Predevelopment field note
Five Decisions to Make Before Design Begins
The clearest design brief is built from decisions the drawings should not have to guess.
A practical predesign framework for aligning users, budget, operations, phasing, and the public story of a property project.
Who must the property serve first?
Identify the primary users and the tasks the building must make easier for them. A project serving office tenants, neighborhood retail, events, or mixed uses will make different decisions about entries, hours, parking, noise, deliveries, and shared amenities.
What is the real investment range?
A useful budget includes construction, professional fees, permits, contingencies, temporary operations, financing costs, and the time required to lease or reopen space. A concept should respond to the full range, not only the visible work.
What must stay operational?
Occupied properties need a phasing plan before a finish plan. Access, utilities, life safety, deliveries, dust, noise, and tenant communication can determine the sequence of work.
Which decisions are reversible?
Some choices can be tested with a small pilot; others lock the project into years of operating cost. Teams should spend the most time on decisions that are expensive to undo.
How will progress be described?
Decide how the project will distinguish ideas, approved work, active construction, and completed phases. Accurate public language protects credibility as the schedule changes.
Property-specific decisions should be verified through current leases, inspections, plans, codes, budgets, and qualified professional advice.