KTGY Announces New Technology For Retail World
Mobile Design Studio & New Site Survey App Saves Clients Time & Money
IRVINE, CA – June 11, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — Award-winning KTGY Group, Inc., Architecture and Planning, announced today two technology innovations for the retail industry, a Mobile Design Studio and a Site Survey App for the iPad. According to KTGY’s Associate Principal Craig T. Chinn, who heads up the Retail Studio, “We have two very unique concepts that are being used by top retailers and developers nationwide, which saves them time and money, our Mobile Design Studio and a Site Survey App.”
KTGY Retail Studio partnered with Inspect2Go to create an app specifically made for the iPad to assist with onsite surveys from small tenant improvement projects to large-scale mall renovations. The Mobile Design Studio, which is essentially a design lab on wheels, can be used for new store openings nationwide, shopping center repositionings, or new ground up developments. “We can deliver local architectural and planning services to clients anywhere in the world — onsite,” Chinn stated.
“With fees being extremely competitive, we knew that we had to provide a better level of service than our national and local competition, and our new technology has become something that our national clients can’t live without,” Chinn added. KTGY has two Mobile Design Studios constantly being shipped all over the US.
“We have used the Mobile Design Studio and KTGY Site Survey App on site at malls, office towers, and corporate headquarters; from Time Square to Albertville, Minnesota, from Seattle to Mercedes, Texas,” Chinn noted.
KTGY pre-ships the Mobile Design Studio ahead of the team’s arrival. It consists of laptops, two monitors, a large format printer, scanner, laser measurers, iPads, specialized software, and WiFi; everything needed to conduct work on-site. “We also bring a sketch pad. Although we are very technically driven, we still rely on hand sketches for initial design concepts. Having the ability to draw instantly what a client wants is a tremendous advantage and critical time-saver,” said Chinn.
“The Mobile Design Studio speeds up the entire design process since we can meet with the client; do a survey using the KTGY Site Survey App; and then create a design while on site,” Chinn said. KTGY uses Revit, a Building Information Modeling (BIM) program, to draw the space in 3D, which provides many advantages.
KTGY Site Survey App includes survey questions and documentation needed to report the existing conditions of the space. The textual portion of the report is filled out on site with observations as well as input from the facility management. “The iPad has the convenience of the built in camera while the app has the ability to map the location and angle of the photo taken onto a floor plan with just a tap of a finger,” explained Chinn. “The photo index plan generated by the user as the photos are taken will then be included in the report, along with a compilation of all the photos numbered accordingly. The final report consists of photos, photo index plan as well as text documentation and notes.”
The new app gives the mobility and flexibility to work on a survey virtually anywhere — whether it is in the space to be surveyed, a landlord’s office or on a small plane on your way to another site location. “The KTGY Site Survey App for iPads saves time, space and resources by allowing the surveyor to take photos, create a photo index plas, input info/data and send it to the office network to create a complete survey package,” Chinn said.
“Once the site survey is completed, using Revit with our Mobile Design Studio allows us to view and share the work in 3D and use these base views to sketch over and generate many design concepts without adding any extra cost,” Chinn stated. This process usually takes two to five days to complete, depending on the scope and size of the project. If it is a complicated project, or a lot of façade or structural changes are needed, KTGY will meet with the local building department to uncover any potential pitfalls or needs prior to submitting for permits.
“We will stay as long as required and, with all of the decision makers there, it is typically much quicker to generate the final design. We can get input from the contractor, leasing team, business development, operation manager and facility manager all at once,” said Chinn.
“Another benefit of using Revit is that the drawings are a living, breathing model with an active database that can calculate carpet sq. ft., ceiling grid sq. ft., hard lid sq. ft., door and hardware schedules, tile count, fixture count, etc.,” said Chinn.
“Whatever we put into the model, it can calculate. And, as the design changes, all of this data adjusts automatically. This speeds up the process for the general contractor as well, who can get quick and accurate bid numbers. We can create a schedule for retailers and when we input back of house shelving and floor fixtures, the database automatically adjusts the fixture schedule to help in ordering all of the display cases. The applications are endless,” Chinn said.
According to Thomas L Meyers, Vice President – Construction at Phillips Edison & Company, “This idea is one of the few truly innovative concepts that I have heard out of an architect. One that adds efficiency to the process, saves KTGY time and money, and therefore Phillips Edison & Company time and money. Most teams just have their latest toy to sell us, but essentially do things the same way they always have.”
Jon Easter, Vice President of Culp Construction in Irvine, Calif., said, “KTGY is revolutionizing the way we work by providing more accurate base drawings, which is not typical in this industry. Plus, the clients can view the space in the 3D model, while actually at the space and create any revisions before we start building, which speeds up the construction process. Bottomline, KTGY’s Mobile Design Studio saves everyone time and money!”
“We pride ourselves on staying ahead of the curve and look forward to announcing our next innovation,” Chinn said.
About Inspect2GO
Inspect2Go is a mobile application, cloud database and software development company with Fortune 500 clientele and installations worldwide. The firm’s mobile technology includes inspection applications, database and reporting software with site survey, checklist, signature, photo capture, markup, and advanced charting/trending functions. The apps are compatible with Apple iOS (iPhone, iPad) and Android tablets. Inspection results are sent to Inspect2GO’s cloud database for storage. Reports, graphs, trends and data feeds can be retrieved from the cloud. Niche expertise includes property, vehicle, food safety, school, restaurant, food inspection, as well as site survey applications for architects, engineers, contractors and construction companies. Contact Inspect2go at www.inspect2GO.com.
About KTGY Group
Celebrating 20 years, KTGY Group, Inc., Architecture and Planning, provides comprehensive planning and award-winning architectural design services for residential communities, retail, hospitality, mixed-use and related specialty developments. KTGY delivers innovative solutions that reflect clear understanding of development, market trends and financial performance and takes particular pride in its highly motivated and principal led studios. Serving clients worldwide, KTGY maintains offices in Irvine, Oakland and Santa Monica, Calif., Denver, Colo., and Tysons Corner, Va. See www.ktgy.com.
