What is Design-Build?  

Definition:

Design-build (sometimes spelled design/build, and abbreviated D-B or D/B accordingly) is a construction project delivery system where, in contrast to traditional "design-bid-build", the design and construction phases are contracted with a single entity known as the design-builder or design-build contractor.

Origins: 

The design-build delivery system often cites the original "Master Builder" model used to build most pre-modern projects. Under the Master Builder approach, a central figure held total project accountability. From inception to completion, the master builder was the key organizational figure and strictly liable to the owner for defects, delays, and losses. The design-build system is a return to some of the fundamentals of the Master Builder approach.

Benefits:

1. One contract:  Like the master builder, a design-builder is solely accountable for the successful design and construction of your building. Ryan serves as an extension of your organization, ensuring your building meets your business needs and reflects your culture. This minimizes your project risk.
   
   
2. Integrated design:  Design-build provides great design while balancing image, function, quality, sustainability and cost expectations. During design programming, we present design options and together determine your critical project components, avoiding costly backtracking and redesign.
   
   
3. Speed:  The delivery of your project on time is just as important as meeting your design and budget expectations. Scheduling and estimating proceed on a parallel track with design, allowing for a faster, more reliable delivery.

Advantages of Ryan's design-build delivery:

1. It's a way of life:  Ryan was an early pioneer in design-build. It isn't a trend or the latest thing. It is who we are; it’s how we think.
   
   
2. A fully integrated real estate/design-build solution:  As we’ve added to our real estate services over the years, we’ve looked at the entire real estate process as design-builders, looking for efficiencies and cost savings from the earliest stages of development and site selection through financing, design, construction and ultimately, to the management and maintenance of your building. No matter what range of services you need, our experience and knowledge at delivering fully integrated real estate/design-build solutions can benefit your project.
   
   
3. Quality:  We're committed to advancing our design-build delivery. Utilizing business improvement methodology and technologies like BIM (Building Information Modeling), we're infusing the process and your project with value and optimizing design, quality and long-term sustainability (See Lean and Green for more information).
   
   
4. Customized project delivery: Our design-build delivery system is a disciplined process based on your input and expectations. Together, we will establish project goals and tailor a project plan to your priorities.
   
   
5. Team approach:  From day one, development, architecture & engineering, construction and real estate management are all at the table to create your integrated real estate solution. This multi-functional team continually collaborates to create the ultimate in efficiency and value.
   
   
6. People:  As Jim Ryan says, “we are people-believers.” We believe we have the best people in the industry and are convinced you will agree. Our people are committed to making your design-build experience as successful and delightful as your end product.
   
   
7. Building Lasting Relationships:  It is more than a tag line. For 70 years, through 3 generations and from every employee, we focus on the one-on-one relationship between people, which ultimately builds better buildings, better businesses and better communities.