Professional Design Services

Sometimes construction is not imminent, but sound planning is still needed to guide smart growth.  This is when master planning is needed.  The founder of INTREPID Architecture, Albrecht McLawhorn, has saved clients time and money through careful planning.

As part of the Master Planning process, INTREPID Architecture assesses current conditions and growth patterns to establish institutional priorities.  In collaboration with stakeholders, a big-picture vision is generated. Estimated costs and a timetable for prioritized improvements are subsequently overlaid onto the vision, thereby allowing sound capital outlay.  

Clearly defining a project's goals is an integral component of achieving success.  Establishing a wish list, unfettered by real-world constraints provides room for creative thinking.  At INTREPID Architecture, our design process thrives on the joy of helping an Owner formalize project design goals.  Doing so is often made simpler by establishing graphic representations of key spatial relationships.  This is a key part of Space Programming.

Not all projects only involve a single Owner/ Decision Maker.  This is when having an  experienced design team matters. INTREPID Architecture's Albrecht McLawhorn has negotiated competing visions and built consensus successfully on multiple complex projects as part of Space Programming.

Early in the design process is the time to explore various ways to achieve aspirations.  It is common for design schemes to inflect varying components of the program, thus differentiating design options as priorities vary.  At INTREPID Architecture, we believe that when the priorities of a design scheme marry with an Owner's expectations and an Owner's budget, Advance Planning success is achieved.

In certain instances, projects are vetted by stakeholders or authorities as part of the Advance Planning process.  The establishment of graphics for vetting and marketing purposes is often also part of Advance Planning.  Allowing clients to react to well represented design schemes helps keep the design process simple and accessible.

Traditionally, there are three parts of a design process:

    1) Schematic Design (SD)

    2) Design Development (DD)

    3) Construction Documents (CD)

Although these three phases are sometimes condensed for the sake of speed and/or cost, each step affords an opportunity to reconcile budget and design.  At INTREPID Architecture, we take these reconciliation opportunities very seriously, as these are valuable checkpoints.  

A building permit / project approval can not be achieved until a licensed design professional executes Contract Documents and those documents are subsequently approved by the Authorities Having Jurisdiction.  Approval of such documents concludes Design Services.

Many cost conscious clients elect not to use an Architect for Bidding and/or Construction Administration.  While this should save about a third of the overall design cost as compared to a full-service contract, it also places much of the burden on an Owner.  At INTREPID Architecture, we are happy to tailor our services to match a client's needs and experience.

When an experienced Owner is directly selecting a Contractor, eliminating Bidding and Construction Administration can work well.  Other times, it is invaluable to have an experienced Design Professional facilitating the selection of a Contractor either on a cost and/or a qualifications basis.  Understanding how a project will be delivered, should be discussed and established during or prior to design.  

The best construction projects require  contractors to execute carefully detailed Construction Documents.  At INTREPID Architecture, we believe in a team approach, whereby each party brings out the best in the other team members.   This approach encourages contractors to seek Design Team input for unclear matters early and often.

Communication between the Owner, the Architect, and the Contractor/Construction Manager should occur regularly throughout construction.  

The Design Team will review submittals, issue addenda and supplemental instructions, monitor construction progress, approve payment applications and change orders, and walk through the completed project with the Owner during project acceptance.

Understanding how to design for accessibility can be challenging, especially when older facilities are under consideration.  It is important to select an Architect who knows the relevant laws & codes, but who also always designs with accessibility as a priority.   INTREPID Architecture's Albrecht McLawhorn has led accessibility assessments on over 600 buildings throughout North Carolina.

Whether it be part of a due diligence process or a comprehensive examination of capital investment opportunities / obligations, having the insight of qualified design professionals early, often saves time and money.  Many clients have avoided or minimized project complications by having INTREPID Architecture's Albrecht McLawhorn conduct a detailed building survey.

There are many ways to stay connected to changing construction costs.  Having an experienced design and construction team both interdependently striving to maximize value for an Owner is often the best recipe for managing cost.  

In a hard bid delivery method, the design team's expertise with estimating is paramount.  Our team has estimated construction costs on a wide range of project scales, providing a solid foundation for estimating your next project.