“integration of inspiration and implementation”

Our mission is to deliver VALUE, by integrating multi-disciplined licensed professionals in architecture, design and construction into ONE. Therefore, eliminating a duplicity of overheads while streamlining the projects schedule from a linear process into a lattice process. Achieving a center point of responsibility and accountability.  

Design inspiration that roots come from volume of space, divided into its proportions and then refined into the interplay between its adjacencies. Once volumetrically correct then the refinement of aesthetics, materials and tactile finishes allowing one to feel, breath and live naturally.

Experience that has awarded us over 2,000 jobs and six million square feet of integrating, inspiration with implementation.

“socially smart office”

In a socially conscious world, today’s office of open plan workstations environment just became privatized.

The design inspiration and solution was to create a glass box that preforms technically by providing supply air in the baseboard and returning it, eliminating pressure buildup of a tight door seal and still have excellent sound attenuation.

Further evidence of HVAC systems show the efficacy of HEPA filtration and UVC light. The diameter of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been found to range between 0.05 to 0.14 microns. Research by NASA proves that HEPA filters are highly efficient at capturing a broad range of particle sizes, including ultrafine particles below 0.1 microns in size, as well as fine particles. The larger sizes, for which effectiveness reaches 100%, are arguably more important as the virus is carried in airborne aerosol droplets, over 10 microns in size, that protect it from evaporation.

The backbone of technology that is supported by an in-ceiling audio system for connectivity and offers unobstructed views. Privacy of your own office with a door in a workstation’s footprint.

Social distancing is here to stay, and guidelines are in place. The workstation size footprint is comfortably within compliance. People just want to be safe.

Kenneth J. Libman - 9/11 American Red Cross First Responder

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Record Drawings
In the event that an owner doesn’t have drawings for their existing home or building that they wish to renovate we will need to produce existing condition architectural and structural drawings. These “record drawings” disclose that they are being prepared using measuring instruments such as flexible measuring tapes and laser readings. The creation of record drawings is almost impossible to estimate in terms of fixed fees and for that reason, should almost always be provided hourly.  The project could be a one-story, one-room cabin, or it could be a complex laboratory 6 floors high. The amount of required Record Drawings will vary with the type and complexity of new project desired by the owner. This service is could become quite involved. We will not be expected to perform destructive investigations to look above ceilings or under floors to actually see structural elements and other items that are concealed by the finishes and other other elements of the existing project.

Electrical Schematics
This is not required for most residential projects but sometimes highly recommended, as the architect has special knowledge about the organization of a home project, including appliances and cabinets and room arrangements, without which the owner may experience some difficulties.

Engineering and Permitting. 
Based on scope and projects complexities a structural engineer may be required for the integrity of a building including but not limited to: soil scientist, surveyor, and others. This may also include drawings from MEP engineers (Mechanical, Electrical and Plumping) as a requirement of building departments for permitting.

Engineers provide the energy calculations and ductwork layout, as well as the plumbing layout, often worked out in the field, as the work is accomplished by the respective subcontractor.

Building Permit
In order to obtain a Building Permit several items are required such as a stamped set of architect’s construction documents, structural engineering drawings coordinated by the architect, licensed surveyor, soil testing, slope analysis, energy calculations. These documents are required by construction as the entity obtaining the building permit and the licensed contractor.

Cabinetry Elevations 
This may be required by a jurisdictional authority and is a detailed service. The architect may be required to detail cabinetry elevations as the electrical schematics and those are closely related.

Renderings and Animation
We are on the forefront of technology and have the capabilities of producing computerized renderings, flythrough animation and virtual reality media of a client’s project. Images can be either fixed (static) of a single viewpoint or have multiple single views. The imagery may be plain and only consist of lines or may be photorealistic. We typically will not include such imagery in a Basic Services agreement, unless paid additionally for these services. 3D computerized imagery may be provided from a third-party specialty source, as such imagery typically requires expensive and complex software and powerful computers to provide high-quality images. We provide these services as a fixed price or hourly

Consultation & Vision Session
Our vision session sets the tone for design. By the end of this phase we have established a clear vision of our client’s style and are able to personalize the design process with the best end-result in mind. Most importantly, we have established a preliminary budget and targeted timeline, allowing our clients to initially understand what is involved at this early stage of design.

Design Phase
During the design phase, our clients give us the freedom to design within their initial budget and translate the findings from our vision process into a full design from start to finish. This process, lasting several weeks and/or months depending on the project, culminates a full design presentation, complete with a digital presentation and samples to touch and feel, that surprises and inspires when our clients see the vision beginning to take shape.

Execution and Installation
This is the life changing phase! After approval of design, we turn our vision into a reality. Our client’s personalized design is being made, ordered, coordinated and delivered over the coming months. If our client is renovating or building a new home, this is where construction is taking place. Then, our full-service installation process allows you to enjoy while we set up your magazine-worthy space, complete with all the little details that make your life better and more beautiful.

• Scope of Services Include:

• Space Planning

• Furniture, Fixtures and Accessories

• Custom Furniture Design & Production

• Finish Selections

• Custom Window Treatments & Bedding

• Construction Documents

• Purchasing, Procurement, & Installation

The Construction “at-risk” Management or Open Book Method is an alternative procurement process similar to longstanding private sector construction contracting. It allows the client to choose the Construction Manager before the design stage is complete. The Construction Manager is chosen based on qualifications, and then the entire operation is centralized under a single contract. The architect and Construction Manager work together in order to cultivate and analyze the design. Then, the Construction Manager gives the client a guaranteed maximum price, and coordinates all subcontract work.

Cost savings can be realized in a number of ways. By hiring the Construction Manager during the design phase, early coordination is possible, which can increase the speed of the project and strengthen coordination between the Architect/Engineer and the Construction Manager. Since the client hires the construction manager based on qualifications, it ensures a construction manager with a strong allegiance to the client, because their business relies on references and repeat work.

Furthermore, transparency is enhanced, because all costs and fees are in the open, which diminishes adversarial relationships between components working on the project, while at the same time eliminating bid shopping. Construction Manager “at-risk” is viewed by many as an alternative procurement method that still retains enough of the design-bid-build process that it assuages some clients’ fears concerning design-build. Unlike design-build, clients that already have established relationships with architecture firms can still use their architect, but then like design-build have one point of contact for every other part of the project.

Finally, Construction Manager “at-risk” enables the contractor to get involved in the project at an early stage, thereby delivering many of the efficiencies found in other alternative delivery methods. Innovative solutions that deliver high quality work and measurable value for a client is an alternative project delivery method such as construction management “at-risk” can help provide this outcome.

Construction Management “not at-risk” is the project management of design and construction services. Therefore, based on the size, complexity and budget a Construction Manager could be used in conjunction with any project-delivery method, including General Contracting, Construction Managers “not at-risk” can be a very valuable part of your project tea. It is not uncommon for an owner who may have a great number of projects at one time, not to have the in-house expertise, or not have it available at the time to help manage a
construction project.

The Construction Manager “not at-risk” would then be responsible for overseeing the design, providing quality assurance during construction, and most importantly assisting the owner in making the necessary decisions that are required to support the construction process. The Construction Manager may then help the owner; hire a general contractor, or a design-builder.

The Design+Build delivery system often cites the original “Master Builder” model used to build most pre-modern projects. Under the Master Builder approach, a central figure of the architect held total project accountability. From inception to completion, the master builder was the key organizational figure and strictly liable to the owner for defects, delays, and losses. The Design+Build system is a return to the fundamentals of the Master Builder approach. For nearly the entire twentieth century, the concept of Design+Build was classified as a non-traditional construction method in the United States, which is the last country to still embrace the old standard of Design-Bid-Build.

The Process

Design-Build focuses on combining the design, permit, and construction schedules in order to streamline the traditional design-bid-build environment. This does not shorten the time it takes to complete the individual tasks of creating construction documents (working drawings and specifications), acquiring building and other permits, or actually constructing the building. Instead, a design-builder will strive to bring together design and construction professionals in a collaborative environment to complete these tasks in an overlapping fashion, i.e. construction has begun while the building is still being designed.

Typically, the hallmark of a Design-Build project is that one organization is responsible for both design and construction of the project. If this organization is a design firm, the process is known as “Design-led Design-Build”. If the organization is a contractor, the process is known as “Contractor-led Design-Build”.

The compression is an important aspect of the implementation of this system. Other attributes include:

• A Single Source

• Enhanced Communication

• Value Based

• Increased Accountability

Instead of having several contractors and consultants, an owner has just one entity to deal with for a center point of “responsibility and accountability”. Design revisions, project feedback, budgeting, permitting, construction issues, change orders, and billing can all be routed through the design-build firm. This single point of contact allows a certain degree of flexibility for the owner. Most design-builders will leverage that flexibility for the owner’s benefit by continually refining the construction program to maximize the owner’s value at the completion of the project.

Enhanced Communication

Because the design parameters of a project are being developed while the budgetary goals construction methodologies and budget conditions are being weighed simultaneously, a project is more likely to be realized than with pure design approach. The owner has greater access to the “team” working on project development as the project is being developed. This efficiency is not a negative “short cut” but rather the keystone to the success of the Design-Build model.

Value-Based

Typically, in order for a contractor to bid on a project, very specific details relating to the methods and materials must be given to avoid any ambiguity and to make an “apples to apples” comparison of bids. In a design-build context, the owner, the owner’s other consultants, and the design-builder can work together to determine what methods and materials will maximize the owner’s value. In instances where marginally more expensive materials, designs, or construction methods might yield a higher return on investment for the owner than those of lower cost, the owner is free to adjust the project’s program without having to re-bid the entire project.

Increased Accountability

Rather than a linear level of responsibility of the classic design-bid-build, design-build provides an integrated solution for the owner or client. This moves projects away from the “finger-pointing” that is often commonplace in contemporary construction projects, and allows the owner to look to one entity with any questions or concerns.

Our highest goal is to offer creative options to our clients where they can draw on our strength and to collaborate with them using a multi-disciplinary approach to establish a shared expectation.