The Keller Center, The University of Chicago
Chicago · Education · Client: The University of Chicago
Project details
An institutional engineering project executed at the University of Chicago Keller Center.

Impact Through Engineering
dbHMS is an engineering and commissioning consulting practice incorporated in 2002, with offices across the United States and India. It delivers high-performance, efficient, and sustainable designs worldwide, providing integrated systems engineering alongside technology design, lighting design, simulation, and building information modeling (BIM).
Maxwell NicholsBIM Director
Delivers comprehensive systems design spanning HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection engineering, incorporating both traditional systems and high-efficiency solutions.
Design of heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems including traditional configurations and advanced options like geo-exchange and radiant cooling.
Power distribution and electrical systems design integrated with building operations.
Design of plumbing and sanitary systems tailored for commercial, institutional, and residential facilities.
Engineering of robust fire safety and suppression systems to protect building occupants.
Designs technology infrastructures, data networks, and security installations required to support high-performance, modern facility operations.
Designing physical cabling pathways and network backbones for voice, data, and video communications.
Engineering surveillance, access control, and communication networks for secure operations.
Designing custom sound, video, and presentation environments for collaboration spaces.
Implementing wireless data networks, VoIP, and cellular signal enhancement solutions.
Develops innovative and energy-efficient lighting solutions for architectural, interior, and site-specific projects.
Designing customized illumination layouts for interior spaces and building exteriors to enhance aesthetic appeal.
Planning safe, functional, and efficient outdoor and landscape illumination.
Developing integrated control systems to optimize energy use and lighting flexibility.
Analyzing natural daylight infiltration to optimize energy performance and indoor comfort.
Leads quality-focused verification processes to ensure that complex building systems are designed, installed, and operated to meet specified targets.
Systematic validation of building systems to ensure performance and support green building certifications.
Evaluating existing systems to find low-cost operational improvements and prolong equipment life.
Assessing the thermal and environmental integrity of building envelopes.
Continuous tracking of energy and water utilization to verify ongoing efficiency.
Applies advanced computational tools and parametric optimization to reduce building emissions and energy use while maximizing comfort.
Simulating building energy performance to guide design selections and system sizing.
Utilizing algorithmic tools to optimize building massing, orientation, and energy performance.
Creating comprehensive, long-term energy strategies for campuses, portfolios, and master plans.
Using micro-climate simulations to evaluate airflow, ventilation, and thermal comfort.
Engineering high-performance building skins to maximize natural light and manage solar heat gain.
Advising on renewable energy, microgrid mesh networks, and advanced thermodynamic systems.
Utilizes advanced Building Information Modeling (BIM) technologies to enhance design collaboration, optimize coordination, and streamline pre-construction.
Creating fully coordinated models up to LOD 300/350 and generating precise construction documentation.
Capturing existing facility conditions through laser scanning to generate accurate as-built models.
Establishing workflows, health checks, execution plans, and training protocols for project teams.
Integrating assets and operational data within BIM models to support downstream owner operations.
Developing strategic implementation plans and workflows for project-specific BIM delivery.
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Chicago · Education · Client: The University of Chicago
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