Approach to Design and Planning

Whole-Team / Whole-building Approach

LDA utilizes a highly collaborative style of project management. Rather than sending people back to their respective desks or offices to perform “tasks”, we believe in constant interaction towards achieving benchmarks, goals, and, ultimately, the successful completion of the project.

The benefits of the Whole-Building methodology are best realized when the project is produced by the intense participation of entire team. The selection and arrangement of materials, assemblies and systems can then be considered in a whole-process, whole-building approach. Our team reaches out to all affected entities as decisions are made, allowing for a multi-dimensional analysis that examines performance, cost and constructability – where performance is the success of the project over its entire lifespan; where cost is more than just finding the lowest price of a single item, but extends to an understanding of the life cycle of that item and it’s implication to the cost of adjacent materials and systems; and where constructability is more than just putting it up, but also considers replacement, repair and maintenance.

Sustainability

The LDA Architects team is dedicated to incorporating the latest techniques in sustainable practices into all of its projects. To be sustainable, a project must not only respect the environment and facilitate the preservation of resources, but should also be feasible from an economic perspective. Our Team’s design approach reflects this philosophy. Measures that help minimize construction and maintenance costs are used, and our design solutions help ensure that the spaces and facilities we create are actively used by the community for a maximum return on investment.

Our Team uses a practical and collaborative approach to the LEED™ documentation and certification process to achieve the project goals. This approach will involve working closely with the owner to develop goals and implement strategies for sustainable building. All of our consultants have an important role to play in the LEED™ certification process. A multi-disciplinary team approach and involvement of these key players assures the design intent and construction intent can be effectively translated, in a cost effective manner, into the LEED™ documentation process.