ONE
SOMETIMES THE BEST BUILDING IS THE ONE
THAT’S ALREADY THERE.
We’re doing more renovation and adaptive reuse work than ever, and I think that’s a good thing. Existing buildings come with their share of surprises and usually a few things nobody finds until a wall gets opened but figuring out how to give an old structure a new purpose is some of the most interesting work we do. The answer doesn’t always have to be tear it down and start over.
TWO
EVERYTHING IS MOVING FASTER.
Early foundation packages. Phased permits. Materials being ordered before the drawings are finished. Contractors asking questions while we’re still answering the last round of questions. That’s just the reality of the industry right now. Moving fast isn’t necessarily a bad thing. But it makes communication and early coordination that much more important. Ten minutes spent working through something together early can save a whole lot more than ten minutes in the field.
THREE
JUST PICK UP THE PHONE.
We have Teams, email, Bluebeam, text messages, and probably three other ways someone can send me a question before lunch. Sometimes it’s easier to just call. Some of the biggest project issues start as pretty small misunderstandings. Architects, engineers, contractors and owners are all trying to get to the same place. A five-minute conversation can solve something that might otherwise turn into 15 emails, three RFI’s, and a meeting nobody wanted. Technology is great. But don’t stop talking to each other.
