By Ellen L. Belknap, AIA, President, SMRT Architects & Engineers and Matthew Tonello, P.E. Area Manager, Consigli Construction Co., Inc.
Successful design and construction projects require multiple parties with specialized expertise to work effectively together for the duration of the project. Often, within the constraints of today’s traditional construction delivery methods, parties are not able to come together early enough in the process to realize the benefits of integrated design and construction. When contractors and subcontractors are at the table with the owner and the architect/engineer for all phases of the project, the ability for parties to collaborate effectively bringing value to the owner and achieving project success is measurably improved.
Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) removes the barriers traditionally inserted between the parties and binds these parties together from the outset of the project. The IPD contract establishes…