Clients’ Needs Behind Current Architectural Trends
Solutions Include Design-Build and Sustainable Design
ABOUT THE LIST
by NATASHA LEE, Staff Writer
These days, the buzz throughout San Diego’s architectural industry is centering around two concepts: design-build and sustainable design.
As clients request cost-effective and time-efficient means of completing projects, firms are turning to these ideas as applicable solutions.
The San Diego Business Journal’s List of Area Architectural Firms features 25 local firms ranked by total number of local employees as of April 1, 2002.
Traditionally, architects and contractors have completed their drawings and proposals separately, coming together as a team when it came time for bidding and later, construction.
But over the last several years the two distinct phases of design and construction have become infused.
Design-build closes the working gap between an architect and contractor , pairing the two divisions in the planning stages of projects, rather than in the execution stages.
“This might become the norm, rather than the exception,” said Gregory Mellberg, AIA, principal of HDR Architecture, Inc., No. 5 on the List.
By combining their resources in the beginning stages of a project, architects and contractors are able to set a budget earlier on in the process, and come up with a more cost-effective type of delivery, he said.
In response to building and customer demand, HDR formed Design Build Inc., a six-year-old, wholly owned subsidiary that specifically focuses on fast-tracking design-build projects to ensure an expedient completion time for less cost.
– Design-Build
Offers Advantages
According to Mellberg, design-build can eliminate between 20 to 30 percent of a project’s schedule, sometimes reducing a project’s completion time by several months.
Clients, particularly in the industries of hospitality, high technology and general administration prefer design-build not only for its efficiency and cost-savings, but also because it fosters a more personal relationship
“Everyone is a team member,” Mellberg said. With clients, designers and contractors all playing an integral role in the completion process, there is less confrontation and need for litigation, he said.
Joseph Wong, AIA, principal with Joseph Wong Design Associates, Inc., No. 12 on the List, agreed, adding the concept identifies design problems and solutions earlier on.
“Clients would very much like to see design-build deliver, where they keep in line with their budget and minimize supplies as they go along,” he said.
Through design-build, a client is able to know 30 to 35 percent into document drawing whether or not they can meet a project deadline and cost, rather than going 100 percent of the way and finding out later they’re not in a good position, he said.
Most recently, public sector projects, such as educational institutions, hotels and local government facilities have increased their use of design-build to carry out assignments.
Last year, Joseph Wong worked with Douglas E. Barnhart, Inc., a local general contractor, to complete 100,000 square feet of special events space at the San Diego Convention Center.
Wong said these markets, especially the educational and government arenas, are receiving more funds from the national government to build more public schools and public works projects.
– When Architect And
Contractor Don’t Agree
But design-build does have consequences. Sometimes designs can be compromised in order to save on cost, said Rick Espa & #324;a, an associate for Roesling Nakamura Architects, Inc., No, 17 on The List. For example, an architect has designed a project in compliance with a client’s wishes to create a building with a unique quality or look.
A contractor might say that’s a good idea, but it’s too expensive, causing the client to choose between cost and design, ultimately compromising the intent of the design, he said.
While some clients may be compromising on design intent, others are requiring that their visions be carried out.
Energy efficiency, natural ventilation and community accessibility are just some of the elements clients are requesting be implemented in designs.
Referred to as sustainable design, it is the idea of designing buildings that promote a healthy environment, are adequately accessible and encourage mixed-use development, where housing, workplaces, schools and recreational areas are within a contained mutual space.
“It comes from smart planning and determining appropriate uses,” Espa & #324;a said.
Sustainable design is becoming a popular method used in the redevelopment of communities, where it not only decreases over-pollution and over-crowdedness, but also gives a community its own fresh identity, he said.
Roesling Nakamura Architects is working on redeveloping a portion of San Ysidro Boulevard and has acquired the community’s help in determining objectives and guidelines to complete the project.
“The community’s excited about it and we usually get really good feedback,” Espa & #324;a said.
