Following the DBIA mantra, “We teach how,” DATELINE this month takes readers on an educational tour that not only examines public projects in the design-build world, but hopefully takes that teaching to a higher level.
Public-sector construction is an area in which design-build has made tremendous strides over the past several years. With legislation in almost every state supporting design-build at various levels, we are at a point where DBIA is doing more than fighting for better legislation; we’re trying to change the legislative approach to make the funding process more conducive to design-build within that legislation.
DBIA Chairman Tom Sorley begins this issue with “Economic Skinny-Dipping” — a reality check for the industry. With recession talk in the air, a tightening economy and uncertainty ahead, many would think building and construction is on a downward slope. But Sorley emphasizes how design-build is more crucial than ever if projects wish to weather this financial storm.
Our first project feature is one that is revitalizing downtown Phoenix in an illustration of design-build and the public sector working together flawlessly. Former DBIA President Craig Unger then follows, addressing a segment ripe for design-build in “Prison Priorities.” A former federal law enforcement officer, Unger examines how prison construction is an area in which design-build has taken off, and he illustrates, in depth, the growing possibilities and practicality of design-build and its application to prison projects.
Our second project feature moves to northern Illinois in the form of the Village of Deerfield just north of Chicago. It is an illustration of how integrated design can bring a project together and end with the best results.
As a “We teach how” feature this month, DATELINE takes a close look at the National Security Sciences Building project completed in recent years in Los Alamos, New Mexico. In particular, the feature includes a short discussion with Keith R. Orr, a project director at National Security Sciences Building Projects, who helps explain the nuances and realities surrounding projects that include federal funding. This is a good starting point for any design-build entity to head off some of the surprises that can arise when working with Congress on federal government projects.
Finally, we take a look at our roots. Preston Haskell was DBIA’s first chairman and a founding member of the organization 15 years ago. His devotion to design-build is the reason design-build is what it is today — and why it has the potential to grow in coming years.
This month, DATELINE hopes to help you enter new territory and show you, the design-builder, real secrets behind successful integrated project delivery in the public sector.
Christopher Prawdzik
Editor, Design-Build DATELINE