3 Big Questions about Feasibility Studies
When an old building needs to be repurposed, how can a team validate and verify the infrastructure can support the remodel? What if a renovation challenging enough to question the integrity of the building is being considered? For example, transitioning a three-story office space into wet laboratories. While developing the scope of work, it takes expertise required for the Owner, Owner’s Representative, Facilities Department, Design & Construction Team, or Architect to confirm the project is practical given the existing infrastructure. Will new plumbing be required? Does the air distribution support the renovation? Can the electrical system support the project requirements? What infrastructure modifications are needed? Does the scope include bringing in an engineer or design/build firm? Are there code or health and safety issues directly impacting the renovation?
Answering the Big Question: Is the Project Feasible?
Synergy has helped teams gather and analyze vital information verifying the building can support the proposed project. Oftentimes, when a building is repurposed, the Request for Proposal (RFP) is developed by the Owner’s Representative and sent out for bidding. This leaves gaps in infrastructure knowledge that can be an expensive pain point later on. What if the infrastructure cannot support the new mechanical, electrical, or plumbing systems? The design team would go back and modify the design as well as refine the Owner’s Project Requirements (OPR). This can cause increased timelines and will likely reduce the project’s return on investment.
What is a Feasibility Study?
A feasibility study can be viewed as a pre-design assessment. It’s acknowledging that change is coming while remaining proactive to the upcoming scope of work. It answers the question, “Is this project truly feasible?” A feasibility study aligns expectations for all parties involved early in the design process.