AQUINAS COLLEGE

AQUINAS COLLEGE'S ALKSINIS ATHLETIC AND RECREATION BUILDING

Grand Rapids, Michigan

I was selected for a 2-year contract as Owners’ Representative for Aquinas College. This $6.5 million addition of track, field and basketball functions to the existing athletic building utilized the Design-Build contract methodology with Rockford Construction. Integrated Architecture was Rockford's architect/engineer. 

A significantly risky part of the project was the Owner’s level of understanding with the Design/Build contracting method. Design Build often is underrepresented by engineering for mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. Advice and pricing is provided to the General Contractor by these prime trades yet to be hired. Often, design considerations and coordination necessary in early design is not thorough because the design voice is not present and performance detail can go un-planned. What results often is that good design is not as coordinated with the whole architectural work. Often, price is the number one driver, at the downside of building performance expectations and execution of appropriate building details.

By knowing this, I worked with the athletic staff and the Aquinas Facilities Manager to obtain better input and have technical questions addressed during design development, and again with construction drawings and specification writing. During construction, I attended all meetings, reviewed the work,  and resolved many issues in the field with the construction superintendent, and worked with the architect to ensure proper documentation. My cost of service paid for itself by saved costs in construction and over-looked coordination. It also allowed the College staff to concentrate on their primary duties making them more effective.

I recognize the tremendous value of construction momentum and thus resolve issues and questions promptly, something difficult for staff to do - they do not have the background. 
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