Don’t Let Curveballs Slow Down Construction
Canadian Property Management | December 2023
Cait Mancuso, BESc, MESc, P.Eng. | Project Engineer
4 tips for achieving success through design-assist.
As buildings become taller and more complicated, the engagement of trades in the design-assist process is more integral than ever. The design-assist project delivery method allows the construction partners and the design team to collaborate early and often throughout the project duration, bringing more cohesion and cooperation to a process that might otherwise operate in silos.
“Design-assist entails regular engagement and collaboration with the trade partners and the design team,” explains Cait Mancuso, Project Engineer with RJC Engineers. “Instead of the designers producing a detail in isolation, design-assist ensures everyone works together to come up with a solution that meets the engineering intent, while also considering the needs and constraints of the trades in terms of constructability, cost and schedule.”
In any field, having a culture of collaboration is known to help improve efficiencies and avoid costly mistakes. But in the complicated world of construction, where intricate machinery, occupant safety, building aesthetics and sustainability are just some of the pressing considerations, catching problems early is critical to the success of a project. For design-assist to be truly effective, Mancuso explains that there must be a willingness by all parties to work together.
“There will be curveballs and hiccups—and if you don’t have that collaborative culture in place, obstacles will slow down and mar the process,” she says.
“Having the trades at the table early to provide input allows for optimization and more seamless construction. Meanwhile, ongoing engagement helps with problem-solving throughout the project, as new challenges arise.”
Of course, the more complicated the project, the more important it is to have qualified design-assist trades on board. Gone are the days when the architects and engineers were the only ones working in 3D BIM models; trades today are also creating sophisticated 3D models for clash detection and coordination that the whole design assist team can leverage.