Planning Architectural Planning can be said to be the process which brings physical order to a project’s Program. Once Programming has been done and the scope of work to be designed established, the process of dertimining the form of the new space begins. This is, more than anything, a time of many [more] questions and much sketching in response. Among the questions which need to be answered are: |
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Armed with answers to these and other questions, we begin to walk through a proposed facility from the viewpoint of each group of users – patients as well as staff, in the case of a healthcare facility, for instance – and to locate each function along those various paths. The discussion begins with the immediate needs of each group of users, but SCI•X’s expertise and long experience in the healthcare and high technology fields enables us to consider the future as well as the present, and to allow for – and advise our clients about – things which are developing in these fields, and which will influence the shape of their facilities within the lifetimes of the buildings we design for them. All of this information is filtered through the prism of building codes, privacy laws, institutional standards, and a host of other influencing factors. Along the way, several different initial concepts might be produced, and the best solution could be one layout or a melding of all that have been discussed. As Planners, our most fundamental goal is to facilitate the realization of the Client’s vision. This entails defining clearly articulated and shared goals, on-going communication, providing decision ready information to facilitate informed decisions, the flexibility to challenge assumptions, and exploring different design ideas. It also means successfully facilitating consensus building between various departments, groups, and individuals within large, complex organizations. Our team members are well versed in the art of planning and organizing phased projects for both new construction and renovation, and, consistently delivering elegant solutions in a lean, stream-lined manner. In planning highly sophisticated and complex facilities, it is critical to ensure that inspired and inspiring design is balanced with fiscal and logistical practicality. As research trends evolve, so too must the spaces and the equipment they house. Good planning anticipates and facilitates future adaptations. In-depth knowledge of the client’s processes and requirements, as well as research trends, enable planning of safe environments with high efficiencies, critical adjacencies and flows. Thoughtful, well-planned concepts require significant expertise and coordination of trades to properly identify current and future requirements. The SCI•X Team has strong capabilities in specialized laboratory areas and support spaces of research and advanced technology facilities such as bio-containment suites; controlled environments; vivariums/barrier facilities; immunology/serology; pathology; emerging infectious disease; virology; organic/inorganic chemistry; microbiology; hematology; bio-monitoring; imaging suites; clinical chemistry; and DNA analysis. We offer the experience and know-how to deliver facilities for successful certifications and commissioning. |
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