Let's End Value Engineering

Few phrases evoke as much fear and terror among clients, designers, and architects during the development of a new prototype design more than the two words: “Value Engineering!” One of the greatest ambitions of my Architectural life is to make that term a sound bite of the past and never invoke such a dubious task again.

We have all been down this familiar journey with the team. The client lays out ambitious goals, the designers’ eyes are gleaming with excitement, and the architects can’t wait to specify that spiffy new metallic roof finally. The design is complete, and everyone is ecstatic about the new cutting-edge facility. Team members pat each other on the back while the elated management group gives the directive to “Get it built!” Construction drawings are completed, and the contractors all hightail it to their shops to compile pricing. Then, the day of reckoning hits when the bids come in, revealing pricing so far over budget that the team members start furiously updating their LinkedIn profiles.

Now comes the inevitable moment when the dreaded words must be uttered aloud: “Value Engineering.” Unfortunately, at this point in the program, the initial casualties are the cool, fun things that differentiate your design from the competition. Bid farewell to the computerized water feature, imported stone pavers, Mies van der Rohe couches, and even a spiffy metallic roof. No one enjoys this phase and it can be challenging, it provides opportunities for growth and collaboration. Now, how can we avoid this from ever happening again? During my 35 years in the retail world, I have witnessed various challenges and developed steps to help steer clear of such frustrations. Here are my recommendations:

It is understood that the added time needed for the cost estimators can add to the overall project timeline. However, when you consider the potential amount of Value Engineering time needed for redesigning the project, modifying construction drawings, processing change orders, and similar tasks, the upfront investment in time is well spent.

Value Engineering does not and should not need to be an additional step in the design process. Instead, if we collaborate as a team, we can achieve a successful and beautiful new prototype. The client, designers, architects, engineers, and estimators must work hand in hand to get the best end solution that meets the needs of the client and results in a project we can all take pride in.