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Engaging the Design Team
There are a literally hundreds of design firms that could be a part of your project. Deciding how to hire the best team depends on several variables including the scope of your project and the local professional resources available. One of the first things you can do is ask colleagues who have undertaken similar projects. Be careful, though, to clarify that you’re not seeking a cookie cutter approach to change.
There may be local or regional professionals you’ve worked with in the past who know your organization and local code officials and have good relationships with others in the community. But if they have not worked on Household Model projects, it is all the more important you also hire a Household Model consultant to assist in the planning process.
You may want to consider a national firm. Periodicals are filled with reports of health care projects designed by such firms. Some are developing expertise in the Household Model and can help bring together all the dimensions of home in your new design. If you go local then a national firm architect with background in the Household Model may need to be on the local team.
You may want to request information on qualifications and references from two or three firms. Call their references, or perhaps a few of their clients not listed as references. This will provide an honest client perspective of the firm’s qualifications and indicate whether it is easy to work with them. You can ask firms to prepare a proposal explaining how they would put the design team together and approach your specific project.
Interviews are helpful in determining which team is right for your project and how personalities will mesh. Important considerations in
making
a final determination are:
• The size of the firm and how long it has been in practice.
• Its experience and special expertise with Household Model
projects.
• The firm’s management skills and ability to work within budget/ time schedules.
• Knowledge of local and state building codes, zoning and federal regulations that apply to your project.
• Experience with local code and regulatory officials.
• Interviews with people who will work on your project or with whom you otherwise will be dealing.
• Design quality and technical competence.
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