Masonry Magazine October 2000 Page. 14
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14 MASONRY-SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER, 2000
INTERVIEW: Masonry Has A Role... continued from page 11
Masonry Magazine: How long have you been working with the design/build concept?
Deming: I have been working with design/build for about ten years. I work almost exclusively with design/build and almost exclusively with masonry in the design/build area.
Masonry Magazine: What are the advantages with using design/build vs. other methods?
Deming: Design/build creates a bond with the construction customer. At times, the customer is not familiar with the construction process. Design/build allows my company the opportunity to gather information on the needs of the customer, and then I can design and build the project using my past experiences with construction. This process helps prevent the possibilities of errors in design.
Another advantage is that masonry gives a professional look and feel to a completed project that other materials can't. Masonry also provides longevity to the integrity of the construction that other materials such as stucco do not provide. Masonry also allows me to build according to my customers needs and desires.
Masonry Magazine: Does design/build save you and the customer time and money?
Deming: Yes, having the concept designed by someone with tremendous experience in this type of construction helps alleviate problems with the design process. Design/build speeds up the process from point A- Z. The process also saves the time in because the project is not put out for bid.
Masonry Magazine: Does your customer pick and choose materials for their project?
Deming: The customers pick the materials within reason. They choose the color and materials, and we do the design and construction end. Concrete Block and Quick brick work well, and we have done several projects with brick that have worked well.
Masonry Magazine: In your experiences, do the surrounding communities and government officials prefer the use of masonry design/build over the use of competing materials?
Deming: Absolutely. Masonry gives the feel that the buildings are being built for the long haul. The communities also find masonry more aesthetically pleasing.
Deming Enterprises, Inc. is a development firm that specializes in design/build office parks in Northeast Ohio. Deming uses masonry almost exclusively in their design/build developments.
Design/build requires a very sophisticated and disciplined owner who can trust the contractors working on their projects. It obviously requires a disciplined contractor who is required to name an early price on a project even before the plans are completed for the project and then have the faith that they will get paid for what the project really costs. It also takes a very sophisticated contractor who understands the intricacies of design/build and has a belief in team concepts that are governed by trust. Speaking at an A/E/C Systems 2000 meeting in Washington, design/build consultant Michael Dell'Isola, P.E. summed up construction with design/build in simple terms. "Design/build can be the best delivery method, but if you are not prepared for it, it it can be very dangerous."