Industry roundtable agrees Design and Build approach can unlock efficiencies for commercial interior projects

A ‘design and build’ project delivery model could unlock significant cost and time efficiencies for commercial interior fit outs over the traditional design, than the tender and build approach. This was the consensus of panellists during a recent roundtable discussion at the Dubai Design District.

This January a roundtable discussion with fit out contractor Summertown Interiors; design firm Perkins & Will; and project managers CBRE explored the benefits and challenges of working under the ‘design and build’ method for commercial interior projects. The design and build model is when the project owner appoints a single company to manage both the design and construction under a single contract. Rather than having a contract with the designer and then a fit out contractor following a tender process.

According to the seven roundtable participants, this centralised project delivery model necessitates bringing all members of a project team together early in the process to identify and address issues of cost, schedule and constructability – reducing the overall project delivery time from inception to completion. Having one team accountable for the project under a single contract, allows for the proposal of best-value solutions for various construction elements before the design is complete. The speakers also noted that value is added because ‘design and build’ brings value engineering into the design process at the onset of a project.

Marcos Bish, Managing Director of Summertown Interiors said: “The design and build method allows for the design stage and fit out construction stages to overlap providing a time advantage. It also provides the client with one point of contact and the cost is established from the start of the project which would only vary if design changes are made. It is important to note that both design and build and traditional method projects can be sustainable and deliver operational savings.”                                                               

Diane Thorsen, Design Director of Perkins & Will continued: “Design and build has definite advantages – especially in this market where there is such pressure on both time and cost. However, for it to work perfectly – there must be absolute alignment amongst teams in understanding the client’s expectations from costs to programming to work seamlessly towards an end goal.”

Mike Whitworth, Associate Director of CBRE said: “From a Project Management perspective both design and build and traditional procurement routes do work well if implemented successfully and driven by a clear strategy. In terms of which is better, it is purely down to what is best for the client, which is driven by their key drivers for the project.

The roundtable also agreed that the traditional method is the best option for very bespoke office and commercial interior projects. They also believe that ‘design and build’ is a challenge for clients who want in-depth price comparison for specific materials and design specifications.

Discussing how businesses in the region can be further encouraged to adopt a ‘design and build’ strategy, speakers maintained that it is the responsibility of industry leaders to educate clients about the benefits the ‘design and build’ model delivers, to ensure that it is best suited to their company’s needs before committing to a contract.

Thank you to the seven roundtable participants - Diane Thorsen and Martin Smith from design firm Perkins & Will, Mike Whitworth and Yasmien Ibrahim from CBRE and Marcos Bish, Joshua Walker and Sarah Flowerday from Summertown Interiors; kindly facilitated by Vineeth Mathew from Sustainable Mindz.

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About Summertown Interiors:

For over 20 years, Summertown Interiors has been among the UAE’s leading and most sustainable contractors, offering superior quality interior fit out solutions. Reputed for its green expertise and exceptional client service, the company specialises in commercial, healthcare, and education projects for global Fortune 500 companies, government authorities and local businesses.

Summertown Interiors was the first fit out contractor to occupy LEED Gold certified interiors in the UAE and has also been awarded the LEED gold certification for its existing building; operations and maintenance (LEED EBOM). All projects are executed in accordance with the internationally recognised ISO 9001:2015 quality management system.

Summertown Interior’s mission is to consistently deliver high end interior projects on time and within budget, whilst helping companies to achieve their environmental goals, directly resulting in operational savings and a better workspace for employees.

Follow Summertown Interiors here:       

Media Contacts:

Hajer Modir

Mojo PR

+97152 812 4583

hajer@mojo-me.com 

© Press Release 2019