Vehicle Storage Facility ArcWest is working with CDOT (the Colorado Department of Transportation) to implement a new building prototype for a Vehicle Storage and Maintenance Facility to be constructed in the small town of Kittridge in the foothills west of Denver.  The building incorporates features that will make it a cost effective project from initial costs through the long term (life cycle) operating costs that will result in a more durable structure with a long efficient and high performing service life.  A few key features include:

• Provide continuous clerestory windows along front and back of building for natural daylighting.

• Provide full vision panels in top of overhead doors for daylighting

• Energy Efficient lighting using florescent fixtures

This project at a base level taps into ArcWest’s competency and core experience in working with pre-engineered building structures.  This is certainly one of the most utilitarian applications of a pre-engineered metal building compared to some of our other past projects.  Nonetheless, our experience is instrumental in the project development, engineering coordination and final implementation during construction.

What we want to convey and reiterate in this article is how this project, as one example, illustrates the ArcWest Architects group’s background and architectural experience is well suited and applicable for a wide range of building designs and architectural project types.

- Robin Adams

In the discussion of architectural firm’s qualifications the question often comes up as to ones specialty.  Is ones specialty Residential? Is it Commercial? Or is it Light Industrial.  Although the most evident answer is defined by a firm’s resume or recent clients.  For ArcWest Architect’s this would be “Publishing Facilities”. Although a fair assessment, it does not reveal the depth of experience and knowledge that other project types can benefit from.  It simply defines the project type most successfully won in the past.

A publishing facility embodies four distinct project types, which includes Office, Manufacturing, Warehouse, and Information Technologies, as well a wide variety of processes. The publishing facility project type demonstrates ArcWest is actually proficient in numerous project types.

So the real question for an owner/client to ask: “What type’s or projects has the architect completed and what aspects are most paramount to the owner’s proposed project type?”  Based on the answer to this a client can look to his own operation and project goals to determine if a good match exists.

ArcWest Architects clearly has a great depth of experience collectively spanning over 40 years serving the Publishing and Newspaper industry.  What that indicates, beyond the experience with that one client type, is that ArcWest has a knowledge base which includes feasibility studies, masterplanning, building design, space planning, engineering coordination, process integration, equipment coordination, programming, project management, etc.  The key is not the built project type, but the depth of project planning experience.

As a case study, ArcWest recently entered Phase II of construction for a client who provides navigation and informational materials to the aviation industry.  In this case ArcWest’s resume of clients would not appear to have a strong relationship to this Client, but upon further review, ArcWest has strong credentials in process planning, equipment coordination, expedited schedules, and existing facility integration.  The project was the renovation of an existing space to integrate digital imaging equipment, within a extremely short period.  Thus this is a prime example of matching the Project Type to the Project Experience, opposed to looking specifically to a resume of clients.

Project experience is transferable to a variety of project types.  The active or potential project benefits from both the institutionalized knowledge, but also the variety of solutions that might be employed based on past experience.

- Todd Heirls

We have successfully implemented this into several manufacturing organizations in this past year resulting in over a 10% savings and yielding a 20 to 1 return on the consulting dollars spent with ArcWest.  We would very much like to add your organization to our growing list of satisfied clients.

- Rick Ruffino

Understanding that this is easier said than done, in an industry dependent on the availability of financing, but it is not just the next hype to secure a contract.  In 2006/2007 the construction industry was saddled with an ongoing escalation that sent shock waves through the industry.  These conditions of escalation prompting individuals to actually pre-buy materials for their projects, before the design using those materials were completed.  All in an effort to get ahead of the material cost escalation.

That time has passed and a new day has dawned.  If a step is taken back from the doom and gloom prophesies, and the damage that has been done, one can see through the rubble.  There is a silver lining for the survivors.   Per the Turner Building Cost Index, there has been an 8.4 Percent declining change in the index for 2009 weighted with the largest declines in the early parts of the year.  Construction costs are down below the levels of 2004.

If a client has a building need, and has the resources or backing to support it, “Now is the Time to Plan”.  Every project has an associated pre-construction component, which can include any number of items required prior to breaking ground, from Feasibility Study, to some form of Construction Documents.  The pre-construction phase can entail anywhere from a month to as much as a year dependent on the complexity of the project. Prices continue to decline but there is evidence the bottom of the bell curve is near.  The Kirksey’s 2010 Annual Construction Cost Update, indicates that “Now might be the best time to build”.  Planning now will allow one to take best advantage of silver lining.

The reality of the economic situation is that a recovery will occur, at which point construction costs will begin to rise.  Will the costs rebound to the peak seen in 2008?  Probably not anytime soon, thus leaving an ample period where owners will be in a buyers market for construction services.

It is truly “Time to Plan for Commercial and Facility Projects”

For more information, contact ArcWest Architects

- Todd Heirls