Building toward bigger, better conversations with quality design standards applied to the latest technology.
A key piece of Smith + Andersen’s flexibility – and the way that we have established ourselves as the consulting engineering firm of choice – is our commitment to innovation.
Our multi-disciplinary project experience, combined with our ability to collaborate nationally, has resulted in a company culture where new technology is embraced rather than feared. This is particularly evident through our use of Revit and commitment to the growing field of Building Information Modelling (BIM).
The rise of BIM in the industry stems from the ability to provide a holistic design approach, providing the immediate and reoccurring planning of interwoven building systems in a 3D virtual environment. This level of planning, when employed properly and managed effectively, is arguably the industry’s strongest and most important communication tool. It is also, at the end of the day, just one tool in a team’s toolbox, and a way to supplement good design. But it is not a substitute for good design.
A growing list of ways to do more with Revit.
If there’s one thing we’ve learned in nearly six decades of operations, it’s the importance of flexibility. We have to be ready to adapt – to learn and integrate new tools into our processes without losing what makes our company work well. As a multi-disciplinary firm, we have the unique opportunity to learn side-by-side with people who think differently than we do. Our role is not the same on every project, which means our approach can also vary. We view this as a strength.
But that doesn’t mean there aren't tried and true tools that we’re proud to have in our toolbox. We have an expectation of all of our teams to be creative, proactively plan, work efficiently, and revise wisely. Providing staff and leaders with the tools to follow this roadmap isn’t a benefit…it’s a responsibility.
We are constantly expanding, refining, and adjusting our list of tools, applications, and plugins to make the most out of the powerful creativity provided by Revit. And yes, sometimes that does mean making our own…
Here's what we use to:
CUSTOM BUILT FOR S+A
A BIG DIFFERENCE THROUGH BIM WORKFLOWS
An expectation of innovation.
At this point, the ability to work and collaborate in Revit is mandatory for all engineering and design staff at Smith + Andersen. On a project level, it’s one of the tools that is expected to be used. Behind the scenes, we have a team of national BIM experts who work tirelessly to establish and build upon the templates and standards that will elevate the work of our teams. This continuous improvement is non-negotiable. Why? Because we know that this industry changes both slowly and suddenly. It’s only by mastering the available tools that we can maintain our commitment to quality – a commitment we won’t be abandoning anytime soon.
OVERHEAD PLANNING
SUDDENLY SEEING IN 3D
