Buildings? Design? What's it called?

June 11, 2008 5:28 PM

I can't remember the name of a phase of the building/design process. Help!

I know there is a phase in designing and constructing a building where key individuals (architects, contractors, subs, engineers) sit down at a table and talk over the project and it's budget. Typically this is the time when everyone decides what they can live without and the building is pared down to meet the budget.

From what I understand this meeting can be contentious - and sometimes there are building attributes that architects will put in knowing they will be __(this meeting-ed)___ out.

What is this meeting called?

I can't remember the name. Of course google is no help if I don't even know what it's called!

Anyone? I'm hopeful that this'll be on the tip of someone else's tongue.

posted by mulkey to grab bag (5 comments total)

Value engineering?
posted by WPW at 5:42 PM on June 11, 2008

I would say this falls under the 'design review' header. All the interested parties get together and review the design for things like cost, feasibility, aesthetics, structural integrity, etc...

I don't know if there is a specific term used in the architecture industry.
posted by TheJoven at 6:01 PM on June 11, 2008

Thank you - value engineering was what I was thinking of. But you're right, this is a part of the design review process.

Thanks so much!
posted by mulkey at 6:18 PM on June 11, 2008

It is value engineering.

It can take place at different phases of a project:

1. If a Contractor is already selected by the Owner prior to completion of the design process, once a complete enough set of bid documents is available, the Contractor can make suggestions about items to "value out of the job" or propose alternate means of accomplishing something. This can be a dynamic give and take.

2. If it's a "hard bid" meaning several contractors are bidding after bid documents are published, then "value engineering" happens after bids are received and the project is found to come in over budget.
posted by mightshould at 6:39 AM on June 12, 2008

I've heard it referred to as 'design development'.
posted by chugg at 9:22 AM on June 12, 2008