THREE 'C's & AN 'L'

COLLABORATION: LET IDEAS & CONVERSATIONS FLOW.

  • Design with People & the Built Environment in mind.

COMMUNICATION: FOLLOW-UP, CIRCLE BACK & BE RESPONSIVE.

  • Develop as a Team, building upon knowledge & experience.

COORDINATION: DILIGENTLY MONITOR SCHEDULE, BUDGET & SCOPE DEVELOPMENT.

  • Design & Construct from the big picture down to the tiny details.
  • Deliver Function, Flexibility, Harmony & Style.

LOVE WHAT YOU DO & DO IT WELL!

 

 

ESTABLISHING A FRAMEWORK -

ALIGNING SCOPE, SCHEDULE, BUDGET & QUALITY

ALL PROJECTS EVOLVE. UNDERSTANDING THE PROJECT CLIENT, PROJECT PRIORITIES, AND PROJECT RESTRAINTS LEADING UP TO THE FINALIZED PROJECT SCOPE ARE PARAMOUNT IN YIELDING A SUCCESSFUL PROJECT DELIVERY. 

CREATING A SOLID FRAMEWORK REQUIRES:

  • Define project goals for the Team.
  • Establish a clear, concise Organizational Chart, with defined lines and processes for communication.
  • Meet with both the Client's representing project manager as well as key sub-stakeholders for review.
  • Listen & Learn
  • Establish budget, procurement, and schedule restrictions.
  • Develop a clear Scope of Work, which can be broken down into subsequent phases to highlight specifics for various disciplines.
  • Playing comfortably in the center as well as boldly at the perimeter of the frame to determine appropriate balance, seek alternative solutions, and push the limits of what is possible.

USE OF TECHNOLOGY & SOFTWARE EXPERTISE

CLARK ARCHITECTS, INC. RECOGNIZES THE BENEFIT OF BEING CURRENT WITH AND PROFICIENT IN SOFTWARE PLATFORMS AVAILABLE WITHIN THE INDUSTRY.

  • Electronic file management for the compilation, distribution, and filing of documents and correspondence.
  • Autodesk Revit 3D Modeling & AutoCAD
    • CAI uses Revit regularly for the development of 3-Dimensional design concepts and full construction document packages.  Being able to break an assembly down and input information back in from the start is critical to understanding how architecture transcends from paper to built form.  Revit software utilized amongst the entire Design Team excels at bringing all assemblies, components and systems together to see how a building fits together.
    • Utilizing Revit software allows CAI to make changes and corrections "on the fly" during meetings and design charrettes so that the Client and Team can see updates and impacts in "real time".  Revit modeling allows updates to be disseminated quickly to the whole Design Team with a simple, single updated file link.
    • When required by project scope, CAI is also proficient in AutoCAD, 2-Dimensional drafting and design.
  • Building Information Modeling (BIM) & Clash Detection Coordination
    • Piggybacking on CAI's in-house use of platforms such as Revit, these 3-D models can, upon Client request and/or project requirement, be tagged and enhanced with additional information including detailed assembly information, quantities for contractor take-offs, and phasing for scheduling and logistics (BIM). 
    • CAI recognizes the benefit of and participates in Clash Detection Coordination amongst the Design-Engineering Team, the General Contractor, and their Subcontractors.  The process of construction is a finely tuned machine.  Rework or changes in direction, component parts, placement and routing, because of spatial constraints or conflicts is expensive!  Taking the time in Design to confirm assemblies and systems come together appropriately results in efficiency in the field. 
  • Microsoft Project, for Owner's Representative Project Management in tracking project, schedule, phasing and budget.

QUALITY ASSURANCE - QUALITY CONTROL

 

CLARK ARCHITECTS, INC. IS COMMITTED TO QUALITY THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS, NO MATTER THE SCALE OR COMPLEXITY OF THE PROJECT. SMALL PROJECTS OR "SIMPLE" PROJECTS REQUIRE THE SAME CARE AND CONSIDERATION AS THE LARGE, TECHNICAL PROJECTS DO, WITH CLIENT SATISFACTION AND PROJECT SUCCESS ALWAYS AS THE TEAM'S FOCUS. WHEREAS QUALITY ASSURANCE LAYS THE GROUNDWORK THROUGH WHICH EXECUTION OF SCOPE CAN BE MEASURED, QUALITY CONTROL DILIGENTLY CROSS-CHECKS PROJECT OBJECTIVES AGAINST EXECUTION MEASURES FROM START TO FINISH.

  • Commit to frequent communication with the Client and the entire project Team to ensure action items and requests for information are addressed.
  • Encourage Client attendance and participation at in-house Team coordination meetings.
  • Document action items, decisions and changes in direction.
  • Establish clear milestones with acceptance from both the Client and the full design Team.
  • Require milestone checksets by the Architect of Record, as well as cross-discipline checksets for review.
  • Encourage Design-Engineering Team participation in Construction progress Team meetings.
  • Establish protocols and chain of communication when issues do arise.
  • Identify discrepancies and issues as early as possible and commit to a Team Collaborative Process for resolution.