Faster Design

	An immediate advocate of Autodesk Building Systems at Flack + Kurtz, Monteyne sought to demonstrate the speed and accuracy of the program to his colleagues. Challenging another drafter using AutoCAD 2000i software, he laid out a room with diffusers, VAV boxes, and duct connections twice as fast using Autodesk Building Systems. In addition, Autodesk Building Systems increased his accuracy.
“We draw in plan view, but we’re able to see the design in model view at the same time. We can see exactly how the duct and the conduit are going to lay out, where the diffusers and light fixtures will be placed, and where there might be any interferences.”

Reduced Interferences

Consulting on a downtown San Francisco tenant improvement project, Flack + Kurtz redesigned the electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and security systems for each floor of the high-rise, one floor at a time. With previous floors designed in AutoCAD 2000i, Autodesk Building Systems enabled Flack + Kurtz to eliminate interferences in the field. The designers successfully coordinated ductwork through existing sheer wall penetrations despite a tight fit.

Wayne Gaw, mechanical engineer, says, “There’s a new sprinkler system being installed that’s been a conflict on other floors in the building. Using Autodesk Building Systems, we were able to see that in advance, making sure everything fit before construction.”

Increased Communication

As part of its Autodesk solution, Flack + Kurtz chose the Autodesk Buzzsaw online project collaboration service to communicate with clients, colleagues, and contractors. Buzzsaw provides Flack + Kurtz the ability to communicate and coordinate with other members of the project, plus provides the ability to mark up drawings and do file transfers of any size instantly on a secured access site. In addition, Buzzsaw notifies other members of the team that modifications have been made. Instantly, project members are able to download changes to dimensions or layout, saving time and money.

Return on Investment

Reduced interferences, fewer requests for information (RFIs) from the field, expedited design time, and increased communication all drive return on investment for Flack + Kurtz. “Autodesk Building Systems has created the next jump in productivity,” says Monteyne. Gaw concludes, “My main focus on a project is good engineering, leading-edge design, and giving the owner a quality project that will be recognized within our industry and hopefully throughout the world. Autodesk Building Systems is key to ensuring that our design is fully coordinated with the architecture before we get into the construction administration phase.”

Flack + Kurtz Customer Story (pdf - 110Kb)