Offers experience-driven guidance on navigating the full building design and construction process
Building Design and Construction: An Architect’s Perspective provides the foundational knowledge necessary to lead complex projects with confidence. Drawing on over 40 years of combined experience in both construction and architectural practice, author Sam Andras delivers a comprehensive understanding of how building projects succeed—beginning with a clear grasp of the roles, responsibilities, and collaboration required among all stakeholders. This highly practical resource fills a crucial gap between academic instruction and real-world application—connecting professional principles to actual project experiences through detailed case studies and lessons learned.
Rather than simply explaining processes, the author provides a roadmap for decision-making at every stage—from concept to completion. Readers will gain insight into key delivery methodologies, contract structures, and design phases while learning how to evaluate and select the best approaches for each unique project. Throughout the book, practical examples underscore how missteps were corrected, or could have been avoided, through cooperation, collaboration, and shared goals, helping students and professionals alike avoid common pitfalls.
With a clear, step-by-step structure and emphasis on collaborative success, Building Design and Construction: An Architect’s Perspective:
- Features a dedicated “Roadmap to Success” chapter that integrates key lessons from preceding chapters while setting the foundation for the integration and understanding of post-chapters
- Explains industry-standard terminology, tools, and documentation to build a shared understanding among project stakeholders
- Includes clearly defined processes for selecting project teams, delivery methods, and contractual frameworks
- Provides strategic approaches to troubleshooting project challenges, including key aspects of project planning that directly impact long-term project outcomes
Addressing both design intent and construction execution to demonstrate how integrated thinking drives project success, Building Design and Construction: An Architect’s Perspective is ideal for architecture, engineering, and construction management students. It is also a valuable reference guide for owners and project managers seeking a working understanding of what drives successful project delivery.
Table of Contents:
Foreword xi
Preface xiii
Acknowledgments xix
Disclosure and Disclaimer xxi
1 The Beginning of the Journey 1
2 The Perfect Client 7
The Perfect Client 7
3 The Players 15
Defining the Team Members 15
Owner (Client) 15
Owner’s Representative 16
Program Manager 16
Architect 17
Interior Designer 18
Environmental Engineer 18
Geotechnical Engineer 19
Civil Engineer 19
Landscape Architect 20
Mechanical Engineer 20
Electrical Engineer 21
Low-Voltage Engineer/Designer 21
Fire Protection Engineer 22
Structural Engineer 22
Jurisdictional Authorities/Code Officials 23
General Contractor 23
Construction Project Manager 23
Superintendent 24
Subcontractors 24
4 Glossary of Words and Terminologies: Laying out the Lingo 27
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5 Types of Development 35
Defining the Categories 35
Renovation 37
Addition 42
New Construction 44
6 Delivery Methodologies 49
Design-Bid-Build 49
Pros 50
Cons 50
Team Delivery Methodologies 52
CM at-Risk 52
Pros 53
Cons 53
Design-Build 58
Pros 58
Cons 58
Design-Builder 59
Pros 59
Cons 59
Bridging 61
Pros, Scenario 1 62
Cons, Scenario 1 62
Pros, Scenario 2 62
Cons, Scenario 2 62
7 Murphy’s Law 63
Pre-Design Phase 63
Design Phase 64
Construction Phase 64
No Defined Vision 65
Selection of a Site and/or Building Without Proper Investigation 65
Misalignment Between Vision Stipulated CapEx and Actual Project Costs 66
Funding Not Secured 67
Improper Selection of Project Team Members 68
Failure to Define Expectations 69
Project Initialization/Pre-Design 73
Design 73
Typical Meetings During the Pre-Design and Design Stages 74
Consultant Reviews/Coordination 74
Jurisdictional Authority Review Meetings 74
8 The Roadmap to Success 75
9 Defining the Vision 83
10 Selecting the Delivery Approach and Implementing the Process 97
11 Contract Options 99
A-Series – an Overview 100
A-Series Documents 100
B-Series Documents 103
C-Series Documents 104
D-Series 107
E-Series 107
F-Series 108
G-Series 108
AIA B101-2017, Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Architect 117
1. Initial Information 118
2. Architect’s Responsibilities 118
3. Scope of Architect’s Basic Services 119
4. Supplemental and Additional Services 120
5. Owner’s Responsibilities 122
6. Cost of theWork 122
7. Copyrights and Licenses 123
8. Claims and Disputes 123
9. Termination or Suspension 123
10. Miscellaneous Provisions 124
11. Compensation 124
12. Special Terms and Conditions 124
13. Scope of the Agreement 125
AIA A101-2017: Standard Form of Agreement Between Owner and Contractor Where the Basis of Payment is a Stipulated Sum 125
1. The Contract Documents 125
2. TheWork of this Contract 125
3. Date of Commencement and Substantial Completion 125
4. Contract Sum 126
5. Payments 126
6. Dispute Resolution 126
7. Termination or Suspension 126
8. Miscellaneous Provisions 126
9. Enumeration of Contract Documents 127
Exhibit a Insurance and Bonds 127
AIA A201-2007: General Conditions of the Contract for Construction 127
Deficiency One: Deviations Between Construction Documents and As-Is Field
Conditions 128
The Issue 128
The Contractual Language 128
Addressing the Issue(s) 128
The Contractual Language 128
AIA B101-2017, Article 5, Section 5.12 128
AIA A201-2017, Article 4, Section 4.2.4 128
AIA A201-2017, Article 7 Changes in theWork, Section 7.1.2 129
The Breaches in Contract 129
Why It’s Important 129
Deficiency Two: Inaccurate Proforma(s) 129
The Issue 129
Contract Language 129
AIA B101-2017, Article 6 129
Article 6.1 129
Article 6.5 130
Why It’s Important 130
Deficiency Three: Value Engineering 130
The Issue 130
Contract Language 130
Why It’s Important 130
Example One 131
The Issues 131
Example Two 131
The Issues 131
Example Three 132
The Issues 132
12 Making Your Draft Picks: Choosing Your Team and Defining Who Will Lead the Process 133
Design-Bid-Build 136
Understanding Team Deliveries: CM Deliveries (CM as Advisor, CM–Cost Plus, or CM at-Risk), Design-Builder, and Bridging 136
CM Deliveries (CM as Advisor, CM–Cost Plus, or CM at-Risk) 138
Design-Builder 138
Design-Build 138
Bridging 139
13 Preliminary (Investigative) Stage 143
Topographic Surveys 143
ALTA Survey 144
Phase 1 and 2 Environmental Assessment 145
Geotechnical Surveys 145
Traffic Studies 145
PotentialWork Force 146
Noise 146
Codes 146
Zoning 147
Security 148
Existing Buildings 149
Property Condition Assessment 149
Test-Fit 151
14 Design Stage 155
Basis of Design 155
Continuation of Design Stages 159
Programming 159
Conceptual Design 161
Schematic Design 161
Design Development 162
Construction Documents 164
Bidding and Permitting 165
15 Construction Stage 167
16 Project Closeout 181
17 Cutting the Ribbon 185
About the Author 187
Index 189
About the Author :
Sam Andras is a licensed architect with over four decades of combined experience in construction and architectural practice. He is the co-founder of 2WR + Partners, where he led the expansion into government and institutional markets. A graduate of Florida A&M University, Andras has served in key leadership roles throughout his career, offering expertise in strategic planning, project execution, and professional service delivery. His practice and teaching emphasize the collaborative nature of successful building projects.
