Understanding the Objectives
Meeting the Client's Needs
GLD investigates the client's needs and builds the design team to deliver a successful project from conception to completion, and beyond.
Concept Development / Basis of Estimate / Funding Presentation / Basis of Design / Detailed Design / Procurement / Construction Administration / Migration / Commissioning / Monitoring
Concept Development
Objective: Create a clear vision that will guide the entire design process.
We collaborate with the client to establish the parameters of a project, identifying objectives conceptually. Next, we package the concept as owner discovery meetings, initial surveys, research, and conceptual designs. We present the data as a concept development package which may include:
• A written report outlining possible options
• A conceptual design for the recommended solution
• A direct personal presentation of the Concept
Basis of Estimate
Objective: Produce the budget and schedule necessary to successfully deliver the total project.
Given information from the concept development stage, we create a realistic budget and timeline for all aspects of the project including the Basis of Design, Detailed Design, Procurement Equipment and Trades, Construction Management, Commissioning and Project Turnover. This will produce the following deliverables:
• Preliminary project budget
• Project timeline
Funding Presentation
Objective: Present to the client the entire proposed scope for the project and explain the costs associated with each aspect.
We package this presentation to help with project funding and justification. This stage provides a clear picture of all of the costs projected through the course of the design and construction process. This will produce the following deliverables:
• Conceptual design presentation
• Detailed estimate explanation
• Timeline of project completion
Basis of design
Objectives: Create a document that accounts for all systems and disciplines.
Any hidden costs are exposed and brought to the client's attention. Floor plans are developed and important systems develop into schematic designs. The Basis of Design will produce the following deliverables:
• Detailed outline of major components
• Schematic floor plans
• Schematic MEP systems
• Schematic Single Lines Drawings
• Narrative report detailing specific design parameters of all systems
Detailed design
Objective: Create a finished design that accounts for all systems and disciplines.
Every aspect of the design is specified and accounted for in this stage. This stage develops complete construction drawings and specifications to be used for pre-purchase procurement, owner review, bidding, permits, and construction documents. All design disciplines will be coordinated into a unified set of detailed documents. This stage delivers:
• Pre-purchase documents
• Bidding and construction drawings and specifications
• Detailed equipment specifications
Procurement
Objective: Pre-purchase all equipment needed to complete the construction and ensure competitive bidding.
Documents created in previous steps are used to solicit bids from contractors and manufacturers. This stage must anticipate lead times for each piece of equipment so that it can be delivered when it is needed on site. This stage delivers:
• Assistance in equipment pre-purchasing
• Assistance in pre-qualifying potential bidders
Construction Administration
Objective: Monitor construction to consult on all issues that arise in the field.
Assist construction management team by coordinating each design discipline's documentation to minimize issues in the field. We manage design related issues, Requests for Information, and shop drawing reviews, Factory witness tests, etc. to meet the construction schedule. This stage delivers:
• Shop drawing reviews
• Responses to RFIs
Migration
Objective: Facilitate a smooth transition from old facility to new facility.
Assist in managing the move from an existing data center facility to a newly constructed space to minimize down time. This stage delivers:
• Schedule and timeline of all work including shutdowns and power-ups of equipment
Commissioning
Objective: Ensure that all materials, systems and equipment are installed and operating within approved tolerances.
We inspect all equipment with step by step pre-functional and functional checklists to ensure that all equipment specified is provided and that it was installed according to design intent and specifications. This stage delivers:
• Commissioning pre-functional and functional commissioning checklists for every pertinent piece of equipment
Monitoring
Objective: Inspect facility at regular intervals to ensure proper functioning for the life of the facility.
Data centers are very dynamic facilities that require constant monitoring. This would include electrical power allocation, cooling optimization, schedule for preventative maintenance, and to ensure that all design parameters are met throughout the life of the facility. This stage delivers:
• Computational fluid dynamic studies (if required)
• Cooling System Optimization recommendations
• Emergency and UPS power monitoring and allocation studies
• On-site checks on a regularly scheduled basis