Few things are more exciting than replanning your workplace. You will have the opportunity to discover much more about your business and processes. You and your design professional should spend quality time together analyzing work spaces, designing specialized millwork, and selecting finishes. Your design professional should be either a registered architect or certified interior designer with experience in commercial interiors.
You may be wondering how to begin the conversation about your workplace. Questions such as:
"What do I need?"
"How much space and what type of space is most conducive to my business?"
"What amenities do I need to attract and retain a talented workforce?"
Or ultimately,
Thrive through Design: 8 Steps to Brace Your Space for Business Growth
1. Find the right Design Professional.
Like many other fields, word of mouth is the best way to find a design professional. Ask professional colleagues for referrals. If there is a particular workplace that you admire, knock on the door to yield an introduction to your project's potential designer. Professional organizations such as BOMA or the AIA or other trade-related groups would also be ale to furnish some referrals. Be sure to visit websites of your candidates and look at their previous work. Get a feel for their core values and how they operate. Make an appointment for consultation to meet the design team face to face, and begin a conversation.
2. Make sure your Design Professional is the right fit.
Begin by having a discussion. Let them know the most important aspects of your project and ask how they will be incorporated into a process. Start with the aspects of your workplace you currently like. Talk about what you don’t like about your workplace. Discuss the processes they use to consistently achieve high standards. Even though the designer might have an attractive portfolio and good references you will still want to make sure their design process and approach is right for you and your project. You should feel that they not only listen to your needs, but also, assimilate them. It would be appropriate to ask them how they will approach your project.
3. Meet your Design Professional.
Signing a contract with a firm principal representing a design firm does not necessarily mean that person will be your project design professional. It is common practice to assign a staff design professional other than the first point of contact. Be sure to meet this person, before making any final decisions. Being able to communicate freely and openly with your design professional is vital to the success of your project. You should share a clear understanding of your project goals with your design professional and feel completely comfortable about communicating with them.
4. Decide: Should I stay or should I go?
There are many factors that will affect whether or not your business should stay and renovate, or find a new location. You’ll need to review your lease and see what options you have. Take into consideration the amount of time left on your lease, whether or not there is a Tenant Improvement allowance, and whether or not there is available space adjacent or within the building. Get an understanding of the cost involved in renovating vs. relocating. You may be surprised that renovating comes with some additional cost if the construction process if phased. Have your design professional assist with a comparison.
5. Get 3-D Modeling and Visualization.
Designers understand how elevations and floor plans translate into actual workplaces. Some people, however, have difficulty visualizing their space by using these instruments. Many people really have no idea what their workplace will look like until it is completed and sometimes they are not as pleased as they should be. So, what happened? There wasn’t a clear visualization of the project. A 3-D model is the best way to see how your workplace will look when built. Software today allows a person to see a design from multiple angles and experience a walk through of virtual space. Being able to design in 3-D helps people become engaged in the design process while enjoying the walk-through experience before the space is built. Don’t hesitate to ask for a 3-D model before finalizing the design of your project.
6. Identify the full-service Design Firm.
Conceptual renderings and construction documents are not the only services design firms can provide. Ask about other services your candidate’s firm may offer. Discuss the benefits of specific services to you and their corresponding costs. Perhaps there are additional services offered that could be useful to you for your particular project. If a firm doesn’t offer a requested service, they should be able to refer a firm that does.
Below is a glimpse of some additional services a typical design firm may provide:
- Entitlements
- Evaluation Of Potential Workplace Locations
- Project Feasibility Studies
- Programming
- Master Planning
- Space Utilization Planning
- Artwork programs
- Signage
- Project Management / Move Management
- Architectural historian services
- Architectural Design
- Traditional And Computer Renderings
- 3 Dimensional, Fly Through, Computer Visualization
- Comprehensive Construction Documents
- Leed ® Coordination And Certification Assistance
- Detailed Cost Estimates
- Furniture, Furnishings & Equipment Specifications
- Construction Administration
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7. Figure the Fees.
Design fees are calculated many different ways. The most common fee structure is based on the size of the facility or a per square foot fee. Depending on the size, complexity and project scope of the project these fees can range from a low of $2.50 / S.F. for a large but simple project to over $10.00 / S.F. for a small and complex project. Incurring engineering fees for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, life safety and structural engineering significantly increases the overall cost. Many designers will simply estimate how many man hours are required and multiply the hours by their billing rates to generate a fee quote.
If you and your designer are looking at several possible locations, it may be best for you and your designer to work at an hourly rate until you have pinned down a site and design image. Billing monthly is the industry standard, but you work together to find the most agreeable way. Establish when payment is expected and their preferred method of payment, i.e. check, credit card, or direct deposit. Lastly, when your architect or designer hires consultants or pays plan check fees on your behalf, it’s normal. Keep in mind that the architect or designer would add a percentage to their fees to cover their accounting costs.
8. Get a Space Utilization Program and Design Image Statement.
Congratulations! You now have the key information that will help you prepare your workplace for your business growth. The next step should be to get a Space Utilization Program and Design Image Statement in which your specific needs and available options are identified. This will give you an idea of what your workplace might look like and what it will take to get there.
Typically, the Space Utilization Program and Design Image Statement saves our clients thousands of dollars and weeks of lost time, not to mention the stress of not knowing what the outcome will be. Eliminating uncertainty is the most important step in "thriving through design."
Typically, the Space Utilization Program and Design Image Statement saves our clients thousands of dollars and weeks of lost time, not to mention the stress of not knowing what the outcome will be. Eliminating uncertainty is the most important step in "thriving through design."
Since 1992 Environ Architecture has been helping companies improve employee performance, increase efficiencies and save on real estate costs through intelligent design solutions.
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