Design Considerations for Auditoriums

One of the very first decisions you will need to make is which method of procurement to adopt.  You have two main options:

Option 1 – The Traditional Approach

  • An architect on one side and a contractor on the other
  • Commonly known as design-bid-construction
  • The owner is placed between the architect and contractor
  • Unlike design build, significant risk is placed on the owner

Option 2 – The Design Build Process

  • An alternative method of project procurement being used successfully around the world with superior results
  • In USA and Japan 40% of construction projects now use this method
  • In NZ, the Ministry of Education uses design build exclusively for all new schools and increasingly for many other projects
  • Design Build produces a better project outcome with the owner’s risk substantially reduced
  • A single point of responsibility from concept to completion
  • One integrated team – architect/owner/contractor work together

Advantages of Design Build

At Indesco we are committed to the design build method of procurement and have developed our Intelligent Design + Construction system around it.  We believe it offers many advantages for our customers:

  • Reduced risk – single party accountability means that the risk for the client is substantially reduced
  • Early Cost Certainty – price agreed at start, unlike other methods where final cost is not known almost until completion
  • Value Engineering  – the contractor has input into the design, buildability, selection of materials and construction techniques, resulting in best project outcomes
  • Time and Cost Savings – one efficient integrated team produces quicker results at a lower overall cost
  • Better Quality – client performance needs are met not bare minimum requirements
  • Better Balance – the client is a part of the project team deciding outcomes, which results in a far less confrontational process

We can introduce you to many of our past customers who have tried both systems and now completely advocate design build!  Once you have made this fundamental decision it is time to work though the specific design considerations for your project.

Site Location

The location and orientation of the proposed building must be carefully considered.   We will take into account:

Land Contour and Site Works

  • The slope of the proposed site
  • Drainage
  • Requirement to remodel or remove existing buildings.

Access and Proximity to Parking & Services

  • Easy access and parking for users and visitors
  • Provision of Services – Water, Power, etc
  • Loading dock for unloading instruments and technical equipment
  • Integration with and flow to existing buildings.

Other Important Factors

  • Aesthetic considerations
  • Orientation to the sun and prevailing wind
  • In a school environment, how the pedagogical functions are to be grouped, eg. separate areas for music, drama, etc.

Staging Construction

  • Choosing to complete the project in a number of distinct phases can ease budgetary pressure and make it easier to keep operating a normal timetable.

Designing Your Performing Arts Centre

To request a copy of our ‘Guidelines for Designing Your Performing Arts Centre’ document, email or call Dave Stewart at Indesco – 09 253 9880.