The foundation of a successful build is laid well before ground is broken with a robust preconstruction program. 

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Schematic Design:  Ideally, Rhizome is engaged early in the schematic design phase of the project.  During this phase Rhizome works with the design team and the client on project feasibility.  In addition to working up ROM ("rough order of magnitude")  budget numbers, project feasibility will often look at site specific concerns such as costs associated with utilities development, area soil stability, past site uses and possible contamination, easements (e.g. railroad easements) and other adjacency concerns.  In the case of existing structures, project feasibility will often focus on the structural soundness of the existing building, costs associated with life safety upgrades, hazardous materials surveys, and past building uses.

 

Design Development and Value Engineering:  During this phase Rhizome works collaboratively with the design team and the client to assess the cost of various design directions and to offer input on constructability.  It is during this phase that the majority of the value engineering takes place.  Rhizome is committed to the idea that value engineering should be a collaborative and thoughtful process that begins from an understanding of the design intent rather than a "chop job" that takes place at the eleventh hour and sacrifices critical design elements.  A design forward approach to value engineering works toward maintaining the project’s budget parameters without losing site of project goals both functional and aesthetic.

 

Budgeting:  Square foot numbers are very useful for developing feasibility/ROM pricing but are only the first step in the process of developing meaningful and accurate project budgets.  The development of a comprehensive project budget requires the eye of a seasoned builder, the vision of an effective project manager, and a healthy dose of realism.  Rhizome takes a data driven, stick by stick, task by task, trade by trade, site specific approach to estimating.   The numbers arrived at through this exacting process are not always the numbers hoped for on the front end but they are real numbers and surprises are rare.

 

Scheduling:  Effective schedule development and implementation is critical to on time delivery.  The overall project schedule establishing the project timeline and critical path is only one element of an effective approach to scheduling.  The more granular “schedule of tasks” established in consultation with the build team is crucial to establishing team buy-in and to ensuring on time completion.  The client decision and/or submittal schedule is indispensable in keeping the design team and clients aware of decisions that need to be made and selections that need to be approved to ensure that work is not delayed or and that lead times do not become an issue.

 

Buy-out and Procurement:  A well thought out and uniform process of soliciting proposals from subontractors and vendors is necessary to an informed subcontractor/vendor selection process.  Rhizome starts with a detailed RFP (request for proposal) for each major scope of work.  RFPs are sent to qualified subcontractors and vendors.  Proposals are then leveled prior to presentation to the client and the architect's project administration team.

 

Digital Construction:  Up to a fairly high level of complexity, the integration of various building systems can be handled through diligent and forward-thinking onsite coordination between the project management team and the project subcontractors.  More complicated builds, often incorporating extensive structural steel and concrete alongside minimalist detailing and complex MEP systems, require the utilization of digital construction software during the preconstruction phase to ensure the seamless integration of all scopes of work.  Far from being an added cost, when necessary, digital construction more than pays for itself on the back end through the elimination of unnecessary structural change orders and modifications during construction.