For years, Baker Group has touted the advantages of employing the design-build method when it comes to multi-faceted construction projects. As a regional leader in employing the start-to-finish process, it is exciting to see interest in the approach that is gaining steam. 

A recent forecast released by FMI Consulting, citing data from the Design-Build Institute of America, shows that the next three years will see continued growth of the design-build project delivery method. 

At Baker Group, the design-build approach provides a greater value to clients by integrating the design, preconstruction planning and job site construction processes into a single delivery strategy. Designers and contractors work together from the beginning as a unified team to ensure owners' budgets and timelines are met. 

The FMI Design-Build Institute of America Mid-Cycle Update Report assesses construction spending across four U.S. Census Bureau regions in respective building segments including manufacturing, commercial, educational, office and health care. The forecast builds on a 2021 FMI design-build utilization study. 

Specifically, the report indicates:

• Design-build is anticipated to represent nearly half (47 percent) of construction spending in the noted segments and geographies in 2026.
• Total growth in design-build construction spending is projected to pace 22.5 percent from 2022 to 2026. Design-build is anticipated to account for $1.9 trillion of construction spending in the assessed building and infrastructure segments over the 2022-2026 forecast period.
• 83 percent of respondents indicate design-build can help them with supply chain issues over other delivery methods.

• More than three-quarters of survey respondents believe that design-build facilitates greater utilization of prefabrication on projects.

 Daryld Karloff, LEED AP, Executive Vice President of Building Services, says Baker Group unlocked the potential of the design-build-deliver approach many years ago. 

"We were among the first in our region to embrace this approach," Karloff says. "It wasn't long before we could objectively demonstrate that this was the best method for all involved. Specifically, it encourages collaboration and a focus on what's best for the client. There is an enhanced relationship among the architect, contractor and client, which greatly increases efficiency and reduces waste." 

Driving that efficiency is the fact that the client is an active participant in the process. 

"The collaborative effort on everyone's part is a big deal, and every member on the job is looking for what's best for the project," Karloff says. "Throughout the process, our clients get to make more decisions while actively participating in the construction process.  For example, the owner helps make equipment selection decisions based on how they want to run the building.  Because the owner gets to make these value-based decisions, they really know their building before they take occupancy." 

Baker Group brings a unique blend of planning and construction skills to the table, including full MEP design, BIM modeling, advanced manufacturing, green sustainability and more.

"We have grown strategically to ensure we can deliver a full complement of design-build services to even the most complex projects," Karloff says. "Whether a manufacturing building, a healthcare facility, a school, or any other specialized projects, we can give our clients a single hand to shake. We are right with them from the initial kick-off meeting through the ribbon cutting."

"It is not a surprise that the design-build method creates long-term client relationships," Karloff adds. "This is one of the things that makes our work exciting and rewarding. The ability to physically see the product of the work, done is a fantastic reward."