The Disconnect Between Design and Delivery
- Reading Time: 7 minutes
The Disconnect in Commercial Building Design
We’ve noticed there is a growing disconnect between both design and delivery of commercial workspaces within the Australian marketplace. Alarmingly, more and more commercial building design and fit outs are being created that do not meet the needs of the business, are not well designed and simply do not function as efficiently and effectively as they should.
This disconnect made us wonder; why is this trend on the rise when we have more tools than ever before at our disposal to both design and deliver better workspaces?
Advances in technology have made design software and programs more accessible and easier to implement. Not to mention the abundance of studies and data being produced on workplace dynamics and productivity. We have everything we need at our fingertips, so where is it all going wrong?
Shouldn’t our workplace designs be getting better, not going backwards?
We’ve drilled down into the workings of commercial building design and construct projects to identify where exactly we, as an industry, are going wrong and what can be done to streamline the process for a better result for everyone.
Understanding the Design and Delivery Process
When it comes to the design and construction of commercial projects, there are several ways the project can be managed and these are largely dependent on the acute needs of the client. The following are the most common methods:
- Independent consultants and contractors
The client will effectively manage the project and source independent consultants and contractors to complete individual parts of the project. This means the design team will be independent of the construction team and the client will either act as the project manager or engage an independent Project Manager. - All in one Design and Construct companies
One company will take control of the entire project and oversee both the design and construction process as well as project manage the entire project.
Each procurement method has pros and cons and of course, time, cost, and other critical constraints will always have to be factored in as these will ultimately affect the project.
While engaging independent contractors for the project may provide the benefit of having numerous critical eyes running over the project and providing their own advice and feedback, unless managed correctly, it may turn out to be a case of too many cooks in the kitchen with everyone all on different pages of the cookbook.
So, would an all in one design and construct service make much more sense? After all, they can control the project from start to finish right? Yes, but if this was the solution, then why is the quality of the commercial projects being delivered still being impacted?
One of the biggest factors that results in poor outcomes is cutting project costs to the point where the overall design and integrity is compromised. And this can happen regardless of the way the project is managed.
With such a competitive marketplace, and project owners are looking simply for the best price, design time is being reduced to next to nothing, design elements are being simplified and cheaper materials are being sourced. The design can also change considerably throughout the project as a way to further reduce costs. And this is where the disconnect occurs. The project direction and outcome is completely forgotten.
When a project is driven by price alone, significant value can be lost.
Getting the Order Right in Commercial Building Design
To get the best possible outcome for any project, and eliminate the disconnect we are seeing with design and deliverability, the entire process needs to be overhauled with more emphasis on the order in which projects are managed.
A disconnect can occur when projects are being mismanaged and the end goal is not the focus. And while the project budget does need to be considered, implementing a design strategy very early on in the process that focuses equally on budget and project outcomes, often results in a far better finished project.
If a project is designed without effective collaboration between both the design team and the builder, then the design can become compromised during the construction stage as cost-cutting measures are made in an effort to reign in the budget. The same can be said for projects that don’t have a clear and concise plan in effect before construction gets underway.
This, without a doubt, is a disappointing error that is made time and time again on commercial projects all across Australia. Especially when the solution is simple and obvious. Having an effective design and clear strategy early on in the project makes it much easier and more cost-effective to deliver quality results.
But with the constant need to reduce costs and the competitive nature of an industry that competes on low quotes only to make the money back in variations, the delivered product will nearly always suffer from low quality and ineffective design decisions.
To overcome the disconnect, the process needs to be managed in the right order starting from the brief collected from the client. A strong design then needs to be developed on the back of the brief, the budget and the ultimate goal of the business. The construction can then be carried out efficiently without the need for excessive variations or design changes.
Collaborating With Industry Experts
As a full-service supplier, we not only manage the commercial design and construct process, but we see the process through to relocation, business setup and space operational training. Knowing and seeing first-hand the hiccups that businesses face moving into a newly created commercial space… And issues often faced long after the construction company has moved on to other projects, we consider these issues early on in the design process so they are resolved easily through great design, and are a non-issue down the track when relocation occurs.
We also see the enormous benefits that business can get from bringing in consultants and getting concept designs created very early on in order to make quick informed decisions moving forward with the project. As an example… Getting expert advice on the design even before a space is secured can help business owners find the right commercial space for their needs and negotiate lease conditions accordingly.
Ultimately, to remove the disconnect, corners should not be cut during the design process. Bringing on a team like Decocorp to develop concept commercial building designs in the very early stages of the project will provide you with the best overall result.
Want to know more about how Decocorp can deliver quality results to your commercial project while staying within your budget? Get in touch with us today.
