Contract - January/February 2010 - (Page 110)

process less is more HLW presents its 2009 “Rules of Thumb for Interior Construction” By Ted Hammer, FAIA, LEED AP, with research by Chris Baxter and Oliver Hamm HLW once again has collaborated with construction consultancy Faithful+Gould to create a Construction Cost Index for commercial office space. The Index, dubbed by HLW as the “Rules of Thumb for Interior Construction,” explains what clients can expect for their money. It takes into account the typical characteristics of the type of space needed and the desired level of design (basic versus high-end), as well as the estimated costs of individual components in the space and what materials can be provided within various cost ranges. A companion chart (which can be found at www.contractmagazine.com) helps designers adjust costs by geographic location. Organizations that are looking to stay competitive are taking advantage of this lull before the next economic upswing to focus on creative solutions to their workplace requirements. As a result of the downsizing, consolidations, and acquisitions that have occurred over the past year, companies are looking to improve workplace efficiency and ultimately increase productivity per square foot of real estate. This is not about simply reducing the size of a typical workstation or increasing population density onto a typical floor plate. It is about creating a high performance workplace environment as a way to become more flexible, sustainable and efficient, and ultimately create a better place to work and fuel future growth. Architecture and design firms are expected to take an aggressive, proactive approach to identifying and implementing design and material decisions that are sustainably driven. These choices can alleviate any added financial burden to the client and add perceived, quantifiable value to the workplace. The current construction environment already includes green costs that are not optional. There are significant government mandated energy and material requirements in place. Introducing green design measures into a project at the earliest phase and continuing the effort with an integrated team throughout the life of the project are far more cost effective than tacking on individual “green” additions late in the design process. Theodore S. Hammer, FAIA, LEED AP is a managing , partner at HLW International in New York. Chris Baxter is a vice president, and Oliver Hamm is a project manager at Faithful+Gould in New York. See article with companion chart online at www.contractmagazine.com/processHLW. A Better Way to Work Last year, this annual article on construction costs focused on downward pressures in the construction market across the country. This year, the headline is not only about lower costs, but about corporate America taking less space. From our perspective, having witnessed every economic downturn since the Great Depression, it is a common and necessary reaction for companies to reevaluate and create more efficiencies during challenging times. Sustainability in the Workplace Organizations are realizing that the ultimate benefits of a sustainable workplace are not only tax incentives and energy efficiencies, but also a more productive workforce. A sustainable approach to design and construction has become the norm; companies expect a sustainable approach regardless of the decision to seek formal LEED certification. Rules of Thumb Electrical. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $14 - $20 Light Fixtures . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6 - $9 HVAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $14 - $20 Carpentry (ceilings) . . . . . . . . . $9 - $13 Carpentry (partitions) . . . . . . . $9 - $14 Carpet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5 - $7 Millwork (basic). . . . . . . . . . . . $6 - $10 Data Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5 - $7 or $850/seat Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2 - $3 Sprinkler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5 - $7 What do you get for $75 - $100/rentable sq. ft.? • Carpet (material cost $20/SY) • VCT flooring, vinyl base, ceramic tiles • No or minimal millwork (plastic laminate finish) • Basic drywall construction • Standard 2-ft. by 4-ft. acoustical ceilings • Standard hollow metal doors and frames • Minimal lighting (2 ft. by 2 ft., 2 ft. by 4 ft. or high-hats) • Minimal architectural finishes • Standard paint finished (Maximum 4/6 Colors) • Basic wallcovering • No exposed ductwork and no exposed structural elements • No interconnecting stairs and no slab openings • Standard pantry appliances What do you get for $120/rentable sq. ft. and up? • Custom carpet (material cost $40-$50/SY) • Carpet tiles and custom millwork • Detailed drywall construction • Sheetrock or acoustical ceilings with Soffits and fascias • Custom doors and frames with sidelights • Extensive Array of lighting fixtures • High-end architectural finishes • Specialized paint finishes and custom wallcovering • Exposed ductwork (round, oval) and exposed structural elements • Interconnecting staircase and slab penetrations • Ornamental metal and architectural glass • Exotic materials (stone, marble, granite, ebony, mahogany, etc.) * Construction costs are based on union construction, which typically results in higher quality, on-time construction, and therefore, may be more expensive. 110 contract january/february 2010 www.contractmagazine.com http://www.contractmagazine.com http://www.contractmagazine.com/processHLW http://www.contractmagazine.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Contract - January/February 2010

Contract - January/February 2010
Contents
Editorial
Industry
Resources
Not Just for Specifiers
Designers of the Year
Legend Award
The 31st Annual Interiors Awards
Large Office
Small Office
Education
Healthcare
Hotel
Retail
Restaurant
Exhibit
Showroom
Spa/Fitness
Sports/Entertainment
Public Space
Restoration
Adaptive Reuse
Environmental Design
Designers Rate: Ergonomic Seating
Less is More
Ad Index

Contract - January/February 2010