The planning, design and construction process
This chapter describes the design process from conceptual design through all phases of engineering and construction of new facilities. The chapter also describes various design issues and potential pitfalls. The major activities in the design of an animal facility can be summarized in eight steps, including, programming and planning/master planning, schematic design, design development, construction documents preparation, bidding and construction contract award, construction phase, commissioning, and validation. Planning for new or expanded facilities usually results from programmatic requirements. Forces impacting these requirements may be growth of existing programs and research staff, changes or additions to programs, etc. Schematic design begins after approval of a facility program and conceptual master plan. It is during this phase that the floor plans and elevations are worked out. Important operational decisions need to be made during the design development phase. During construction-documents-preparation phase, final drawings and specifications are prepared by design team. During construction phase, milestones are identified at the end of each design phase, where formal design presentations and reviews are conducted, and client representatives are given the opportunity to comment on the design and engineering plans prior to start of construction. A risk assessment is conducted to evaluate potential hazards to the security of a building as well as daily operations. © 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
