New Britain, CT – Connecticut Building Congress members and friends in the A/E/C community discussed Design-Build past, present and future at a recent program held on the campus of Central Connecticut State University. Kenneth Russo, CPE director of preconstruction at KBE Building Corporation, moderated a panel including Allen V. Herring, P.E., chief engineer of the Connecticut Department of Construction Services; James L. Fox, PE LEED AP, BVH Integrated Services, P.C., and DBIA New England president; and James M. McManus, FAIA chairman of The S/L/A/M Collaborative.
Long-standing CBC member John Oliveto, P.E., from Fletcher-Thompson was honored for his many years of dedication to the organization.
Herring provided an interesting perspective on the State of Connecticut’s usage of design-build in some of its projects.
Fox illuminated the larger design-build picture nationwide as being 50% of commercial projects recently awarded, while the percentage in New England is much lower for design-build projects.
McManus conceded his initial apprehensions 20 years ago that the design-build structure would bankrupt the industry have been proven inaccurate. He then went on to stress the benefits of leveraging contractor and subcontractor expertise during the design process.
The consensus was that design-build saves money, eliminates waste, and often creates a superior product.
Design-build is here to stay.
Long-standing CBC member John Oliveto, P.E., from Fletcher-Thompson was honored for his many years of dedication to the organization.
Herring provided an interesting perspective on the State of Connecticut’s usage of design-build in some of its projects.
Fox illuminated the larger design-build picture nationwide as being 50% of commercial projects recently awarded, while the percentage in New England is much lower for design-build projects.
McManus conceded his initial apprehensions 20 years ago that the design-build structure would bankrupt the industry have been proven inaccurate. He then went on to stress the benefits of leveraging contractor and subcontractor expertise during the design process.
The consensus was that design-build saves money, eliminates waste, and often creates a superior product.
Design-build is here to stay.