A design vision is what architects and designers begin with, shaping spaces that inspire, function, and endure. Yet between concept and completion, that vision often collides with unavoidable demands: engineers adjusting systems, contractors chasing budgets, and schedules tightening by the week. In this vulnerable space, where design intent risks being diluted, Kalin Associates steps in to safeguard it. Founded in 1984, the firm has carved a niche as one of the industry’s few independent specification consultants. Its twelve-member team manages a database of more than 700 continuously updated specification sections, drawing from decades of experience across 6,000 projects. CEO Mark Kalin and President Jay Ford have built a practice grounded in clarity, sustainability, and close collaboration with architects, engineers, and owners. “Specs need to be clear, concise, and complete,” says CEO Kalin. “They’re what keep design intent intact and costs under control.” This philosophy drives the firm’s role as an extension of the design team, translating drawings into enforceable specifications that contractors can confidently price and build from. The process begins early, at the schematic design stage, when decisions about scope and materials carry the most weight. Ford, known for championing rigorous scope reviews, ensures each project starts with a comprehensive checklist that surfaces critical questions before design advances. By design development, Kalin Associates delivers a complete project manual, coordinating input from as many as 20 consultants into a single cohesive document. Specifications are structured to include multiple manufacturers, providing owners with cost flexibility without compromising quality. A defining strength of the firm is its leadership in sustainable design. Since 2002, Kalin Associates has written specifications for hundreds of LEED-certified projects, ensuring that sustainability goals enhance rather than compromise the architect’s vision. It is equally fluent in sustainable design standards such as Living Building Challenge, Estidama, and Passive House. At the same time, its proprietary database incorporates research on green materials and performance metrics, giving designers confidence that their choices will withstand scrutiny in the field. In one project, a client shifted mid-design to pursue LEED certification, an abrupt change Kalin’s team absorbed without derailing either the design intent or the construction schedule.

Fiberglass structural systems are known for their durability, corrosion resistance, electrically non-conductivity, low thermal conductivity and design flexibility—qualities that make them a strong fit for tough industrial environments. But for many clients, the real issue isn’t the material—it’s the process. Too often, they’re left juggling multiple vendors like engineering from one firm, drafting from another, fabrication elsewhere, and installation on their own. That fragmentation leads to delays, and solutions that don’t quite fit. That is where AIMS Composites steps in. A world leader in engineered fiberglass structural systems, its turnkey model brings everything under one roof. From the first sketch to final installation, it handles custom design, structural engineering, (including PE-stamped stress analysis), detailed drafting, fabrication, logistics, field support, and on-site installation. Clients work with a single team from start to finish, streamlining the process and eliminating the handoffs that typically slow projects down. But what truly sets AIMS Composites apart isn’t just how they deliver—it’s what they deliver. Instead of forcing generic, off-the-shelf products into place, the company starts with understanding the client’s distinct challenges and makes purpose-built systems from the ground up. Every solution is tailored to fit the exact application to ensure performance, efficiency and Return on Investment. “As an ISO 9001:2015 company, we are driven by a commitment to doing things right the first time—prioritizing precision, safety and customer satisfaction throughout every phase of a project. We don’t just build fiberglass systems—we build trust,” says Kinton Lawler, CEO. That trust extends to how the company operates day to day. AIMS stays flexible and open to change, continuously refining its technology and processes to improve performance. The team is quick to adapt when a project demands it, adjusting internally rather than relying on outside fixes. While the company does source select materials externally, the strong in-house inventory and self-sufficient model helps to keep schedules on track and projects moving without delay. Adaptable Systems for Demanding Environments AIMS offers a broad range of specialized products for both onshore and offshore applications. One of the flagship products is an electrically non-conductive fencing. Unlike competitor offerings, this product is a true security fence. It is easy to install and highly customizable to meet the needs of individual applications, with no single fixed design. This fencing solution is particularly suited for the onshore industry. Made from fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP), the security fencing can be used as a direct replacement for traditional metal fencing, offering significant advantages in environments where corrosion and electrical conductivity are major concerns. The FRP fencing is fire retardant, non-corrosive, non-conductive, radar-invisible and serves as both a visibility barrier and a security measure..