Architecture

Design Approach

Before any sketch is generated, we facilitate a project planning process to unify and motivate the project team along with the Owner to develop and understand a common set of goals and objectives. This approach will bring together the expertise and knowledge of our respective organizations.

We will set up a temporary "design office" at your offices and bring the design team in for an intense design session with a series of interactive sessions with the building users and staff.

The on-site is a way to consolidate into one or more work sessions what normally takes weeks, or months to accomplish.

It is also an excellent vehicle to bring together the Team members in one location to brainstorm ideas. The process is focused upon balance, so that solutions represent equal input from our planners, designers, consultants, client, and facility staff.

A typical on-site day usually lasts 10 to 12 hours. The on-site begins with the receipt of input concerning goals and objectives. This leads to brainstorming of many alternative concepts, pinned on the wall and discussed. The choices are narrowed and developed further. These "concepts" may include alternative operational concepts, work flow plans, alternative site master plans, and/or alternative floor plans and designs. Whatever the task to be done by the Design Team, it can be brainstormed and "put on the wall" for your review and input.

It always works, and it is always successful. Part of the reason is that people get involved. The speed by which things happen gets everyone excited and encourages participation. Because everything is put out for scrutiny, the participants really are players in doing the work, and they become advocates for the product. The "buy-in" occurs naturally because the participant sees his/her concerns picked up and solved instantly in a new set of alternatives or in a modification of an old one.

Communication Tools/Processes

• Weekly coordination meetings will be led by the project manager with the lead personnel for each discipline, staff and other consultants in attendance.
• Request for Information (RFI) will be itemized on a project log and reviewed at the weekly meetings.
• The architectural program notes will be revised and submitted to the user after each building committee meeting.
• Communication among the team members and users will be enhanced by use of a dedicated FTP site.
• A Production Schedule with weekly target will be an action item and reviewed at the weekly project coordination meetings.