It's a Design/Build World

If there's one thing that's constant in this world, it's change.  Along with new tools, new machinery and new construction techniques, new delivery methods are significantly changing the dynamics of projects.  Among the most prominent of the changes in project delivery is the emergence of design-build.

At Art Anderson Associates, we're excited about these changes because they present opportunities for new relationships and delivery of higher value for our clients.  What has traditionally been an adversarial relationship is now a true partnership.  Designer and Constructor must work together in order to achieve project success.

For decades we've worked with the clients that include the federal government, US military, regional ports and other state and local clients who are now using the design-build delivery method on their projects.

Art Anderson Associates is eager to build and strengthen our relationships with contractors who are looking to succeed in this market.  Please contact us if you are interested in learning more about what we have to offer!

A Multidiscipline Approach

Construction companies are talented in managing complexity.  Between various projects, millions of dollars of equipment, a diverse labor pool and a web of specialty subcontractors,  contractors have enough to worry about.  The last thing they need is to add another level of complexity in a design-build partner.

Many other engineering services firms specialize in only one or two disciplines.  That means additional complexity and risk for a contractor, which has one of two options.  The contractor can select its own team of consultants to cover all its bases, but then it often ends up with the burden of managing consultant interface and risks selecting designers that don't work well with one another.  The other option is to select a lead designer responsible for their own subconsultants.  While the designers may work well with one another, they may not work well with the contractor.

The real solution is to select a firm that has all the primary disciplines in one house.  This way, the contractor has prompt, direct, reliable access to all the project disciplines.  In other words, there's no middle man to get to the discipline you need.  There's also a heightened degree of confidence, knowing that the various designers on a project have a long history of working with one another and don't have to spend effort building new working relationships.

Art Anderson Associates is such a firm.  We maintain all major design disciplines in-house.  Our payroll includes architects; civil, structural, mechanical and electrical engineers; construction managers; planners; drafters and other support personnel.  We are a one-stop shop for all your design needs.

Working Together With Contractors

Art Anderson Associates understands how to work with construction companies.  We know that serving an owner on a design-bid-build project is much different than serving a general contractor for a design-build effort.  Schedules are faster, work is more intense and the pressure to perform is increased.

Our understanding of working with contractors comes from a variety of sources.  For over 25 years, we've maintained a construction management group with extensive experience working for and with contractors on small and large jobs alike.  Many of our personnel have worked on the construction side in previous careers and apply that experience to their work for us.  Finally, we've had a track record of success on a number of design-build efforts in the Puget Sound and around North America.

Local Design/Build Partnerships

Instead of using a traditional design-bid-build, many facility owners are turning to the design-build model of procurement. This new model means tighter schedules and a closer relationship between engineer and constructor. Instead of the often-adversarial relationship in traditional procurement models, design-build entails a true partnership between the engineer and the constructor. Art Anderson Associates understands the ins and outs of this procurement method, and has a track record of success working closely with construction companies as part of a design-build team. We take the principles of partnership in design-build seriously, which is why we strive to build long-term relationships with constructors. In that way, our team builds familiarity and improves quality and responsiveness over the course of multiple projects. Like our traditional design services, our design-build work has included over-water, shoreline and landside projects. We’ve worked on small tasks as part of a task order contract and large single projects alike. Our multidisciplinary, team-focused service makes us an ideal partner for design-build projects. If you’re a constructor, consider how we can be a partner in your success.