What makes Design Learned different from and better than other design and architecture firms?
We are often asked by new prospects, “what makes you different/better from other design or architecture firms?” Here are five of our favorite aspects that separate the Design Learned Team from other design and architecture firms.
Understand the Importance of Engineering
Design Learned began as a mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) engineering firm that initially worked with other architects to complete animal care facilities. Quickly, our team realized that “engineering” needed to have a much larger voice in floor planning and finish selections of an animal care facility. Rather than waiting for a finished floor plan to be given to us (which would require engineering deficiencies in performance capabilities due to floor plan limitations), we wanted to be proactive and involved in decision-making from the start. Because of that, we added interior planning and architectural design services to our service offering.
30+ Years of Experience
We have over 30 years of animal care design experience. We have experience with projects as small as less than 1,000 square feet and some larger than 65,000 square feet. We have both new construction and retrofitting experience. With our years of experience, we have created a needs assessment process that drills down on the project requirements in the present and future.
We have also worked with just about every material you can think of regarding finishes for the shelter and can provide expert knowledge on what does and does not work for an animal shelter. We know the importance of proper drainage and cleaning systems, fresh air levels, and dehumidification throughout a shelter and how to achieve the flexibility of spaces required by ever-changing and evolving shelter requirements.
Our Extensive Animal Care Industry Expertise
Because our client base is entirely (with infrequent exceptions) in the animal care industry, it is our job to remain on top of and up to date with industry trends and standards. Another critical piece of our knowledge is understanding shelters’ evolving operations and philosophies.
We have multiple Fear Free certified staff members, and Scott Learned is a principal committee member of NFPA 150, the fire safety code for animal housing. We have knowledge of animal care vendors and products and stay on top of new options for our clients and whether they are good options or something to avoid.
Our Deep Knowledge of Shelter Operations
Another important aspect of our expertise that sets us apart from local design firms is our understanding of shelter operations. We have completed hundreds of animal care projects all the way from consultations to complete design and construction, and with that has come experience with shelters across the U.S. Every shelter has different operations.
Our experience helps us to determine during design how best to lay out a new facility to meet those operational requirements. We can also point out, with our new design, places where there may be some operational efficiencies to be had with certain choices in the design of a new shelter. We can help answer the question, “Are our operations the best for our organization and should they be carried to a new facility, or are we just making the best of what we have currently and need to adjust those operations for a new facility?”
Full-Time Project Management Service
Our dedicated project manager service is another unique offering Design Learned provides clients. Most firms provide project management, but that role is typically given to the project architect or engineer, meaning they have to wear both management and design hats for the project. Our project management is an entirely stand-alone position. This allows us to have one person who can focus on things like client interactions and special requests, internal design coordination, consultant design coordination and communication, overall design professional accountability through the project, and schedule management.
Unlock the Design Learned Advantage for Your Upcoming Project
These are all significant factors that set us apart from your typical local architect or engineer. That is why we produce a superior product all around. Design Learned has both interior planning and architectural design as well as mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and noise control engineering, all in-house. We can closely coordinate the architecture with the engineering to make sure we create the best environment for odor, disease, and noise control. Imagine walking into your beautiful new shelter lobby and smelling dog urine or hearing deafening barking. That would not be good! Our job is to determine how our engineered systems can enhance a floor plan or, conversely whether a floor plan decision could compromise the engineered system’s capabilities in an area.
Overall, Design Learned provides a more holistic approach to building design. Call us at 860-889-7078 or schedule a consultation online to find a time to discuss your upcoming building project.
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