Interior Architectural Services

PROGRAMMING/DESIGN PHASE

FENNIE+MEHL Architects typically meet early on in the project with representatives of the building owner or user to review their programmatic requirements and pertinent data. With the goal of establishing a cohesive Space Program. The Space Program usually includes the following:

• Numbers and job classifications of existing and projected personnel
• Space requirements, listed by department, functional, and space standards for user type
• Future expansion considerations
• Support Spaces (reception, conference rooms, workrooms, copy room, computer room, storage, exercise facilities, toilet rooms, and other support facilities)
• Adjacency requirements.

Normally at the initial meeting with a building owner or user, FENNIE+MEHL Architects will note special requirements for the following (a building owner or user will provide accurate technical information for engineering and specification purposes in subsequent phases):

• Lighting, power and telecommunications systems
• Heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system (HVAC)
• Equipment requirements, including room size, configuration, location, adjacencies and support systems
• Structural, relative to heavy floor loading or equipment support considerations
• General security criteria
• Acoustics relative to standard partitions.

A furniture and equipment inventory (and/or furniture order) which a building owner or user will use to verify the space plan prior to its approval, typically is provided to FENNIE+MEHL Architects by the owner's facility department or furniture dealer. FENNIE+MEHL Architects will typically provide a cursory review of the current office layout and existing furniture for general planning purposes.

FENNIE+MEHL Architects will then provide a scale Space Plan indicating partition and typical furnishings locations and preliminary furniture and equipment layouts based on the approved program. The Space Plan also identifies space allocations and makes allowances for support function and circulation criteria. Evaluation of the Space Plan includes:

• Informing a building owner or user of building code issues which may impact decisions.
• Confirmation of adjacencies and reconciliation of outstanding space issues by a building owner or user.
• Confirm feasibility of achieving a building owner or user's approved program within the limitations of the building or buildings within which the Project is to be located.

In this phase, with assistance from the contractor, a building owner, or user, FENNIE+MEHL Architects will help establish the preliminary budget and project schedule.

Many times when conditions warrant, FENNIE+MEHL Architects will prepare annotated Pricing Plans with adequate information such that a Contractor will be able to prepare estimated construction pricing.
 

Following a building owner or user's approval of the Space Plan, FENNIE+MEHL Architects will then prepare, for approval by a building owner or user, Construction Documents, consisting of Drawings and many times written Specifications, setting forth in detail the requirements for the construction of the work. The drawings typically are drawn to scale, dimensioned, and include the following:

• Demolition Plan
• Floor Plans: Cross references to schedules, details and notes.
• Elevations (where applicable)
• Reflected Ceiling Plan(s): Shows the location and cross reference to lighting schedules and details, ceiling construction HVAC system and general guidelines for the placement of sprinklers and other equipment.
• Power and Signal Floor Plan(s): Delineates location and cross reference to lighting schedules and details, ceiling construction, HVAC system and general guidelines for the placement of sprinklers and other equipment.

In a Tenant Improvement Project, if the building owner has a developed Base Building Project Manual it is usually incorporated in the Contract Documents and any additional materials and methods not specified therein will be developed by FENNIE+MEHL Architects and issued along with the Drawings to the Contractor.

Structural, acoustical, security, communications/data, and other engineering services, are usually not included in FENNIE+MEHL Architects Basic Services; however, FENNIE+MEHL Architects can provide coordination services in connection with these various team members.

FENNIE+MEHL Architects will also assist a building owner or user in connection with a building owner or user's responsibility for filing documents required for the approval of governmental authorities having jurisdiction over the Project.

Following a building owner or user's approval of the Contract Documents, FENNIE+MEHL Architects will also assist a building owner or user in obtaining bids or negotiated proposals, and assist in awarding and preparing contracts for interior construction.

CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION PHASE

This phase of the project typically commences with the award of the Contract for Construction and ends when final payment to the contractor is due. This is usually 30 days after the Date of Substantial Completion or move-in.

FENNIE+MEHL Architects will typically conduct, or assist a building owner or user, in a pre-construction conference to establish project requirements and procedures and discuss roles, responsibilities and communications with the general contractor.

During this phase of the project FENNIE+MEHL Architects will act as representative of the Owner, and as such may advise, consult, and have the authority to act on behalf of the Owner to the extent provided in the Contract Documents.

FENNIE+MEHL Architects will also process the myriad of communications of the principal parties during this phase.

During the construction, FENNIE+MEHL Architects will interpret the requirements of the Contract Documents and issue clarifications and responses to Requests for Information (RFI's) from the general contractor and issue, when required, modifications to the Contract Documents.

While the construction is proceeding FENNIE+MEHL Architects will make field observations of the contractor's work and attend jobsite meetings which are usually chaired and recorded by the contractor. FENNIE+MEHL Architects will normally issue field reports on as-needed basis to inform the Owner on the progress and quality of the Work.

FENNIE+MEHL Architects will also review and render appropriate action to Contract's submittals such as Shop Drawings, Product Data and Samples, and review the contractor's request for additional cost and time relative to modifications to the Contract Documents. In the event changes are needed FENNIE+MEHL Architects will prepare and issue change orders to formally execute modifications of the work and the resulting impact on cost and time.

As the work progresses the contractor will bill the Owner for his work through and Application for Payment process. FENNIE+MEHL Architects will review and endorse the Applications for Payments to determine the amounts owed to the contractor, based on field observation of the progress of the Work. Upon endorsement of the application the Owner will submit payment to the contractor for his work completed to date.

When the project is ready for move-in, or Substantial Completion FENNIE+MEHL Architects will make an inspection each of the premises and amend the contractor's list of items pending completion (Punchlist).

©2007 FENNIE+MEHL Architects