration, content creation, development of simulation models/studies, preparation of documentation etc. • Writes deliverable documents including procedures guides, flow charts, best practices guides, agendas, and follow up memos. Principle Duties and Responsibilities: • Meets with clients either in-person or via virtual conferencing software to gain an understanding of current design projects and present workflows, determine areas of improvement, and extract deliverable requirements for projects that involve significant product customization, client-specific implementation activity, and/or out-of- the-box functionality. • Support Technical consultant, execute solution implementation. • Works to perform tasks necessary to produce project deliverables – independently or collaboratively. Typically requires the creation of work product (such as 3D models, templates, sample drawings, etc.) using engineering software, development and delivery of custom training or mentoring services, and/or creation of project documentation such as best practice guides. Qualifications: • Three (3) years, minimum, of working experience in the AEC industry. • Bachelors or Associates degree in an AEC-specific program or relevant experience. • Experience and expertise in implementing BIM or 3D design solutions. • Experience in BIM management and execution. • Process and workflow analysis skills and direct experience. • Ability to travel throughout NYC • Experience in construction coordination and clash detection a plus. • Experience in construction management and value engineering and utilizing technology on the construction site would be a plus. Software knowledge and capabilities: • Highly proficient in Revit • Working knowledge of: Navisworks Manage, Autodesk BIM 360 cloud solutions, including Field, Glue and Docs Candidate Characteristics: • Desire to implement new technology with a variety of top AEC firms to improve design and construction processes. • Strong interpersonal communication, presentation, organization, planning and project management skills. • Works independently and can manage multiple priorities. • Initiative with strong analytical and problem-solving skills. • Strong business acumen, high energy, self-motivated and able to work under pressure. • Reacts positively to change and performs other duties as assigned. • Understanding of and experience in all aspects of design and construction industry practices. • Ability to tee-up conversations, ask thought provoking questions, see and probe problems. • Can manage multiple priorities, multitask, meets deadlines, and prioritize requests. How to apply: Send an email with your resume, cover letter, a sample of BIM work, and optional portfolio to erin@bldatalabs.com.

Please contact us to join our talent pool for project-based work! We want to hear from BIM Managers, BIM Coordinators, Project Managers, and MEP professionals. We hire for tomorrow! Are you seeking an opportunity to work for an innovative company with their eyes on the future? A leader in its field? A company who strives to build long-standing relationships with its employees and clients? Then look no further than Building Data Labs LLC and come grow with us. Role/Purpose: Technical Consultants work with many different leading-edge firms to help them implement and adopt new technologies across a variety of exciting projects. In this role, they specify and implement technology-based solutions to help clients address issues and achieve business goals. An Associate Technical Consultant functions as a trusted advisor to organizations by helping them incorporate practices into their workflows through leveraging strong industry knowledge, in-depth technology product knowledge and business acumen. They also assist the client in implementing these solutions on actual building design projects. Job Classification: This position will move from one client to another based on the clients’ needs. This is an hourly 1099 position, $25-65 per hour based on role and experience, with the possibility of later becoming a W-2 position. International STEM Students on OPT or with EAD are welcome to apply. What does an Associate Technical Consultant do? • Support Technical consultant, assesses current client business processes, recommends and implements solutions to meet client needs. Works closely with clients to document business goals and related procedures. • Produces project deliverables on-time and on-budget. • Support Technical consultant, execute solution implementation, including any task that might be necessary to complete project deliverables. Examples include: training or mentoring, software configuration, content creation, development of simulation models/studies, preparation of documentation etc. • Writes deliverable documents including procedures guides, flow charts, best practices guides, agendas, and follow up memos. Principle Duties and Responsibilities: • Meets with clients either in-person or via virtual conferencing software to gain an understanding of current design projects and present workflows, determine areas of improvement, and extract deliverable requirements for projects that involve significant product customization, client-specific implementation activity, and/or out-of- the-box functionality. • Support Technical consultant, execute solution implementation. • Works to perform tasks necessary to produce project deliverables – independently or collaboratively. Typically requires the creation of work product (such as 3D models, templates, sample drawings, etc.) using engineering software, development and delivery of custom training or mentoring services, and/or creation of project documentation such as best practice guides. Qualifications: • Three (3) years, minimum, of working experience in the AEC industry. • Bachelors or Associates degree in an AEC-specific program or relevant experience. • Experience and expertise in implementing BIM or 3D design solutions. • Experience in BIM management and execution. • Process and workflow analysis skills and direct experience. • Ability to travel throughout NYC • Experience in construction coordination and clash detection a plus. • Experience in construction management and value engineering and utilizing technology on the construction site would be a plus. Software knowledge and capabilities: • Highly proficient in Revit • Working knowledge of: Navisworks Manage, Autodesk BIM 360 cloud solutions, including Field, Glue and Docs Candidate Characteristics: • Desire to implement new technology with a variety of top AEC firms to improve design and construction processes. • Strong interpersonal communication, presentation, organization, planning and project management skills. • Works independently and can manage multiple priorities. • Initiative with strong analytical and problem-solving skills. • Strong business acumen, high energy, self-motivated and able to work under pressure. • Reacts positively to change and performs other duties as assigned. • Understanding of and experience in all aspects of design and construction industry practices. • Ability to tee-up conversations, ask thought provoking questions, see and probe problems. • Can manage multiple priorities, multitask, meets deadlines, and prioritize requests. How to apply: Send an email with your resume, cover letter, a sample of BIM work, and optional portfolio to erin@bldatalabs.com.

Here are the best new features of Revit 2020: NEW PATH OF TRAVEL TOOL The new Path of Travel feature allows you to select a “start point” and an “end point”. Revit will then automatically calculate the shortest path between the two points. That means it will avoid walls and try to find doors. path of travel can be tagged and scheduled as well. IMPORT PDF TO REVIT If you go to the Insert tab in the ribbon, you will find a brand new Import PDF tool. Yeah! The PDF will be imported as a 2D object in the current view only. You have to specify which page you want to import each time you select a PDF file. You can also specify a DPI import value. If the PDF contains vector lines, you can use the Enable Snap feature to interact with the lines using tools such as “pick lines”. CREATE ELLIPTICAL WALLS The elliptical wall feature is now directly integrated in Revit. EDIT SCOPE BOXES IN VIEW LIST You can now add the “Scope box” parameter in a “view list” schedule. That means you can quickly assign scope boxes without having to manually enter a view. Useful for projects with a lot of views. Scope boxes are used to control the crop region of multiple views and to control the extents of datum elements like levels and grids. MORE EFFICIENT IMPORTATION FOR SKETCHUP FILES Sketchup 2018 files can now be imported. Colors and transparency will act in a more consistent way. Sadly, the colors in Realistic visual style won’t use the Sketchup colors and everything will be set to RGB code 80-80-80. COPY AND PASTE LEGENDS VIEWS TO SHEETS Legends can now be copied from a sheet to another. You can select the “Paste Aligned To Same Place” feature to make sure legends are in the exact same spot on all sheets. MANAGE IMAGES MENU IMPROVEMENTS Images that are imported and linked into Revit can be managed more easily. The Manage Images menu will display the file format, the original image dimensions and DPI. You can also select the path type to be based on Absolute, Relative or Cloud. IMPROVED “OR” IN VIEW FILTERS In the new version, you can assign each OR rule to a specific category, allowing you to choose specific parameters. As you can see in this example, we can set the category to Walls and use the Length parameter. You can also select “All Selected Categories”, which will act the same way as the default mode in Revit 2019. MATERIAL USER INTERFACE IMPROVEMENTS The material libraries icon has been modified to be more visible. If you are the kind of person that enjoys large thumbnails, you will be pleased to learn that you can use them in the material library browser. NEW APPEARANCE ASSETS Revit 2020 expanded the library with 104 new appearance assets using physically based definition. Some of the new assets include floorings like in the image below. Some of these assets seem promising but further testing will be required to see if they are worth it. OTHER CHANGES: SAVE ANY REVIT FILE TO THE BIM 360 CLOUD Revit has a new feature called “Cloud Models For Revit”. It can be accessed in the “Save As” menu. It allows any model to be saved directly to the cloud, including models that don’t have “worksharing” enabled. ELEVATION FROM LEVEL TAG A new “Elevation From Level” parameter can be used for various families. You can create a tag in plan views to indicate the height of various families. In the example below, we use a tag to indicate the relative height of casework families in a plan view. DYNAMO 2.1 Dynamo is now directly integrated into Revit. Older versions of Dynamo are not compatible with Revit 2020.

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is the process of creating intelligent information models containing both graphical and non-graphical information in a Common Data Environment (CDE) (a shared repository for digital project information). The information that is created becomes ever more detailed as a project progresses with the completion of dataset then handed to the client at the completion to use in the building’s In Use phase and potentially on into a decommissioning phase.