Widseth Blog

We Can Help Plan and Design Your Manufacturing Facility

Written by Brent Dammann, AIA, VP - Architect | Apr 27, 2021 4:15:29 PM

Our architects and engineers plan and design manufacturing and industrial buildings for a range of clients and their processes. Each client’s site and facility needs are unique, and our team zeroes in on meeting those needs. We can help you with:

  • Facility Assessments
  • Master Planning
  • Mechanical and Electrical Upgrades
  • Structural Enhancements
  • Environmental Assessments
  • Site Improvements
  • Security
  • Renovation, Additions, and New Construction

If you decide to build or add on, we work with you and keep our process simple. Our design process consists of:

 

1. Predesign

Our design team starts each project by meeting with and listening to you to learn more about your company, mission, goals, processes, and future facility needs.

Our team reviews your existing building to calculate square footage, identify adjacencies (e.g., production and delivery), locate office spaces and break areas, track internal circulation patterns, and other elements specific to your industry.

The review of your site includes site orientation, utilities, wetlands, site access, parking, building addition or building placement location, and other features specific to your site and needs.

Our architects and engineers use the information they’ve gathered to develop a preliminary design process, scope of work, schedule, and budget.

 

2. Schematic Design

During schematic design, we create design alternatives and identify major budget impacts to review with you.

We consider internal and external circulation patterns looking for efficiencies. We review your processes (e.g., raw materials in, processing, assembly, finishing, and shipping of products) as well as identify how people move throughout the facility. Our team looks for optimal adjacencies between departments and
projected space needs.

 

3. Design Development

Once you provide feedback on the schematic design, our designers further refine the plan. Preliminary choices are made such as building materials and mechanical and electrical systems and layout.

Our team reviews building and zoning codes with local municipalities and state agencies to confirm the design is in compliance.

Finally, before moving on to the next design phase, we review the design and budget with you to ensure the project is progressing as you have envisioned.

 

4. Construction Documents and Bidding

Our project team coordinates all disciplines into one set of plans and specifications for construction.

The team remains available throughout bidding to answer contractor questions, produce addenda to communicate changes to the documents, help with the bid opening process, and make recommendations for final selection.

 

5. Construction Administration

During construction, our experienced professionals monitor work as it progresses. We are actively engaged in the construction process by creating detailed contracts, answering Requests for information (RFI), reviewing shop drawings, reviewing payment applications, and compiling project punch lists at project closeout.

 

There’s a lot to think about when making changes to your manufacturing business. We are here to help you every step of the way.