Architect-Led Design Build

Architects uniquely bring Vision, Client Focus, Leadership, and Technical Knowledge to the process.  Architects have always been industry leading trend-setters charged with crafting creative and visionary solutions.  From the very beginning of their academic training architects are taught to listen to and learn from the client; translating the client's vision into reality. As projects move from design to construction, the architect continues to serve the client by leading and managing the building team. Architects are natural “master builders” who best understand codes, materials and building systems.

Design-build is about collaboration, not separation. It brings designers and builders together to deliver projects faster, better, and more cost-effectively

Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA)

Why Design Build?

The key to Design Build project delivery is a culture of communication and teamwork between the project owner, architect and general contractor. The architect hires a general contractor at the front end of the project and the two collaborate throughout the design and preconstruction planning phases.

This streamlined process, with a single contract between the owner and the Design Build team, saves the owner from playing intermediary. The architect is the troubleshooter, finding solutions to issues as they arise. This saves valuable time and money and delivers the project quicker than with the Design Bid Build method, which involves separate contracts and separate work.

Imagine the luxury of focusing on quality before cost! Identity will negotiate with the general contractor to utilize their best subcontractors familiar with the project's specifications -- or tailor the specifications for qualified subs. This integrated team incorporates BIM (Building Information Modeling) and LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification goals.

Over the past 15 years, use of the Design Build model has greatly increased, making it one of the most significant trends in design and construction today. Across the country and around the world, Design Build successfully delivers retail and office buildings, schools, stadiums, transportation and water infrastructure projects with superior results. 

Advantages include:

Single Source of Responsibility. The Design Build process has the ability to provide an owner with a single source of responsibility and accountability for all aspects of a project.  This also allows the owner to manage one contract instead of multiple contracts between the design consultants and the general contractor which generally leaves the door open to finger-pointing when a challenge arises. 

Save Time. The Design Build process establishes a collaborative and integrated team that can significantly reduce the "from design to construction" time required by creating an environment of teamwork and streamlined communication while also significantly reducing the potential for design and construction errors.  Per the Design Build Institute of America, Design Build projects are about 30% faster to market than the traditional Design Bid Build schedule allows.

Save Money. In traditional Design Bid Build scenarios subcontractors and suppliers - who make up 80% of a project’s cost - are not engaged until detailed project plans have been prepared for bidding. As part of the integrated Design Build team, this input is incorporated into the project from the start, avoiding costly change orders later on in the project.