NBS Create | A groundbreaking specification tool

Words by BSBG Media Team, Saturday 08 November 2014

“With NBS Create you can start your specification earlier, creating an initial outline specification, then develop performance and full detailed specifications by adding information as the project develops, maximising the efficient use of the data.”

Historically, architects have used NBS specification software to assist the practice to write comprehensive and technically proficient specifications. These specifications would typically be prepared by an in-house technical team or an external architectural specification writer, and it's often considered to be a laborious and time consuming task.

The ever expanding popularity of Building Information Modelling (BIM) has caused an increased demand for a more sophisticated specification writing tool which would enable the assembly of the specification automatically. The introduction of NBS Create allows for a far more intuitive and user-friendly way of specification writing, which means that it can be integrated into the design process right from outline stage. This improves the efficiency of the process and reduces the opportunities for mistakes that are inherent in ‘double-handling’ the specification during the drafting stages. Creating an outline specification is quick and easy; then if you want to come back to that specification a few months later and turn it into a performance specification you can.

BIM is all about building upon information created earlier and assembling this information. NBS Create handles re-use of information exceptionally well and enables items to be 'parked' for decision later, recognising that at certain times not everything about a project is known.

Minimises risk and increases performance

NBS Create vastly reduces the inconsistencies that can arise when writing an NBS specification. Previously, the specification writer would have to manually delete or deselect clauses that are irrelevant to the proposed project, which can often lead to lengthy documents due to a lack of confidence to delete. In their recent release NBS have reported time savings of over 20% when NBS Create was implemented. This time saving includes creating, updating and cross-checking processes and allows the technical team to focus more on providing support to the design teams to improve the quality of design, construction detailing and specifications. All of the NBS Create technical content is delivered online; this information is updated automatically ensuring that the NBS pre-written clauses are always up to date with the very latest information.

How does it work?

NBS Create has in-built guidance, which allows clause keyword synchronisation. This means that the specification information is embedded within the object/family, with the relevant information stored within its parameters. As the information goes into the type parameters, this updates every instance of that object in every view or schedule. New guidance notes and comments can also be added manually and quick links to external documents and other clauses in the specification are hyperlinked within the software and published output.

Built for BIM

NBS Create has been designed as a key BIM collaboration tool which can be implemented as a plug-in for both Autodesk Revit and Graphisoft ArchiCAD. With the plug-in, an outline specification can be produced automatically in NBS Create from the architectural, structural or MEP model which speeds up the process and ensures accuracy of information. This outline specification is synchronised with the components within the model, making it possible to manage the links to that specification throughout the project in one intelligent document. “This is true project coordination; providing an extremely efficient way to work and removing the issues associated with duplicated or conflicting information”. As the design evolves, you can replace the concept stage generic objects with product manufacturer BIM objects from the free-to-use NBS National BIM Library.

NBS National BIM Library

NBS provides a ‘BIM Objects’ add in, which allows users to access thousands of generic and manufacturer created BIM objects from the free-to-use NBS National BIM Library. Once found, an object may be dragged and dropped into the project, these objects contain references to the equivalent NBS specification clauses which are then automatically added to the project specification.

The NBS National BIM Library has become an essential source of digital information for the whole supply chain and ensures a common approach encouraging consistency and project collaboration. “In an increasingly complex world where rapid change is being driven by diverse influences, and where regulations demand ever more detailed, constantly evolving documentation, NBS Create represents an unprecedented step towards a more holistic, intelligent, and flexible and streamlined process.”

Figure 1: Source: www.thenbs.com

References:

http://www.thenbs.com/products/nbsCreate/index.asp http://www.thenbs.com/topics/DesignSpecification/articles/nbsCreate.asp http://constructioncode.blogspot.ae/2012/05/nbs-and-autodesk-revit-linkage.html http://www.revitforum.org/architecture-general-revit-questions/12982-nbs-create.html

BSBG Media Team

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