Dekker Perich Sabatini (DPS), a sustainability-forward architecture firm based out of the Southwestern United States, sought an efficient and reliable solution for their compliance needs, specifically for COMcheck requirements.

DPS turned to cove.tool’s consulting services, the AI-powered sustainability consulting services that combine advanced energy modeling and building science expertise to offer architects a faster, more cost-effective route than traditional consulting.“I saw the menu of options […] and I was like, well, we need that right now,” says DPS Sustainability Director Aaron Ketner.

The Challenge

DPS frequently engages in various projects but has several multifamily housing projects, requiring them to comply with COMcheck regulations.

Previously, the manual process for COMcheck compliance was tedious and time-consuming, often taking up to 40 hours and involving multiple team members.

This process was prone to costly errors and required extensive coordination among project architects, BIM managers, and building performance analysts.

The Solution

Already a customer of cove.tool, DPS decided to leverage cove.tool’s architectural and sustainability consulting services to address their COMcheck needs.

Ketner highlighted that the menu of solutions included COMcheck which would aid in the firm’s multitude of multifamily housing projects.

“Our projects are largely from our multifamily communities’ studio, in our firm. They're often the ones that have the most COMchecks that they need to run, at least where we are in our region,” explains Ketner. “…the areas that require the jurisdictions that require COMcheck is increasing.  So, we wanted to figure out a better solution. And, luckily, perfect timing with cove.tool. We were already a cove.tool customer, so, it was obviously very easy for us to just evaluate that and step into it.”

Not only did the DPS team find that the solutions seamlessly fit into their business model, but the cost effectiveness of using cove.tool versus the other options became a ‘no-brainer’ when it came to every step of each workflow.

“We told our team members, if they come across a model that seems like it's going to take more than X amount of hours, whatever that threshold is, just getting the model up on cove.tool is more cost effective than spending that time.”

Additionally, before cove.tool's consulting services, DPS had a process that involved several team members over 40 hours. This time-intensive process was not conducive to efficiently turning around COMcheck reports.

After implementing cove.tool in the workflow, the DPS COMcheck process only involved one team member, the BIM Manager, to complete the COMcheck reports. The BIM Manager would then send those reports to cove.tool to verify the information. This process now only takes the BIM Manager approximately an hour. That’s saving DPS at least 39 hours of internal resources.

Between the various solution options, aligning with code compliances, and the competitive cost savings, DPS found savings in all areas of their workflow and better allocation of team resources.

“We've gone through manual processes that have taken weeks; we've gone through some other tools that streamlined it, but [the other methods] still proposed opportunities for human input error. [cove.tool] made it a little bit easier.”

BEFORE cove.tool’s consulting services:

1. Transactional Process: The workflow offered multiple personnel including an architect to oversee the project; a BIM manager to run and export Revit models; and an individual familiar with COMcheck to verify.
2. Hours Spent: From start to finish, the process, on average, took approximately 40 hours, an entire week’s worth of work, to complete.
3. Manual & Tedious: The traditional method involved uninstalling newer versions of software, reinstalling older versions, and manually inputting data, again, often utilizing multiple team members.

TOTAL TIME: 1 WEEK

WITH cove.tool’s consulting services:

1. Data Preparation: The BIM manager transmitted the Revit model to cove.tool, spending less than 5 hours packaging the model and filling out the necessary forms.
2. Coordination: The streamlined process primarily involved the BIM manager, who coordinated with cove.tool to provide the necessary information.
3. Verification: Within the week, cove.tool's team of experts performed the back-check, ensuring all requirements were met.

TOTAL TIME: LESS THAN 5 DAYS

Results:

By utilizing cove.tool, DPS achieved the following:

• Time Savings: The process was reduced from 40 hours to just a couple of hours of internal work, plus a five-day turnaround from cove.tool.

• Reduced Errors: Automated processes minimize the risk of human errors, followed by cove.tool’s team verifying the information.

• Resource Optimization: The streamlined workflow allowed DPS to allocate its resources more effectively, focusing on design and innovation rather than compliance paperwork.

• Cost-Effectiveness: The project-based fee structure of cove.tool allowed DPS to manage its costs more effectively, avoiding the overhead associated with traditional sustainability consulting.

Sustainability Impact

Sustainability is at the core of cove.tool’s mission. By automating the COMcheck process, cove.tool’s data-driven insights not only save time but also ensure that sustainability standards are consistently met. This helps architects like those at DPS to focus on designing energy-efficient and environmentally friendly buildings, knowing that their compliance needs are handled accurately and efficiently.

Key Takeaways

cove.tool’s technology-enabled sustainability and architecture consulting has proven to be an invaluable resource for DPS, solidifying its role not just as a tool but as a support system.

Ketner emphasized that having cove.tool as a project-based resource allowed DPS to manage their fees more effectively, making it a cost-effective solution compared to traditional methods.

The ability to offload complex tasks ensures that projects stay on track and within budget, making it an attractive option for architects seeking to enhance efficiency and sustainability in their projects.

Strategic Advantages

• Enhanced Workflow: cove.tool significantly streamlined the workflow, reducing the need for multiple team members to be involved in compliance tasks. This allowed for a more focused and efficient project management approach.

• Scalability: With cove.tool, DPS can easily scale its operations to handle an increasing number of projects and jurisdictions requiring COMcheck compliance without the need for additional internal resources.

• Reliability: The automation and expert verification provided by cove.tool ensured that compliance tasks were completed accurately, reducing the risk of costly mistakes and rework.

For architects aiming to streamline their compliance processes while maintaining a strong focus on sustainability, cove.tool's technology-enabled sustainability and architecture consulting offers an innovative and reliable solution that surpasses traditional consulting methods.

By leveraging this feature, firms like DPS can achieve significant time and cost savings, enhance their workflow, and ensure that sustainability standards are consistently met, positioning them for success in an increasingly eco-conscious industry.