As design-builders from across the country converge on Las Vegas this month for the 2008 Design-Build Conference & Expo, they’re going to find themselves in an intersection of a variety of influences, challenges and also opportunities.
Perhaps it’s fitting that this year’s presidential election falls right in the heart of the conference. As owners, practitioners and every contributor to design-build projects watch the country’s leadership change, regardless of political affiliation, those influences will likely determine decisions for the future.
Add the uncertainty in the construction market and decisions made about the future become even more important.
With these influences on the minds of DBIA members and visitors at this year’s conference, we have worked hard to assemble one of the most comprehensive conferences to date. You will be able to see how design-build moves forward despite some of the speed bumps other segments of the industry are experiencing.
Through collaboration, just as with a design-build project, we hope to work together at the conference to answer the questions necessary to move design-build forward as the preferred delivery method.
While pondering these philosophical issues, however, DATELINE is welcoming you to our October issue with open arms. We hope this issue serves as a tool to get you through the conference and also a foundation for your next project, addressing green building methods and approaches that are becoming the norm.
For starters, this issue gives you an overview of the conference. Let it serve as a companion throughout every day of events. We have event information beginning on page 17.
We then jump to Minnesota, where design-builders have focused attention for a little more than a year. The result? The St. Anthony Falls Bridge, which replaced the I-35 bridge that collapsed in August 2007, is open and functioning. It’s perhaps design-build’s crown jewel, because it illustrates everything that design-build is about.
Most important, the project came in early, saving the city millions of dollars in the process — and commuters hours and hours of delay.
In addition to the celebratory features of the issue, we offer a special focus this month on sustainable projects and processes, geared to giving you the latest information about what is becoming standard practice among many projects. From electrical contractors to navigating the LEED® process on other projects, it’s a must-see part of the issue.
We also feature this month a book excerpt from Charles Thomsen, FAIA, FCMAA, whose recently released Program Management: Concepts and Strategies for Managing Capital Building Programs takes a close look at design-build.
And don’t miss our expanded bookstore section as well as a few other surprises that dot this publication landscape this month. It’s a busy time of the year, but it’s also an exciting one as we move into 2009.
Christopher Prawdzik
Editor, Design-Build DATELINE