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Detailing Qualitative and Quantitative Project Requirements
Focus Area Programming
Featured Projects
- Austin Independent School District Bowie High School Expansion Austin, TX, United States
- MD Anderson Cancer Center Research Medical Library Houston, TX, United States
- Quarry Run Regional Operations Center Southwest Region, Confidential, United States
Programming results in documented consensus project requirements that balance space, schedule, and budget without constraining design
The first step in every architectural, engineering or planning project is Programming: “a process leading to the statement of a problem and the requirements to be met in offering a solution.” While this may sound simple, it takes an organized approach and special skills. An exceptional programming process not only identifies requirements, it builds consensus among the stakeholders involved.
Page uses a comprehensive, organized approach to programming. We are specially trained in and constantly hone a variety of facilitation, organization and quantification techniques. Up-front definition of project requirements focuses the design process, increasing value and saving time. The result of comprehensive programming is a new consensus around the project with formal documentation of the quantitative and qualitative requirements.
Taking the time to thoroughly investigate the project problem before designing the solution not only aligns scope, schedule and budget from the very beginning but it engages facility stakeholders early, supporting any change management activities needed to fully realize the potential of new space.
Services
- Academic
- Architecture
- Building Sciences
- Civic / Government
- Commissioning
- Engineering
- Healthcare
- Interiors
- Strategies / Analytics
- Science / Technology
Diagramming to understand and communicate qualitative requirements
We diagram during programming to obtain a complete understanding of spatial requirements and communicate complex relationships. During client meetings, real-time diagrams on the screen, whiteboard or flip chart help to focus participants and capture ideas that are difficult to verbalize. Formalized diagrams in the final documentation allow a rich layering of information that are both concise and accessible.
Our programming consultants helped the renowned MD Anderson Cancer Center weigh alternatives when relocating their medical research library to support campus growth. By deploying user surveys to understand travel patterns and targeted stakeholder interviews, we built an objective understanding of relocation needs and considerations.
Building consensus
Programming discussions rely upon the fine art of capturing ideas and needs from diverse and often conflicting perspectives while guiding the discussion towards common ground. Our keen listening and distillation skills help to clarify the roots of conflicting perspectives. Focusing on established project goals and a clear explanation of trade-offs and opportunities aligns decision makers to move projects forward.
Establishing consensus through this process around the Austin Independent School District Bowie High School Expansion brought the extensive stakeholder community together around significant changes to this beloved campus. Not only did the systematic programming and master planning workshops align the community, but creative ideas raised in those sessions elevated the design proposal.
Balancing connection, separation, and resilience
A unique regional operations center needed effective space for county public safety offices, as well as local police and fire personnel during regional situations. Programming highlighted critical security, physical access, and visual connection requirements for the PSAP floor and from each jurisdiction as well as identifying critical areas for increased resilience.
Large to small, we do it all
- 13 / 200 MEETINGS / PARTICIPANTS FOR HIGH SCHOOL EXPANSION PROJECT
- 8 / 42 MEETINGS / PARTICIPANTS FOR RESEARCH MEDICAL LIBRARY PROJECT
- 15 / 56 MEETINGS / PARTICIPANTS FOR REGIONAL EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER PROJECT
“I am proud to see Bowie go from an amazing school to one that is the size it deserves with 21st-century learning spaces.”
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