Charting a course for the future: NCMA's first masonry design-build conference examined the process and how to make it happen

Masonry Construction, April, 2004

The purpose behind the National Concrete Masonry Association's first "Masonry Design-Build Micro-Conference held recently in Scottsdale, Ariz., "was to identify what the industry needed to know about the design-build process and how to encourage alliances between suppliers and contractors so that concrete masonry will have an active role," according to Mark Wilhelms, chairperson of NCMA's CM Wall Delivery Task Force. A group of 30 contractors, suppliers, and representatives from various state and national masonry organizations participated in the inaugural event.

David Crawford, PE, DBIA, president and chief executive officer, Sundt Construction Inc., opened the two-day meeting with a discussion of design-build issues for the subcontractor. Crawford's company provides general contracting, construction management, and design-build services for public and private sector clients.

According to Crawford, the design-build process--one of many also known as an alternative procurement delivery method (APDM) in Arizona--reduces a variety of factors, including design errors and omissions, construction schedules, change orders, cost overruns, warranty problems, and claims and litigation. In discussing design-build's national trends, he pointed out that there is increasing use in the public sector at all levels of government, an added emphasis on qualifications, and a technical approach over price. "Large, complex design-build projects are becoming more common," he continued. "They are a part of more integrated solutions, which include financing, operation, maintenance, and ownership."

Rudy Kolich, director of Pre-Construction Services, McCarthy Building Companies Inc., told the audience that the design-build process means singularity of cost savings, responsibility, quality, time savings, potential for reduced administrative burden, early knowledge of firm costs, and improved risk management. Kolich's company constructs buildings for a wide variety of industries.

According to the speaker, today's design-build process requires breaking traditions and culture from the old design-bid-build process. "It requires building trust, developing team work, and allocating risk," he said.

The speaker went on to warn that the process is not easy, with 90% of all design-build partnerships failing to work together as a team again. However, when done right, Kolich said, "Architects find that the design-build process allows teams to come together by choice, rather than force. It provides better constructability input from the start, more viable creative solution development, early ownership by the contractor and buy-in of project goals, and avoids low-bid scenarios."

Alan Torvie, senior director of construction, Opus West Construction Corp., described the design-build process as "a method of project delivery in which one entity--the design-builder--forges a single contract with the owner to provide for architectural, engineering, design, and construction services." Opus West Construction provides in-house architecture, construction management, real estate development, and property management services. It uses the design-build project delivery method for all projects. Torvie explained, "A professional de sign-builder is at risk for the cost, schedule, quality, and management of a project. This responsibility means that the design-build process results in about 50% fewer legal claims."

Todd Nessler, president, Sun Valley Masonry, described how his company's $40 million annual billings went from 100% design-bid-build to 60% design-build and 40% design-bid-build in a period of three years. "We developed promotional materials specifically aimed at the design-build market," he said. "Sun Valley is actively pursuing general contractors and developers that are using APDM, and it is paying off."

Following these four presentations, attendees engaged in a free-flow discussion outlining several areas where action is required. For example, Mark Hogan, NCMA president, noted that its educational pro gram for technical sales, which is heavily based on parameters set forth by the Construction Specification Institute, may need to be revised to add a design-build component focusing on creating partnerships between suppliers and contractors.

Getting involved

All the presentations emphasized the importance of masonry suppliers being involved in the process early enough to influence the design choices. When asked 'how getting in early enough could be accomplished,' the contractors urged suppliers to be frequent communicators with them, both in person and by telephone.

Kolich said, "Contact the estimators in the design-build companies and ask them what projects are coming up in the future. And then be ready to share information about concrete masonry, how it can solve problems, and why it would be the product of choice."

Torvie added, "Do luncheons or workshops at the design-build firms. Check their Web sites and newsletters to find out what new projects are coming out. Get on the various distribution lists that target civic projects. Most important is the need for a cultural change in the way you view the process"