---
title: blog on modern architecture, design, development and modative happenings | value engineering
description: value engineering | A blog on modern architecture, design, development and modative happenings
---

[![Modative](https://www.modative.com/hs-fs/file-2141536784-gif/26-Nov-modative/modative-logo.gif "Modative")](https://www.modative.com/)

a modern design build firm

[![web counter](http://c.statcounter.com/3932824/0/806ee652/1/)](http://www.statcounter.com/free_hit_counter.html)

### [![modern architecture blog](https://www.modative.com/hs-fs/file-14186350-jpg/images/modern-architects-blog-la.jpg)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/)

a blog about modern architecture, design, development + modative happenings

 

Loading

# design build blog

## [Keeping Building Projects Alive in a Down Market](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/bid/15272/Keeping-Building-Projects-Alive-in-a-Down-Market)

 Posted by [Derek Leavitt](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/author/derek-leavitt) on Thu, Feb 5, 2009 @ 10:02 AM

- [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)

We've all heard the story too many times now. Banks tighten up lending, the stock market tanks, housing prices fall, etc. etc. This downturn has no doubt affected just about everyone, but cetainly the building industry has been one of the hardest hit by the economic crisis.

#### Saving Projects

Although not all building projects have been saved from this downturn, we at Modative have utilized a strategy to keep most of our projects moving forward in this time of uncertainty: SIMPLIFICATION.

#### Value Engineering

Several of our projects have called for a "simplification" of their designs to lower construction prices and regain feasibility in this new market reality. This "simplification" of a building's design is what we in the industry typicially call "value engineering". Value engineering is esentially reducing the construction cost of a building by changing it's design, quality or both. Although this often has a bad connotation in the architecture world, we have been happy with the results of the few projects in the office that have recently undergone some value engineering.In the coming weeks we'll post updates to the designs of these two projects.

|  [![design changes](https://www.modative.com/hs-fs/file-14192215-jpg/images/venice_dev.jpg)](https://www.modative.com/venice-boulevard-urban-dwellings-0/) |  [![design changes car wash](https://www.modative.com/hs-fs/file-14037312-jpg/images/fashion-car-3.jpg)](https://www.modative.com/fashion-square-car-wash/) |
| --- | --- |
| Venice Boulevard Urban Dwellings               |  Fashion Square Car Wash |

#### The Timing of Design Changes

The reason the value engineering of these buildings has gone so well has everything to do with timing and our approach to project management. Often times in a traditional architecture process, the contractor is not brought into the project until late in the game, after the project has been almost fully designed and most of the technical drawings complete.

#### Get a Contractor Involved

We at Modative learned long ago that this traditional architect/contractor relationship is often risky because you don't really know realistic building costs until most of the architecture is done. Architects are good a number of things. Estimating market-rate construction costs, however, is better left to contractors. For this reason, we prefer to bring a contractor on early and often to give feedback on real construction costs throughout each step in the architecture process. This means that if the project is over budget or you have a massive shift in the market (as we have recently witnessed), adjustments in the design can be made much faster, easier, and with minimal cost to the project owner. The alternative of changing a project's design when its far along in the process can be very expensive and unpleasant for everyone involved.

![Contractor involvement in architecture process](https://www.modative.com/hs-fs/file-14035638-jpg/images/contractor-involvement.jpg)A comparision of our typical approach to contractor involvement versus the traditional design/bid/build approach. [Learn more about the architecture phases by downloading our free guide.](https://www.modative.com/architectural-process-guide-architecure-phases-architect-advice/)

 

#### Starting a New Project

Now that we are in a down market, we feel that this approach that we have embraced enables us to handle the tighter budgets that many new projects now face. Having a contractor around to give cost feedback throughout the process is critical to keeping things on budget. We work with several contractors that can provide this service to our clients even if the client does not want to commit to using that contractorfor the actual construction.

#### Design Changes

In the coming weeks we'll be posting a few examples of our projects that have undergone some value engineering design changes to adapt to this new economic climate.

 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/bid/15272/Keeping-Building-Projects-Alive-in-a-Down-Market#comments-listing)

 Tags: [Organization](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/organization), [Architectual Practice](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/architectual-practice), [contractor](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/contractor), [value engineering](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/value-engineering)

[All posts](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/all)

[![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/41216/a7d47eee-d520-4f2b-9206-6ffc316315ef.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/41216/a7d47eee-d520-4f2b-9206-6ffc316315ef)

### We post, you get an email. That's it.

### Most Popular Posts

### contact us

### posts by month

- [January 2008 (10)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/archive/2008/01)
- [July 2008 (7)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/archive/2008/07)
- [January 2009 (7)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/archive/2009/01)
- [February 2009 (5)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/archive/2009/02)
- [March 2009 (5)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/archive/2009/03)

### browse by tag

- [Affordable Housing (4)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/affordable-housing)
- [affordable modern architecture (3)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/affordable-modern-architecture)
- [AIA (4)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/aia)
- [Airport (1)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/airport)
- [Announcements (7)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/announcements)
- [architect advice (14)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/architect-advice)
- [architect website (3)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/architect-website)
- [Architectual Practice (43)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/architectual-practice)
- [Architecture Competitions (4)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/architecture-competitions)
- [Architecture Experience (10)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/architecture-experience)
- [architecture job search (2)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/architecture-job-search)
- [architecture license (1)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/architecture-license)
- [Architecture portfolio (6)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/architecture-portfolio)
- [architecture resorces (11)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/architecture-resorces)
- [architecture resources (7)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/architecture-resources)
- [Building (4)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/building)
- [Business (12)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/business)
- [Car Wash (1)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/car-wash)
- [Car Wash Remodel (1)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/car-wash-remodel)
- [Civil Engineers (1)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/civil-engineers)
- [Colors (1)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/colors)
- [Communication (7)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/communication)
- [Condos (2)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/condos)
- [construction (6)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/construction)
- [Construction Conflicts (2)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/construction-conflicts)
- [contractor (3)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/contractor)
- [contracts (1)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/contracts)
- [Cullen Street Homes Construction (1)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/cullen-street-homes-construction)
- [culver city (3)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/culver-city)
- [designers (2)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/designers)
- [Development (16)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/development)
- [Dubai (1)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/dubai)
- [economy (3)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/economy)
- [electric cars (2)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/electric-cars)
- [Electrical (1)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/electrical)
- [employees (3)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/employees)
- [employment (2)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/employment)
- [Entertainment (1)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/entertainment)
- [Ethics (2)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/ethics)
- [Fay Ave Art District dwellings (4)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/fay-ave-art-district-dwellings)
- [Fires (1)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/fires)
- [Floor Plans (3)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/floor-plans)
- [geotechnical (1)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/geotechnical)
- [Graphic Design (1)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/graphic-design)
- [Greece (1)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/greece)
- [Green (6)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/green)
- [green homes (2)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/green-homes)
- [green products (1)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/green-products)
- [holidays (2)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/holidays)
- [home size (3)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/home-size)
- [Homeless Housing (2)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/homeless-housing)
- [Hotel Design (2)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/hotel-design)
- [Housing (10)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/housing)
- [Innovation (13)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/innovation)
- [Inspiration (11)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/inspiration)
- [Landscape Architect (1)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/landscape-architect)
- [LEED (1)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/leed)
- [London (1)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/london)
- [Long Beach (1)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/long-beach)
- [Los Angeles (33)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/los-angeles)
- [los angeles architects (23)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/los-angeles-architects)
- [Malibu (1)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/malibu)
- [Marketing (9)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/marketing)
- [Materials (2)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/materials)
- [Mechanical (1)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/mechanical)
- [Mid-Century Modern (2)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/mid-century-modern)
- [modative office (2)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/modative-office)
- [modern architecture firm (5)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/modern-architecture-firm)
- [Modern Design (14)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/modern-design)
- [modern remodel (1)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/modern-remodel)
- [Modernism (5)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/modernism)
- [Multi Family Housing (7)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/multi-family-housing)
- [Organization (13)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/organization)
- [Parking (1)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/parking)
- [people (2)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/people)
- [photovoltaic (1)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/photovoltaic)
- [Planning (1)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/planning)
- [Plumbing (1)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/plumbing)
- [Pools (1)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/pools)
- [Prefab (2)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/prefab)
- [Product Information (1)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/product-information)
- [Project Strategy (3)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/project-strategy)
- [Property (6)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/property)
- [quotes (1)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/quotes)
- [real estate (4)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/real-estate)
- [rebuilding (1)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/rebuilding)
- [remodel (2)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/remodel)
- [Residential (17)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/residential)
- [resume (1)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/resume)
- [Retail (2)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/retail)
- [single family homes (1)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/single-family-homes)
- [small homes (11)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/small-homes)
- [Small House (6)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/small-house)
- [Small Lot Subdivision (22)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/small-lot-subdivision)
- [Software (3)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/software)
- [Solar (1)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/solar)
- [staff (2)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/staff)
- [Starting an architecture firm (11)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/starting-an-architecture-firm)
- [Structural Engineers (1)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/structural-engineers)
- [Subdivisions (3)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/subdivisions)
- [Surveyor (1)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/surveyor)
- [Sustainable Design (5)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/sustainable-design)
- [the architecture report (2)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/the-architecture-report)
- [Transportation (2)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/transportation)
- [Travel (1)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/travel)
- [UAE (1)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/uae)
- [value engineering (1)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/value-engineering)
- [website update (8)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/website-update)
- [Yotel (1)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/yotel)
- [Zoning Code Search (2)](https://www.modative.com/modern-architects-blog/topic/zoning-code-search)

### other modative blogs

[Small Lot Subdivision Blog](https://www.modative.com/Small-Lot-Subdivision-Los-Angeles-Blog/)

[Car Wash Blog](https://www.modative.com/fashion-sq-car-wash-modern-car-wash-architect/)

Modative  
Los Angeles, CA  
310-748-7726

[![modative instagram](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/41216/580f0152-f9bf-4f3e-94d8-60093ee16ca1.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/41216/580f0152-f9bf-4f3e-94d8-60093ee16ca1)  [![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/41216/a7d47eee-d520-4f2b-9206-6ffc316315ef.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/41216/a7d47eee-d520-4f2b-9206-6ffc316315ef)  [![modative twitter](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/41216/7238e9ad-ae58-44a2-8595-813bb1a0ae24.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/41216/7238e9ad-ae58-44a2-8595-813bb1a0ae24)

© 2022 www.modative.com