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Building the Recovery. Government Executive, April 3, 2009. Federal and state agencies can better manage the billions of dollars in the federal stimulus package targeted at major infrastructure projects such as buildings, roads, highways and bridges.  More...

Press Releases

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DCStrategies is frequently asked to author articles or whitepapers for respected industry publications and invited to speak at industry events.  Please contact us for editorial or speaking inquiries.
by Barbara Golter Heller,FAIA 

DesignIntelligence, May 30, 2008; 7 pages.
200KB		 If architects do not take the leadership role on integrated practice, they will cede this turf to another entity. It is incumbent upon architects to develop a succinct business case for their service, infusing some “red” values into their typically “blue” business model.
by Louise Sabol  

Real Estate Review, Vol. 36, No. 4, February 2008; 16 pages.
970KB		 Over the past twenty-five years, professionals involved in developing and managing building projects have used a range of software applications to assist their efforts.
 
Simulated or virtual environments have been regarded as the province of video gamers operating in make-believe worlds, the film industry, or high-end government or research applications. Looking ahead, we can foresee the use of realistic 3D virtual environments to manage development of the building projects and the complex issues that affect the built environment.
by Louise Sabol

Real Estate Review, Vol. 36, No. 3, December 2007; 11 pages.

 300KB The integration of information technologies has allowed every U.S. industry except the construction industry to achieve notable productivity gains during the past four decades. Productivity in the construction industry during the same period has remained essentially unchanged.
 
Although technology is used widely and routinely throughout the design and construction industry, the fragmented business model of the industry prevents any real efficiencies to be leveraged across disciplines.
by Barbara Golter Heller, FAIA, and Jake Bebee  

Design-Build Dateline, May 2007; 4 pages.
160KB		 Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a young technology that is praised by architects for its versatility in developing design solutions and 3D visualizations. Less well publicized is the use of BIM as a construction productivity tool. Many large construction companies are experimenting with BIM to generate cost and schedule savings.
by Louise Sabol

Federal Facilities Council  - Government/Industry Forum, October 31, 2006; 9 pages.

 220KB Significant initiatives in the last few years to improve the Federal Government’s management of its vast and diverse portfolio of real property holdings, valued over $328 billion dollars worldwide, have experienced mixed success.
 
The initiative to standardize real property assessment of federal facilities is a positive step, but without further refinement, may create more confusion as existing business models and technology are being adapted by each agency in different ways.
by Barbara Golter Heller, FAIA

Design-Build Dateline, June 2006; 8 pages.

 420KB The business model of the construction industry remains essentially unchanged since the Renaissance. The challenge for building owners is to create a new integrated business model that optimizes the likelihood of successful results on our projects – while maintaining the valuable historical attributes of the construction industry culture.
 
As the largest consumer of design and construction services in the world, the United States Government is uniquely positioned to benefit from improved efficiency in the construction industry. Agencies are beginning to explore ways to change their business process by leveraging the benefits of new technology – and their influence will be profound.
by Louise Sabol

15 pages.		 1.5MB As a visual database of building components, BIM can provide accurate and automated quantification, and assist in significantly reducing variability in cost estimates.
 
Exchanging data is a challenging aspect of AEC information technology. BIM applications are evolving and standard formats to organize and share building information are far from fully mature as well.
by Louise Sabol

IFMA World Workplace, November 2008; 18 pages.

 625KB Sustainability is an increasingly important topic within the business world and in facilities management, driving the re-thinking of many traditional practices. Improving an organization’s contribution to sustainability involves increasing the life span on human systems, such as the built environment, while reducing their impact on the natural environment. Sustainable practices aim to improve the stewardship of our resources for the future - a goal consistent with effective facility management.
by Louise Sabol

IFMA World Workplace, November 2008; 12 pages.

 780KB Building Information Modeling is the latest software technology being introduced throughout the AEC profession. A complete 3D digital representation of a building system or subsystem, this sophisticated technology is both a visually accurate model of a building and a database for recording the breadth of information developed and associated with building components.

Beyond being a drawing and documentation tool, BIM offers a platform for enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration, the capability to manage change, and the ability to extend information support throughout the building lifecycle.
by Barbara Golter Heller, FAIA

Presentation to Autodesk University, December 2007; 48 pages.

 6.9MB Federal building owners have an opportunity to take a leadership role in the use of building information modeling technology and process innovation.