Do you have a building project that has stalled? Maybe you're having a hard time getting all the stakeholders behind the project. Are you confused about the options and what your project will cost?
One solution is to hold a design workshop. A design workshop brings together your building committee, organizational leadership and key stakeholders with Blue Ridge Architects and your contractor for two days of intensive study of your project. Typically we work at your site or some other venue accessible to your organization and where we can avoid the temptation of mobile phones and email. Here's how it works:
Pre-workshop: Through phone interviews and questionnaires we gather information about your program, budget and site
Day 1: The design team starts roughing-out two or three concepts. Throughout the day the client is welcome to stop by and observe progress. We are constantly in dialogue with the contractor about appropriate materials and systems
Evening 1: We present the initial concepts -- with plans and sketches -- to your project team which can be as large as 12 to 20 people. Each concept has a corresponding budget. We come armed with tracing paper, flip charts and calculators so we can try out different ideas and crunch numbers during the meeting. We take notes and usually get to bed late
Day 2: Using the comments from the previous evening we distill the multiple concepts into one preferred scheme. We'll build simple computer models to show you what the building will look like
Evening 2: We show the day's work and listen carefully to your feed back. You leave the meeting with a conceptual design, a tested budget and timeline for implementation -- all vital tools for decision-making, communication and fund-raising
Follow-up: We prepare a final package that includes updated floor and site plans, a photo-realistic rendering of the building and a narrative of project scope and budget
Benefits of design workshop:
1. Better Ideas -- We believe a group of people committed to a common goal can produce a result that is greater than any individual could produce by him or her self. You will have the confidence that you have fully explored your options
2. High-Quality Information -- With your contractor working beside Blue Ridge Architects, not only will you have a functional plan, you will have a scheme that is "build-able". You will have a contractor-tested budget and a realistic time line for implementation. You can move forward with realistic expectations
3. Faster Consensus -- Most not-for-profits, service agencies and churches have a diverse constituency. Participation in the workshop gets all of your stakeholders pulling in the same direction faster. It helps cut down on second-guessing
4. Momentum -- The process is fun and people leave the meetings anxious to see the project move to the next step
For those of us in the design and construction industry who are committed to collaborative design and construction, a design workshop is a vital first step. If you want more information, call or email Blue Ridge Architects
