Process

Process

Our Design Story: An Integrative Journey to Exceptional Outcomes

At PIERI Architects, we believe truly exceptional projects emerge from a deeply integrative process where human ingenuity, advanced technology (including AI), and the wisdom of natural systems converge from the very beginning. This fundamental philosophy allows us to craft designs that not only meet your immediate needs but also foster environmental health, embrace adaptability, and possess timeless value.

How Does This Collaborative Journey Unfold?

Think of it as a shared exploration where your vision becomes our collective compass. From pre-design through intricate production documentation, we embed collaboration at every turn, bringing all crucial voices—clients, architects, engineers, and often builders—together from the outset. This early, continuous dialogue builds trust, establishes shared goals, and ensures a smooth, efficient journey from concept to completion.

Our approach is guided by key principles:

  • Seeing the Whole Picture: We meticulously consider the intricate interplay between people, advanced technology, and the natural environment to create holistic solutions.
  • Co-Creating Your Vision: By aligning stakeholders early, your priorities become the driving force behind the design.
  • Designing for Tomorrow: We create adaptable and resilient designs that gracefully evolve with future challenges, leveraging data and predictive insights for longevity.

In practical terms, this means:

  • Your Voice Matters: We actively involve you and project partners throughout the entire project lifecycle.
  • Anticipating Challenges Together: Early builder integration proactively identifies and addresses potential hurdles, saving time and resources.
  • Smart Decisions, Exceptional Results: Our iterative decision-making optimizes design for cost-effective, high-performing, and aesthetically pleasing outcomes, informed by analytical insights.
  • Building Trust Through Transparency: We foster open communication through collaborative workshops, on-site visits, and direct problem-solving. Addressing issues on paper is always preferable to during construction.

The PIERI Outcomes:

Our integrative journey culminates in tangible outcomes designed for lasting value and a future-ready built environment, proven by our portfolio.

  • Designs That Adapt: Your building will be flexible, capable of evolving with your changing needs while maintaining its inherent aesthetic integrity.
  • Future-Ready Buildings: We design with an eye toward the future, anticipating technological advancements, environmental shifts, and societal changes, with advanced planning helping us envision and prepare for these evolutions.
  • Sustainable and Regenerative by Design: Our commitment to ecologically principled design means reduced environmental impact through energy efficiency and resilient solutions. Our projects have demonstrated significant results, including:
    • Up to 62% energy savings (Sartorius ECO I)
    • Up to 75% potable water reduction (Sartorius ECO I)
    • 85% construction waste diverted (Sartorius ECO II)
    • Attainment of LEED Platinum certification (Sartorius ECO I)
    • Creation of low-impact sites with features like cool pavements, permeable surfaces, native landscaping, and dark-sky compliant lighting (e.g., BPPR Villalba, El Portal del Yunque).
    • Enhanced indoor environmental quality through optimized ventilation and low-emitting materials, promoting human health and well-being (e.g., VA Heroes Domiciliary).
  • Enhanced Value, Realized Efficiently: Your project will stay on budget and on schedule, maximizing long-term savings and creating comfortable, healthy spaces for occupants.
  • Quality That Endures: We are committed to delivering a finished product of the highest quality, exceeding expectations in both form and function.
  • Spaces That Nurture: Our designs prioritize human health and wellness through access to daylight, views, proper ventilation, and comfortable thermal environments, fostering a connection to the natural world.
  • Designed for Longevity: Our buildings are thoughtfully designed and meticulously documented to facilitate ease of operations and maintenance, ensuring long-term functionality and value.

How Do We Bring This to Life? The Delivery Methods We Embrace

To truly harness the power of integrative design, certain project delivery methods naturally align with our philosophy:

Our Perspective on Project Delivery Methods:

While we are not averse to the Design-Bid-Build project delivery method, our experience indicates that project delivery methods that engage a builder early in the design process, such as Construction Manager at Risk (CM at Risk), Design-Build, and Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), tend to yield more collaborative and ultimately better results in terms of efficiency, cost control, risk allocation, and overall project success.

Tools That Empower Our Process:

We leverage a range of sophisticated tools to empower your project with precision, foresight, and optimized performance, enabling sustainable efficiency and regenerative innovation:

  • AI-Enhanced Collaboration: To enhance our workflow, explore design options, document regulatory, permit, and code requirements, and improve the quality of our output through intelligent assistance and analysis.
  • Bio-Regional Research: To understand the context, capacities, and parameters of Place.
  • Site Analysis: To understand the potential for Low-Impact Site design strategies.
  • GIS and BIM Modeling: For comprehensive spatial analysis and building information management.
  • Parametric Energy and Water Consumption Models: To optimize resource efficiency.
  • Daylight Harvesting Models: To maximize natural light and reduce energy use.
  • Materials Life Cycle Modeling: To assess embodied carbon, and select healthy, resilient materials.
  • Excel Spreadsheets: For meticulous budget development.
  • MS Project: For efficient schedule management.

Measuring Success Beyond Time and Budget

While staying on time and within budget are critical, we define success more broadly. For us, a truly successful project also delivers:

  • Exceptional Quality: A finished product that meets the highest standards of design and construction.
  • Resource Efficiency: Measurable reductions in energy, water, and material consumption.
  • Human Well-being: Enhanced occupant health and wellness through thoughtful design elements like daylighting, views, ventilation, and thermal comfort, fostering a connection to the natural world.
  • Regenerative Potential: Designs that, where possible, contribute positively to the surrounding environment.
  • Operational Excellence: Buildings that are thoughtfully designed and thoroughly documented to facilitate efficient and cost-effective operations and maintenance over their lifecycle.

LEED Certification: A Testament to Our Regenerative Commitment (Optional, Yet Powerful)

While LEED certification isn't mandatory, we strongly recommend considering using it. It provides a rigorous and globally recognized framework for energy accountability, operational efficiency, and environmental excellence. Pursuing LEED certification is a powerful statement of leadership in sustainability, enhancing your project's reputation and long-term value. It's a tangible demonstration of the principles we embed in every project.

Collaboration – Human and More than Human– Drives Exceptional Results

Our Process: Early and effective collaboration among you, our design team, and the builders – enhanced by place-based research and enhanced by Artificial Intelligence insights – is the cornerstone of our success. It ensures clarity of goals, a unified approach, and a well documented process.

Your Outcome: Projects that beautifully blend aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability, delivering enduring value, operational efficiency, and exceeding your expectations.

Why Choose PIERI Architects for Your Integrative Journey?

At PIERI Architects, we don't just design buildings; we bring your vision to life through a thoughtful and collaborative process, amplified by advanced computational capabilities:

  • Understanding Your Vision First: It all starts with you. We are inherently curious and want to deeply understand your singular vision, goals, and success metrics for your project. We'll ask you to imagine your project and share your unique perspective.
  • Strategic Thinking, Tangible Designs: We translate your aspirations into actionable goals and create tailored designs that are both innovative and practical, leveraging advanced tools to explore a wider range of solutions and optimize for performance.
  • Seamless Execution, Exceptional Results: We assemble high-performing, aligned teams, meticulously manage timelines, and are committed to delivering exceptional results, on time and within budget, with technology assisting in streamlining processes and enhancing accuracy.

We are passionate about creating adaptable, resilient designs that enhance the well-being of occupants, minimize environmental impact, stand as enduring testaments to thoughtful collaboration, and are designed for long-term operational efficiency.

Ready to explore your vision with a team that embraces innovation? Contact PIERI Architects today to discover how our integrative process, enhanced by advanced insights, can transform your aspirations into a remarkable reality.