ATLANTA, GA, Nov 30, 2018 – Building Systems Design, Inc.(BSD), the leading provider of master guide specification content and software for the architecture, engineering, construction and owner sectors, announced today a collaboration with the integrated architecture and engineering design firm DIALOG, which has a presence in both Canada and the United States.
DIALOG is converting SpecLink’s content for the Canadian market for inclusion in SpecLink Cloud, BSD’s sophisticated database-driven specification platform. BSD and DIALOG will debut this innovation this week in Toronto at The Buildings Show / Construct Canada, the country’s largest building design and construction show.
The complete architectural catalog will be available by spring of 2019.
Intended for commercial projects, SpecLink content will be presented in Canadian English.
Inspiration for Collaboration
DIALOG and BSD first collaborated when working with the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) and Construction Specifications Canada (CSC) on MasterFormat updates. When working together, it became clear that many Canadian design professionals want to change from working in outdated, inefficient word processing-based systems with limited content for commercial projects.
BSD’s director of AEC Content, Chip Bullock, developed the idea of offering Canadian content in SpecLink Cloud with DIALOG’s Keith Robinson, head of Research and Development, Specifications in Edmonton and fellow of both CSI and CSC. “The relationship between DIALOG and BSD just grew,” said Robinson, “and it became apparent that our goals and ideals were very much aligned.”
“Together with DIALOG, BSD is committed to giving the Canadian market access to the country’s best content within the industry’s most advanced specification platform,” said Chris Anderson, CEO of BSD. “We are the first company to offer an intelligent software-based solution with best-in-class Canadian content created in partnership with the leading specification experts in Canada.”
Best-In-Class Canadian Content
DIALOG’s specification team is working closely with Bullock to adapt SpecLink’s extensive content for the Canadian market. Beyond terminology, language and units of measurement, DIALOG’s team will convert complex codes, standards and formatting.
“BSD’s best-in-class master guide content has been harmonized with the Canadian Construction Documents Committee (CCDC) documents, construction industry standards, terms and Construction Specifications Canada’s best specifying practices, including consistent imperative mood language throughout,” said Bullock.
Advancing Canadian Specifications
“The way I see it, DIALOG working with BSD helps the entirety of the Canadian specification writing community,” said Robinson, citing SpecLink Cloud features like editing by inclusion, BIM integration and cloud collaboration. “The tools that BSD provides will allow for much more in-depth specifications, which will be useful to the contractor and will preserve the design intent in a way that the content currently available to us does not.”
“SpecLink’s content and the way it’s organized will absolutely improve the quality of specifications,” continued Robinson. “It actually has usable content that people can read and understand. BSD’s approach to describing products and associated properties will be an eye‑opener to many specification editors.”
Committed to Canada
BSD’s latest collaboration with DIALOG is a testament to the company’s commitment to advancing specifications in Canada. Earlier this year, BSD formed an exclusive alliance with CSC to provide Canada’s National Master Specification (NMS), the most comprehensive master guide for Canadian public works projects, at www.specmarket.com.
About Building Systems Design
Founded in 1983, Building Systems Design (BSD) provides advanced specification and interoperability solutions to architects, engineers, specifiers and building owners nationwide. The company is focused on bringing technology to market that drives collaboration, simplifies design and increases efficiency for all stakeholders in the design and construction process.
For more information on BSD, visit www.bsdspeclink.com.
About DIALOG
DIALOG has been designing positive change in communities since 1960. The award-winning multi-disciplinary design firm is made up of architects, urban planners, interior designers, structural, mechanical and electrical engineers, and landscape architects. Their work includes designing for urban vibrancy, health and wellness, transportation, education, arts and culture, residential, retail, and commercial, as well as mixed-use solutions which incorporate an increasing number of these. The firm practices across Canada and the U.S., with studios in San Francisco, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary and Toronto.
About Keith Robinson
FCSC, FCSI, RSW, LEED AP, Head of Research and Development, Specifications, DIALOG
Keith Robinson has been a Registered Specification Writer since 1989 and has worked for DIALOG since 1996. He has a wide range of experience providing technical solutions to a variety of major architectural and engineering projects. Keith prepares specifications and contract documents, provides technical input for building envelopes and systems, and helps maintain the high quality of production for documents prepared by DIALOG.
About Chip Bullock
AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Director of AEC Content, BSD
Chip Bullock is a registered architect with over 30 years of diverse experience. Over the course of his career, he has been actively involved in planning, architecture and engineering design, including development of construction specifications. He is a member of AIA, CSI and USGBC. At BSD, Bullock manages a team which is responsible for developing, updating and managing all AEC content.