DB contractor (Cutler Associates) will be responsible for all of the work on the project, regardless of the nature of the fault. (it is a lum-slum project)  Staffing the project with the right skills, at the right place, and at the right time is an important responsibility of the project management team. Early integration of designers and contractors is fundamental for most of the project delivery methods, it identifies and addresses issues of cost, schedule and constructability. On the One east pleasant street project, the owner, Archipelago had a great influence on the construction process. The owner was very specific and concerned on four areas; water, sound, insulation, and alignment.

While we visited the site, it was quite clear that these elements where leading factors on the design. (Specific brick course on the windows, acoustic insulation on the ceiling as well as on the restrooms wall, super insulated walls). Applying design build approach has the benefit of a fast going process.

On the One east pleasant street project, the constructions started way before the construction documents were finalized. Design and construction phases proceed simultaneously. These way of speeding up the project saved time and money. Still there is some risk, because once they buy the materials there is no chance to change things on drawings. Non-local material were ordered in advance.  On another side we have the design bid build approach for the East Meadow School in Granby, MA.

It is a delivery method in which the agency or owner contracts with separate entities for the design and construction of a project. At the beginning, the  owner employ an architect(  to design and produce bid documents, including construction drawings and technical specifications, on which various general contractors will in turn bid to construct the project. For building projects, the architect will work with the owner to identify the owner’s needs, producing a conceptual and/or schematic design. This early design is then developed, and the architect will usually bring in other design professionals including mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineers (MEP engineers), a fire protection engineer, structural engineer, sometimes a civil engineer and often a landscape architect to help complete the construction drawings and technical specifications. The finished bid documents are coordinated by the architect and owner for issuance to general contractors during the bid phase. Drawings and Specifications are prepared for this project by the Architect, Jones Whitsett Architects, Greenfield, Massachusetts. Then the hired contractor act as Project Coordinator, providing overall coordination of the Work by the Subcontractors and Contractor.

Arrange product selections for compatibility. Scheduling of the Work by distributing copies of schedules to Architect, Owner, Project Manager and separate contractors.