Portland, Maine (July 10, 2024) – Chalkline, Inc. has published a case study on the implementation of keynoting to reference specifications at BNIM. Read the full case study and customer testimonials here.
BNIM is a design firm based in Kansas City, Missouri, that has built a national reputation for excellence in architecture, planning, interior design, and landscape architecture. As Dev Malik, BNIM Principal and COO, shares, BNIM leverages technology “to allow us to serve our clients better and more effectively.”
The Challenge: BNIM used keynotes extensively in Autodesk Revit to reference the specs. However, without a means to track the keynotes placed in the model, this process required tedious coordination. Reviewing every call-off on the drawings with the specs was both time consuming and not feasible for large projects. With work schedules spanning all hours of the day and night, communication between modelers and specifiers was challenging, and specifier-generated keynotes slowed drawing development. As various Revit modelers selected and created their keynotes, a keynote manager was needed to support multiple users at the same time. Finally, with modeler-generated keynotes, the specifiers needed to be able to track which keynotes were being added to the model to coordinate the specs with the model.
The Solution: BNIM imported their keynote master list which is coordinated with the firm’s specification masters into the VisiSpecs Keynote Manager. All Revit users were given permission to select and create keynotes in Keynote Manager so they could have access to the keynotes they needed in a timely fashion. Using Keynote Manager’s filters, the specifier could easily track which keynotes were being used to ensure the specifications match the keynotes in the project. As additional keynotes were created by the modelers, the specifier could review, edit, and ‘approve’ keynotes in Keynote Manager, ensuring quality and consistency in their product. Comments were also added which enabled team communication on keynotes such as ”Restrooms only.” The ability to run Keynote Manager in Microsoft Word allows keynotes to be easily selected without having to switch back and forth between Keynote Manager and the model in Revit. The VisiSpecs Multi-User Keynote Manager increases efficiency as team members no longer have to wait for their colleagues or collaborators to finish selecting keynotes in order to access Keynote Manager themselves. The process is further enhanced by the specifier accessing Revit to use a user-created keynote legend to view live keynote placement.
The Results: BNIM has all project team users access the VisiSpecs Multi- User Keynote Manager to select, create new, and validate keynotes. Establishing keynote generation as an active part of the design process enables high levels of Quality Control in BNIM’s design process. When BNIM serves as a co-designer of a project in collaboration with another architect, the partner firm also uses the VisiSpecs Keynote Manager for edits and coordination among the entire design team. As team members select keynotes to be used, specifiers reviewing the keynotes can see specs to be coordinated. Quick chats with team members allow the specifier to confirm design intent in case their keynotes were incorrectly selected. If keynote edits are required by the specifier, keynotes already placed within the drawings are updated automatically. This integrated process provides ease of access to the data for corrections and increases the quality of BOTH the model drawings and specifications.
For more information on BNIM, please visit www.bnim.com.
Case Study Key Benefits:
- Specifier Managing Keynotes
- Multi-User Keynote Manager
- Team Collaboration Enhanced
- Model Coordination w/ Specs
- Integrated Design Process
Email info@chalklineinc.com to inquire about a VisiSpecs implementation so you can see similar benefits at your company!
Visit chalklineinc.com to learn more about the VisiSpecs applications, request a free 30-day trial, register for live webinars, read customer testimonials and download product information.
