Design-build Approach Changes The Construction Landscape

By Author: Allen Hill
Total Articles: 136
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Traditionally, construction projects following the design-bid-build process involve three parties – the owner, the design firm and the construction contractor. What if the designing and construction processes are handled by a single entity? This is what is heralding change in the construction industry as architects and designers specialize in complete construction management services as well. Known as the design-build approach, this strategy is leading to faster project completion and lower errors at Miller Construction as communication simplifies between the two parties.

Traditional construction methods can often be time consuming and confusing. The owner has to first enlist the services of a design or architectural firm. The designs are then sent for bidding. The lowest bidder is a general contractor or engineering firm, who is given the responsibility of constructing and executing the designs. In this approach, there are chances of communication breaches and misunderstanding of requirements, which can cause project delays and give rise to errors.

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... eliminating the number of players in the project, design-build projects can be executed at a much faster pace with lower defects. There is a direct line of communication between the owner and designer/builder, which leads to minimal interpretation errors. The owner has deal with a single entity for all details since the same firm is involved in design and construction. This leads to lesser involvement of the owner, who is relieved of liabilities and legal responsibilities related to the outcome of the project. Moreover, this approach also allows the owner to gain a better estimate of the project cost before initiation. The design-build approach also infuses greater innovation in projects as the designers are directly involved in construction and are better connected with ground realities. This results in more practical designs and innovative problem solving techniques. The following are the benefits of the design-build approach. Further advantages can be explored at millerconstruction.com.

• Eliminate need for multiple bids
• Establish single point of responsibility
• Streamline communication
• Allow design, approval and construction phases to overlap for a seamless construction process
• Reduce errors
• Save time
• Avoid ‘sticker shocks’ as project costs are known upfront

Research on design-build has proven the cost and time effectiveness of the approach. Victor Sanvido and Mark Konchar of Pennsylvania State University showed that design–build projects are delivered 33.5% faster than projects that are designed and built under separate contracts (design-bid-build). They also found that design-build projects are constructed 12% faster and have 6.1% lower unit costs than design-bid-build projects.

Because of the immense benefits that allow faster design and construction, the design-build approach as practiced at Miller Construction is becoming increasing popular among owners and design/construction firms. By an estimate, nearly 40% of the non-residential construction projects undertaken in 2010 were based on design-build approach.

As design and construction practices evolve to adapt with the needs of the 21st century, design-build is emerging as the forerunning approach in construction management due its simplicity and efficiency.