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A Beginner's Guide to Acoustical Design Overview Why You Should Hire an Acoustical Design Firm The Process to Realizing Your Project Why You Should Hire an Acoustical Design Firm Few people understand the complexities of building -- that is until they find themselves faced with the hundreds of design decisions, building codes, zoning laws, contractors, and so on. For a technical facility, there exists even more unique problems to solve. The acoustical designer is a professional who has the experience to help guide you through the maze of building a media facility, from the design process to the construction process. Building a media facility is not just about constructing walls, floors, and ceilings, it's about creating a total environment: integrating acoustics, aesthetics, technical requirements, electrical and mechanical needs. And all with your particular budget and schedule in mind. The Acoustical Designer Can Save You Money The design services you get are a good investment. Why? Because a well-conceived project can be built more efficiently and save you money. Designing and planning on paper is much less expensive than later when construction is taking place. In addition, thorough drawings make it easier for the contractor to accurately price and build your project. Because the designer can work with your budget and schedule to help you most effectively build what you need within realistic time and cost requirements. Because good design sells. A well-designed facility, along with the reputation, entices new clients and keeps current clients coming back. A well-designed work environment attracts employees and increases productivity. The Acoustical Designer Can Make Your Life Easier Designing and building a project can be a long process, and construction can be messy and disruptive. The designer you hire looks out for your interests and tries to make the process go smoothly. The designer can help you find a qualified construction contractor and will make regular site visits to verify that the project is being built according to the drawings and specifications. What You Should Know: A Little Homework First, think carefully about your facilities needs and goals. Do you have an idea of the different spaces your project will need? What activities will take place in these spaces? How much can you spend on the project? When do you need to be operational? If you are looking for a new building, it's a good idea to get your designer's opinion, as there are many things you may not think of that are necessary for a media facility, such as adequate ceiling height to accommodate acoustical isolation and mechanical systems. How will the project be financed? It's important to realize that construction is not an inexpensive endeavor, and it must be approached realistically, with your specific needs and site in mind. Teamwork The best projects are created when the client and the designer work together. Don't delegate decisions unless you can live with them; take an active role. Designing a building can be very satisfying and positive, but is also hard work. If at any time you are uncomfortable with the design process communicate your concerns. Don't let the designer control the design of the building to the point that it is no longer yours; however, don't restrict the designer so much that you are not taking advantage of his full creative potential. Get It in Writing After deciding upon a designer, it is important to have a written agreement. This agreement, or contract, should include the scope of work, services, schedule, construction budget, and designer's compensation. It is important to have a contract not just for the designer's protection, but also for yours. In fact, in most states in the U.S., it is illegal for an architect to work on a project without a contract. Choosing a Designer Of course we hope you choose us. However, there are some things to keep in mind when deciding on who to hire to design your project. 1) Experience: Does the design firm you're looking at have the proven experience in designing your type of project? 2) References: A project in a brochure or magazine may look beautiful, but does it work, does it sound great, was the client completely satisfied? Check references. 3) Chemistry: Remember that the process of realizing a project can be a long one and you need to feel comfortable working with a particular design firm. 4) Product: How detailed will the final construction package be? Will it be detailed enough for the contractor to accurately price the project and to build it with little ambiguity? Ask to speak with past contractors to get their views on the designer's construction documents. At Yanchar Design & Consulting Group, our drawings and specifications are highly detailed, so as to minimize possible construction difficulties. This philosophy also adds to our ability to work on projects worldwide when it is impractical to visit the site often. The Process to Realizing Your Project There are typically six phases that a project goes through, although for some projects they are combined. Step 1: Pre-Design In this first phase, also called programming, you are discussing the requirements of the building: how many and what spaces, who will use it and how. You will discuss the budget and schedule. Typically, your building site or existing facility is surveyed. Don't have solutions already decided upon, as this is the time to discuss new ideas. Step 2: Schematic Design Based upon the requirements discussed in the pre-deign phase, the designer will translate them into a spatial concept. This is when actual drawings are produced. These sketches are not final construction documents. They merely show possible approaches to consider. At this point, a preliminary estimate can be produced, however there are still many decisions to be made and the estimate is very general. In addition, it may be some time until actual construction takes place and the designer can not predict market conditions. Step 3: Design Development During this phase, the designer will produce more detailed drawings illustrating the intended design. The floor plans will show the walls in their correct size and locations, major materials and room finishes will be chosen, and the structural and other building systems will be worked into the design. When looking at these drawings, imagine yourself using the spaces. You should have a good idea of what the project will look like. Review every element with your designer to make sure you are getting what you want, and are paying for, as it is still less expensive to change things on paper. Step 4: Construction Documents At this point, the designer will prepare final detailed construction documents and specifications which the contractor will use to establish actual construction cost and to build the project. These drawings and specifications become part of the contract. They typically take 50% of the designer's total time on the project to produce and are also what is submitted to the building department for permitting. Step 5: Bidding or Negotiation You are now ready to look for and hire a contractor. You may already have someone in mind or your designer can make recommendations, and you might send the construction documents to him or her to negotiate fees and costs. Or perhaps you might want to choose from several contractors whom you've asked to submit bids on the project. The designer will help in preparing the bidding documents, which consist of the drawings, specifications and instructions. Step 6: Construction Administration During construction the designer will make site visits, review and approve any substitutions the contractor may wish to make, approve the contractor's applications for payment, and keep you informed of the progress of the project. Keep in mind that while the designer observes construction, the contractor is solely responsible for construction methods, techniques, schedules, and procedures. The following is a list of the most often asked questions, and ones we think you should know. How much does it cost? There are two elements to that question: construction cost and professional fees, and they make up the "project cost." Construction cost depends entirely on your requirements for isolation, what kinds of finishes you desire, where the project is and what is around it. For preliminary budgets, a typical control room and studio can be $150 per square foot and up, and an editing room can be approximately $100 per square foot. These costs are based on the simple fact that materials and construction labor is not inexpensive. I'm looking for a building. How high should the ceilings be? For a typical control room / studio, 12 feet is about the minimum clear height, although with compromises it can be done in a slightly lower space. Remember, the equipment inside the spaces generate heat. You are in an airtight space so cooling is important. My project doesn't need a building permit. Wrong. Unless you are building a tool shed, oil derrick or fence less than 6 feet high you are required to obtain a building permit. How long is it going to take to get a permit? Small projects with little structural work can be done over-the-counter (the same day). However, typically, it can take 4-6 weeks to go through plan check. |
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