COLLABORATIVE DESIGN
Our design approach centers on the desire to create a harmonious union between the aesthetic and the functional. Intrinsic to our process is a commitment to provide quality design solutions within the parameters of budget and schedule constraints. To achieve this, we engage our clients fully in the creative process. Our strategy for programming and design is to work collaboratively to investigate, analyze and develop appropriate solutions that respond to programmatic needs, community vision, and budget limitations. The best design solutions will have your direct influence through our integrated and collaborative design processes. Our tools and processes are designed to help clients make informed design decisions and effectively track those decisions throughout the project’s development. Making the process an enjoyable and productive experience is key to our vision of a successful outcome.
The BakerNowicki Design Studio employs a structured collaborative approach to programming, planning, and design in which clients become essential participants in the development of solutions. This Community Based Planning process is an intensive, on-site Design Symposium in which stakeholders work side-by-side with the design team to bring their vision and experience to the final design solution.
Our Programming & Design Symposium process is highly structured to guide the process of exploration to a successful result yet is formatted to encourage open and productive engagement of all stakeholders. As the BNds team conducts these visioning sessions our design team will review and interpret these findings against relevant industry trends and practices as well as the goals and objectives of the project to move from Vision to Solution. The direct involvement of our clients in the design process provides essential insights and contributes to the development of a shared solution.
GOALS
GOALS of every client are unique and ultimately define the outcome of a program, facility master plan or design problem. These goals are used throughout the process as a constant guide to ensure that the institution’s strategic direction is followed.
FACTS
FACTS refer to the fixed parameters that will influence any final solution. The facts of the project outline the physical features associated with the project site, existing buildings or systems. Some of the facts will also include regulatory, code and zoning issues, as well as regional community issues when applicable.
NEEDS
NEEDS refer to issues identified by administration and professional users. This area provides the largest body of information collected and analyzed in pursuit of the client’s stated, including the results of departmental surveys. The design team will often use questionnaires and interviews to solicit and confirm detailed space, program and operational needs. The results will usually be documented in a detailed program of building areas and uses that have been identified.
CONCEPTS
CONCEPTS begin as graphical ideas that illustrate each department’s needs for space, necessary adjacencies, egress and ingress issues, and other factors that affect the operational efficiency of each department. All of the FACTS and NEEDS are combined to create CONCEPTS that respond to the issues identified.
In most cases, follow-up interviews are also held for additional clarification and testing of various design concepts. In addition to the user group input, the planning team will make professional evaluations based on prior experience in our assessment of department adjacencies, workflow efficiency and consideration of both short-term and long-term needs.
The planning process concludes with alternative solutions along with the associated schedule and projected costs. The recommended design solution that follows will represent the combined strengths of each of the proposed concepts and supporting rationale. The success of the planning process will be guided by the GOALS discussed at the onset of the project, shaped by the FACTS, driven by the NEEDS, and innovatively resolved through the CONCEPTS and resulting SOLUTION.
