Our Technology & Software Stack

Every DBK deliverable is produced in a fully integrated BIM environment. Our engineers work natively in Revit MEP — not AutoCAD — so the models our clients receive are coordinated, data-rich, and ready for construction or facility management. Cloud collaboration through Autodesk BIM 360 and the Autodesk Construction Cloud means architects, structural engineers, and DBK’s MEP team are always working from the same live model, on the same platform, with no file-transfer delays.

For Construction Administration, we connect directly into the project portals our clients’ architects and general contractors prefer — Newforma, Part 3, Procore, or Smartsheet — so submittals, RFIs, and field review reports flow through the established project workflow rather than outside it.

ACC

MEP Design & BIM Collaboration

For MEP design and collaboration, we use the following:

Revit:

Revit MEP is DBK’s primary design authoring tool. Our engineers work natively in parametric 3D — mechanical systems, electrical distribution, plumbing, drainage, fire alarm, and low-voltage — all within a single coordinated model that automatically populates drawing sheets, legends, and schedules. Working in Revit (rather than 2D AutoCAD) means clashes are resolved in the model before they appear on site.

AutoCAD:

AutoCAD is retained for 2D supplemental drawings, as-built mark-ups, and existing-building projects where no Revit model was originally produced. For all new design work, Revit is the standard platform.

BIM 360:

BIM 360 hosts our live Revit models in the cloud, enabling real-time co-authoring between DBK’s MEP engineers and the architectural and structural teams. Clash detection, design review, and coordinated model publishing all occur within the same environment — one live model, one source of truth.

AutoDesk Construction Cloud:

Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) is the successor to BIM 360 and our standard platform for new projects. ACC unifies design collaboration, document management, and field coordination so that DBK can issue drawing sets, manage submittals, and track RFI responses from one hub accessible to the entire project team.

Newforma Info Exchange

Construction Administration

For Construction Administration, including the field review and shop drawing review, we use the following project management portals as managed by the Architects or the GCs:

Newforma Info Exchange:

Newforma Info Exchange is used on projects where the architect manages the submittal and RFI workflow through Newforma. DBK uploads shop drawing reviews and field review reports directly into the project mailbox, keeping every exchange date-stamped and formally on record.

Part 3:

Part 3 is a CA portal used by select architectural firms in Western Canada. DBK accesses the Part 3 project hub to review submittals, respond to RFIs, and issue site instructions within the architect’s established workflow.

Procore:

Procore is used on GC-driven projects where the general contractor manages the CA portal. DBK logs field observation reports, responds to RFIs, reviews shop drawings, and issues non-conformance notices directly within the GC’s Procore environment.

Smartsheet:

Smartsheet is used internally for project tracking, schedule management, and multi-project workload coordination. DBK’s project managers maintain milestone sheets, deliverable registers, and action logs that keep design, CA, and administrative teams aligned.

EQUEST

Energy Analysis & Code Compliance

For Energy Analysis and modelling, we use the following:

CanQUEST:

CanQUEST is DBK’s primary tool for NECB Part 8 energy compliance modelling. We use it to demonstrate compliance via the energy performance path for commercial and institutional buildings across Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and Saskatchewan, producing the NRCan compliance reports required by the AHJ.

eQUEST:

eQUEST is used for higher-fidelity whole-building energy simulations on complex projects — LEED energy credit analysis, BOMA BEST submissions, and performance assessments on existing buildings where CanQUEST’s scope is insufficient.

Hot2000:

Hot2000 is used for residential energy modelling under the National Energy Code for Houses (NECH) and EnerGuide requirements, including Part 9 houses and small multi-unit residential buildings.

Therm:

THERM is used for 2D thermal bridging analysis of building envelope assemblies — window frames, slab edges, balcony connections, and wall-to-roof transitions. Results feed into overall envelope performance calculations and support condensation risk assessments for high-performance building designs.

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