Solutions
Integrated Design/Build
One coordinated team to plan, design, build and commission energy and infrastructure improvements, with clear approval points along the way.
The problem
Traditional delivery methods, such as design-bid-build or time-and-materials, separate the owner, architects, engineers, contractors and technology providers. Responsibility gets split, and problems appear at the handoffs.
Owners and investors are left asking whether an energy project will finish on time, stay on budget and perform as designed.
Who it’s for
- Owners ready to implement energy conservation measures or replace aging equipment.
- Capital projects involving central plants, mechanical and electrical systems, controls or the building envelope.
- Organizations that want one coordinated team instead of managing many separate contracts.
What the work involves
- Forming the design/build team early, during conceptualization, so everyone works from the owner’s goals.
- LEAN design and construction methods to reduce waste and compress the schedule where possible.
- Building information modeling (BIM) for clash detection and coordination between trades.
- Commissioning planned from design onward, not added at the end.
- Phasing and disruption planning for occupied and operating facilities.
- Program and project management across planning, design, construction and closeout.
The Preferred Provider Network
Astro’s Preferred Provider Network (PPN) is a group of design professionals, consultants and contractors chosen through a competitive selection process for qualifications, responsiveness and cost.
PPN firms provide preconstruction services, architectural design, project management, energy technologies, commissioning and construction, and are trained on Astro’s project delivery model.
Contracts and pricing
Astro uses standard forms of agreement with PPN providers that set out performance expectations and risk allocation for each party. Project participants should review them carefully, as they may differ from other industry forms.
Pricing structure, including whether a guaranteed maximum price applies, is defined in each project agreement.
The full phase-by-phase activity list is on Our Approach.
What you receive
- Design and construction documents for mechanical, electrical, architectural, structural and controls work.
- Equipment selection and pricing.
- A phasing and disruption plan and a commissioning plan.
- Budget and schedule updates at each owner approval point.
- Closeout documentation, including commissioning records and lessons learned.
How it connects to the next stage
Monitoring and verification are built into construction and closeout, so you can see whether completed measures perform as planned and document results for incentives or funders.
Next stageNext step
Talk through your building with us
Tell us what you want to improve. We’ll discuss your goals and constraints and suggest a sensible first step. No obligation.