DesignGroup

Autodesk BIM Experience Award Winner

DesignGroup adopted Autodesk® Revit® Architecture software in 2005 to improve the effectiveness and cohesion of its design workflows. Since then, the firm has used building information modeling (BIM) processes and solutions to design, document, and deliver over 40 projects totaling more than 4.2-million square feet. Widely regarded for its initiative and leadership in sustainability, DesignGroup aggressively promotes the use of BIM for high-performance building design. This award further recognizes the firm’s efforts to promote BIM through presentations, lectures, and continuing education seminars for its partners, consultants, clients, local builders, industry groups, and universities.

	Listen to Brian Skripac, BIM technology manager, describe how DesignGroup uses BIM to “merge technology and practice by design.”
	Listen to Brian Skripac discuss how their firm is conducting sustainable analysis early on a major new project.

About DesignGroup

From offices in Ohio and Kentucky, DesignGroup’s staff of more than 35 design professionals provides planning, architecture, interiors, graphics, sustainability, and BIM services. Sustainability has been an important design initiative for the firm since its founding in 1972, and today 93% of its design professionals are LEED-accredited.

DesignGroup Merges Technology and Practice with BIM

DesignGroup relies on Autodesk BIM solutions, including Autodesk® Revit® Architecture, Autodesk® 3ds Max® Design, Autodesk® Ecotect® Analysis, and Autodesk® Green Building Studio® for all of its design projects. The firm uses BIM to digitally develop, visualize, analyze and validate innovative building designs that satisfy clients’ goals for performance, aesthetics, and budget.

DesignGroup leverages the rich information inherent in Revit Architecture models to integrate its BIM and sustainable design expertise. The firm has partnered with Energent Solutions, providers of energy analysis, energy management, and sustainability services for new and existing buildings. The team collaboratively uses Revit Architecture and Ecotect Analysis with the Green Building Studio web service for energy modeling and analyses. This helps provide clients the information they need for evidence-based decision-making and capital planning. One of the team’s current projects is a study for Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. (Nationwide) to help the company understand and reduce the energy consumption of its corporate headquarters office towers.

Another DesignGroup BIM project is the $5.1-million Grange Insurance Audubon Center located in Columbus, Ohio. Targeted for LEED Silver™ Certification, this urban ecology learning center serves as a model for sustainable design and environmental education. DesignGroup and the project’s structural engineer used an integrated Revit® model for design collaboration, coordination, and evaluation of design alternatives and sustainability strategies. For more information on this project, see the Audubon Center customer story.

DesignGroup’s other recent BIM projects include the new Hocking College Energy Institute, poised to become Ohio’s first LEED Platinum™-certified higher educational building, and an $85-million patient tower addition for Butler Health System in Pennsylvania. Integrated project teams on both projects relied on the Revit® platform for earlier decision-making and improved design coordination. The Butler Health System project team also used Autodesk® Navisworks® software for cross-discipline clash detection and construction planning.

Reseller

DesignGroup uses Advanced Solutions, Inc. in Columbus, Ohio as its reseller.