 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
Owners |
Insectary and Greenhouse
Design/Build Case Study When bidding the University-designed project out to design-build teams failed to solicit a bid meeting the available funds, the Insectary and Greenhouse project was slated for cancellation. LDA Architects and M A Mortenson Construction approached UC Berkeley with an alternate solution, a solution that not only met the budgetary requirements, but would meet the dwindling schedule. The project was originally envisioned by UC project managers as a single building, filling in a constricted site on the College's off-campus compound. The program was to have the greenhouse sitting above the Insectary laboratories. While this did generate the least disruption to the site it was an inefficient use of materials and space. Space for circulation to the upper level, HVAC, and plumbing all battled against what seemed to be an ideal arrangement in this scheme. Stairs and elevators for access to the second level also consumed space and budget. The structure for the floor of the greenhouse, the roof of the Insectary, was to be a thick slab carefully sloped to drain, all built on top of the Insectary structure. The construction of the greenhouse itself couldn’t even begin until this structure was completed.Our team was able to demonstrate that a design using 2 separate structures to house these functions could be designed and built to meet both budget and schedule. Separating the buildings and eliminating the raised slab brought the cost down by 40%. Independent structures meant that both could be built simultaneously, permitting construction to be completed about a month sooner. LDA provided technical studies and renderings to convince the College’s user groups that our solution would function within their guidelines. Decreasing the overall height of the facility helped to satisfy neighborhood activists that the University was genuinely interested in being a good neighbor in a quiet residential area of town. The University insisted upon completion of design and construction within a 7-1/2 month period, and would not accept a fast-track construction contract. This project exemplifies the best aspects of the Design-Build process:
Critical to the success of this project was the unification of the Owner, Architect, and Builder as a single team. Joining with a general contractor, LDA completed a design that was acceptable to the University, the College of Natural Resources, and a team of peer review professionals. Our documents achieved all regulatory approvals to proceed, and construction commenced exactly 10 weeks from the start of our services. The project was delivered the University, on schedule, 7-1/2 months after the start of design. |
|
|
|
|
| NEWS | FTP |