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Commercial design trends nationwide are shifting toward sustainability and health-forward concepts, but The demand for such projects is limited by implementation costs, explain Steve Roth, Principal, Architects West Inc.
To help overcome financial difficulties, Some companies are offering alternative design solutions to help take projects from paper to reality.
Ross says the challenge is to engage building owners in creative design solutions for the final product, combining health and sustainability in a market where budget drives most client design choices.
“We don’t have a lot of clients coming to us saying they want to design for health or sustainability,” he said. “If the cost is low or free, they will accept it, but if it is expensive, they often decide not to pursue the concepts.”
The bottom line for project budgets, Ross said, is that they can’t keep up with the skyrocketing construction costs of the past few years.
“It does put pressure on property owners, who are struggling to…afford what they could previously afford,“he explained.
Despite the financial constraints, West Architects remains committed to championing modern design principles on behalf of clients, regardless of whether they are interested in sustainability and health, Ross said.
“For example, we’re very interested in health design, so we try to incorporate that into our design work across all project types where possible.”
One low-cost option for incorporating health and sustainability into a project is through natural light.
“(Natural light) is a simple passive strategy that is easy to integrate and costs virtually nothing to the client, but has tremendous value in almost every building,” he said.
The phased project approach is also popular with clients, allowing owners to plan ahead for what they want to include in the building design by spreading the costs.
A phased approach works best for clients who: “They want it all, but they can only afford part of it,” he said.
“IIf they are able to secure more funding in the future, they can easily add on, or we can create a shell space in part of the building to be completed later,” Ross said. “It’s a way to get square. Shoot the footage up front at minimal cost and then complete it as needed over time.”
For example, solar power plans could be implemented in phases Because of the high upfront cost of purchasing and installing the equipment, he said.
“although (Solar) is a great concept, it’s not often incorporated, so as a compromise… us Install infrastructure to support future solar panels,” he said. “WHataf us able suitable for one Customer’s Sustainable budgeting, we work very hard to do that.“
Roth, a 30-year industry professional, said technology and building materials have improved throughout his career and now offer low- or no-cost products for those who expect zero maintenance and long-lasting durability. Customers are provided with more choices.
“We try to target products that have a lot of recycled content in the mix,” Ross said of the improved building materials.
“Owners who operate their buildings using some of the new systems that are available can see considerable cost savings.”
LED lighting, improved flooring options and upgraded exterior cladding products are the types of products the company is targeting to help owners realize their design vision and align with Architects West’s sustainable and healthy design principles.
“Carpet is a big area because most carpet manufacturers now use some level of recycled materials to make their products,” he said. “We can specify low VOCs in concrete mixes. wattWhatever we want, there are now options to achieve them It seems. “
Ross declined to disclose Architect West’s annual income.
To maintain Architects West’s steady year-over-year revenue and employee growth, Ross said the company plans to continue investing in its employees and is working toward a third consecutive Best Place to Work award.
Later this year, the company plans to form an artificial intelligence working group to better understand how to leverage the technology in upcoming projects.
“This is a profession that understands people. We work with each client to help them clearly understand what they need,” Ross said. “Drawings and buildings are the result of someone’s dream, vision or need, and our job is to understand that…and try to help that person realize it in the best way possible and in the best form possible.”
The firm’s recently completed and ongoing projects include the Cornerstone mixed-use building in Coeur d’Alene, a high school improvement project in Ione, Oregon, and Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in Pasco, Washington, and Shopping malls, car dealerships and financial centers across the region and around the world.
Architects West is a 50-year-old employee-owned firm providing architectural services, landscape architects and interior design services. The company has 32 employees working out of two offices in Coeur d’Alene and Spokane.
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