Mission

To advance professional development within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction community through collaborative learning experiences.

About Us

DBE is a network of Owners, Architects, Engineers, Builders, Consultants and Associations, committed to knowledge sharing and continuous learning within the AEC industry.

Vision

A community of professionals promoting a common belief that interdisciplinary collaboration and respect is the foundation to achieve excellence in building design, construction and operations.

Approach

DBE champions a method of team focused interdisciplinary X-Training intended to shape how a smart and sustainable built environment is designed and constructed. The platform endeavors to foster innovation and define best practice though creativity and firsthand lessons learned.
“… It’s about sharing our experiences, continuous learning, strengthening relationships and expanding our network …It’s about building more efficiently, safely, creatively and of the highest quality. That all requires a collaboration between owners, architects, engineers, specialty consultants, subcontractors and the general contractor.”
Bob Gullickson,

Turner Vice President / DBE Co-Founder

Platforms

Design Build Excellence is composed of two cross-disciplinary education platforms, X-Training and Presentations. Both platforms focus on the continuous learning of its members in an ever-evolving AEC industry. Each platform is structured by their learning objectives and distinct formats of engagement.
Trainingcolored 1 min

X-Training

Partners and participants engage with seminars, on-site walkthroughs, factory tours, round-table discussion and team exercises in a range of topics lead and designed by discipline leaders.

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PresentationColored 1 min

Presentations

Informative and thought-provoking seminars authored by industry leaders. Technical and Sustainable presentations provide valuable insight into the AEC industry.

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Activity

In-Office & On-Site

At its core, the Design Build Excellence champions innovation and encourages a collaborative approach to building design and construction.

Design Build Excellence optimizes expertise and strengthens partnerships to accelerate professional development at all levels. The goal is to enhance overall knowledge, encourage teamwork, improve communication, and develop relationships through trust and respect.

Emerging and seasoned professionals of varied disciplines examine subject matter, identify common challenges and discuss solutions together. Emerging professionals gain insight into the roles and responsibilities of their peers today as well as potentially their future roles tomorrow.

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History

Design Build Excellence launched its first DBE X-Training programs in 2015 through collaborations with the leaders and champions of several industry-leading AEC companies in New York City. The program continues to welcome new partners, explore new subject matter, and provide more opportunities for future industry leaders to learn and collaborate every year.

Upcoming Presentation

Presentation Title

Building Integration for Life Safety – THIS INCLUDES YOU!

This presentation will go through the Five W’s of Building Integration for Life Safety, Who, What, Where, When, and Why. As a community of Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Professional

Date & Time

TBD 2023

Presenter | Company

Brandon Finzel, P.E. Principal

Register ➜

Presentation Title

Smart Buildings

Check back soon for more information.

Date & Time

TBD 2023

Presenter | Company

- -

Register ➜

Presentation Title

Sustainability and Resiliency

Check back soon for more information.

Date & Time

TBD 2023

Presenter | Company

- -

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Presentation Title

Technical

Check back soon for more information.

Date & Time

TBD 2023

Presenter | Company

- -

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Presentation Title

BIM & Digital Design

Check back soon for more information.

Date & Time

TBD 2023

Presenter | Company

- -

Register ➜

The DBE program has helped AKF take learning opportunities for employees to the next level.  Insights into the AEC industry roles in allows participants to better understand their role and have more empathy for other key team members.  DBE programs also tackle learning beyond day-to-day tasks and help participants gain confidence, learn to lead more effectively, and how to tackle complex, cross team problems fairly and strategically.

Shannon Kaplan AKF
Watching the DBE program grow from a handful of programs … to the diversity of topics the programs tackle today is a testament not only to the demand of this type of forward-thinking training that the AEC community desperately needs, but also a vote of confidence to future leaders who prioritize the strategy of leading from the front and developing the next generation of future industry icons.
Ryan Lean JB&B
I’ve personally witnessed the participants from Thornton Tomasetti gain a vast breadth of real-world and practical knowledge and experience from the DBE program in months that took me years to develop.
Robert K. Otani Thornton Tomasetti
The X-Training programs provide a unique holistic perspective of the design and construction of a new project. Starting from the from concept phase through construction administration the major stakeholders and A/E team members share their insights and design-making factors to achieve the project goals.
Moni Solomonov Syska Hennessy Group

Partners

Our partners are the most critical component of Design Build Excellence’s success.

The leadership, knowledge and experience they bring shape DBE’s content and outreach.

We thank our partners for their continued support, creativity and knowledge sharing.

Time and again proving there is always time for a greater cause.

2023 Accomplishments

19 Active Partners
39 Virtual Classes Held
8 Presentations
125 Total Hours of Learning
172 Participants
7 Training Programs