Design Review PDF
Design Review PDF
Design Review PDF
Community and Government Services
Technical Services Division
Version 2.0
Date: July 22, 2013
Table of Contents
1.0 General Design Review Objectives
2.0 Review Stages and Submission Requirements
3.0 Building Types
4.0 Design Review Team
Preamble
Design Review is intended to provide independent expert and impartial design advice on selected projects
to assist those projects achieve design excellence. The Technical Support Services team tasked with
providing Design Review services. It is an advisory group supporting the Project Management Process. In
undertaking its role, the Technical Support Services team promotes and encourages design quality for
significant public projects delivered by the Project Management Office on behalf of the Government of
Nunavut. It acts as an enabler of design quality and enhanced value outcomes and promotes an enthusiasm
for design by initiating and promoting a forum for discussing design‐related issues.
The purpose of this document is to provide additional details regarding design submissions at each stage of
the design process outlined in the A/E Contract. The A/E Contract provides little detail regarding the content
of each submission. This document must be referenced in all Design RFP’s. The intent of the document is
to clarify what is expected at each stage of the Design Review Process. Doing so will not only ensure that all
proposals received in response to an RFP can be compared equally, it will also provide a benchmark
throughout the design review process. This document should be used by the A/E in the process of preparing
their proposal and determining schedules. It should then be used throughout the design process as a guide
for preparing each submission. Submissions made by the A/E shall be compiled and submitted from a single
source. The intent is to ensure that the A/E has assessed the work and that the design effort has been
coordinated with all of the disciplines. Each submission will be evaluated by the Project Officer for
‘completeness’ prior to being submitted for Technical or Regulatory review. An incomplete submission that
does not include all disciplines is a direct indicator that the disciplines involved in a design have not been
coordinated. Incomplete submissions will be returned to the A/E with a list of the incomplete items.
Submissions will need to be completed and re-submitted. The result of this effort should be a consistent
design approach shared by all firms providing service to the Government of Nunavut. In turn, the
Government of Nunavut will respond with a consistent approach to Design Review.
satisfy the spatial and functional needs of the users as described in the Project Brief;
are designed specifically for the actual climate and other physical parameters of the site; and
are designed for the minimum capital cost consistent with lowest life cycle costs.
meet the requirements of the ‘Good Building Practices Guideline’
meet all applicable Codes and Regulations
Guiding Principles:
Design review is independent: It is conducted by Technical Officers who are separate from the
project. It offers impartial advice which is not influenced by the client, the local authority or the
design team and is based solely on the design quality.
Good design review is advisory: It does not make the decisions, but offers impartial advice for
decision makers. It offers constructive, impartial, peer advice that will help assess designs from a
broader perspective and identify any fundamental weaknesses as opposed to providing alternative
design solutions. It does not provide advice to redesign schemes, rather, it offers comments that
will lead to their improvement.
Project Brief
The Project Brief is a document which outlines project requirements for the client and delivery
departments, establishes a basis (functional, spatial, and technical criteria) for evaluating design
solutions/alternatives, provides a reference document for design consultants, and provides a
reference for post-occupancy evaluations.
The Good Building Practices Guideline assumes an advisory role, while renewing the challenge to
builders to be innovative in applying the practices. Builders are encouraged to present alternatives to
the suggestions detailed in the Good Building Practices Guideline, or to present new or innovative
ways of resolving technical problems or of reducing building life-cycle costs.
The Good Building Practices Guideline incorporates years of experience in northern construction
practices. The Good Building Practices Guideline was refined through input from architectural and
engineering consultants, building contractors, suppliers, facility operators, Community and
Government Services and client department staff, who worked together to achieve a consensus
regarding northern building practices that are appropriate, economic and realistic. Simple,
straightforward examples are used to illustrate and validate the practices.
The guidelines are not intended to replace mandatory codes or regulations, but to supplement the
National Building Code of Canada, specifically where the GN believes that:
More stringent practices should be applied relative to those of the National Building Code of
Canada or the local municipality;
Code requirements should be clarified;
Its experience has demonstrated that conditions particular to remote northern communities
require an approach different from typical Canadian building industry practice; and
Its proven preferences for specific products, systems or methods should be employed.
It is a requirement of the AE to submit construction documents for Regulatory review, including but
not limited to review by the Office of the Fire Marshal and the Electrical Section of Safety Services.
In addition to the submission requirements outlined in this document, any items identified at any time
in the design that may be open to more than one interpretation should be submitted for Regulatory
review and official response must be received.
Design Review Scope
"Design" is a word that encompasses a number of activities within the fields of Architecture and
Engineering. During the design phase of any project several documents are usually produced, each
with a specific scope and objective. The scope of the Design Review and the resulting report is
limited by the scope of the design contract, specifically the Terms of Reference and other listed
documents. The specific scope and objective at each Design Review stage varies based on the
stage of design as outlined in the Design Review Stages and Submissions document with respect to
the Good Building Practices Guideline.
Note that while issues related to improper application of applicable Codes and Regulations
identified through the process are noted and included in the resulting report, the Design Review is
not a comprehensive Code Review. It is assumed that all solutions proposed by the Design Firm
meet a standard acceptable to the relevant Authority Having Jurisdiction. The Design Review
references the Functional Plan or Operational Program as outlined in the Design Brief only when the
service has been specifically requested. Typically, for the purposes of the Design Review it is
assumed that all aspects of the Design Brief have been satisfied by the design submission.
The Design Review Scope is further defined by the Project Team by completing a Design Review
Request for Services form. The form identifies the review services offered, allowing the Project
Team to select the services it deems necessary. It also outlines the intended schedule and any
specific Design Review requirements such as participation in design related meetings and special
research requirements.
Design Review Output
The output of Design Review is a formal report. The report is cumulative and documents the full
Design Review history of the project. Design reviews are represented in table form. The report is
also collaborative. It contains both the comments offered by the Technical Support Services team
and the related response from the Design Firm. Significant design decisions are recorded. Specific
design elements that require additional research, such as the proposed use of new materials,
technologies or methods that have not been proven, are documented in detail with specific
recommendations. The intent is to provide the Project Team with the information that it requires
to make design related decisions in a timely fashion to move the project forward.
Accessing Design Review Services
Design Review services can be accessed by contacting and consulting the Director of Technical
Services or the Manager of Technical Support. This consultation should occur as part of the process
of developing the Request for Proposal (RFP) for Architectural and Engineering services. The need
In this stage, the consultant is given an opportunity to demonstrate practical and imaginative
responses to the Project Brief. Alternatives for site, functional layout, building sections, and
elevations are developed considering the objectives, assumptions and criteria in the Project Brief and
the governing codes and regulations. The alternatives are reviewed and evaluated. The most cost-
effective and technically appropriate alternative is selected for development of a schematic design.
The purpose of this submission is to review alternatives presented by the consultant exploring ways
of achieving the owner's goals and objectives. Project cost, relative benefits, and project schedule,
are reviewed for each alternative so the owner can make practical and informed decisions within the
given budget restraints. Depending on the type of building, limitations created by site or specific
program requirements there may need be one alternative submitted. In any project, there should be
no need for more than three alternatives
Drawings:
Freehand sketches are acceptable as long as they are to scale and the scale remains consistent.
Report/Written Information:
A formal report is not required. Report(s) on the following in a letter format is sufficient at this stage.
Preliminary cost estimate information that will allow the owners to confirm the project budget
If the project brief calls for a Technical Status Evaluation of an existing building, the consultant
should report on the following:
All building systems should be reviewed in terms of their current condition, performance and potential
service life. Building systems include but are not limited to the following:
Recommendations to repair or replace the above building systems should be made. Any
recommendations made should be accompanied by a life cycle cost analysis. If alternatives are
presented, a cost benefit analysis should be included.
If Community and Government Services has completed the Technical Status Evaluation on the
existing building then it must be reviewed, analyzed and included in the development and the
evaluation of alternatives.
Evaluation of Alternatives
Based on the agreed criteria and the preferred alternatives established within Part I, the consultant
prepares schematic design documents, consisting of drawings and other documents illustrating the
general scope, scale and relationship of the project components. Designs produced will be
conceptual in character, indicating the proposed plan form, site plan and appearance of the facility
with relation to orientation, topography, adjacent land use and utilities, as well as general approach to
structural, mechanical and electrical systems. Furthermore, the consultant outlines major
mechanical, electrical, structural and architectural sub-systems to demonstrate that the preferred
alternative can be implemented, that it represents the best solution to the requirements of the Project
Brief, and that it complies with all governing codes and regulations.
The purpose of this review is to assess the suitability of the schematic alternative in meeting the
requirements of the Project Brief, community aspirations, and budget objectives. Architectural,
Mechanical and Electrical systems will be outlined in greater detail to clearly reveal project design
direction, cost implications and how the building systems are integrated.
Drawings:
Report/Written Information:
Changes to any pre-design information prepared for the consultant and agreed to at the previous
review are to be documented and incorporated into the Schematic Design.
The Occupancy Classification under the National Building Code as approved by the Office of the
Fire Marshal is to be stated.
Description of any design "features" or important site conditions that may not be apparent from
the drawings alone.
The rationale behind any important design decisions that may assist in explaining choices, which
may not appear to be appropriate.
Identify areas where the design deviates from the Good Building Practices Guideline,
providing substantiation and costing.
Mechanical and Electrical Information (and Drawings) required as part of Design Submissions:
Include a copy of preliminary design calculations for the heating load, ventilation rates, fuel
oil storage, water tanks, sewage holding tanks, and expansion tanks.
Indicate approximate location of the exterior oil tank, sewage pump out connection(s), water
fill connection(s), chimney(s), plumbing vent(s), intake(s) and exhaust hood(s).
Provide separate floor plans for each floor, including crawlspace and mezzanine.
Provide preliminary layouts of mechanical room(s) indicating all equipment to correct scale.
Provide information and description of major equipment and components to be used in the
building.
Include location of main electrical service equipment and existing or proposed utility power
locations (site plan).
Provide separate electrical drawings for each floor, including proposed lighting and power
layout.
A Preliminary Code Analysis to be provided. The Code analysis should identify the following:
‐ A list of applicable Codes and Standards
‐ A Building Description including:
‐ Major Occupancies
‐ Building Area
‐ Number of Stories
‐ Number of Streets
‐ Building Classification
‐ Major Fire Protection and Life Safety Requirements including:
‐ Building Construction
‐ Spatial Separation and Limiting Distance
‐ Fire Separations
‐ Egress and Exiting
‐ Occupant Load and Exit Capacity
‐ Location of Exits
‐ Water Supply
‐ Sprinkler Systems
‐ Fire Detection and Alarm System
‐ Fire Department Access
‐ Barrier Free Requirements
‐ Discussions on any elements that may be open to interpretation or be of concern to the
Office of the Fire Marshal.
‐ Drawings
‐ Proposed Site Plan
‐ Proposed Floor Plan
‐ Proposed Elevations
‐ Proposed Floor Plans (Identifying Fire Separations)
In the Design Development Phase, the consultant prepares sketch drawings based upon the
selected schematic design alternative, in order to determine more precise aspects of planning,
appearance and construction. These documents illustrate and define the design concept in terms of
site, plan form, character, materials, and the systems for structural, mechanical and electrical.
Design Review Stages and Document Submission Requirements Page 8 of 16
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The drawings and preliminary specifications produced during this phase shall be based on the
selected and approved schematic design alternative and typically will be of sufficient detail to allow
for client and community reviews. Site plans, floor plans, elevations, representative sections,
drawings outlining the mechanical and electrical systems, as well as a description of all the critical
components of the building technology, materials, and equipment are presented. These documents
will not, however, be sufficient to enable construction nor tendering of the project. Also, the interior
and exterior color schemes are addressed along with the use of natural and artificial lighting and
acoustical treatments.
The purpose of this review is to finalize design related issues, technical criteria, technical
performance objectives, and budget forecasts so that the contract documents can be prepared. The
Design Development submission must fully convey the design intent. Further advances to the
project documentation should not proceed until the design development has received
approval.
Drawings:
Report/Written Information:
Record of any revisions or clarifications to the project requirements made since the previous
review.
The Occupancy Classification under the National Building Code as approved by the Office of the
Fire Marshal (reaffirmed or revised from previous submission).
A summary table or listing of applicable code requirements and proposed responses (reaffirmed
or revised based on previous submission).
Description of any design "features" or important site conditions (reaffirmed or revised based on
previous submission).
The rationale behind any important design decisions (reaffirmed or revised based on previous
submission).
Indicate all plumbing fixtures, floor drains, plumbing and waste piping on floor plans.
Provide structural support details for all domestic/fire water and sewage storage tanks, if
applicable.
Provide fire protection system detail, including level of coverage, type and zoning. Indicate
hand held fire extinguisher locations.
Provide heating distribution system and ancillary component layouts including: complete
boiler room piping schematics, heating coil piping takeoff locations, and heating coil piping
and pumping configuration details.
Provide control system schematics including system types, layouts, and sequence operation.
Include a description of the mechanical alarm system.
Provide in the specification, detailed information of products intended for use including
manufacturer, model numbers, type, style, phase, voltage, capacity for equipment
components specified in the project.
Provide legible Product Data sheets on all major electrical components, and fixtures
(Catalogue cuts are acceptable with visible indication of proposed product). Provide Main
Distribution single line diagram.
Provide drawings of power, lighting and other electrical system locations with proposed
device zoning, circuit number, panel designation, for:
Provide service and feeder calculations, c/w lighting and power demands.
An outline specification.
An Updated Code Analysis (if changes have occurred) – see ‘Schematic Design
Submission’ for further details
In this phase, the consultant prepares construction documents consisting primarily of working
drawings and specifications. Working drawings are graphic representations that include plans
elevations, sections, construction details and site plans. These drawings also illustrate coordination
of structural, mechanical, electrical and utility plans and details where applicable.
A major part of working drawings consists of detail drawings, which are large scale representations of
certain parts of the project, clearly showing arrangements, assemblies, profiles and dimensions: they
may be furnished with the working drawings or when construction is in progress. Specifications are
written descriptions of all elements that are best described rather than delineated, including
requirements related to the manufacture, methods of installation, design, testing, commission
performance criteria and workmanship of materials and equipment.
The purpose of this review is to ensure that the design intent will be adequately communicated to
potential bidders or those responsible for the construction of the facility. The documents, reviewed for
completeness and coordination.
Drawings:
A partial completed set of drawings and details is required which contains enough information to
allow a full understanding by the review of the intended choices of materials, assembly, design
features, spatial requirements of equipment, fittings and fixtures. The emphasis should be on
providing basic information on almost all aspects of the project rather than issuing fully completed
segments separated by near blank information gaps. Approximately 2/3 of the total effort devoted to
construction documentation would normally have to be expended to convey this amount of
information.
Report/Written Information:
The purpose of this submission is to verify that all comments provided on 50% submission have been
incorporated and that all issues have been resolved. At this stage, if all issues that were noted at
prior stages have been resolved, no further review or comment should be required.
The purpose of this submission is to ensure that all systems, products and assemblies are
adequately communicated to potential bidders or those responsible for the construction of the facility.
The documents are reviewed for completeness and coordination. All comments should be fully
incorporated at this stage and documents should be ready for tender.
Arenas X X X X X X
Offices X X X X X X
Community Center X X X X X X
Libraries X X X X X X
Air Terminal
Buildings - New & X X X X X X
Renovated
New & Renovated
X X X X X X
Health Centers
Fire Halls X X
Maintenance
X X
Garages
Parking Garages X X
Prefabricated X
X X X X X
Buildings
Municipal Works X X X X X X
Petroleum Products
Storage and
X X X X X X
Distribution
Facilities
Note: For repeat designs, certain reviews can be eliminated. All reviews are coordinated
through the Project Officer (or Project Manager).
Design
Phase Project Technical Facility Fire Safety
Officer Officer Planner Client User Marshal Services
Schematic
X X X X X
Alternatives
Schematic
X X X X X
Design
Design
X X X X X
Development
50%
Construction X X
Document
75%
Construction X X
Documents
100%
Construction X X X X
Documents
Time is required to complete a design review. During the course of technical and regulatory review,
issues may arise that require redesign. Any work undertaken by the A/E during the design review
period is performed at their own risk. All times commence from the day received at the office of the
reviewer.
Design Phase
Time Required For Review
Schematic Alternatives 2 Weeks
Schematic Design 2 Weeks
Design Development 3 Weeks
50% Construction Document 3 Weeks
75% Construction Documents 2 Weeks
100% Construction Documents 2 Weeks
Design Review Stages and Document Submission Requirements Page 13 of 16
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Table 4.3 – Design Review Team Contact Information
1. In order to allow time for proper document reviews, the Project Officer should advise and
coordinate the scheduling of documents with the Design Review Team well in advance of
meeting dates. A copy of the Design Schedule that forms part of the A/E Contract should be
provided to the Manager of Technical Support
2. The Facility Planner is the primary contact in Headquarters for all matters related to the
Project Brief.
3. All major projects should have a design start-up meeting. Those attending include the Project
Officer, Client, Consultant(s), Facility Planner and a Technical Officer/Manager. Items for
discussion include design requirements, interpretation of the Project Brief, budget, roles and
responsibilities, and lines of communication. Unless otherwise requested, all communication
to the various parties is through the Project Officer.
4. Meetings with consultants, communities, and/or the client are to be coordinated by the
Project Officer. If the Project Officer or regional backup is unavailable, the Facility Planner
can coordinate the meeting on behalf of the Project Officer if requested by the Regional
Project Manager.
Client/User
Community Facility Programming, Budget
Allocation, Community Liaison,
Facility Programming, Project Design Review, Project
Approval, Project Reviews Approval
Regulatory Agencies
The relationships between key stakeholders are illustrated in the above chart. Once again, design
reviews; community consultation, regulatory approvals and client participation and input are
coordinated by the Project Officer (or Project Manager).