Kalin Associates is the first and only independent specification consulting firm to have prepared specifications for over 150 LEED projects seeking USGBC certification. Projects which have already achieved high-level certification include the Platinum Certified Blackstone Block at Harvard University with Bruner Cott and Associates, the Gold Certified David Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh PA with Raphael Vinoly Architects, the Gold Certified Cape Cod Community College Classroom Building (public bid) in West Barnstable MA with DiMella Shaffer Associates, and the Nexus Green Building Resource Center in Boston, MA with ADD Inc.
BIMspec allows a design firm to integrate Building Information Modeling with their Office Master Specifications. In 2006, Kalin Associates developed a 9,500 line spreadsheet and database named SPie - Specifier’s Property Information Exchange for a national organization of specifiers - SCIP, Specifications Consultants in Independent Practice. In 2009, the National Institute of Building Sciences, under contract to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, will be displaying the initial property set templates on the Whole Building Design Guide’s Product Guide.
The purpose of BIMspec is to expand the capabilities of the architectural designer in BIM, using language which is currently scattered in the silos of specialists. The design developed by the architect should allow the model to speak in the traditional languages of our industry, from cost estimators using Uniformat, to specification writers using Masterformat, to the work letters of the contractors, to LEED certification, to the global factories of the product manufacturers and their trade organizations.
BIMspec can be implemented in Revit with attributes and naming conventions, or in your office outline and master specifications.
We have prepared specifications internationally for over 25 years. Projects include:
Mark Kalin, founder of Kalin Associates, has been a frequent and popular lecturer at over 100 national and regional conferences and trade shows on the topics of Green specs/LEED specs, Specifications for Large Projects, Specifications for Small Projects, and BIMspec.
Mark has also been an instructor in the national training courses of the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) and provides individualized specification training for architectural and engineering staff at your office, and specification management consulting for design firms with multiple offices.
Corporate Master Specifications
Master specifications communicate your corporate memory and design preferences to the architects and engineers you engage for your projects. Kalin Associates has prepared national master specifications for companies with large property portfolios, including United Parcel Service, Nextel Communications, AvalonBay Communities, the Ahold Companies, Fresenius Medical Care, Wellesley College, and Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
Public Agency Specifications
We have prepared master specifications for state agencies and authorities including the Division of Capital Asset Management for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (DCAM) and the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA).
Design Firm Master Specifications
Kalin Associates also provides master specification assistance to design firms, including firms seeking to green their specifications, switch from CSI 5-digit to 6-digit Masterformat, update technical standards, and develop advanced automation techniques to streamline document production.
Building Product Manufacturer Guide Specifications
We have prepared master guide specifications for over 200 companies which manufacture building products, in all CSI Masterformat divisions, including firms such as WR Grace, Overhead Door, MechoShade, Aqua Control, and Duncan Galvanizing. Manufacturers typically provide these specifications on their websites to provide guidance to architects and specifiers.
Updated for 2009, the 8th edition of our Master Short-Form Specifications includes 250 specification sections in both CSI MasterFormat 1995 5-digit and CSI Masterformat 2004 6-digit numbering schemes. Documents are provided on CD-ROM in Microsoft Word format.
The Master Short-Form Specifications are typically used by small to medium size design firms preparing specifications for their projects themselves. They are intended for use as full short-form specifications for light-commercial, tenant fit-up, design/build and residential projects, and outline specifications for large projects. Used by over 2,200 firms since 1984, the Master Short-Form specifications are in CSI 3-part format and include building product manufacturers names and technical standards, in an easy-to-use edit-by-deletion format. As always, there is a full money-back guarantee if you are unsatisfied for any reason. Orders are shipped within 48 hours. E-mail, phone, and fax orders are accepted. The one-time cost is $500 and includes shipping and applicable taxes. Previous subscribers receive a substantial discount. Call 800-565-2546 x77 to order by phone, or if you have any additional questions.
