NBS April update
April update on all things NBS... 1. NBS for Building Services Engineers 2. Mulroy Architects customer story 3. Clients and specification strategy 4. New NBS podcast series 5. Manufacturer content on NBS Source 6. Sign up now for our Spring conference :) Any comments, please drop them in the linkedin post. Via Home http://www.rssmix.com/via Blogger http://jonasjjackson.blogspot.com/2021/03/nbs-april-update.html March 30, 2021 at 09:26PM
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NBS - March update
March update about all things NBS below... 1. Watch all webinars on demand and sign up for the March webinars: 2. Read the Hydrock case study: 3. Discover manufacturer product information at NBS Source: 4. Read about our latest NBS Chorus new features: 5. And finally, sign-up for our Spring Conference below: Would love to hear any comments - please drop them on the linkedin post: via Blogger http://jonasjjackson.blogspot.com/2021/03/nbs-march-update.html March 04, 2021 at 03:26AM
An introduction to NBS
Maybe you are an architect or an engineer wanting a digital specification solution? Maybe you are a client wanting to receive record specifications and audit trails in a structured data format? Maybe you are a construction manufacturer wanting to be specified more? If so, then watch the video below to get a 60 seconds introduction to NBS... If, you then want to know more, then the on-demand webinar below is a slightly deeper dive 30 minutes(ish) presentation on NBS from myself... https://www.thenbs.com/an-introduction-to-the-nbs-platforms Via Home http://www.rssmix.com/via Blogger http://jonasjjackson.blogspot.com/2021/02/an-introduction-to-nbs.html February 11, 2021 at 10:26PM
DJI Mini 2 Drone - Angel of the North and Penshaw Monument
I've always loved cool technology, and finally DJI have released an absolutely awesome drone that just about made it into my price range. The DJI Mini 2 has all of the great features you'd expect from a top of the range drone, but for a few hundred pounds instead of approaching the thousand pound mark. Check out the awesome footage I managed to take (on a reasonably windy day) after just watching one or two youtube tutorials... To get the shots in the above video I used the 'Circle' QuickShot mode. You take it out to about 50-60m from the target, click 'Circle', then tap the target and click Go. The drone does the rest. Amazing footage without needing any real flying skill. The two north east landmarks are:
Discover the DJI Mini 2 for yourself at: - https://www.dji.com/uk/mini-2 Via Home http://www.rssmix.com/via Blogger http://jonasjjackson.blogspot.com/2020/12/dji-mini-2-drone-angel-of-north-and.html December 27, 2020 at 02:26AM
DIY Kwanzaa Kinara
As we countdown to Kwanzaa, The Home Depot and Amber Kemp-Gerstel of Damask Love are excited to share an easy-to-make kinara that can be customized to you and your family’s Kwanzaa traditions! No worries! Check out Amber’s blog below for some other great family craft ideas, tips and tricks!
Kwanzaa is an African American holiday celebrating African American history, heritage and culture. The week-long celebration is observed from December 26th to January 1 and culminates with gift giving and a big dinner. Each night of Kwanzaa, families light the kinara – a seven candle holder. Each night of Kwanzaa is centered around one of the seven principles: Umoja (Unity) , Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), Imani (Faith). In the spirit of Kuumba, I’m excited to share an easy-to-make kinara that you can customize for your own family’s Kwanzaa celebration. Unexpected Materials Make an Awesome ImpactI love using materials in unexpected ways and this project is no exception. Here’s a look at what you’ll need: Hampton 4 in. x 4 in. Pressure-treated Wood Pyramid Post Cap 4 in. x 4 in. Pressure-Treated Unfinished Pine Ball Top Finial A 2.5” wide wood board cut to 15” 9 in LED Flickering Candles with Timer – 6-Pack (Gold) Decorative trim of your choice Drill 5/8” drill bit Wood screws Wood Glue Let’s Assemble!Just a few steps are required to assemble our Kwanzaa kinara. By using the post finial and fence post together, we can create a really beautiful, ornate kinda without any fancy woodworking! Twist the finial into the pyramid post cap . You may want to first drill a pilot hole in the post cap to make this step a bit easier. Next, drill a 5/8” hole in the center of wood board at 7.5”. Don’t go all the way through! Just deep enough so that the candle will fit snuggly in place. Once you’ve created the first hole, drill six additional holes as shown in the photo. Use a wood screw to secure the wood board on top of the finial. Add a decorative edge to your kinda with trim. You can secure this with wood glue or finishing nails…whatever you have access to! Remove the “flame” from the top of the battery-operated candles. Now it’s time to create our Kwanzaa candles in traditional red, black and green. Spray paint the “wax” part of the candle and allow to dry completely. To finish off your kinara, paint the entire wood base with your favorite color then insert the candles into place. Display Your KinaraWith the battery operated candles, you simply need to twist the flame to “light” each candle for every night of Kwanzaa. This easy to make project is a home decor piece that will keep you celebrating year after year! Happy Kwanzaa! The post DIY Kwanzaa Kinara appeared first on The Home Depot Blog. Via Home http://www.rssmix.com/via Blogger http://jonasjjackson.blogspot.com/2020/12/diy-kwanzaa-kinara.html December 22, 2020 at 09:26AM
NBS - A look back at 2020
As we're approaching the end of the year, I thought I'd look back on 2020 and blog about what we've been up to at NBS. Let's look at things in three sections 1. NBS Chorus, 2. NBS Source and 3. Other activity. 1. NBS ChorusWe expected NBS Chorus usage to grow steadily this year, but nobody could have predicted by how much. With the majority of our users being forced to work from home, the industry moved away from installed software to cloud software. As a result, we end the year with the majority of those previously using NBS Building and NBS Create now using NBS Chorus for their specification writing. We recognised that this was the future and we are now retiring our desktop products and focusing all attention on our cloud platforms. Some of the biggest features are looked at below... 1.1 Revisions and publication historyAll of the specifications published now are stored in the cloud. Each publication has defined meta data that aligns to the ISO 19650 framework (suitability, revisions, container ID...). Within each specification all items can be classified to Uniclass 2015 and new, amended and deleted requirements are clearly highlighted.
Further information - https://support.thenbs.com/support/solutions/folders/7000042806 1.2 Import from NBS BuildingLast year we implemented the ability to import an NBS Create specification for use in NBS Chorus with the Uniclass 2015 classification. In 2020 we implemented the same process to allow NBS Building specifications to be imported retaining their CAWS classifications.
Further information - https://support.thenbs.com/support/solutions/folders/7000043439 1.3 Company stylesheetsContent is king. But how the content looks is also pretty important, We've learnt over the years that designers want their documentation, drawings and specification to have the same presentation. By introducing templates into Chorus, users can present their specifications to look as they wish.
Further information - https://support.thenbs.com/support/solutions/folders/7000043430 1.4 NBS Chorus Small WorksWe recognise that for jobs of a more simple nature that all of the NBS specification and guidance content is not needed. We introduced a lower price Chorus offering for the smaller practices. Small Works comes with one simple content set, but is still offered in the Chorus 1 or Chorus 2 feature package as we recognise that smaller practices still utilise the best technology.
Further information - https://www.thenbs.com/nbs-chorus/small-works 1.5 NBS plug-inIn 2019 we worked with partners Autodesk and Archicad to launch NBS Chorus plug-ins. As many of the smaller practices use Vectorworks, it was great to be able to adapt the plug-in to work seamlessly with that design tool too in 2020.
Further information - https://support.thenbs.com/support/solutions/folders/7000043018 2. NBS SourceWe'd realised that the way we presented our manufacturer product information needed a refresh. Having case studies and literature in RIBA Product Selector, specifications in NBS Plus and digital objects in NBS National BIM Library was a disjointed approach. With NBS Source we brought simplicity and a new offering within a single modern web platform. Having our product teams focus on only two platforms allowed us to deliver lots of value throughout the year. This will continue throughout 2021. Some of the biggest features from 2020 are below... 2.1 Searching
As the user types, suggestions appear with respect to categories (Uniclass 2015), manufacturers and construction products. Once clicked, the search results are filterable to enable the user to find the information they need quickly and easily.
|
The technical information specifiers need |
2.3 Alignment with the specification
Manufacturer technical details aligned to the NBS generic specification structure |
2.4 Linked information
Relevant information linked together - products, case studies, catalogues, certificates... |
2.5 A self-serve platform
A self-serve platform and QA process to manage the data in the NBS Source system |
3. Other activity
3.1 Construction Leaders' Summit
The UK Construction Minister speaking at the main NBS event, and one or two others... |
3.2 RIBA Plan of Work 2020 webinar series
The key topics on every project |
3.3 NBS customer stories
- NBS Chorus - AHMM, J Foster Architects and Maber Architects
- NBS Source - GripSure, Oscar Acoustics and Dulux Trade
Designers and manufacturers working collaboratively in the cloud |
3.4 Uniclass 2015
Uniclass continues to grow with classifications added from all sectors of the built environment. Uniclass 2015 is now the primary classification system that under-pins Chorus and Source. It is embedded in the UK BIM Framework and UK Government Departments are working with NBS daily to ensure it covers the scope of items needed to model the built environment.Uniclass continuing to grow |
3.5 Exciting times ahead in 2021
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December 19, 2020 at 03:26AM
This blog posts builds on an article I wrote for theNBS.com - Specifications and classifications
https://www.thenbs.com/knowledge/specifications-and-classification
There are a number of use cases for classify assets/things, for example:
- An annotation on a drawing or schedule;
- A clause reference in a specification;
- A Category code in a COBie spreadsheet; or even
- A label on a physical product
But with roughly half of the industry choosing CAWS and half choosing Uniclass 2015, the question often arises, do they map? and if so how?
In our latest release of NBS Source, all manufacturer systems and products with specifications information now have both Uniclass 2015 codes and CAWS codes.
Some examples below showing the mapping. Starting with a simple examples and then gradually showing more complex examples.
1. Simple example
One of the aims behind the Uniclass 2015 project was to have a single classification to represent each 'thing' in the built environment. So one classification for a Secondary School (Co_25_10_77) down to one classification for an Interactive Whiteboard (Pr_40_30_25_42).
So in CAWS, is it the same and there is a nice one to one mapping?
Not quite, but almost so in the most simple examples. Consider a daylight pipe.
Source example - https://nbs.fyi/M8wKaK
Simple example - Daylight Pipe |
There is a one-to-one mapping between Pr_30_59_72_21 Daylight pipes and L10/495 Daylight pipe.
Moving up a level in the tree L10 groups Windows/ rooflights/ screens/ louvres and Pr_30_59_72 groups Rooflights with Pr_30_59 grouping all Openings and opening component products.
By clicking on the classification reference in Source then similar products may be viewed.
- Rooflights filtered to show only daylight pipes
Grouping different types of rooflights together |
But this is a one-to-two mapping! What is L10/52 Daylight pipes?
This is the simplified clause in L10 used in the Small Works library. For legacy reasons, there are many products with multiple CAWS references with a specification clause for more complex work and one for more simple work.
2. Not quite as simple example
The second example is a concrete roof tile.
Source example: https://nbs.fyi/awY4MC
Not quite as simple - a concrete roof tile |
In this example, Uniclass 2015 is simple - one code for one physical product. But CAWS unfortunately has a clause for concrete roof tiling and another one for concrete roof tiling with counterbattens. Then, in addition, there are small works versions of both of these.
So analysing 'big data' across many projects with CAWS would need a look up of for four codes.
With Uniclass 2015, a client need look up just one.
Again, the parent groupings allow similar products to be quickly viewed.
View concrete interlocking tiles within the parent category of roof and cladding units
3. Complex example
The most complex example can be seen with products that can be used with many systems. The way CAWS references evolved over time means that there can be a huge number of relevant reference codes. However, with Uniclass 2015 there is only a single code in the majority of cases.
In this final example we will look at lime mortar
Source example: https://nbs.fyi/IW6SQo
Complex example - one to many |
When the CAWS content was developed, computers were barely used and we lived in a paper world. Now we have modelling tools that can create a link between a parent system and a child product (such as NBS Chorus) or a parent space and a child system (such as Archicad/Revit). So each thing can have a single code and the modelling tool can digitally give the context.
The screenshots below shows one type of lime mortar being used by two different systems. But specified once. By specifying once it makes procurement easier and when potentially defending specification decisions gives context. For clients that want build a digital estate - it makes data querying achievable.
Masonry system A linking to the mortar product |
Masonry system B linking to the same mortar product |
The product specified once - but with clear context shown |
To view the mappings, explore NBS Source (free-to-industry):
- https://source.thenbs.com/
To specify to the Uniclass 2015 structure, CAWS structure use NBS Chorus (subscription):
- https://www.thenbs.com/nbs-chorus
To watch a video to learn more about NBS offerings - click below:
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December 11, 2020 at 09:26PM
Can I let you in on a little secret? I have NEVER decorated outside for Christmas! I know… that sounds crazy right? I love decorating the interior of our home for the holidays, but I have never attempted to do it outside. When The Home Depot invited me to participate in the Holiday Style Challenge, I was both nervous and excited! It was time to step out of my comfort zone (literally) and try my hand at lighting up the great outdoors! I was given the theme of season shining and I tried my best to make our greenhouse and garden area shine for the holidays!
Decorating The Garden Arbor
When we built this garden and arbor earlier this year, I did not consider all of the possibilities there would be for decorating it. I was just thinking that my garden needed an entrance! Now I know that this entrance is perfect for these 5ft pre-lit artificial Christmas trees . I placed one on each side and then brought in Mr. Bear to accompany them. My kids were so excited about this bear from the moment I pulled it out of the box and assembled it. I mean, the bear even got hugs from them! Needless to say, this bear has made quite the impression and seems quite at home in his spot by the garden arbor. We also added this large, pre-lit wreath and bow to top it all off!
Light Up The Greenhouse
My greenhouse is probably my most prized backyard possession. She even has a name, Josephine. We recently added a porch to her which made decorating her for Christmas even more of a possibility! We strung bulb lights around her roofline and hung a simple battery-operated, pre-lit wreath on the door. I also placed the stacked up gift box set by the door. Josephine was already looking super cute! Then we decided to up the ante a little by creating a DIY “faux” marquee letters sign.
DIY Faux Marquee Letters Sign
The process to create these letters was fairly simple and straightforward. This type of sign can be used for a variety of events and celebrations. Check out this how-to guide on The Home Depot’s website to see how I did it!
This may have been my first time decorating outside, specifically the garden/greenhouse area but it certainly will not be the last! This was so fun and the kids love to see the space all lit up at night! We were able to find everything we needed for this project from The Home Depot which made it super convenient. The Home Depot was literally a one stop shop for everything that we needed, and I am so grateful for the app, ship to home options, and store pickup! I am already coming up with ideas for the next holiday!
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December 05, 2020 at 06:26AM
With NBS Chorus and NBS Source, our vision is to (a) first and foremost to produce best-in-class platforms with great user experience and then (b) to open up the data for partners and those with basic programming skills to use.
With both, we have loads of exciting functionality planned for the main platforms, this means that opening up the data access will take a little longer. However, we do allow users to export specifications to the well-structured DOCX format.
Primarily this is for manipulation in Microsoft Word. But as a secondary point of interest, this means that hobbyist programmers can play with the data.
Last Saturday morning @mgjspidey on Twitter let me know that he'd written some code to generate a Revit Keynote file from the DOCX output. As I used to enjoy a bit of programming a while back, I took this as a challenge to dust off the old coding fingers and write some sample code that I'd share with the community. Having some spare holiday days mixed with Covid lockdown boredom also helped ;)
As the most accessible coding language for Microsoft Office is probably VBA, I wrote some code and popped it up on GitHub.
Summaries of the four use cases are below. Feel free to download and amend the code to create your own use cases.
1. Microsoft Word Macro - Generate Keynote file from Chorus specification
Use case: Revit LT users cannot use the NBS Plug-in for Revit. So a keynote file is required for making annotations.
Coding solution: Open the DOCX file - run the macro - generate the keynote file.
NBS plan: Intend to implement in this within Chorus in 2021, in particular for small works customers.
Generate keynote file from published specification |
2. Microsoft Word Macro - Prepare NBS legacy word-processing for importing into Chorus
Use case: NBS customers may have old word processing versions of NBS they want to import into Chorus as record/historic specifications. Unfortunately, the historic word processing format used does not have structure to it.
Coding solution: Open the DOCX file - run the macro - convert to a file that imports cleanly.
NBS plan: Incremental enhancements to the MS Word import feature will continue to be made.
The word-processing file format for the last 25 years :) |
The macro loops through the document giving it structure |
...and then import well-structured content into Chorus |
3. Microsoft Word Macro - Prepare stylesheet for uploading to Chorus
Use case: It can be quite time consuming to change the colour and font-style for all styles in an NBS print template document.
Coding solution: Open the DOCX file - run the macro - change all of the fonts and colours instantly.
NBS plan: No plan at this stage to develop this into the main software
Choose your heading colour and document font |
All changes are made |
4. Microsoft Excel Macro - Generate a pricing document
Use case: On small jobs that don't of bills of quantities, a priceable spreadsheet with specification references may be useful.
Coding solution: Open the XSLM file, specify which DOCX file to look at - run the macro - generate the pricing spreadsheet.
NBS plan: Intend to implement in this within Chorus in 2021, in particular for small works customers.
Browse to the DOCX file and click the button |
Pricing sheet generated from specification sections |
Calculation and currency field types added |
I do realise that programming and working with data like this is not for everyone. But hopefully this will spark of other ideas of what the data inside specifications can be used for - ideas worked on can turn into well-worked functionality that makes it into the main product one day too.
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December 05, 2020 at 04:26AM
For a lot of us, the cottages of Carmel-by-the-Sea are the stuff that dreams are made of. I was excited to see that this charmingly quirky pink house with window boxes is for sale, giving us a chance to peek inside. It hasn’t been photographed very often because it’s difficult to see much of it […]
The post A Storybook Cottage Built by Hugh Comstock For Sale in Carmel appeared first on Hooked on Houses.
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December 01, 2020 at 05:26AM