At the earliest stages, we partner with our clients to help plan for future facilities. This work involves understanding and documenting the needs and the limitations of any organization, identifying opportunities within existing facilities or at new sites, and mapping out a process for our clients to achieve their ultimate goals. Most of all, we listen.
Programming
During the programming phase, we work together to establish a list of project requirements and to define the necessary spaces by size, use, and adjacency. Together, we document the overall project needs and establish parameters for future design requirements.
Feasibility Studies
Whether you are exploring a new facility or an existing one, we recommend completing a feasibility study prior to embarking on a significant project. These studies involve reviewing the existing architecture and infrastructure to understand any impacts to the site, structure, and building systems. They also include code or agency requirement reviews. In studying these items, we are able to highlight key constraints, identify cost and schedule impacts, and mitigate risk.
Long-Range Facilities Planning
We often partner and work with institutional campuses to update or create Long-Range Facility Plans. Our public K-12 clients need these documents for NJDOE funding purposes. For our higher education, healthcare, and municipal clients, these documents may be required for overall planning needs. They also help our clients keep track of the multiple capital projects that may be projected over the next five to ten years, while also identifying infrastructure impacts, managing costs, and assisting in creating master schedules.
Test Fits
Once programming and a feasibility study have been completed, we traditionally perform test fits in order to conceptually show how the program’s requirements may fit together in a building or on a site. These early architectural studies help our clients understand the options for their space, while allowing them to make key decisions early within the design process.
Master Planning
Similar to Long-Range Facility Plans, master plans are designed to help clients plan long-term for a building, site, or campus. These documents typically forecast known and anticipated projects, help clients understand long-term strategies, and provide options for how they may continue to develop their facilities in order to meet both immediate and long-term needs.
Bridging Documents
We work within a Design-Build capacity during many of our projects. On occasion, we have been tasked with creating bridging documents for our clients to use in attracting and procuring a Design-Build team. These documents capture the project’s design intent, give definition to the scale and the quality of the work, and provide critical information in order to manage the cost expectations for both the Design-Build team and the client.
