Affiliated Engineers, Inc.

“AEI has always been an engineering firm that takes pride in producing highly coordinated documents. AutoCAD MEP has helped us do that faster. Now when I draw a piece of ductwork or a pipe or a light, I get realtime feedback and know immediately whether that coordination fits.”
—Blythe Marlow, Mechanical Engineer, Affiliated Engineers, Inc.

Project Summary

Affiliated Engineers, Inc. (AEI) knows its business—the design and creation of highperformance, technically complex buildings. That’s why their state-of-the-art mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) engineering design solutions have earned the firm a nationwide reputation. And kept clients coming back. From seven offices across the United States, the firm’s 460 engineers, designers, drafters, and support staff serve diverse markets, including higher education, health care, medical science, research and development, industrial, process, historic preservation, and commercial office space. To help improve its level of service, AEI began using AutoCAD MEP design and documentation software in 2003. “One of our goals is to provide complete, correct, and coordinated drawings for our clients,” says Paul Petska, Managing Director for AEI in the firm’s Madison, Wisconsin, office. “We recognized that AutoCAD MEP could help us meet those delivery goals,” says Petska. Since adopting the new software, AEI has begun five major projects—including the 142,000-square-foot Comer Children’s Hospital Pediatric Emergency Department addition at the University of Chicago.

Coordination Challenge

“The Comer 2 project includes four floors, a basement, and a mechanical penthouse,” says Petska. “And although it’s attached to the existing children’s hospital, it is very much a stand-alone project.”

“Limitations within the ceiling plenum were a major issue,” continues Petska. “It was a very congested ceiling, with all the mechanical and electrical systems common to any health-care facility. We also had to coordinate our work with many other systems, such as the pneumatic tubes.”

Critical Needs

AEI engineers also had to ensure that the Emergency Department was isolated from adjoining spaces so as to prevent the spread of airborne infectious disease. “We had a dedicated supply and return for all the offices and exam rooms,” says Blythe Marlow, an AEI mechanical engineer. “As a result, we had multiple exhaust risers branching out to multiple spaces within the first floor and lower level.”

The Solution

To overcome these and other complex challenges, AEI chose to use AutoCAD MEP, an AutoCAD® software-based building design and construction documentation solution for mechanical/electrical/ plumbing engineers, designers, and drafters. And to ensure smooth implementation, AEI relied on their reseller and Autodesk Consulting for training and customization. The implementation team helped define the standard and criteria for a successful project—as well as success with the software going forward. “The experience was very positive and helpful,” says Marlow.

Collaborate Seamlessly

Using AutoCAD MEP, AEI was able to immediately reference the architectural plans for the project, developed with AutoCAD® Architecture software by the architects at SmithGroup and structural engineers at Thornton Tomasetti Engineers. By taking advantage of the AutoCAD-based architectural and engineering workflows between these firms, they were able to provide an even higher level of accuracy and coordination in their design and documentation.

Improve Coordination with Architects
The 750 architects, designers, and support staff at SmithGroup excel at the planning and design of health-care facilities, government buildings, and higher-education institutions. SmithGroup found that the improvement in coordination resulting from both firms using AutoCAD Architecture and AutoCAD MEP together yielded a significant benefit: “A better designed building to our client in less time,” says Jens Mammen, studio leader for health care at SmithGroup.

Get Immediate Design Feedback
“AEI has always been an engineering firm that takes pride in producing highly coordinated documents,” says Marlow. “AutoCAD MEP has helped us do that faster. Now when I draw a piece of ductwork or a pipe or a light, I get realtime feedback and know immediately whether that coordination fits.”

Identify Obstacles Sooner
AEI designers used interference detection to help ensure drawing and discipline coordination. “AutoCAD MEP helped us integrate pipe and duct routing as we started extending into the exam rooms and trauma spaces,” says Marlow. “This process was very successful.”

Communicate More Effectively
AutoCAD MEP also helped AEI engineers communicate more effectively with the university’s project manager. “We were able to walk him through critical pinch points and room layouts,” says Marlow. “We cut virtual sections in real time, walked him through the building, and then got immediate feedback.”

The Result

The Comer Children’s Hospital Pediatric Emergency Department at the University of Chicago will be complete in 2006. Based on the firm’s success with that and several other early projects, the executive committee at AEI embraced AutoCAD MEP.

“We anticipate that drawing-based modeling solutions such as AutoCAD MEP will become an integral part of the firm over the next five years,” says Petska.