About Us

Abide Building Component Systems (ABCS) is the only known provider of an integrated building component envelope consisting of the foundation, an air-sealed structure (including all waterproofing and insulation), passive and mechanical air-handling systems, and environmental controls in a single comprehensive contracted package. Coming in 2012, we’ll be offering our insulated Passivecore™ wall and ceiling elements designed to channel passive and mechanically handled air, and to accommodate electrical wiring and domestic plumbing feeds.

In conjunction with these products and services, we provide related environmental, health, safety, risk, and building development consulting services. ABCS is committed to providing a service that is consistent, professional and of the highest quality to create value for our clients.

The Original Builder’s Edge

In 1986 Abide Systems predecessor, Builder’s Edge Contracting started as a wood-framing carpentry contractor, building apartment complexes. condominiums and hotels on a grand scale across Connecticut – and business was great. Things were so good that by 1988 Atlantic Cascade Corporation (ACC) was formed to build more multifamily and commercial properties as a general contractor and real estate developer.

Since those days ACC has been engaged in the pursuit of “conventionally” constructing buildings faster and more efficiently. By conventional construction, we’re referring to custom wood and steel “frame” buildings. Of course, there are unconventionally-styled buildings constructed using these standards as well. For our purposes here these are still considered conventional construction.

From Fire Prevention to Energy Efficiency

Over the course of this last quarter century we’ve been building hotels and larger multifamily complexes, commercial buildings, and several hundred single family residences as well. We’ve stick-framed buildings and panelized buildings on site, in manufacturing facilities, we’ve used SIPS systems and sundry other means to find the balance between high production and cost of construction. The focus, until recently, had been on fire prevention – now it’s on energy efficiency. A theme that ACC has been keen to develop since the late 1980′s when we built the very first “Smart House” in Connecticut with our Central Control Systems effort.

History

Beginning as a carpentry company in the high-production rough framing business, Builder’s Edge Contracting delivered the lumber, trusses and building products along with the labor and equipment to build dozens of projects like Marriott’s Residence Inns, Fairfield and Hampton Inns, Holiday Inn Express and others. Similar in many ways to multistory apartment complexes and commercial buildings, the hotel framing business eventually gave way to building these larger complexes as a General Contractor, then as a Construction Manager, Owner’s Rep. and real estate developer. Wood buildings became steel, glass and brick; wood framing turned into light gauge steel and drywall or glass curtain walls. Multifamily projects waned, and we diversified into building commercial, retail, industrial, institutional and municipal projects and shopping centers. When that business became unsustainable in the late 2000′s, we went back to the drawing board – and our roots.

Things Are Changing

It’s been at least 10 years since we’ve seen any appreciable such projects in New England. The pursuit of the fireproof building has been largely accommodated by the widespread implementation of fire sprinkler systems (in commercial and multifamily buildings) and avidly policed construction methods, code changes and new construction methods that have reduced fire hazards to acceptable levels.

Living Beyond Peak Oil

With the acceptance of peak oil by the world bodies, the focus has now turned to finding the most sustainable forms of construction, both in terms of the products used – to reduce dependency on forest resources, and to slow-down the rate of energy consumption. Building the most energy efficient environments possible is now paramount. New industries have sprung up to deal with the issues; the Building Performance Institute now rivals the LEED building rating systems for monitoring the effectiveness and sustainability of energy efficiency in existing building and new construction. REM designers and HERS raters are now in demand by builders concerned with meeting new IECC code requirements.

Resurgence

The multifamily industry is poised to return with vigor, and this time they’ll be facing issues on how to deal with these new energy code requirements in a completely new construction world.  Abide Building Component Systems is at the forefront of the technology required to make the return of this industry smooth and profitable on multiple fronts. Our systems are customized for each different application; whether it’s a 350 unit multifamily complex, a hotel, commercial building – or a single family residence.

What we do

ABCS delivers innovative building envelope solutions for private individuals, leading business and government clients. To see how we’re managing these technologies, go to Solutions.

Who we are

Meet our founder and find out more about our 25 year history – and the Vision and Values we hold as a company.

Sustainability at ABCS

Sustainability is what we do, and has been central to our operations and client offerings for many years. As part of the company’s strategy, we are placing even greater emphasis on sustainability to ensure it is embedded in every part of our business.

• Learn about our key areas of focus

 

Business Information

With sustainability at the heart of both our services and how we operate our business, ABCS is committed to providing a service that is consistently of the highest quality. Throughout this website are examples of how we help our clients and the latest in industry technologies, building science advances, trade related events and news.

For additional credits on building science and technology cited in this website, see Credits