8 Reasons to Consider Going Design-Build
Three design-build principals share why a one-stop shop works well for their clients and themselves
As the number of design-build firms grows, many architects, contractors and interior designers are wondering if they should also make the leap into becoming a one-stop shop. After all, many architects and interior designers have wound up serving as general contractors on projects, and plenty of general contractors with design backgrounds have completed projects from the first sketch through the final walk-through. If you’re considering expanding into a design-build business, check out why these three principals of design-build firms are glad they did.
2. A Chance to Promote Green Design
Collaborations also allow them to share their knowledge about one of the firm’s core values, green building, with other design pros. Shoup is a certified Green Point rater and advisor. And the majority of the firm’s designers and builders are certified Green Building professionals. This photo shows building Lab’s studio, which is composed of repurposed shipping containers.
“We ask our clients about their green building aspirations from the start and ask if they are interested in ideas like solar and geothermal energy, as well as indoor air quality,” he says.
The project’s carbon footprint is also an important consideration. Design-build projects allow for the planning and implementation of green building from start to finish. These aspects can also be incorporated into the firm’s contracting and design-only projects, where Shoup and his colleagues have the chance to share their green-building knowledge with other design pros. This includes control over construction waste, planning for OVE (Optimal Value Engineering) and using materials that are healthy, durable and will have a long life.
“Part of sustainability is extending the lifespan of components as long as possible,” he says.
Collaborations also allow them to share their knowledge about one of the firm’s core values, green building, with other design pros. Shoup is a certified Green Point rater and advisor. And the majority of the firm’s designers and builders are certified Green Building professionals. This photo shows building Lab’s studio, which is composed of repurposed shipping containers.
“We ask our clients about their green building aspirations from the start and ask if they are interested in ideas like solar and geothermal energy, as well as indoor air quality,” he says.
The project’s carbon footprint is also an important consideration. Design-build projects allow for the planning and implementation of green building from start to finish. These aspects can also be incorporated into the firm’s contracting and design-only projects, where Shoup and his colleagues have the chance to share their green-building knowledge with other design pros. This includes control over construction waste, planning for OVE (Optimal Value Engineering) and using materials that are healthy, durable and will have a long life.
“Part of sustainability is extending the lifespan of components as long as possible,” he says.
The firm is able to offer its clients options that are best for the environment. And when there is a minimal cost difference, their default is to go as green as possible. This includes choosing materials with the lowest toxicity, such as low-to-no-VOC paints and stains, and formaldehyde-free sheet goods.
While the firm’s green-building services are considered niche, they are hoping it won’t be that way for long. One of their mottos is “We look forward to the day when building green will simply be building.”
While the firm’s green-building services are considered niche, they are hoping it won’t be that way for long. One of their mottos is “We look forward to the day when building green will simply be building.”
3. A Seamless Client Experience
Architect and interior designer Ili Hildalgo-Nilsson’s history with construction sites began in childhood. Fascinated by her structural-engineer father’s design and development projects, she watched projects go from the drafting boards all the way through completion from a young age. So when she co-founded her firm, she knew it would be design-build from the start.
“Terracotta Design Build provides a unique white-glove approach that handles all aspects of architectural design, budgeting, construction, finish and product selection,” she says. With all of the services under one roof, clients are only dealing with and paying one firm from start to finish.
Architect and interior designer Ili Hildalgo-Nilsson’s history with construction sites began in childhood. Fascinated by her structural-engineer father’s design and development projects, she watched projects go from the drafting boards all the way through completion from a young age. So when she co-founded her firm, she knew it would be design-build from the start.
“Terracotta Design Build provides a unique white-glove approach that handles all aspects of architectural design, budgeting, construction, finish and product selection,” she says. With all of the services under one roof, clients are only dealing with and paying one firm from start to finish.
4. Increased Efficiency
The advantages to handling the entire process include “avoiding the hassle and the time drain of managing designers, permits and contractors,” Hildalgo-Nilsson says. Instead, her firm serves as a single-source control of design and construction implementation, leveraged by expertise and long-standing industry relationships. They are aware of lead times for all of the materials they order, and having control over all aspects means they are able to keep everything running according to the schedule they’ve set.
The advantages to handling the entire process include “avoiding the hassle and the time drain of managing designers, permits and contractors,” Hildalgo-Nilsson says. Instead, her firm serves as a single-source control of design and construction implementation, leveraged by expertise and long-standing industry relationships. They are aware of lead times for all of the materials they order, and having control over all aspects means they are able to keep everything running according to the schedule they’ve set.
5. Clear Accountability and Complete Control
When the work is separated out between designers and builders, miscommunications can arise. In some unfortunate circumstances, this can turn into passing the buck back and forth regarding issues that come up during the process. For example, the designer may have ordered a tile that will take months to arrive, throwing off the contractor’s schedule. The architect can feel a loss of control during the construction process. Or a contractor will need to alter the design due to an unforeseen circumstance, and there’s a time lag sorting it out with the designer. With a one-stop shop, accountability is transparent, which puts clients at ease.
Hildalgo-Nilsson notes that clients appreciate the seamless service experience, which doesn’t require long chains of communication from business to business when challenges arise. Every question is answered and all issues are dealt with by the design-build firm. “One step further, Terracotta also provides furniture layout and procurement, for the ultimate worry-free experience,” Hidalgo-Nilsson says. They plan and handle everything down to the very last detail, such as the surprise pop of color inside this vanity drawer.
When the work is separated out between designers and builders, miscommunications can arise. In some unfortunate circumstances, this can turn into passing the buck back and forth regarding issues that come up during the process. For example, the designer may have ordered a tile that will take months to arrive, throwing off the contractor’s schedule. The architect can feel a loss of control during the construction process. Or a contractor will need to alter the design due to an unforeseen circumstance, and there’s a time lag sorting it out with the designer. With a one-stop shop, accountability is transparent, which puts clients at ease.
Hildalgo-Nilsson notes that clients appreciate the seamless service experience, which doesn’t require long chains of communication from business to business when challenges arise. Every question is answered and all issues are dealt with by the design-build firm. “One step further, Terracotta also provides furniture layout and procurement, for the ultimate worry-free experience,” Hidalgo-Nilsson says. They plan and handle everything down to the very last detail, such as the surprise pop of color inside this vanity drawer.
6. Scheduling Time Off
For designer Michelle Ruber and her contractor husband, Klaas de Jonge, partnering up to open their own design-build firm was also a lifestyle choice. The couple love to be able to take at least one extended vacation each year, biking, hiking, rafting and otherwise exploring America’s wilderness. But working for other people made it difficult to schedule these trips together. Combining their skills, they founded their own company, Encircle Design-Build, which allowed them to be their own bosses and schedule their projects in a way that gives them time for travel.
While Michelle serves as designer, sometimes they contract architects and structural engineers outside of the firm for drawings or to stamp the plans when needed rather than employing them in-house. But other than that, they take care of everything.
For designer Michelle Ruber and her contractor husband, Klaas de Jonge, partnering up to open their own design-build firm was also a lifestyle choice. The couple love to be able to take at least one extended vacation each year, biking, hiking, rafting and otherwise exploring America’s wilderness. But working for other people made it difficult to schedule these trips together. Combining their skills, they founded their own company, Encircle Design-Build, which allowed them to be their own bosses and schedule their projects in a way that gives them time for travel.
While Michelle serves as designer, sometimes they contract architects and structural engineers outside of the firm for drawings or to stamp the plans when needed rather than employing them in-house. But other than that, they take care of everything.
7. Easy In-House Communication
Having all of the parties in-house minimizes the time drain from phone tag and email exchanges.
“I think the biggest advantage of being a design-build firm is communication — the actual end picture is in your heads. And our communication is easy because we know each other so well,” Ruber says. “Also, there are some things that you just can’t see on paper. An architect our clients may have already hired or I may come up with something that has an issue only a builder can anticipate. For example, built-ins may need supporting, but there’s something behind the wall that won’t accommodate that. Klaas will anticipate these kinds of issues during the planning phase, which saves time and prevents frustration later.”
Having all of the parties in-house minimizes the time drain from phone tag and email exchanges.
“I think the biggest advantage of being a design-build firm is communication — the actual end picture is in your heads. And our communication is easy because we know each other so well,” Ruber says. “Also, there are some things that you just can’t see on paper. An architect our clients may have already hired or I may come up with something that has an issue only a builder can anticipate. For example, built-ins may need supporting, but there’s something behind the wall that won’t accommodate that. Klaas will anticipate these kinds of issues during the planning phase, which saves time and prevents frustration later.”
8. Precise Estimates
“Precise estimates” — that sounds like an oxymoron. But Ruber says another advantage for clients is the firm’s ability to give them an exact estimate from the beginning. “By keeping things in-house, between the two of us we have a precise knowledge of what the construction and material costs will be,” she says. “We’re attuned to the actual cost of every single line item. Unless there are unforeseen problems hiding behind walls or in the structure, or the client changes their mind halfway through and wants to add more stuff, we are able to stick to the exact estimate down to the penny.”
“Precise estimates” — that sounds like an oxymoron. But Ruber says another advantage for clients is the firm’s ability to give them an exact estimate from the beginning. “By keeping things in-house, between the two of us we have a precise knowledge of what the construction and material costs will be,” she says. “We’re attuned to the actual cost of every single line item. Unless there are unforeseen problems hiding behind walls or in the structure, or the client changes their mind halfway through and wants to add more stuff, we are able to stick to the exact estimate down to the penny.”
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Steven Shoup worked as a carpenter from the time he was a teenager, and during college breaks he’d work for contractors. “I became frustrated and thought ‘I could do this better,’” he says. So he earned a Master of Architecture degree and formed design-build firm building Lab.
The firm offers architectural, interior design and contracting services. Its business model includes serving as contractors to build projects designed by others and designing projects that may be built by other contractors. About half of its jobs are full design-build projects.
“I like the balance of doing different kinds of projects,” Shoup says. “It diversifies my business, and when collaborating with others we learn from each other. It also puts more exposure right in my path.”
Shoup’s extensive experience as a carpenter also enhances the work, with beautifully designed and crafted custom built-ins and other wood details among his firm’s offerings.