Revamped DDDBox: A Major Upgrade for Building Code Compliance Assistance

Introduction

On March 19, AMDlab, a startup based in Kobe, Japan, announced a significant overhaul of its building code compliance assistance service, DDDBox. This revamped platform introduces new functionalities, such as the ‘Administrative Procedure Investigation Sheet Output’ and ‘Automatic Determination of Compliance with Administrative Procedures’. These enhancements mark the transition of DDDBox into a dedicated building code compliance assistance service, aimed at strengthening support during the planning and design phases.

New Features of DDDBox

Enhancing Assistance in Building Code Compliance

Historically, DDDBox provided features such as ordinance search and volume assessment. The latest upgrades focus on specific functionalities that greatly assist architects and design professionals in addressing the increasingly complex building regulations.

Problem of Complexity in Building Regulations

The construction industry faces significant challenges due to the constantly changing regulations and procedures imposed by various local governments. These include a lack of manpower familiar with these laws and the risk of oversight during the investigation process, leading to mistakes and delays. In response to these challenges, DDDBox was developed with contributions from a diverse team of industry experts, including architects and building code inspectors.

DDDBox: A Dual-Faceted Service

Tools and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO)

DDDBox functions both as a regulatory review tool and as a business process outsourcing service. This means that users can access both sophisticated tools for regulatory review and the expertise of a dedicated team of professionals who provide direct support for legal compliance.

Key Functions

1. Administrative Procedure Investigation Sheet Output: This feature allows users to gather relevant local ordinances related to their design project. By inputting key design parameters, users can automatically determine compliance with different procedures. This significantly streamlines the process of organizing complex regulatory information. The findings can be exported as an Excel sheet, which is useful for official inquiries.

2. Volume Assessment through WEBBIM: This updated feature includes calculations for regulatory compliance related to structures, incorporating functions such as generating volume diagrams and shadowing elements. The new update also adds 'Sky Ratio Calculation' capabilities, thus facilitating more effective design evaluations. Additionally, all outputs can be exported in DXF format for compatibility with most CAD software, enabling seamless integration into existing workflows.

Pricing Plans

To accommodate different needs, DDDBox offers four distinct pricing plans based on the functionalities and services required. Options include a plan focused solely on ordinance research and another that encompasses all features, including volume assessments.

Free Two-Week Trial

Currently, a promotional two-week trial is available for the newly updated services, allowing users to experience the full range of functionalities free of charge. Interested individuals can inquire further about service details and pricing.

About AMDlab

Founded in January 2019 by Akihiro Fujii, AMDlab is committed to driving digital transformation in the architecture field through innovative technology. The company specializes in various services, including system integration, SaaS solutions like DDDBox, and educational offerings such as BIM training and computational design courses.