2009 © Longo ARCHITECTURE Studio, LLC
Questions about Architecture and Our Firm:
Questions from the Veterinarian:
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Questions about Architecture and Our Firm:
1. Why should I hire an architect that specializes in designing animal facilities?
2. Do you offer a design building option?
3. But what if I really like the idea of one-stop shopping?
4. How do you work with long distance clients?
5. How do I tell you what I want to in my hospital?
6. How do you charge for services?
7. I already have an architect. Is there a way I can take advantage of your expertise?
1. Why should I hire an architect that specializes in designing animal facilities?
Answer: Veterinary facilities are very unique buildings in terms of their function. Not many building types have to be as concerned with the number of design issues such as sounds, odor, air exchanges, infections, durable materials and the ability to easily cleaning them. Our years of experience goes a long way in terms of understanding how a veterinary facility functions. Having an efficient floor plan is one of the most critical aspects in designing an animal facility. An inefficient planned can mean loss of time and loss of revenue. In addition, knowing how to handle other design issues like sound and odor will make your building last a lot longer. Your building may look the same when you open your doors, but hiring the right Architect can help your building look new for years to come. If you hire an architect without experience in designing animal facilities, it becomes your job to educate them on all the uniqueness pertaining to an animal facility.
2. Do you offer a design building option?
Answer: We are strictly an architectural design firm. As the owner, you hire the architect to perform a job, which includes looking out for your best interest. When a contractor presents a price to construct the building, the architect will review the figures to evaluate the cost. If the prices come in over budget, your architect will help you determine what choices need to be made to reduce the cost of your building. It is our feeling that if the company designing your building is the same company pricing your building, where is the unbiased opinion in making decisions to save you money?
3. But what if I really like the idea of one-stop shopping?
Answer: Our solution to the client who is interested in one-stop shopping takes a different approach. We will help you assemble the project team that would include the contractor. This can either be with a reputable contractor we negotiate a contract with or with a contractor we have completed several projects with who is a national contractor that specializes in a building animal facilities. This relationship has worked well because we're two completely different companies who have an expertise in the same field.
4. How do you work with long distance clients?
Answer: With advances in technology, the concerns of long distance projects have almost become obsolete. With scheduled site visits and meetings, our projects from California to New York have been successful.
5. How do I tell you what I want to in my hospital?
Answer: Our clients are presented with an in-depth 30-page questionnaire regarding just about every aspect of their projects. While extensive, this questionnaire has proven to save time because it obtains a good bit of information in the beginning of the process.
6. How do you charge for services?
Answer: Since each project is different, each proposal is different as well. Depending on the scope of the project, architectural fees can range from an hourly rate, to a fixed fee, to a certain dollar value per square foot. While many firms charged by a percentage of the construction cost, we changed our philosophy many years ago. Since veterinary buildings will cost more than the typical office building or doctor's office, we charge by a certain dollar value per square foot. This also gives you a better idea how much you'll owe for professional fees earlier in the design process.
7. I already have an architect. Is there a way I can take advantage of your expertise?
Answer: If you already have an architect selected for your project, we can be hired as a design consultant during the early phases of the projects to ensure your floor plan will be as efficient as possible. Other services as a consultant can be included if the owner desires.
Questions from the Veterinarian:
1. How can I make my Kennels quieter? It is loud in the surrounding rooms.
Answer: The first thing you need to determine is what is the construction of the wall. The second thing is to look above the ceiling to see if the kennel walls extend all the way to the roof deck. In many clinics, the kennel wall itself may be sufficient to “control” sound, but it only extends 6 inches or so above the ceiling. If this is the case, sound (or noise) will travel through the ceiling in the Kennel, over the wall and down into the surrounding space. You can help with the noise problem by either placing batt insulation on top of the ceiling in the kennel or extending the walls around the kennel to the underside of the deck above and seal it.
