As 1999 comes to an end, it is a good time to reflect on the past and look towards the future. In the past, consulting engineers were traditionally working for architects. Today, many engineers have worked their way past the architect to better position themselves with the real customer, the building owner. Design-bid-build (plan & spec) business has been displaced — first by construction management and now design-build.
And why not? Engineering designs have a direct impact on the building owner’s annual operating budget. It is imperative that the customer and the design engineer work closely together to develop the optimum mechanical and electrical equipment and systems. Construction management has been a bridging process to bring the premium construction managers into the design-build arena. Now, the customer can finally achieve the goal of a guaranteed price for a guaranteed building program at the start of a project.