STRUCTURAL GLASS FACADES - USC School of Architecture

The overlap of design and engineering means that sometimes things are being designed
virtually as they are being built, leaving no margin for error.
The Design/Build Institute of America is a trade organization providing resources, training
and other support.
http://www.dbia.org/
3.2.3 Design/Assist
The design/assist is a relatively new project delivery method that strikes something of a
compromise between the design/bid/build and design/build methods, especially when
circumstances make it very difficult to commit early in the process to a full design/build
contract. The design/assist is usually employed on projects with early involvement of a
general contractor, meaning the projects are most likely negotiated contracts between the
owner and general contractor and not design/bid/build. With this strategy the necessary
expertise is brought in early in the process, either by the architect or the general contractor,
but only to provide assistance to the design team, with no commitment regarding the build
portion of the work. The scope of work under a design/assist contract involves assisting in
concept and design development, and the preparation of a performance-based set of
drawings and specifications adequate for the purpose of soliciting a design/build bid. Final
design, detailing, and engineering will be the responsibility of the design/builder subject to
the review and approval of the architect. As above, the design/builder will act as the
engineer-of-record. The design/assist entity is usually desirous of providing build services,
and generally they are allowed, if not expected to pursue the construction scope of work
under a separate contract. In many instances the design/assist provider has gone on to
provide complete design/build services.
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