BB&R Architect Inc. developed this document to help our clients,
primarily congregations, understand the basic steps in a building
project process. The steps are similar for any project although
the time frame and the relative importance of each step may vary
with a given project.
1.
Define the Core and Secondary issues: The Core issues are those
that, if not defined or resolved adequately, affect the viability
of the project. The Core issues can be architectural (accessibility,
amount of space to suit an expanding congregation, relationship
of the church to its parking lot, etc.), organisational (who uses
what space when) or fiscal (a maximum project budget has been
determined). Usually there is a combination of architectural/
non- architectural core issues. Secondary issues are those that
are resolved in relationship to the Core issues. Core and secondary
issues are best defined in relationship to a well-defined Mission
statement and supporting activities. A client sometimes defines
the Core issues in an unconscious way, a consensus of what's not
working right or what's needed. This unconscious collective needs
to be formalised into a building program. We believe that defining
the Core issues is fundamentally important to a successful project.
BB&R Architect Inc. has helped many organizations determine
their Core issues by way of providing a questionnaire to solicit
written responses on the effectiveness of existing space and elicit
the visions of changes that could occur. Sometimes a building
fabric study is required to at this stage to determine repair
and maintenance issues and mechanical and electrical considerations
that could have a significant impact on a project design and budget.
2.
Design Concept: BB&R Architect Inc. next develops the general
concept of how the project will resolve the Core and secondary
issues, and includes preliminary construction and project budget
estimates and a possible time frame for the completed project.
The work includes building plans and preliminary elevations (if
an addition or extensive changes to the elevations are proposed),
and consultation with the municipality to clarify its approval
process and ensure that there are no insurmountable hurdles. The
design concept may include alternative proposals that help clarify
the Core issues. The selected design concept can form the basis
for any necessary fund raising.
3.
Owner's Documentation (Survey, Sub-Surface Investigation and Hazardous
Substances Assessment): These three pieces of documentation are
the responsibility of the client to provide. Depending on the
nature of the project, all three may or may not be required. BB&R
Architect Inc. can help by defining the work required and obtaining
competitive bids on behalf of a client. Often an up-to-date survey
of the property is required at a minimum to define the boundaries
of the site and the position of any buildings on it. A sub-surface
investigation may be required for an addition to determine factors
that may affect its structural and architectural design. Working
in existing buildings may require an assessment of the extent
of hazardous substances present, such as asbestos pipe insulation,
and recommendations on how to remove them.
4.
Design Development: Beginning in this stage, BB&R Architect
Inc. often meets regularly with a Building Committee, continuing
to listen to the client's needs and exploring its ideas. Frequently
we will also meet with various special interest groups while working
out the detailed aspects of the design based on the approved concept.
Throughout design development we define the character of the entire
project and its individual spaces, including in more detail the
secondary issues, and ensure that the structural, mechanical and
electrical systems are going to fit together. The preliminary
construction and project budget estimates are reviewed at this
stage and confirmed if acceptably different.
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