Book a demo
Introducing NBS Chorus for Small Works

Introducing NBS Chorus for Small Works

Jul 29, 2020 |NBS |3 Minute Read
NBS Head Office

Today, NBS, the leading provider of connected construction information, launches launched NBS Chorus for Small Works, a brand-new package of their award winning specification platform NBS Chorus, created specifically for architects, engineers and designers who write specifications for smaller works and projects. This powerful platform enables smaller projects specifiers to access the full functionality and features of NBS Chorus, further enhanced with a handpicked suite of specification content relevant to smaller projects.

Summary

  • All the benefits of cloud specification, in a dedicated cost-effective package for small works projects
  • Develop specifications quickly and intuitively, to a higher standard, with less risk to your practice
  • Access a specially-selected set of content specifically for small works
  • Work from anywhere, on any connected device
  • Structured product data and seamless collaboration with your project team
  • De-risk with content aligned to the latest standards and regulations coupled with the ability to digitally record decisions

Much of the industry is still working remotely, so embracing digital technology is more important than ever before to enable teams to stay connected and projects moving. This is reflected in the Construction Leadership Council’s roadmap to recovery for the industry which calls upon businesses to adopt new working technologies.

A cloud-based tool, users can work from any connected device, including Apple Mac, keeping projects on track regardless of where the team is located. Multiple users across different offices and locations can develop specifications together, making instant updates. The innovative specification notes feature records all project decisions directly in the specification.

Able to plug-in to many major design tools, including Autodesk Revit, Graphisoft Archicad and Vectorworks, it seamlessly allows the architectural model to be updated as the specification changes.

Furthermore, it will also allow smaller projects to benefit from access content aligned to the latest standards and regulations, guaranteeing robust specifications and reducing risk. Chorus will also make it easier to maintain the golden thread of information for your projects, creating an accurate and up-to-date digital record.

NBS Chorus for Small Works is suitable for new build or refurbishment projects that are simple jobs and not overly technically complex, such as teaching blocks, retail/industrial units and so on.

This version of Chorus has a specially-selected set of NBS content, covering all the areas typically needed for smaller or less technically complex projects. NBS Chorus for Small Works makes decision-making easier for specifiers as it links with NBS Source, the leading platform for construction products. NBS Source enables users to find, select and specify consistent, easily comparable product data including performance criteria, environmental credentials and third-party certification.

NBS Chorus for Small Works benefits

  • Cloud-based and accessible on any connected device, Mac/PC, tablet or mobile
  • Keeps you up to date with the latest regulations and standards, giving you peace of mind
  • Saves time, connecting workflows and specifying more effectively, with a powerful feature set
  • The platform integrates directly with leading design tools, including Autodesk Revit, Graphisoft Archicad and Vectorworks, so you can develop your model and specification in parallel
  • Chorus offers the most comprehensive, high-quality content available with links to the Construction Information Service (CIS) for documents and standards. The platform supports the Common Arrangement of Work Sections (CAWS) classification system.
  • Reduce your risk – base your specifications on content aligned to the latest standards and regulations, as well as helping maintain the golden thread with a digital record of information

NBS Innovation Director, Dr.Stephen Hamil, says, “Cloud-based specification has been rapidly adopted by practices working on larger projects. Until now specifiers working on simpler projects, have been unable to benefit. NBS Chorus for Small Works will now transform specification production in these practices, allowing for seamless remote collaboration and the ability to work more effectively. Until now many firms have been using standard word processing software to write specifications. Not only is this time consuming, it’s prone to error. Now teams can collaborate on the specification, from any device, whatever the location.”

He adds, “Practices can deliver more billable work to a higher standard while reducing risk.”

Jeremy Foster, founder J.Foster Architects says, “NBS Chorus is the future. It has a familiar interface to existing tools, is quick and easy to use, with all the functionality I need.” He adds, “The fact that you can edit the spec in Revit is very powerful as it reduces the chances of contradictory information in the model or specification. And it bridges the gap between Mac and PC, which could be the Holy Grail”

NBS Chorus was awarded the ‘Best New BIM Product’ award at the BIM Show Live held on 25th February 2020.

More information

Please contact: Joanna Wilmot or Archit Chopra. Email: joannaw@thinktank.org.uk, architc@thinktank.org.uk or call: 0751 854 7953.

Our latest news

All news

Visqueen supports one of the first Gateway 2 approvals under the Building Safety Act

The Dyecoats development in Leeds marks a major milestone for the UK housing sector. The £100 million flagship Latimer Homes scheme being delivered by GRAHAM is one of the first high-rise new-build projects in the country to achieve Building Safety Act Gateway 2 approval, a crucial pre-construction sign-off confirming that the design meets all safety and regulatory requirements before work begins on site.

Building Safety ActSponsored

Five questions to ask when specifying insulated panels

Selecting an insulated panel system for an industrial building should start with the building and application requirements.

Design and SpecificationSponsored

NBS and BDP join forces to improve generic carbon data in construction

Today, NBS (part of Hubexo), the platform for connected construction information, announces a long-term strategic partnership with BDP, a major global multidisciplinary practice of architects, designers, engineers and urbanists. The partnership recognises BDP's integral role in the development of NBS LCA, a new life-cycle carbon assessment platform providing professionals with high-quality, reliable and easy-to-use carbon data to ensure accurate tracking as construction projects evolve. BDP's primary contribution to NBS LCA has been the development of more than 1,300 pre-calculated generic assemblies, covering the most commonly used building fabric elements alongside key concrete and steel structural elements. These assemblies provide whole-element carbon data, giving designers consistent, UK-relevant carbon benchmarks from the earliest stages of project design. Users can easily and instantly apply carbon rates to a range of pre-configured common building elements, including walls, floors, and roofs. Developed by BDP and NBS, the assemblies remove the need for designers to manually build up material layers or calculate individual components at the concept stage. This saves significant time and effort, enabling proportionate and responsible carbon evaluation early in the design process, when decisions have the greatest impact on a project's overall carbon footprint. BDP also participated in collaborative workshops that directly informed the development of NBS LCA, helping to shape a tool that is practical, accessible and aligned with real-world UK construction workflows. Dr Lee Jones, Head of Sustainability at Hubexo, said: “BDP's contribution to NBS LCA has been invaluable. Their depth of project experience and technical knowledge has directly shaped the generic assemblies at the heart of the platform. These assemblies give designers a reliable, UK-relevant starting point for carbon assessment, without the burden of building everything from scratch. This is exactly the kind of collaboration that moves the industry forward, and we're proud to be working with BDP on a long-term basis.” Julia Yao, Associate, Sustainability Consultant at BDP, said: “Carbon assessment needs to be embedded in design from day one, not bolted on at the end. Working with NBS to develop its LCA product has been a genuine opportunity to put that principle into practice. The generic assemblies we developed draw on real project data and are designed to give designers meaningful, actionable carbon information at the concept stage. We're delighted to see them at the core of a platform that will be used across the industry.” With the UK Government outlining its commitment to responsible carbon reporting through its Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan, professionals need reliable, easy-to-use tools to assess and report embodied carbon. NBS LCA addresses this need by integrating carbon calculations with live design work, drawing on structured data from Circular Ecology's ICE Database and more than 12,500 verified, specification-ready construction products with Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) from NBS Source and ECO Portal. Over the coming months, NBS and BDP will continue to develop their partnership, with a shared commitment to improving the quality and accessibility of carbon data for construction professionals across the UK. NBS LCA is available now, with flexible subscriptions designed for all professionals. For more information, visit the website here.

Product update