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Expertise

dbHMS is a minority-owned enterprise, incorporated in 2002, that has steadily grown to a mid-to-large size firm with offices in Chicago, Delhi, Ahmedabad and Grand Rapids. We are a collection of talented individuals and unique characters, all brought together by our dedication to deliver high-performance, efficient and sustainable projects worldwide.

Our firm approaches each of our projects, regardless of size, scale, region, new or existing with a broad comprehension of the bigger picture, while ever attentive to the fine details that will ensure a design excels in its operation. In all that we do we strive towards design integration and cooperation to realize quality projects on time, with creative solutions that meet or transcend design constraints.

Design Studio

Philosophy Paragragh

Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, & Fire Protection Design

With a record of solid achievement, dbHMS provides optimal heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection designs. We are well-versed in all conventional designs and have a solid record of performance focused on quality and timely delivery. In addition, we are on the leading edge in advanced solutions such as ground tube and solar cooling, and geo-exchange heat pumps.

We routinely use an integrated approach to projects, bringing together key stakeholders and design professionals to work collaboratively and interactively from the beginning. The structure, building site, lighting systems, HVAC systems, indoor environment and the end use of the building are viewed as a whole building system rather than a number of separate, independent systems. We work as a team full-circle to understand owners’ requirements, help architects on building massing and openings, aide engineers in selecting systems, and help contractors to implement proven methods.

Every project has its own unique challenges. To smoothly guide a project to a successful finish, one of our principals is chosen specifically for their experience and compatibility. It is key to our philosophy that parameters are set precisely at the start of the project. Our principals personally coordinate work with technical staff and the client’s representatives to assure quality. To control quality, independent members of our staff validate work as it progresses.

Information Technology Services

Technology services are an essential component to the planning and development of all technologically integrated facilities. These IT networks transmit the data, voice and video signals companies depend on to keep day to day business systems operating. dbHMS provides a diverse team of specialists to help each company develop custom solutions that are strategic to high-performance and complex infrastructures that support Data Network Systems, Wireless Network Systems, VoIP Systems, Security Systems, Audio Visual Systems and Cellular Enhancement. Our expertise in the latest architectures and products specifications, ensure our clients are deploying an infrastructure and system that will be flexible in the future.

Lighting Design

We provide lighting design services for architects, interior designers, and owners. dbHMS listens to our clients’ needs to ensure that we provide innovative, energy efficient solutions that are both practical and appealing. Services include: concept design, lighting layouts, fixture selections, lighting fixture schedules, specifications, lighting calculations, site visits, energy analysis and compliance, emergency layouts, controls, aiming and adjustment.

Core Services

Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Fire Protection Design; Technology Design, Lighting Design

High Performance Studio

With every project our studio engages, we remain focused on the goal of elegant, practical design. The purpose of using computational tools and methods in our approach is to advance design beyond convention, blending old concepts with new technologies, seamlessly integrating architectural and engineering systems to realize new economies for performance.

The High Performance Studio stands for a meaningful reduction in energy consumption and emissions with a simultaneous increase in the function and environmental quality for select projects. Intelligent energy and water management enabled by systems precisely documented by our design studio is standard in every one of our projects. Further innovations by our studio include ThermoActive Architecture, DEVAP Desiccant Assisted Evaporative Cooling and Renewable Microgrid Mesh Networks.

Core Services

Parametric Performance Optimization, Whole Building Energy Modeling, Energy Masterplanning, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Thermal-Radiant Analysis, Daylight Design and Optimization, Façade Performance, Clean Technology Advisory, Climate and Comfort

Commissioning Studio

At dbHMS our goal is to improve the satisfaction of owners and occupants. We believe in the commissioning process as a key element in reaching this goal. In reality, today’s buildings are incredibly complex. We are dedicated to reducing energy costs, optimizing system operation and reducing operation and maintenance costs and, therefore, the carbon footprint of the building.

Commissioning is a quality-focused process for enhancing the delivery of a project. Our commissioning agents will lead the process of verifying that the facility and all of its systems and assemblies are designed, installed, tested, operated, and maintained to meet the owner’s project requirements. Our commissioning work saves owners money through equipment that functions as designed, occupants who are satisfied and building operators who are informed and well trained.

The Purpose of Commissioning is to help ensure that the equipment and systems meet the Owner’s Project Requirements or design intent while operating efficiently and effectively. To that end, there is an established body of accepted procedure; specified in the LEED reference guides, ASHRAE guidelines and the publications of the BCA. dbHMS is familiar with all of these standards and understands how they dictate services and how to allocate them to the phases of the project.

As a full service engineering consulting firm, dbHMS is in the daily business of advising clients on energy strategies for their existing buildings through the use of building energy simulations and studies of existing conditions and utility bills. We consult with owners pursuing certification under the LEED for Existing Buildings program and rate their properties under EPA’s Energy Star Portfolio Manager program.

We are qualified providers with the ComEd Bright Ideas retro-commissioning program as well as the Indiana/Michigan Power commissioning, retro-commissioning, retrofitting and energy auditing program. Through these programs dbHMS performs a systematic evaluation of existing mechanical and electrical systems. This helps identify low-cost energy saving operational improvements without having to upgrade or replace equipment. We have performed many existing building assessments for private clients outside of the formal commissioning process. The effects of retro-commissioning can help optimize a building’s performance and increase the overall life-span of the building’s systems without creating high costs for the owner.

Core Services

LEED Enhanced Commissioning; Fundamental Commissioning; Retro-Commissioning, SEDAC Retro-Commissioning Provider; ComEd Bright Ideas Retro-Commissioning Qualified Provider; Existing Building Audits; Building Enclosure Commissioning; Building Performance (including Measurement & Verification)

Sustainability Planning Studio

Core Services

BIM

At dbHMS we support the use of BIM technologies to help enhance our design team’s collaboration, create better coordinated construction documents, and solve issues before they form. The BIM team is lead by BIM Director Maxwell Nichols and supported by a group of Project Coordinators and Assistant Project Coordinators that play an integral role in our projects. The BIM Team’s goal is to help provide progressive and cutting edge BIM capabilities to all clients, as well as to our internal design team.

We thrive to provide timely, excellent solutions, services and guidance for all clients while supporting teams through the maze of BIM software and processes. Regardless of the size or complexity of a project, our team hopes to help create better coordinated and operating buildings for all projects.

At dbHMS we take pride in our team’s BIM capabilities, knowledge, and experiences. We operate as an integrated, yet independent Studio. Beyond supporting the internal design studios we also work on projects independent of the design team. Our “BIM Only” projects typically involve supporting our partners through the design and pre-construction phases.

Core Services

Internal

On all internal BIM projects, dbHMS delivers a BIM supported design, documentation, and coordination process across all disciplines regardless of the file structure received from our design partners. Through Revit, and Navisworks, we develop BIM models to meet at least an LOD 300, and typically provide custom intelligent BIM Families based on Engineers selections and project goals.

External

For external BIM projects, dbHMS typically supports General Contractors and MEP Sub-Contractors with pre-construction modeling and coordination needs. From leading the coordination process to supporting an individual Sub-Contractor, we possess the abilities to create LOD 350 models and above, as well as fabrication documentation.

Experience with architecture, MEP, structural and construction standards and workflows, models above LOD 300, facilities management (owner/operator) BIM integration, as-built laser scanning, BIM execution plans and other related project documentation, energy modelling integration, BIM standards health check, and general BIM consulting services (training, implementations and optimization).

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