Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Due to the structure of the market another processing method has been received
more attention in the industry in the recent years. In a design-build process only the
general contractor is selected directly by the owner, and architect, engineers and
subcontractors are then added to the team by the general contractor. In this process
from the start of design the general contractor and his subcontractors have interac-
tion with the architect and the engineers to provide a design that has all the mini-
mum code compliance acceptable quality with a pre-negotiated guarantied cost.
Owners that do not plan to keep the building ownership to themselves after complet-
ing the building construction may prefer this method, because in this case spending
minimum fi rst cost may be more important for them than a building with higher
quality and better future performance. Throughout this process generally most of
the upgraded designs proposed by the architect and engineers that could add to the
value of the building and therefore total cost of the project is ruled out by the general
contractor in order to keep the total project cost within the pre-agreed upon budget.
2.2
Integrated Design
A building is made of multiple components and systems, which each one is designed
and installed by a different professional. A small change in characteristics of any
one of these components or systems can have a considerable effect on the other
components and systems performances. For example a small change in the heating
characteristics of a typical building glazing system has a dramatic effect on HVAC
system cooling and heating equipment sizes, ductwork and piping network size,
power requirements, consumed energy, day-lighting strategies and lighting design,
mechanical space requirement, and noise level in the building. Also selecting how
to orient the building on a site has a lucid effect on where to locate the mechanical
rooms and fresh air intakes in the building, and building ventilation, lighting,
day-lighting, noise, and air quality control strategies. This not only implies a close
co-operation among the architect and engineers, but also requires their vast cross-
discipline knowledge.
It has become obvious that the traditional way of design in which each individual
(trade) player was working in a vacuum for most of the design and construction time
and everybody was relying on either architect or general contractor project manager
to coordinate and solve all the confl icts is not an effi cient method of design and
construction to be pursued any more. In an integrated method every individual
should not only be in continuous contact with the architect or construction team
leader, but also shall be in continuous information exchange with all the other
players. This communication is most critical specifi cally in the early stages of the
design. Experience has shown the earlier the need for changing design or construc-
tion is discovered, the less burdensome the fi nancial effects of the design change
will be on the project itself, and also on all the involved parties as well.
Usually the best way to manage a successful integrated design effort is to get
all the lead design players together at the beginning of the project and establish
