Frequently asked questions

Studios are where creatives design and specialists build. We chose the word Studio intentionally—because Blackboard Studio is both. We are designers, builders, and ambitious problem-solvers working to reshape the AEC industry into something smarter and more efficient. Blackboard Studio is the first VDC Studio of its kind in New York City, and we’re proud to be paving the way within the AEC(S) sector.

A VDC (Virtual Design & Construction) Studio is your project’s digital command center. Instead of relying on siloed drawings, emails, and endless site walks, we bring design and construction into perfect sync by leveraging:

• 3D building models (BIM) to visualize and coordinate every system
• Reality capture (LiDAR scanning & point clouds) to verify design against real-world conditions
• Field-ready layouts and as-builts to ensure what’s built matches what’s intended
• Industry-leading software throughout the project lifecycle—tools that are often only used in isolated design or construction phases are connected into one continuous digital workflow, creating clarity from early design through final closeout

Think of it as taking the guesswork out of construction. We catch conflicts before they hit the field, reduce change orders, and give owners, architects, and contractors a clear, shared view of the project—so decisions are faster, smarter, and more cost-effective.

BIM is the model. VDC is the process.

• BIM (Building Information Modeling) creates a 3D model with data.
• VDC (Virtual Design & Construction) takes that model and drives the project—coordinating trades, preventing clashes, and guiding construction from start to finish.

VDC turns models into action:

• Problems are solved before they hit the field
• Layouts, verification, and as-builts are built off the model
• Teams make faster, smarter decisions

BIM gives you the visual. VDC is how we turn that visual into built reality.

The earlier, the better.

We host progress design sets in industry-leading coordination software, so the ideal time to engage us is as soon as the architect is onboarded.

Early involvement unlocks the full power of VDC:

• Set up a connected digital workflow from design through construction and closeout
• Spot conflicts before they exist, preventing costly redesigns and field delays
• Align design intent with real-world constructability, so drawings become buildable plans

Even if we join mid-project, we bring order to chaos—but early engagement turns VDC into a strategic advantage instead of a rescue plan.

No—we make them more effective.

Blackboard Studio doesn’t replace your team. We enhance the entire project by:

• Aligning architects, engineers, and contractors in a single, coordinated digital workflow
• “Test-building” the project in 3D to catch design gaps and constructability issues early
• Producing fully coordinated shop drawings before construction begins, instead of waiting for each subcontractor to draft in isolation after the job starts
• Delivering field-ready models and layouts that make every trade more efficient

We’re the bridge between design and construction, giving your team the clarity and coordination to execute faster, smarter, and with fewer surprises.

Blackboard Studio delivers measurable ROI across two scopes:

Baseline Scope:

This is work that your project needs—done smarter. We take this scope off the plate of fragmented subcontractors and produce it smarter, faster, and earlier. The result? A smoother project and costs clawed back from trade partners.

Enhancement Scope:

This is where VDC becomes a force multiplier. BIM coordination, robotic layouts, and construction verification drastically reduce delays, rework, and RFIs. You're not just cutting waste—you’re compressing schedules and improving the final build.

→ See the full breakdown on our Return on Investment page.

Many GCs provide BIM, but BIM alone is not VDC, and it has major limitations:

• Subcontractor-dependent — The GC’s BIM team coordinates what subs produce, and the model is only as accurate as the least-detailed sub.
• Late start — GC BIM usually begins after design handoff, missing the opportunity to resolve clashes before they become costly problems.
• Contractor-focused — Their goal is to install their work, not create a project-wide digital workflow that benefits the owner and design team.

Blackboard Studio flips that model:

• We start at concept, not construction.
• We “test build” the project in 3D, catching design gaps before they become RFIs or costly change orders.
• We produce shop drawings before subcontractors are engaged, removing the uncertainty they would otherwise price into bids.
• We create a continuous digital workflow that serves owners, architects, engineers, and GCs alike.

GC-led BIM is reactive—it cleans up problems after they appear.

Blackboard Studio is proactive—we prevent them from ever reaching the field.

We focus on complex, coordination-heavy projects where VDC creates the most value.

• Urban construction and renovation projects with challenging logistics
• Adaptive reuse and historic building restorations where accuracy is critical
• MEP-intensive projects that demand early coordination to avoid costly field conflicts

While we can support a variety of project sizes, our work delivers outsized impact on high-value projects in dense urban environments like New York City, where every inch and every day matters.