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Early Foundations:
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SpecifyBuild.com was born from disruption and early technology adoption and experience spanning IT project management, mission‑critical facilities, and commercial building systems.
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​SpecifyBuild principal founder Kelly Kassab began her career as an IT Project Manager for IBM Rational software, managing complex commercial environments that bridged technology and the built world. Her work included Commercial office space upsizing and downsizing related to corporate asset management and commercial lease portfolio management. Early work at IBM managing data centers, labs, and complex commercial environments demanded precision, coordination, and forward‑thinking building and design practices.
Background expertise in laboratory and data center buildouts and specialized rooms for IBM mainframe labs requiring HVAC, ADA, Security, Fire Safety compliance. These environments demanded exact planning, coordination, and accountability—skills that later translated directly into commercial building and design. Following the 2008 financial crisis, that technology‑first foundation evolved into a focused commitment to commercial building and design—where better tools, clearer specifications, and smarter coordination create real, lasting value.
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SpecifyBuild.com supports professionals working at the intersection of design, construction, and technology, with a belief that better information leads to better buildings. The foundation of SpecifyBuild.com traces back to early adoption of CAD and BIM technologies—well before they became industry standards. That early curiosity and willingness to learn new systems shaped a career rooted in precision, coordination, and forward thinking.​
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​To "specify build" means to define the detailed parameters, components, and steps for creating something, whether it's software or a physical product (materials, dimensions, features for custom manufacturing). It involves giving precise instructions to a system or person on how to construct or configure the final item for production release and install precision.
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Today, Specify Build offers product education through material plan reviews, design boards, and detailed technical submittals. Supporting owners, architects, and contractors in making informed decisions on aesthetics, durability, and budgets—ensuring seamless integration of architectural building materials across multiple project types —commercial mixed use developments, healthcare, academic, municipality, pharmaceutical, multi-family, tenant and public amenity spaces.