TABLE OF CONTENTS A systematic acquisition planning process (discussed in Chap. 3) can determine what form of overall project delivery is appropriate for the project. Whenever an owner decides to employ the design-build project delivery method, an important next step is to determine which variation of design-build is most appropriate for meeting the owner s and the project s needs. Like Baskin-Robbins ice cream (which comes in many different flavors and textures and may be composed of varying amounts of cream, milk, or yogurt), design-build is not just one thing; it is many things. Design-build, says architect and design criteria professional Edward Wundram, is an entire range of possibilities.
Current writings about design-build have focused almost entirely on the structural variations of design-build. Structural variations are characterized by the roles of the parties within the design-build entity, including joint-venture arrangements, designer-led, contractor-led, integrated firm, and developer-led (see Fig. 8.1). While structural variations are important, another way to analyze and categorize design-build is to consider the operational variations of design-build. A simplified breakdown of operational variations would include direct design-build, design criteria design-build, and preliminary design design-build. Explanations of how both structural and operational design-build variations may affect an owner s project are included in this chapter.
Each of the five structural forms of design-build is identified by the entity that contracts directly with the owner for combined design and construction services. The five structural variations include
Owner and joint-venture...
