Felder Group Architects, Inc. is a full-service architectural firm located in Austin, Texas. The firm was established to produce sustainable projects by employing excellence in communication, design, management and technology.

Mr. Felder has over 30 years of experience in the field of Architecture and Construction, including almost 3 million square feet of healthcare facilities design. He founded the Felder Group Architects, Inc. in September of 2002 following a 20-year career with one of the largest architectural firms in Texas. As principal of that firm, he oversaw general operations of the company and directed a wide variety of projects and staff.

Philosophy

At the Felder Group, great projects are achieved by great communications and our desire to add value to our client's projects.

The Felder Group designs for minimal impact on the environment. We employ concepts of environmentally friendly materials and systems, construction methods, energy conservation, and life cycle costing in every project we produce. This results in clean and healthy facilities that are economical to operate and maintain.

Although we are well-versed in Healthcare and related projects, Felder Group Architects have extensive experience in Commercial, Institutional and Educational projects as well. We practice a standardized approach to each project to determine factors affecting the design:

Image and culture

User's aspirations and goals

Climate and environmental issues

Function

Budget

Codes, standards, and regulations

Schedule

Efficiency of staffing and operation

Technological issues

Each of these are researched and discussed thoroughly in the programming phase. A design criteria document is assembled which records the results of these efforts. A successful programming phase is critical to meeting the Owner's goals and objectives for both the project and the business operations.

Capabilities / Services

Highly complex projects are a specialty of the Felder Group Architects. Areas of expertise include Healthcare, Laboratories, Educational facilities, Office and Commercial projects. Services offered include:

• Project Conception Assistance

• Site and Facility Due Diligence

• Code Studies

• Feasibility Studies

• Planning

• Programming

• Design / Visualization

• Documentation

• Construction

• Post Construction Evaluation

Primary Processes

The Felder Group Architects, Inc. adheres to a project approach that is designed to insure that communications are clear and that decisions are made at the appropriate stage of the project. Successful projects follow a consistent, well-managed process of information gathering, design, documentation and construction. Our checklist methodology and project management ensure that communications are clear, and that project history is considered when issues arise.

We begin by listening. Initially, projects are dominated by information gathering. This information is organized in a manner that provides a framework for the design efforts. The result is a design criteria manual or program, which guides the team through the duration of the project.

Project design is initiated with the completion of the design criteria document, so that the initial concepts are tested against fresh information, proceeding from a broad scope to detailed design.

As the design progresses, the influence of building technology increases. Our office standards are continually perfected to insure the highest quality design and documentation possible. Any significant changes to the project are evaluated against the design criteria, insuring that the original design intent is maintained.

Bidding, construction and post-construction evaluation services are structured to assure that the project completely fulfills the design intent.

Supporting Processes

Budgeting / Construction Cost

FGA enlists the experience of selected construction firms to provide cost estimating services. We have found that opinions of probable construction cost are consistently more accurate and reliable when sourced directly from the construction industry. Our clients have benefited greatly from this approach.

Data / CADD

Our parametric 3D modeling CADD software allows us to quickly provide clients with the data they need to insure that their project will meet their requirements. Parameters such as volume, BOMA calculations and even building systems quantity reports are possible at early stages of design. Our primary CADD tool is Autodesk Revit, but for coordination with our clients and our consultants we can receive and deliver drawings in Revit, AutoCad and Microstation formats.

Scheduling

We know that time is money, and projects frequently are driven by the need to accomplish certain goals by an immovable date. There are many factors related to the project that must be considered and coordinated in order to provide for a smooth pathway toward your project goals. A project schedule is developed at the inception of the project and is updated whenever required to facilitate the expectations of all parties to the process. We have never failed a client in meeting their critical deadline. We are a schedule-driven firm.

Consultants / Affiliations

Felder Group affiliates with a select group of sub-consulting firms to complete the project team. These firms are selected based upon their individual expertise, availability and overall suitability for the project. Sub-consultants include Landscape Architecture, Civil, Structural, Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing engineering as well as Interior design, Equipment Planning, Lighting, Vibration, and Acoustics.