Under Promise, Over Deliver

Design and construction is a lengthy process not understood by many.  From my experience, the typical client wants to occupy a space faster than what is feasible.  I am a realist when it comes to project schedules and typically that may not be what the client wants to hear who has an un-realistic goal.  I prefer to  …

This industry has many moving parts, puzzles to be solved and involves multiple people; the target ‘time’ is sometimes hard to pin down.  Let me describe a typical process from 10,000 feet level.

Aerial of what City?

Aerial of what City?

1) CLIENT CALLS THE ARCHITECT
No two clients, no two projects, no two buildings and no two sites are alike.
(I have had a repeat client within a repeat building with repeat city inspectors using a repeat contractor.  But this is not common).  Determination of time to complete a project varies.

2) ARCHITECT GATHERS A TEAM
Mechanical, Plumbing, Electrical, Structural, Civil, Interiors etc.  Projects vary in building type and scale.  Project schedules can be dictated by teams availability.  Engineers vary in expertise.  The team must be appropriate for the project.  Gathering a team takes time.

Serbin Studio Team Skysong

Serbin Studio’s Current Office

3) EXISTING VS. NEW BUILDING
No two properties are alike.  With an existing building, architects must understand what the existing conditions are and what information is available (original drawings?).  Every city is unique in building codes and inspectors.  When we submit drawings to the city for permitting, it is out of our control how much time is needed for a city permit review process.

4)  PROPOSAL TIME
Typically with smaller and less sophisticated clients, they inquire about fees.  A client is buying a service influenced by many factors, not buying a product.  Teams have to be gathered based upon scope.  Proposals require thought to ensure the architect has covered all services.  This process takes time and it is impossible to give a quote over the phone.

5) DESIGN TIME – Let us look at a typical process at 10,000 ft level.

Phase 1 – Schematic Design
Architects are like Nancy Drew (Lara) and Shirlock Home (Jeff) to uncover all the facts.  This would include time to gather information from the client, understand in-direct influences from the surrounding context, City and code constraints, the list goes on and on.  The information gathered transforms into a schematic design.  Good time for a cost estimate.

Phase 2 – Design Development
Once a schematic design is chosen, further development of the project includes definition of systems (structural, mechanical, electrical etc.) and building materials.

Phase 3 – Construction Documentation
Once the building systems and materials are chosen, the architect and engineers put together documents that are used for permitting and final pricing by the contractor.  An architect can assist in the recommendation of a contractor.  The process should take a few weeks to complete dependent on the size of the project.

Phase 4 – Construction
During construction, questions arise and the architect should be consulted.  We can be your eyes to uncover un-warranted changes made by the contractor.  It is common for people be stuck in their ways and build things how they have done in the past.  The architect and engineer are conscious about every line, note and drawing that is on that set.  A contractor should ask to deviate from the plan, not beg for mercy after the fact.

I make every attempt to follow through on promises and prefer to follow the moto ‘UNDER PROMISE, OVER DELIVER’.  However the most important element is communication.  No matter what field you are in, if a deadline is fast approaching and you feel that you may not be able to keep that promise, letting your client know is the best approach.

 

 

Recent Posts

Older Posts

Office Design – Sliding or swinging doors

Swinging vs. sliding doors, what is your option?

The Perfect Customer Lounge

What are the key ingredients to a good customer lounge? Taking a break from the daily grind is important.  Getting up from your chair, your cubicle or just out of your working environment and relaxing your eyes on a different environment other than the screen 1...

Tenant Improvements

You are either looking or just leased a space or own an existing building and have a few changes you want to make.  The first step is to hire a design professional who can make your project successful.  Whether it's relocating a few interior walls, a complete...

BABY STEPS

"A small effort made towards completion of a much larger task" What about Bob? (1991) Comedy staring Bill Murray.  (Movie Clip) Dave Ramsey's - "Baby steps into financial freedom".  I need some of this. UrbanDictionary.com   "To make progress on something in small...

1970’s Gender Neutral Restroom

Its getting close to tile installation at a construction site in Phoenix, Arizona.    A modern Gender Neutral Restroom is being constructed within a single story office complex in Phoenix, Arizona. The exterior of the 1970's building reflects beige stucco, dark roof...

As-Builts: Conduits and J-Boxes

Field measuring doesn't involve blades of grass.  In the architectural universe, field measuring is a process of recording existing conditions of a building.  A "field" is a piece of property on planet Earth with precise coordinates.  An architect loves to say "Yeah,...

Harmonious Machine for Living

On a rainy and gray morning in March of 2023 Jeffrey, Jan, and I embarked on a road trip to Lincoln, Massachusetts to see the Gropius House.  Driving through the dense New England forest, the roads became winding and time slowed.  Approaching the shining wet gravel...

Architectural Acoustics

Have you ever been out to eat and find it impossible to hear what the friends at your table are saying?  You are hearing a phone conversation from a co-worker in the next cubicle over? It may be from lack of attention to sound absorption in the early design phases of...

Hotel Adams Phoenix

Hotel Adams used to stand proudly on Adams Street and (Centre Avenue) Central Avenue in the middle of an emerging downtown Phoenix, Arizona. In 1910 Hotel Adams was a tinderbox for flames and burnt to the ground. Over time there has always been a hotel there. I have...

AT&T Office Lobby Renovation [2017]

AT&T Office Lobby Renovation [2017] in Tempe, Arizona was a project that Serbin Studio helped design a high security entry and customer experience.  Customers are the Data Center tenants, they do not work in the building but check in periodically. The customer...

726 Monroe Building [2020]

726 Monroe Building [2020] was a project designed by Serbin Studio. Architectural design started in 2020 and building construction completed in 2023.   The building is situated along Monroe Avenue in downtown Buckeye, Arizona. The surrounding neighbors are places like...

Parking spaces. How many do I need?

Are you planning on a new building or a tenant improvement.  Wondering how many parking spaces do I need?   Whether it is for a small office, retail, mercantile, restaurant or something even larger, like a large sport complex?   Number of...

Touchless Technology in Architecture

Touchless Technology for Architecture has been around for many years. We have seen this technology show up in door hardware & bathroom fixtures. All this technology can change the way architecture is designed. In designing the built environment, Architects need to...

Open Stair Treads

When is an open stair tread allowed?