The document outlines the key steps in the design process, including getting hired for a job, developing conceptual designs, preliminary designs in proposals, finalizing designs, and obtaining necessary permits. It describes developing conceptual studies that identify site layout, interior spaces, parking, traffic flow, drainage, building structure, cost estimates, and schedules. The goal of conceptual design is to make major decisions before finalizing the design.

1. The Design Process
CAPSTONE DESIGN
Spring 2013

2. The Design Process
• Getting the Job (Qualifications, Experience,
Price)
• Competitive Bids
• Some work requires this (e.g. government)
• Most engineering firms try to avoid bidding work
• Advertisements / RFP
• Networking
• Attending shows and conferences
• Professional society memberships
• Committee memberships
• Repeat business

3. The Design Process
• RFP (Request For Proposal)
• Information as to what is to be designed/built
• May be specific/rigid
– (Structural steel bldg, 60 ft x 90 ft)
• May be general/flexible
– (Medium size hotel)
• Usually sent to approved firms, May be open to public
• Meeting with client
• Find out what the client wants
• Ask the right questions
• Convince the client that you’re right for the job but
don’t promise what you can deliver

4. The Design Process
• Required parameters are given
• Potential options are identified
• Proposal would include scope of work
• Design Build---Turnkey
• Just Design
• Pertinent Experience
• Staffing Sheet w/ Resumes
• Cost of Design

5. The Design Process
• Conceptual Study (Preliminary design)
• Preliminary design sometimes required in
proposal stage
• General arrangement (site and structure)
• Site work – building placed on the site
• Initial “rough” earthwork/grading completed
• Identify any retaining walls
• Interior space allocated for the facility (main rooms,
hallways, lobbies, stairways, exits, etc.)
• Space allocated for parking or verify existing parking
• Estimate parking demand

6. The Design Process
• General traffic flow
• Vehicular (parking, delivery, etc.)
• If large trucks required, is there room?
• Pedestrian (Inside structure and around site)
• General Hydrology and Hydraulics
• Drainage Plan
• Rough surface water routing established
• Building Structure
• Major building systems and components identified
• Framing plan of “typical” bay(s)
• Square foot basis cost estimate
• Preliminary construction schedule
• Rough estimate of cut and fill (if site available)
• Analysis of any potential major design issues or
costs

7. The Design Process
• Conceptual Design Report
• Objective (Purpose of this report?)
• Scope (of this report and of this project)
• Project description
• Discussion of individual areas (i.e. Site, Hydro, Grading,
Structural, Cost)
• Assumptions
• e.g. Assumes shallow foundation
• Cost estimate
• Square foot estimate
• Preliminary schedule
• Rough construction duration
• Conclusions (good idea?, major design issues?,etc.)
• Sketches / Drawings
• Site layout
• Floor plan
• Structure layout(s)
• Others, if completed

8. The Design Process
• At the end of Conceptual Design all major
decisions should have been made.
• Building location, type, size, etc. should be
“frozen”.
• Final design
• Detailed calculations
• Drawings
• Final Cost estimate and Schedule
• Final Report

9. The Design Process
• Permitting
• Most standard
• Encroachment
• Stormwater mgmt. & Sediment control (DHEC)
• Building Permits - County/City (CSA, M&E)
• Begin early enough to allow for delays
• Be aware of special permit requirements
(environmental, etc.)
• May need to meet with permitting agent (county
engineer, DHEC, etc.) to discuss special needs.

10. The Design Process
• Permitting
• Most standard
• Encroachment
• Stormwater mgmt. & Sediment control (DHEC)
• Building Permits - County/City (CSA, M&E)
• Begin early enough to allow for delays
• Be aware of special permit requirements
(environmental, etc.)
• May need to meet with permitting agent (county
engineer, DHEC, etc.) to discuss special needs.