ABB Services for Architects

For over 38 years, Allana Buick & Bers, Inc. (ABB) has partnered with architects to design building systems that last longer, require less maintenance, and reduce energy loss. Our services help reduce architects’ exposure to potential water intrusion or premature building failure, ensuring a higher level of performance for every project.

What does an Architectural Engineering Consultant do?

At ABB, we begin by initiating conceptual pre-design consulting with the project team, ensuring that all foundational goals and requirements are aligned. We then prepare an Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR) document to guide the project’s scope and objectives. Throughout the design process, we perform enclosure design or conduct peer reviews at pre-determined stages to ensure quality and accuracy.

Our involvement extends to assisting with contractor pre-qualification and bidding, ensuring that the right teams are selected for the project. We also supervise mock-up construction and testing, ensuring that any lessons learned are carried forward to improve future stages of the project.

Why Hire a Consultant?

Every project carries risk— unexpected failures, costly rework, and long-term performance issues. The right architectural engineering expertise can help you avoid these pitfalls. Whether you’re working on new construction, restoration, or forensic analysis, our team helps you achieve high-performance, long-lasting solutions. For new construction, we minimize risk by optimizing your design for durability and low maintenance. For restoration and repairs, we specialize in occupied buildings, assist with replacement planning, and support bidding and procurement. For forensic consulting, we understand legal constraints, provide reports for attorneys, and offer expert testimony when needed.

Benefits of Architectural Engineering Consultants

Better early planning and proper system selection

Proper system selection helps avoid problematic materials and manufacturers, material incompatibilities, building code conflicts, and warranty issues. It also improves the establishment of realistic budgets, reduces the need for value engineering, and aids in forecasting sequencing and scheduling coordination.
Additionally, it supports the architect by recommending project solutions that meet the standard of care and fulfill fiduciary obligations to the client.

Specialized building envelope expertise

Practice area experts possess in-depth knowledge of their specific fields, offering insights that general practitioners may not typically have due to their narrow focus on specialized subject matter. Their years of dedicated expertise provide valuable data and a deep understanding that can be applied directly to address project issues. This specialized knowledge helps eliminate errors and omissions, particularly in critical areas like the building enclosure, ensuring a more accurate and reliable outcome for the project.

Protect your firm

By addressing potential issues early, we can eliminate the risk of premature failure, costly repairs, and disruptions to building use. The solutions we implement are designed to perform well beyond the architect’s responsibility period, ensuring long-term reliability and durability. Additionally, our expertise helps eliminate errors and omissions related to the building enclosure, preventing costly setbacks and ensuring the building’s continued performance and safety.

When To Hire an Architectural Engineering Firm

Bringing in consultants early—during project inception and pre-design—helps streamline planning, system selection, and cost controls. Early engagement sets clear expectations, resulting in more accurate budgets and schedules. While consultants can be involved at any phase, delaying their involvement can increase design and construction costs and cause scheduling issues due to necessary revisions.

Services

Design Phase
ABB routinely works on complex projects and understands the nuances of working with design and executive architects. Most importantly, our award-winning design team seamlessly adapts to each architect’s design philosophy. Design phase services include:

• System Selection Assistance
• Budgetary Pricing
• Design Support
• Project Specific Design Workshops
• Third-Party Peer Review Services
• Preparation of Stamped Details
• Preparation of Technical Specifications

Post-Design Phase
Our design team works closely with our construction team to anticipate the architect’s needs, prevent road bumps, monitor contractor performance, and confirm installation is in accordance with the design intent.

• Permitting and Bidding Phase Consulting
• Mock-Up Consulting and Testing
• Construction Administration
• Quality Assurance Observation
• Performance Testing

Specialized Expertise
While the executive or design architect is designing and managing an entire project, ABB staff focus their expertise on the highest risk building systems. Our expertise is rooted in real-world forensic experience with failed building systems. We apply that experience to both our new and reconstruction projects.
ABB works closely with each architect to prepare supplemental details and specifications for each building assembly. Using AutoCAD and Revit, we create 2D and 3D drawings that directly integrate into your construction documents.
We also prepare technical specifications in accordance with industry standards and Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) guidelines.

Building Enclosure Systems

• Roofing Systems
  • Steep-Slope/Low-Slope Roofs
  • Green/Garden Roofs
  • Drainage Systems
  • Pedestrian Plazas
• Exterior Wall Systems
  • Sheet Metal Flashings
  • Wall Cladding/Siding
  • EIFS
• Windows and Glazing Systems
  • Punched Windows
  • Curtain Walls/Window Walls
  • Sliding Glass Doors
  • Skylights
• Waterproofing Systems
  • Deck/Balcony/Lanai
  • Podium
  • Pool/Spa Deck
  • Above-Grade/Below-Grade

Mechanical/HVAC Systems

Plumbing Systems

Fire Protection

In-House Consulting Team
ABB’s experience comes from various trade experts, architects, and engineers that specialize in all forms of building systems.

• Licensed Engineers – Structural, Mechanical, and Civil
• Registered Architects
• Registered Roofing Consultants (RRC)
• Registered Waterproofing Consultants (RWC)
• Registered Building Envelope Consultants (RBEC)
• Registered Exterior Wall Consultants (REWC)
• Registered Roof Observer (RRO)
• Certified Exterior Insulation and Finish System (EIFS) Inspectors
• DOE/ORNL WUFI Moisture Transport Analysis Instructors
• LEED-Accredited Professionals
• Curtain Wall Specialists
• Construction Monitors

Making Buildings Perform Better

ABB is a nationally recognized Architectural Engineering firm that provides expert building envelope, HVAC, fire protection, plumbing, and structural consultation services based on real world experience gained from our building forensics background.
We collaborate with architects to design building systems that last longer, require less maintenance, and reduce energy loss. Let our licensed design professionals provide technical design assistance with high-risk building systems.
Our services include:

• Forensic Analysis and Litigation Support
• Investigations and Assessment
• Design Support and Peer Review
• New and Remedial Design
• Permitting/Bidding Consulting
• Mock-Up Consulting
• Construction Administration
• Testing and Reporting
• Construction Observation and Monitoring
• Construction Management

Protect your firm’s professional reputation and mitigate legal risk. Let our licensed architects, engineers, and design professionals provide technical design assistance with high-risk building systems.