We get asked this by architects and owners all the time: is it too early to bring the MEP engineer onboard? Let’s talk about it!
Remember that project where you had plenty of time to get your work done before issuing schematics to the subconsultants? Or how about the one where the MEP consultants didn't need any more space because you had already thought of everything? Me neither.
How about this scenario: the MEP engineer was retained too late, the utility company was MIA, and you had to drop the ceiling an extra foot to fit the piping and ductwork above the ceiling. Sound familiar?
The reality in today’s construction industry is that all of us; owners, architects, engineers, and contractors; are being pushed to move faster and for less fee, all the while maximizing useable area and ceiling height . This fast-track mentality can lead to costly revisions, poor collaboration, and sacrifices to the architectural vision. As MEP engineers, Lewis Ross Associates minimizes these effects by simply getting involved as early as possible in the design process.
I have yet to see schematics on a project in which the architect had already thought of everything that was necessary to accommodate our systems; but the point is that you shouldn’t have to. By bringing your MEP engineer on early, you can get practical advice to guide your schematic design. Bring us onboard now to talk about your utilities, service needs, vertical pathways, and even help with preliminary energy calculations. We can provide you workable solutions to the questions that need to be answered now, not when it's too late:
How will utilities be metered?
Did you plan for the transformer pad?
How will your garage be ventilated?
Is a vault practical?
How much space does the boiler need?
How much space do you need above the ceiling?
Engage us now and we can help you design a tighter building that maximizes the use of space, reduces utility lead time, all the while being sensitive to your budget and schedule.