Design-Build construction is in high demand due to its improved cost, speed and simplicity. And that’s drawing a lot of builders into the market.
So, let’s make it easy to know which one is right for you.
The Korte Company has led the Design-Build business for decades. In fact, we were one of the seven founders of the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA). Our company grew around the Design-Build process. Everything in our business structure is built around it.
At its heart, the key to successful Design-Build is constant collaboration and open communication. That’s how we continue to deliver millions of Design-Build square footage each year.
That’s what made the difference for General Manager Frank Zerbinos. He worked with us on the Cole Park Commons Golf Club and Conference Center in Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
“The Korte team sought my input, working closely with me to ensure the design reflected the changes that I thought would benefit the overall project,” Zerbinos said. “They displayed great flexibility in the design process and showed willingness to weight design cost for the benefit of Fort Campbell — the customer.”
So, what does true Design-Build really look like?
A single source of responsibility: One team, one goal, better results
Many new Design-Build companies are loosely partnered groups of architects and contractors. They are not a truly integrated team. And this can lead to communication barriers — the root cause of almost every construction issue.
At The Korte Company, we join all our designers and builders into one cohesive unit, constantly working together so everyone remains on the same page.
This integration also prevents disputes. Everyone has the same goals. There’s no winners, losers, heroes or scapegoats. Our team skips the finger-pointing and focuses on problem-solving. When weather delays or scoping changes happen, everyone adjusts their plans in tandem.
That’s how we handle challenges without blowing the budget or schedule. You can’t overvalue this flexibility, especially on complex projects. It’s why we pioneered Design-Build in the first place.
This flexibility proved useful during a 177,726-square-foot expansion at the Hershey Gateway packaging and processing facility in Robinson, Illinois.
When change orders came in, our team decided which consultants to engage to address scope alternations as a unit. Some included in-depth overhauls with thousands of changes. We met to address every issue. And in the end, we delivered a facility that met all of Hershey’s precise needs as promised.
Sometimes, we even make change orders when we find opportunities to improve results. Like with the Steinberg Sunset and Post Diagnostic Center. At the end of the project, we used a deductive change order to provide SDMI close to 2% in cost savings. And we still got the job done on time.
Our tightknit system also applies to subcontractors and our other trusted partners. We’ve been working with some of them for decades, so we know how they operate and what they do best.
They’re brought in during the design phase to address challenges early, and ultimately, save time and money. That’s why every project starts with a partnering session. All stakeholders get together to establish clear goals and expectations. This sets the tone for open collaboration, allowing everyone to agree on their responsibilities and how they will best work together.
This process has proven effective across markets, from healthcare to food distribution. For example, it worked out well for the Hershey Gateway packaging and processing facility. Addressing team concerns early in the design stage allowed for a smoother build without interruptions or reworks.
The perfect size for real Design-Build
We aren’t the biggest Design-Build company. We think that’s a good thing. And after you work with us, you probably will, too.
The biggest Design-Build firms are so segmented they’re like several companies under one name, and that practically defeats the purpose of Design-Build. People are siloed in their departments. They’re less likely to be open, point out problems and admit to mistakes. But we don’t have that problem, for two reasons.
One is our structure. The other is our culture.
We are more compact and efficient than other integrated Design-Build firms. Our employees are well rounded and can easily move between teams as their careers progress.
In many major firms, a great deal separates the white- and blue-collar employees. Everyone here wears the same Korte yellow and steel-toed boots — you never know when you’ll need to visit a job site.
You can’t overstate the importance of solidarity. A lot of our employees are family members or long-time friends. Many serve as mentors to the younger workers. Some worked their way up the ranks together. They don’t let each other down.
That may sound old school, but we aren’t behind the times.
It’s exactly what keeps us on our front foot, delivering innovative projects like a 22,458-square-foot Air Support Operations Center at Fort Campbell. It included flight operations, simulator training rooms, equipment storage, communications, maintenance and miscellaneous support areas.
These special jobs require specialized Design-Build experts.
The customers that need us [and want us]
Our Design-Build process is ideal for customers without extensive design and construction experience. It’s proven effective for healthcare, military, schools, religious organizations and many other sectors.
Without a deep level of experience, coordinating between two separate design and contractor teams ranges from challenging to impossible, especially when challenges arise.
With Design-Build, the customer has only one point of contact to handle every issue. This point of contact also provides strong leadership throughout design and construction to ensure your needs are always met.
Just look at what Georgia Tech’s VP of Facilities Charles Rhode had to say about our leadership style after he worked with us on a Campus Recreation Center project.
“From the outset of the project, you and your Design-Build team were challenged with a variety of obstacles driven by the funding constraints, the unique design and construction technical challenges, as well as the logistical issues associated of working in and around an occupied campus center … This facility stands as an acknowledgment to your outstanding ability to manage and direct your Design-Build team.”
Major companies with construction experience often coordinate projects on their own and don’t need our help as much. Although sometimes they still want it. For example, global distribution companies usually have everything handled. But Amazon still works with us because we integrate well with their system and the rhythms of their operation.
If we can provide for Amazon, the Air Force and local school districts across the nation, we can do it for you, too.
“We can ultimately deliver the optimal mix of speed, quality, and price that a company needs for its operations,” our VP of Strategy Brad Burd said. “Whatever the reason, whatever company or entity needs construction, we can deliver it in the best way.”
Reach out if you want to work with the best
If your next project is too complex or important to risk, turn to The Korte Company.
Let’s talk about your goals. We’ll make them happen.
