Date and Time:
Thursday, September 17, 2026
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Location:
Architectural Walls Systems – 1250 SE 25th Street, Grimes, IA

Presented by: 
Ryan Keairnes, Vice President – Business Development Iowa – AWS
Brad Davision-Rippey, AIA – RDG Planning & Design

Presentation Summary:

Modern building envelopes require increasingly complex coordination between design teams, contractors, & manufacturers. This session explores how the Design Assist delivery method creates meaningful connections between stakeholders to improve constructability, maintain design intent, accelerate procurement, and reduce project risk.
Using a large healthcare facility as a case study, attendees will examine how early trade partner involvement informed facade system selection, virtual design coordination, performance analysis, shop drawing development, and field installation planning. Participants will gain practical strategies for incorporating Design Assist into future projects to achieve higher-performing building envelopes while improving schedule certainty and project collaboration.

Learning Objectives:

• Evaluate how Design Assist delivery methods improve coordination between architects, engineers, contractors, and specialty trade partners to reduce building envelope risk and improve project outcomes.
• Compare the impacts of early facade system selection and procurement strategies on building performance, constructability, schedule, and cost.
• Identify how virtual design coordination, performance modeling, and trade collaboration can improve thermal performance, moisture management, and long-term building durability.
• Apply lessons learned from a healthcare building case study to determine when Design Assist may provide value on future architectural projects.

Lunch will be provided.  Thank you to our Lunch Sponsor, Viracon!

Tickets:
$10 BEC-Iowa Members
$20 Non-Members
Have a Membership Package? This event is FREE!

CLICK HERE to register

This event has been approved for 1.0 LU/HSW AIA continuing education credit.

Please submit your AIA number during your Eventbrite Registration