Maintenance Design Group
 





MDG in Motion is
published yearly by
Maintenance Design Group
1600 Stout Street, Suite 940
Denver, CO 80202-3160
Contact: Don Leidy, Principal
Phone: 303.302.0266
FAX: 303.302.0270
E-mail: Don.Leidy@mdg-llc.com
Volume 3, Number 1
Winter 2000/2001
An Interactive Approach
The process by which a project is developed is almost as important as the final product. Therefore, in order to create a functional facility it is essential for the consultant team to work closely with the all participants having anything to do with the project, including the client staff, boards or councils, the public and the primary users of the facility. There are two approaches to gaining participation from these groups.
  • One is to do the work and then allow everyone to review the product.
  • The other is to develop a format of participation while the work is going on, allowing active stakeholder and user participation during the actual creation of the product.
MDG believes strongly that the latter approach is the best way to achieve success and create a truly responsive design through the on-site charrette session.

Touted as the most effective way to create an interactive team environment, this intense, week-long program is designed to consolidate into one or more work sessions what would have normally taken weeks, or months, to accomplish.

The objective:
  • To bring team members together so that they can effectively study, plan and begin designing a project.
The process:
  • The charrette sessions are focused on balance.
  • The on-site begins with the receipt of input concerning goals and objectives. This leads to the brainstorming of many alternative concepts.
  • All of these are put on the wall and discussed. The choices are narrowed and developed further.
  • These concepts may include alternative operational concepts, site master plans, floor plans, and/or building designs.
  • Additional input narrows the choices and more definition is given to the remaining choices.
  • Concerns are addressed by modifying alternatives or by generating new hybrid concepts.
  • Finally, a consensus is reached that involves everyone and the solutions represent equal input from the client, the design team and other key participants.
  • The final step involves documentation and further review. It is important to conduct presentation and review meetings with key representatives who will be responsible for evaluating the plans, recommendations and facilitate the necessary decisions.
MDG has used this program for years to successfully develop:
  • Programs
  • Master plans
  • Strategic operational plans
  • Primary architectural designs
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