Case Studies

Incorporate UCD into your next Design Build Project

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The easiest time to implement a new lighting solution for your business is during the construction process. If you are building a new location, it makes sense to implement the most state of the art equipment into your new facility. We don’t all have the luxury of being able to do this, however, it is by far the best solution if you are about to begin the construction process.

UCD lighting is a low energy, high output lighting solution that generates up to 20,000 hours of lighting before needing to be replaced. This is almost double the lifespan of the closest competitor. Another benefit is the vastly superior quality of light emitted by UCD lighting. It has the highest color rendering of any commercially available lighting solution and instantly turns out without the need to warm up.

The Final Look is Only Part of the Equation

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It is important to have a final product that you are proud to show off. Those building and designing a project work very hard to bring you a final product that comes together properly. However, there are a number of other factors aside from the way the project turns out that come into play when determining whether a project was a success.

Here are a few of the important factors that help determine the successfulness of a project:

UCD Lighting Features

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Ultra Constant Discharge, or UCD Lighting, is an environmentally conscious alternative to traditional lighting solutions. UCD Lighting is a power saving light system emitted by low voltage in arc tubes filled with Xenon gas and metallic compounds through ultra constant discharging. But what sets UCD lighting apart?

Features of UCD Lighting:

• High Efficiency 108 LM/W

• Super Slim and Lightweight

• Working Temperature Range of -50° C to +85° C

• Automatic shutdown on failure of ignition and overheating

• Eco-Friendly lighting solution

• Low heat generation

• Superior Durability – 20,000 hour longevity

The Uses of UCD Lighting

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Ultra Constant Discharge, or UCD Lighting, is the newest innovation in green lighting solutions. UCD Lighting is a substitute for mercury lamps, high-pressure sodium lamps, induction lamps, LED and metal halide lamps. Energy saving lights are becoming popular options for everything from household lighting to commercial and industrial uses. There are many applications for UCD Lighting, including:

• Public facilities

• Street lighting

• Security lighting

• Park lighting

• Industrial and Commercial uses

• Residential housing

• Emergency and Military

UCD Lighting is being utilized for a variety of different means. It is a more economical, environmentally conscious solution for every type of industry.

More Benefits of the Design Build Process

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We are often asked what the advantages of design-build are when compared to the conventional system of architect and general contractor. Here are a few of our favorite reasons to choose a design-built system.

• If you choose a design-build firm, you are sticking with them throughout the whole process. You aren’t dealing with multiple entities, which ensures a higher efficiency and a better final product.

• We are experts in both the design and building processes. This means that you will get a cleaner, more efficient product from start to finish. This means better quality and no headaches for our customers.

• More involvement from you, which means the final product will be what you envision! By making yourself a part of the process you take away the pain of finding out the final product wasn’t at all what you pictured in your head.

The Design-Build Process Explained

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At first glance, the design-build method may not look too different from design-bid-build. Our method starts off similar to the traditional method of construction by completing the preliminary drawings. This however is where things begin to divulge from the traditional process of design-bid-build.

At this point in the process, you are informed of the cost of the project. Unlike the traditional method where you do not get a bid until after directly before the construction process begins. This is a more efficient method of the building process, and we feel that keeping you as informed as possible is the best way to complete a project; after all, this is all for you.

Why use Design-Build instead of Design-Bid-Build?

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  1. With design-build, you’ll have one point of contact to contact for status updates and accountability for the project. Since the entire project – including the architect(s) and engineer(s) needed - is coordinated by the design-builder, any typical denial of responsibility or blame disputes between the architect and builder are avoided.
  2. Seeing the entire project’s scope from the beginning allows the design-builder to provide a more accurate quote since they receive all sub-contracted bids up front. In design-bid-build, the architect has two disadvantages: the construction costs will not be known until the design is complete, and the architect is generally not as accurate on building costs as an actual builder.

Design Build Contracts

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You’re probably familiar with the design-bid-build construction project. You start with the architect, who works with an engineer to design the project. Once the design is finished, you put the project up for bid and select a builder. Sometimes disputes of responsibility or direction arise between the builder and the architect that can prove to be costly in both time and money.

Increasingly popular is the design-build system. Rather than selecting an architect, then a separate builder, you contract directly with a design-build firm. Your design-build firm will coordinate the entire process, including directly working with architects and engineers as needed. From the beginning, you have one point of contact, and one entity that bears ultimate responsibility for the project.

What Do You Need for a Successful Design/Build Project?

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According to Louis E. Rowe, P.E., a successful design-build project requires:

  • A well defined and explicit scope of work;
  • A specific range of responsibility for each team member and criteria for measurement;
  • A knowledgeable owner who can make quick, sound decisions;
  • Experienced, competent team members, and
  • A cohesive team with members fully committed to the common needs and goals set by the owner.

At Benchmark Construction, we specialize in the tools meet each of these criteria. We’ll help education owners, keep the team operating at peak proficiency, and clearly delineate all details from the scope to the finish of the project. Contact us today.

Design/Build Provides an Alternative to Building Frustrations

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Design/Build is an alternative approach that streamlines the process of tenant improvement or building and enables budget discipline from beginning to end. The design/build firm will take full responsibility for design, construction, and satisfactory completion by delivering the project on time and on budget.

In this method, all team members make decisions in a collaborative approach providing greater efficiency and a more satisfying result for the time and money invested. By working with a company with both design and construction experience, you will have simplified lines of communication that reduce the chances of miscommunication.

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