Understanding the Design Build Advantage

By Edan Asturi

As a designer I am accustomed to listening to my clients; what they want, what they need and, in many ways, the most important part of the project, the design or distinctive appearance they love. In the initial preplanning and preliminary design phase I like to spend a lot of time getting a feel for their sense of style and expectations. The more I get a feel for their aesthetic the easier it is to design something that reflects it.

So where does the design build factor come into play? Our studio likes to start with a very integrated team from concept to completion.

The production of a residence today is no longer simple. Building codes and what’s essential to meet current standards are a given and I like to design homes that have the future integrated into the plans. From smart home technology to color and finish trends. The message is that it’s essential to have a coordinated team of client, designer and builder from the start; it saves time in production and can make a big difference in the cost of a project. Working as a coordinated team can streamline the process immeasurably and result in a higher level of design and luxury. A benefit for having a contractor involved as early as possible is budget feedback. We want the client to be "in control" of the budget and the responsibility is upon the contractor to provide the budget feedback in realtime as the design is being developed to ensure we remain aligned with the client’s goals as we continue through the process.

At its best design build offers better quality, a faster project timeline as well as efficient project management.  When the builder is included in the preliminary design process, rapid communication and collaboration can produce an extraordinary result where aesthetics and technology are concerned. In short, if everyone is on the same page, focusing on the plan, it all works out to your best advantage.

As a luxury design-build studio, our team works closely with structural engineers and artisans whose talents are capable of creating the kind of work we require. We also frequently bring an interior designer in at the planning stage for their input on the design. Depending on the level of luxury and style required; audio-visual specialists and lighting designers can be a part of planning, saving valuable time.

My father is a builder and early on I learned how to build quality homes from him. I chose to bring my experience in building into the design world. I take great pride in a job well done.