Prior to financially investing in the design of elaborate floor plans and full schematic design, we at rfa suggest beginning the animal care facility design process with architectural project programming. This will provide a complete, comprehensive, and accurate understanding of exactly what the entire project will include at very little upfront cost.

Architectural project programming produces an extremely detailed list of every room, space, and area within a proposed facility, together with all the equipment and amenities. The Program also includes the square foot areas of every space.

The square foot areas of all the components are then totaled and a factor is added to account for exterior walls, interior partitions and circulation in order to determine the exact total area for the entire project.

Once the exact square foot area of the project is known through architectural project programming, you will then have the tools you need to:

1. Estimate the Construction Cost
2. Find the right site for the building
3. Project gross revenue
4. Develop a Business Plan & approach banks for financing.
5. Plan for the future.

1. Construction Cost Estimation

Sometimes the total requested square foot area and its estimated cost of construction may not match your projected budget. We then suggest modifications to the preliminary Program for you to consider in order to bring the Project closer to your budget. The Program is modified as many times as necessary until it meets your criteria and receives your approval.

You might think of the final Project Program as a box full of puzzle pieces. You will know the size and shape of each piece and the number of pieces. The next step, the Schematic Design, entails putting these pieces together in the most efficient, effective and comprehensive way possible; a way that reflects and reinforces your individual philosophies and operational methodologies.

Think of the Project Program as your menu from which you can prioritize, pick and choose. If you really want the desert, then you may want to forgo the appetizer  🙂 

2. Choosing The Site Wisely 

The Project Program provides the essential criteria needed to select the appropriate site for construction or the right building to renovate. This document will enable you to choose the site that will accommodate your Program. Once you’ve identified two or three possible sites, we can help you to evaluate them and provide you with a site Feasibility Analysis.

3. Make Prudent Financial Decisions 

The Project Program will identify and list all your profit centers. With this document you will also be able to estimate your gross revenue based on the number and types of the profit centers.

4. Develop a Business Plan 

The Project Program should be included as an attachment to your Business Plan as it will reinforce your revenue projections and demonstrate how each profit center fits into the overall operation of the facility.

5. To Think A Few Steps Ahead

For many reasons, including financial, hospital owners sometimes choose to build their projects in Phases.  In these cases, a Project Program is especially useful. The Program identifies which functions are in each Phase and in addition, determines, when appropriate, which functions are on specific floors within the facility. Building in Phases is usually accomplished by creating a Master Plan in accordance with the Project Program. The Master Plan enables the project to be built in stages without tearing out anything you previously completed, nor disrupting any functions within the hospital during the expansion.

Developing a Phased Project Program prior to commencing the Schematic Design will help you save significant amounts of time, money and effort.

Have questions? Contact us for more information.