Designing the Space
Image isn't everything, but it can affect how patients perceive you. Most doctors have made considerable financial & emotional commitments to their office. What kind of Image will your business convey? Let's face it, we don't have a choice as to whether our office makes a statement or not. Our choice is "what kind" of statement it makes. To your patients, your office is the initial and most tangible symbol of the quality of healthcare you provide.

Each full service project is typically comprised of five phases: Preliminary Design, Design Development, Construction Documents, Bidding and Construction. Depending on the nature of the project (new construction/new building, new construction/existing building, remodel, addition, etc.), its location, time schedule, etc., our scope of services may include any or all of the following.

Preliminary Design Phase:

1. Project Development

- Coordination of project team (contractor, equipment supplier, etc.)
- Budget review
- Lease review and Tenant Improvements (T.I.'s) analysis
- Visiting/reviewing similar projects
- General design considerations including:

Philosophy of practice
Staff projections
Office procedures and staff responsibility review
Inventory of existing equipment and projected needs

2. Project Site Analysis of Building Conditions

Field measure all existing conditions and analyze space for structural and mechanical limitations including:

- Structural walls, columns, beams, floors and ceilings
- Window locations and operation
- Solar orientation
- Exterior views
- Handicap accessibility
- Parking considerations
- Plumbing service
- Electrical service
- Heating, ventilating and air conditioning requirements (HVAC)
- Access above ceiling and below floor

Review existing or proposed building plans and specification along with any existing base building drawings.
Take on-site record photographs
Review special building problems and hidden structural elements with building owner or his representative

3. Design Presentations

Includes scaled CAD (Computer Design) drawings showing the location of all major equipment, furnishings, cabinets and storage, etc., so as to facilitate a complete understanding of the proposed scheme(s).

4. Design Modifications

Refining the Preliminary Design until the client is completely satisfied that maximum usage has been made of the project site and/or interior design development.

Design Development Phase:

1. Reviewing the Preliminary Design

- Floor coverings
- Wall coverings
- Furnishings
- Window coverings
- Special lighting
- Color coordination
- Special interior design details

2. Reviewing the Preliminary Design with the Client and developing appropriate details

- Final equipment selection
- Intercom systems
- Background music selection
- Computer systems
- Special construction details

3. Preliminary Ceiling Design

- Location of lay-in and gypsum board ceilings, bulkheads, open ceiling concepts
- Design and location of gypsum board soffits/light tight enviroments
- Locations and generic specifications of all lighting fixtures and T-bar ceiling system
- Other ceiling element locations (exhaust fans, custom lighting, hepa filters, speakers, pot lighting/pendant and track lighting systems)

4. Perspective Studies

- Computer generated three dimensional perspectives of some of the critical areas of the office suite in order to enhance an early understanding of the finished project

5. Preliminary Cabinetry Design

- Three dimensional isometric drawings
- Location and elevation of all doors and drawers
- Location of all accessories and plumbing fixtures
- Special built-in cabinets and furniture and finishes for same

6. Cabinetry Drawings

- Specifications for finishes, hardware, accessory dispensing boxes, etc.
- Reception desk filing systems and counters
- Office cabinets
- Staff room cabinets, work stations & treatment area customization
- Special built-in cabinets as the project may dictate

Construction Document Phase:

1. Planning Elements

- Demolition plan
- Partition locations, heights & details (e.g., soundproofing, finishes, etc.)
- Door and Window schedules and details
- Door and Window elevations and schedules of finishes
- Lavatory wall elevations, handicapped accessibility (and others as necessary)
- Wall and building sections and schedules, where applicable
- Special carpentry and detailing (e.g., backing for x-rays, etc.)

2. Reflected Ceiling Plan

- Ceiling construction and specifications
- Location of ceiling grid and systems
- Ceiling support and soffit details, bulkheads, open/closed concepts
- Location of all ceiling elements, including lights, exhaust fans, sound proofing, etc.
- Ceiling and soffit height designations interior/exterior
- Special backing for hanging fixtures (e.g., ceiling mounted lights, surgical or otherwise)
- Mechanical system notes, exhaust fan specifications, hvac and medi gas etc.

3. Electrical Plan

- Location of electrical panel and telephone board
- General electric service for utility outlets
- Custom equipment wiring specifications, gen sets for surgical suites
- X-ray wiring specifications if applicable
- Dedicated circuits for computers and other specialized equipment (as required)
- Junction boxes and all equipment requiring electrical service (view boxes, radiology or custom X-ray equipment, digital imaging, etc.)
- Location of computer outlets, telephone jacks, speaker volume controls, intercom units and communication systems

4. Lighting Plan

- Lighting schedule, including descriptions, manufacturer's stock numbers and lamping specifications or selections
- Light fixture locations and switching design
- Special lighting installation details and customization to drywall or T-bar ceiling systems
- Coordinate required documentation for energy conservation

5. Plumbing Plan

- Waste lines and venting (loop vent detail, etc.)
- Water manifold and cold water lines
- Central high volume evacuation system
- Compressed air system
- Natural gas lines
- Location and specifications of all plumbing fixtures, foot/infrared activated sinks
- Medi gas system, manifolds, alarms and zone bells
- USC (utility service centers) for all related custom equipment

6. Cabinetry Drawings

- Specifications for finishes, hardware, all accessories
- Laboratory cabinets / sterilization areas
- Reception desk, filing systems and counters
- Office cabinets, consultation areas
- Staff room cabinets
- Special built-in cabinets as the project may dictate
- Wall units, TV/Fireplace details, credenzas.

Bidding Phase:

- Election of bidders--general contractors (minimum of 4)
- Invitation to Bidder--separate documents for general contractors pricing breakouts
- Analysis of bids
- Selection of General Contractor and his sub-contractors and all applicable remaining sub trades
- Agreement between Client and General Contractor
- Construction schedule to fruition

Construction Phase:

On-site observation to engage and assist during construction and assure that the project as related in the Construction Documents is carried out by the general contractor and his sub-contractors in an effective and satisfactory fashion. These observations may include the following:

- Preliminary construction meeting and review of project
- Check the wall layout and steel studs on site dimensions
- Check the utilities and services for the underslab plumbing & electrical installations
- Check the construction of the rough framed walls and review the locations of the plumbing and electrical services with the respective sub-contractors: coordinate to applicable installation and millwork.
- Check the plumbing and electrical installation prior to closing access to the interior of the walls prior to city inspections
- Check the wall finishes and the ceiling installation and systems prior to city approvals and inspections
- Check the cabinet installation in progress
- Final job check (Punch List): finished carpentry, plumbing, electrical, final interior finishes, cabinetry and millwork installation