Sustainable Engineering Solutions

embarking on a construction project. Choosing the best method for any project must start with a good understanding of choices available. Owners must also have a firm grasp of the impact of each choice because the delivery method establishes when parties become engaged; it influences the choices of contractual relationships; and it influences ownership and impact of changes and modification of project costs. In all delivery systems, there is always a minimum of three parties involved: owner, designer, and contractor. It is important to choose a delivery method that best meets the unique needs of each owner and their project.

Project considerations have fundamental impacts on the delivery method selected. These considerations include a realistic budget, a schedule that includes a reasonable performance period, a responsive and quality design process, a risk assessment with the allocation of risks to the appropriate parties and a recognition of the level of expertise within the owner’s organization.

Design-build:

• Minimizes owner risk – According to McGraw Hill Construction, 79% of owners chose design-build to reduce their risk

• Reduces cost – Design-build projects save 6.1% in cost compared to traditional design-bid-build

• Reduces construction time – Design-build projects complete 12% faster

• Results in higher quality projects – The American Society of Civil Engineers have stated that design-build outperforms traditional delivery in categories such as startup, callbacks, O & M, exterior, interior, environment and equipment.

• Promotes innovation – According to FMI Corporation, owners are abandoning traditional delivery methods because of the lack of innovation and collaboration. FMI is a unique and fast-growing firm of professionals passionate about creating a better future for engineering and construction, infrastructure and the built environment throughout North America and around the world.

Design-Build delivers success

• The Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, the largest capital project in New York, is projected to save $1.7 billion and 18 months over the original state and federal project estimates

• After 9-11, the Pentagon was rebuilt $194M under budget and 28 days early

• After Hurricane Katrina, the St. Bernard Parish Pump Station was rebuilt on budget and one year faster with design-build

• The Carlsbad Desalination Plant, the largest in the western hemisphere, was delivered in just 36 months

• The University of California Irvine residential project was delivered with fast-track multiple packages containing with more than 80 value items beyond the RFP.

 

Design-Build through Sustainable Engineering Solutions

The benefits of design-build are not only at the total building or civil construction level, but can be delivered at the sub-system level as well. One of the best opportunities for owners to experience the design-build benefits is in upgrading Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) systems in existing buildings. This is why Huckestein spun off Sustainable Engineering Solutions LLC as a design-build engineering firm that incorporates the expertise of contractors in the engineering/design process. SES delivers owners the best of engineering and construction in one entity, providing single-point account for their MEP projects.