Establishing a straightforward strategy for your interview room design and construction process will help you achieve a modern and efficient space. From the furniture placement to the equipment you use, even detail counts. Don’t let the simple setup fool you. Interview rooms may look modest at first glance, but a truly modern setup requires a lot of careful planning.
Design and Construction Service Types
As law enforcement agencies enter the design and construction phase of their new interview room, there are often three different models or approaches they can use. Figuring out how you want to work with your design team (and your budget constraints) will determine your direction. Most agencies will utilize one of the following systems to keep this important stage on-track. Review the benefits of each plan to find the methodology that works best for your team:
1. Design-Bid-Build Model
The option most agencies adopt is the Design-Bid-Build model. Since this is traditionally the most widely used method, it makes sense to consider this approach first.
In this process, the design phase primarily focuses on determining the facility options. Once a decision has been made about whether to renovate the current facility, relocate to another building, or build a new facility from the ground up, the bid phase can start. This phase is when architects would submit facility plans that respond to the pre-determined requirements. Once a design bid is selected and awarded a contract, you would enter the actual construction phase with a qualified contractor.
2. Design-Build Proposals
The second option for agencies is to employ a Design-Build proposal. Since this method is somewhat more condensed than the previous version, it might be more appealing to certain agencies.
By sending a request for proposal to contractor-architect teams, this approach eliminates the step of having to separately contact architects and building contractors. These exclusive invitations are then received by the jurisdiction and analyzed by the selection team. By comparing competitive proposals simultaneously, you can then identify the pros and cons for the costs and building features of each analysis. Of course, in order to receive proposals that fit the scope of your project, you’ll need to clearly define your needs up front.
3. Fully-Partnered Approach
Another direction for some agencies is to take a Fully-Partnered approach. Here, the jurisdiction would select the entire project team—including the contractor—based on credentials and a pre-approved, fixed budget.
A specialized interview room pre-design team is usually formed to help navigate this process. Arranging all the details at the onset then allows the team to be built on qualifications, rather than a low bid. Delegating tasks works best with this method. This means that the jurisdiction often hires a consultant to organize the space needs analysis and site feasibility study. The team approach can also foster better communication. For example, when a contractor is at the table from the beginning, there’s less chance of errors when the design is ultimately transferred to the contractor.
Other Advice for Interview Room Design
Whichever course you choose, continuous dialogue is essential. Teams must maintain a strong relationship with their architectural experts and contractors to keep their project efficient and hassle-free. Fortunately, there are other steps jurisdictions can take to obtain the necessary information for their decision-making process.
Some agencies find valuable input when they ask other jurisdictions or organizations for advice. Learning about other recent design and construction projects can help lay the foundation for your own success. Additional advice can also be found through local officials. Knowing which approach is predominantly used in your area may be a helpful deciding factor for your process.
Of course, working with industry experts is also a wonderful asset. If you would like further advice on how to construct your modern interview recording room from start to finish, you can trust iRecord. Our track record of service, relationships with agencies across the country, and understanding of the industry standards can help make your new interview room a model site. For more information on how to get started, don’t hesitate to send us a message or call 1-800-806-5339.