A renovation is the act of improving by renewing and restoring. This can range from simple to very complex. In renovating buildings the following general process is required.
1) Identifying the scope
2) Establishing a budget
3) Designing a solution
4) Implementing the solution
There are numerous areas that a client may chose to renovate a facility. It may be for one of the following reasons:
• Save the cost of new construction.
• Expand and upgrade a facility all at the same time.
• Meet new wind loads or factory metal requirement to save on insurance, which may include items such as "Hurricane hardening".
• To compete with other companies, newer corporate image, or improved "workplace
environment".
In Designing a solution many things come into play.
1) Field investigation is normally required by the architect to field verify what is actually existing. This may include destructive efforts, such as ceiling removal, etc, to determine what actually exist. Filed Measuring and photography are usually instrumental in putting together an accurate story of what exist. Critical items such as structural items, and things that should not be removed due to cost should be identified.
2) The search for original construction documents, is a important part of this effort. Assimilation from those documents, with field verification, “record documents” or partial “as-built “ documents can be produced.
3) The condition of existing materials, and environmental hazards from materials should be discussed, and identified, by a responsible professional. The scoping of this type of issues is important up- front, based on the type of building, age of building, and original design/workmanship.
4) Constructability and cost to implement the design solution, must be considered in the plans.
5) Due to the nature of this work, the architect will generally need more on-site presence up front, and available to address more unique conditions with the General contractor. During and soon after the selective demolition phase, the architect will frequent the site, to confirm the design intent, validity.
6) Hurricane hardening - the process by which exterior walls, roofs, windows and doors are upgraded to meet wind speed requirements as high as 150 mph.
If a facility must remain occupied, items such as Phasing of the work, noise control, vibration control, hours of work, dust control, and fumes must all be addressed, within tolerable limits.
The Phasing of the work should address the anticipated changes in the Life Safety issues, such as exit paths, and fire extinguisher, and assure, that the plans indicate how these are maintained. The GC should also submit their implementation plan for review by the architect, which confirms their intended direction.
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