consultants:
who are all these people?
I have guided many entrepreneurs through their first building/construction project. I distinctly remember an early call with a client reacting to a proposal where they asked “who are all these people”? As funny as that may have seemed to seasoned designer, after adjusting my perspective it made so much sense. It may seem like an architect is all that you need but in many cases they need a whole crew of consultants to produce a project. I’m often asked if people’s small TI (tenant improvment) project’s really need mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineers? In most cases where walls are moved or built, the answer is yes. It really takes a village to make a building. This discussion will help explain the roles of our frequent consultants and clarify what they contribute to the project.
Architects are a lot like a movie director. And I’m not just saying that because of my history with filmmaking! Architects get a lot of credit for a successful project but also the responsibility for a bad one. But its not really one person that makes a film. There’s a massive crew of talented people that come together to contribute their skill towards a shared vision. In the movie world there’s departments for camera, lighting, sound, art, editing, vfx and more. In the architecture world we have structural engineers, MEP engineers, Civil Engineers, Interior Designers, Foodservice Designers, Acoustic Consultants and more. Architects need a jack of all trades approach to successfully manage and direct the teams through a successful project. I’d like to take this opportunity to share some of my thoughts on what each consultant brings to our work.
MEP Engineers
This engineering team is on almost every commercial project. MEP stands for Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing. The MEP is often a team of at least three different licensed engineeers and there is signification coordination to have between them and all other parties. This team of engineers can also expand to include Fire Protection and other building systems you may need. Our MEP team will often come to initial site visits to look out for potential high cost issues and present solutions. There are many pitfalls of high expense repairs in commercial renovation that need to be addressed carefully through in person visits.
Civil Engineers
The Civil team are partnered with the architect or owner at the earliest stages of a ground up building project. That can often involve early approval discussions with the AHJ (authorities having jurisdiction) as well as continuing through the project’s completion for site grading, retention/detention ponds, parking lot, truck turn radii and many more things. Another key element of the Civil Drawing set is to consider the stormwater runoff through careful consideration of the non pervious surfaces (places where water cant go through) so that the water runs to a retention or detention pond. It’s important for new developments to not create flooding situtaions in the area surrounding the project! Civil Engineers are able to determine the ideal traffic flow around the site, especially when considering delivery trucks, 18 wheelers, fire trucks and other vehicles. On top of that, the civil team also provide parking layouts.
If you don’t know me - I’m Robert Ledet, a architect based in Nashville, TN. My firm, Elevated Environments focuses on producing hospitality architecture with soul. That means story telling, digging into the weeds, experiential design and everything else that makes a place special. If you’d like to keep up with my other writing and projects, follow our social media and sign up for the occasional email updates.
Structural Engineers
Required for any ground up construction, Structural Engineers help partner with the Architect to create a system that balances aesthetics, desired spacing, and cost. Structural would also be involved with existing building renovations where we need to size beams and columns to remove a load bearing wall. Column free spaces are often possible but it means beefy supports above. I’d also want to point out that columns can be a cool feature too.
Interior Designers
As our design partner, Interior Designers help establish the experience inside the building. While the architect will establish the broad strokes for the overall building layout, an Interior Designer will dig into the details on materials, finishes, furniture, lighting, signage and more. Its a deep partnership where the two parties share design ideas (and a revit model) often to stay coordinated.
Foodservice Designers
Hightly reccomended for all restaurants, a Foodservice Designer is a huge asset to hospitality projects. Their work is usually done in SD ( see article about design phases) alongside the Architecture team so that the MEP & Other Engineers will have a clear direction on the kitchen equipment’s services and connections to provide. Foodservice design is more than just equipment, its about determining the best flow for any given restaurant with their menu.
Specifier
They assist with writing the specifications book on larger projects
Lighting Design
assist with selection, procurement, details on lighting products. frequent coordination between Architect, Interiors, and Electrical Engineer.
Geotechnical Engineers
Frequently a prudent idea on ground up buildings. The geotech report contains soil sample studies that indicate the recomended building structure / weight to put on the site. This is to avoid having extreme settling or other issues post construction.
A few more…
That’s not all the teams we work with either. Here’s a couple more to think about, through they aren’t on every project.
Security/Low Voltage/AV
Surveyor
Acoustic Consultant
Landscape Architect
Fire Code Consultants
Sustainability Consultant (LEED)
Hope you’ve enjoyed this overview of all the players in our architecture movie. It takes a village (and hundreds of drawings) to get a beautiful new building designed and built!
Robert Ledet
RA, NCARB
Founder/Architect
Elevated Environments