The Misconceptions of IPD

There’s been a lot of talk lately about IPD (Integrated Project Delivery), but with it has come many misconceptions, misunderstandings and miscommunication about what IPD really means.

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) defines IPD as "a project delivery method that integrates people, systems, business structures and practices into a process that collaboratively harnesses the talents and insights of all participants to reduce waste and optimize efficiency through all phases of design, fabrication and construction.”

The Integrated Project Delivery method contains many specific components, including continuous involvement of the owner and key designers and builders from early design through project completion,

an alignment of the business interests of all parties through shared risk/reward, and joint project control by the owner, key designers and builders. As you’d expect, a true IPD model is truly integrated, sharing and spreading responsibilities and rewards among all parties.

As an architecture firm, we are seeing many requests for proposals that request IPD, but also refer to other delivery methods such as design-build, stipulated sum and even P3—all in the same proposal. This indicates to me that our clients are interested in IPD but are unsure exactly what’s involved. This can be troublesome, as a confusing RFP puts not only the contractors and consultants at risk but the project itself.

IPD isn’t a new model—it’s been around in one way or another for many years, though true IPD projects are few and far between. It takes a special client and project team that fully agree to all the terms that an IPD project requires. After talking to many contractors, consultants and even clients, my experience is that most do not fully understand exactly what’s involved in a true IPD contract.  

Everyone is willing to improve the construction process, and a modified IPD can be the tool to do so. Many so-called IPD projects are just this: a modified IPD contract that conforms to the ideology of an integrated project. Construction companies, consultants, suppliers and, most importantly, the client all want to be a part of a successful project.

With a little knowledge and a desire to improve how we design and construct buildings we can change the process for the better. We can incorporate aspects of IPD and modify the contract so all parties involved are comfortable and happy with the outcome, and as we do more and more of these IPD-type projects, the parties involved will become more familiar and comfortable with the process and we can introduce more aspects of a true IPD contract.

Currently, at HDR | CEI, we already do many aspects of Integrated Project Delivery simply as good business practices. Educating our clients and the project team are key to a successful IPD project and to making everyone comfortable with the process and the contractual obligations.

People are often confused with the differences between Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) and Integrated Design Process (IDP). In addition to the contractual obligations of an IPD project, it also includes aspects of the integrated design process. Both require the project team to collaborate together in a specific manner for the benefit of the project and ultimately for the benefit of the project team, ensuring a successful project.

IPD and IDP differ in some key aspects. IDP projects do not require all parties to have a “business interest” to the point of shared risk and reward. Financial gain is not necessarily tied to a successful project outcome.

Having all parties involved, including the owner, consultants and construction company, at the onset of a project is beneficial. It facilitates an environment in which all parties agree to share information and ideas, and are willing to compromise and work together. Dialogue between all parties is open and communicative, egos are left at the door and input is expected and appreciated from all levels.

We do many projects using an IDP approach. Any project with careful collaboration between the consultants, client, contractors and suppliers is an IDP project. A client or owner can specify IDP as part of the contractual obligations of participating in a project without the financial risk/reward of a typical IPD project.  

However, when specifying that a project will incorporate IDP, the expectations have to be clearly defined early on. A roadmap of how collaboration is to occur and what is to be expected from all parties involved needs to be clearly laid out in advance with sufficient time allocated to collaboration and dialogue.

If you are considering an Integrated Project Delivery model for your next project, be clear to your team exactly what your expectations are, select a team with experience and a willingness to collaborate in a way that benefits the project. Those are the keys to a successful IPD project.

Crowd Sourcing Architectural Design

Here's a great article from arch daily titled "A New Way to Make Architecture Happen". The article discusses how crowd sourcing and Kickstarter programs can benefit public spaces.

In recent years, crowdfunding websites have taken the world by storm. Sites like Kickstarter have been used to fund books, films, products, and even been used to fund architecture projects, with success for projects like +Pool in New York and the Luchtsingel in Rotterdam. However, one drawback which prevents such ‘kickstarter urbanism’ from taking off more is the way the platform constrains the design of the projects: in both instances, construction elements are offered as rewards for the backers, who get to mark their contribution by having their name inscribed on the project itself. In response to this, other crowdfunding sites specifically tailored for designers have used different models for raising money. Spacehive works by leveraging the interest of local people in an urban project, doing away with the rewards system in favour of the implicit reward of improved public space. 

A new web site called Make Architecture Happen  is bridging the gap  by providing a way to draw funds from a worldwide audience without compromising on design freedom.

It's great to see this type of community global support now being applied to Architecture. 
The ability to bring creative and functional Architecture can bring a wealth of benefits to the community, both practically and socially.  

I'd like to see something similar happen with crowd sourcing design...

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BIM’s Big Impact on Design

The concept of Building Information Modeling (BIM) has been around since the early 70s but the term “Building Information Modeling” didn’t become part of mainstream terminology in the design and construction industry until the early 90s.

BIM could not be possible without the use of software developed by companies such as Autodesk, Graphisoft, Bentley Systems,and Vectorworks, and now with design-specific software such as Rhino and SketchUp we have many design tools available to suit all budgets. But the software is not BIM— BIM is the process. The software is just what we use to develop the process. Any form by which you can link information into a design is considered BIM. It could be as simple as linking an Excel spreadsheet with door type and hardware information from the supplier into a CAD file. However 3D modeling in a program specifically designed for BIM, such as Revit, can easily facilitate the process and give you more options.

I’ve been fortunate to see the progression from the drafting board to the adoption of 2D computer aided design (CAD) to the use of BIM software, and I’ve seen the dramatic impact each phase has had on the design industry. At CEI Architecture, being able to include digital information in our designs is quite empowering to the entire design team. To be able to see in an instant the impact a decision has on the design enables you to quickly and easily explore design possibilities and react to design and client demands. Being able to track and calculate materials and components for quantification and verification, we can use the model to verify specific requirements such as colour coding walls to verify fire ratings.

BIM has also had an impact on the analytical design of a building. We can analyze how the building performs and make changes accordingly, creating a more sustainable design. Using the digital model we can analyze the lighting options and create a solar study showing how a buildings shadows impact adjacent buildings. Being able to input the local weather data we have the ability to alter the building’s design or orientation to see how environmental conditions affect the performance of the HVAC systems and maximize natural lighting and take advantage of the prevailing wind direction.

3D digital modeling allows you to do this and more. By being able to share our model with the consultants, we can properly integrate each consultant’s model into one model allowing us to alter the design to best suit the project. Being able to coordinate between mechanical, electrical and structural all on the same BIM platform is far easier and more cost effective than 2D coordination, which is prone to errors, or having to deal with coordination on the construction site. 

This is why it’s invaluable to have all parties involved using BIM.

 In the future we will see this type of analysis to be part of every building’s design. Communities in the U.S. are already requiring this type of analysis as part of the building permit application process. It’s just a matter of time before it becomes the norm here in Canada, as projects are already stipulating the use of BIM on most government projects. Just another indication of the power of BIM on design.

 You can follow this article and other on the CEI Architecture Blog

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