When a facility requires special considerations of cleanliness, acoustics or environmental control a disciplined design process is necessary to achieve the building's functional requirements. High performance environments often demand engineered systems to be simultaneously optimized. Such a task requires that all design disciplines understand the broader impacts of their design decisions and how to integrate and coordinate their systems with other disciplines.

IDG has extensive experience in the design of high performance facilities whether for security, acoustics, clean rooms, or testing environments. Design coordination and optimization is enhanced by expertise in the use of BIM and Navisworks for clash detection. Although technical expertise is absolutely necessary to produce a good design, IDG believes ultimately great design is derived from curiosity and collaboration.

Commercial architecture is driven by wildly varying demands. The structural design should respond to architectural priorities whether the structure is to be presented as part of the architectural expression or designed to be hidden from sight. Structural design must be born from a genuine interest and understanding of the architectural vision while respecting the project schedule and budget.

IDG exists to be a resource to the design team. This includes working closely with all design disciplines to proportion the structure to meet architectural requirements and accommodate building infrastructure. Where structure is expressed, IDG has wide ranging experience in Architecturally Exposed Structural Steel, expressed concrete, design of custom stairs and railings and envelope systems for both core and shell and tenant driven projects.

Single and multi-family structures are the most common engineered buildings in an urban environment and most often driven by architectural vision. Residential buildings are often tasked with challenging the boundaries of vernacular norms. This can be manifested in concepts on aggressive hillside sites, programmatic challenges such as indoor pools and entertainment facilities, floor to ceiling glazing and their impact on engineered systems.

The structural design of residential structures must account for the intimate nature of the building's use; that is, the unique nature and scale of each residential project , attention to architectural intent and it's expression through custom detailing. IDG can enhance this end by carefully considering material expression, non conventional building forms and elements such as structural glass, custom stairs and railings.

Seismic engineering has over the years moved from being a specialty area to a prerequisite to practice structural engineering. The most common objective of seismic design is to meet the minimum standards of the Building Code whether for a new or an existing structure. However, relying solely on the Building Code, particularly when improving an existing structure, does not take into account the unique risk factors that impact the management and operation of a building or facility.

Seismic engineering is a broader discipline than simply applying the Building Code. IDG is experienced in a wide range of analytical techniques from basic Building Code approaches to linear and nonlinear dynamic analyses, allowing us to apply the appropriate method for a specific project. The economies of strengthening existing structures often make sophisticated analytical tools necessary when undertaking seismic evaluations and retrofit design and can often be necessary to find a practical solution.

Probabilistic seismic risk assessment tools can be very effective way to quantify seismic risk profiles for properties and seismic risk mitigation strategies to achieve short and long term risk management objectives. Risk mitigation strategies aim to determine a relevant seismic event and a seismic performance objective. This includes consideration of probable seismic events over a specified time frame and the tolerance to sustaining seismic damage. Considered seismic event scenarios and acceptable damage levels will vary from facility to facility depending on the nature of the asset and risks to life and property. A comprehensive seismic risk study should aim to identify risk scenarios, expected losses and ultimately mitigation strategies that reflect the priorities and goals of the property owners.