We consider ourselves part of a design team, that includes a project’s architect and contractor. It is our goal to provide input at all stages of design, to help maintain the client’s budget and provide value engineering solutions wherever possible. By working closely with both the client’s architect and contractor, we can help a project move smoothly from start to finish.

Our structural models are built directly from Architectural Models, whether they are based in SketchUp or imported from other software such as Revit or ArchiCAD. We even have the ability to create full three-dimensional SketchUp models from two-dimensional plans.

Our structural models are built directly from Architectural Models, whether they are based in SketchUp or imported from other software such as Revit or ArchiCAD. We even have the ability to create full three-dimensional SketchUp models from two-dimensional plans.

This approach of modeling allows for built-in coordination with the Architect and contractor, and allows for easy adjustments to both the structural design approach as necessary. After building the base structural model, we can review the basic framing approach with the contractor and make any adjustments prior to structural design.

From here, we design the structure from the top down, and will make value engineering suggestions to the architect that we see as possibilities for the client to save on construction costs. Once the structure has been designed, construction documents are created directly from the model and three-dimensional details are added to the plan to help with construction.

When we finalize the plan set, final plan set coordination with the Architect occurs and the plan is ready for submittal. Lastly, we provide a QR code on the cover sheet of our plan, which allows the structural model to be viewed on any mobile device. This step alone allows for interpretation of the plan in the field, and helps saves the contractor time, and in turn save the client money.