How Contractors Design Portion (CDP) Fills in the Gap

Contractors have many roles to play and many services to take care of during building construction, and one of the seldom acknowledged services they provide is that of the contractor’s design portion, or CDP. The CDP is critically important to the smooth functioning of the building’s services, as it fills in the gap between the functionality of installation drawings and as-built drawings. It provides additional design drawings for AV, security and sound masking in a building. In short, it mops up the work of the remaining design services.

Just what are installation and as-built drawings?

Installation drawings typically include the data required by trades to install most parts of the MEP systems, such as plant rooms, data centres, ventilation systems, underfloor heating, etc. These drawings are created by consultants, contractors or subcontractors from coordinated drawings and are then submitted for approvals. They generally consist of:

• Detailed plans
• Sections
• Elevations
• 3D BIM models with components, installation information

Data in installation drawings includes:

• Precise positioning
• Supports and fixings
• Manufacturers’ shop drawing data
• Space allowances for installation
• Builders work in connection, eg. cutting and sealing holes, chasing block and brickwork for conduits or pipes, lifting and replacing floors, constructing plinths, etc.
• Plant or equipment requirements
• Service connection requirements
• Access space for operation/maintenance requirements
• Access requirements for access panels, decking, platforms, ladders, handrails

As-built Drawings

Changes, both minor or significant, are inevitable during construction, due to changing circumstances on site. Clients may ask for updated drawings, created from as-built surveys. Thus, as-built drawings (also known as record or ‘as constructed’ drawings) are developed, during or after construction, to record what has actually been built. As-built drawings are also required for the Health and Safety file and the operations/maintenance file presented to clients.

Contractor use red ink to mark-up changes to the ‘final construction issue’ drawings on-site, which can be used to create record drawings for the completed project. One of the specific details that MEP contractors record is under-floor cabling. Tenants tend to cut off and leave in earlier cables and then add their own cabling. In the absence of cabling records, later tenants will find the situation quite challenging.

Record drawings must be updated by facilities management teams regularly, including any modifications made to the building. If a BIM (Building Information Modelling) model was developed, it must be appropriately updated with changes before handing it over to clients.

What is CDP and how does it fill the gap?

Contractor’s design portion, or CDP, is a contract, assurance or agreement by the main contractor to take responsibility to design certain parts, or portions, of the building. Either using in-house talent or outsourcing design work to trade subcontractors, the main contractor must ensure that all the designs are coordinated.

Typically, the CDP is required when consultants cannot or have agreed not to provide BIM models for audiovisual (AV) systems, security, sound masking, etc. Main contractors need to fill the gap themselves or have specialist consultants proved electrical design services or other services and then coordinate them with existing MEP systems design.

General CDP Process

• Main contractor acquires building regulations approval for subcontractor designs
• Design consultants decide when and how much of their design is entrusted to subcontractors for completion
• Clear communication of requirements from subcontractors, including function, form and quality
• Main contractors to include trade contractor design (scope, program, cost) as part of tender bid
• Subcontractors provide BIM models of audiovisual (AV) systems, security, sound masking, etc.

What Main Contractors Need from Subcontractors

Different subcontractors need to provide different services to the main contractor, who then incorporates these services into the final as-built drawings. The common services are:

AV (audio-visual) Design Services

• Develop AV functional capabilities, designs and budgets
• Define project requirements, with written specifications and bid form
• Coordinate AV system design with the project team
• Develop complete system design package, with system drawings, specifications, equipment lists, etc.
• Create AV room layout and elevation drawings with dimensions 
• Create connection-level drawings for video, audio, control, LAN
• Configure sound reinforcement systems
• Design cabinet layouts, equipment rack elevations, jack field layouts
• Test and commission AV systems for system functionality
• Prepare and follow up on punch list documents
• Provide and record client/user training assistance
• Coordinate networked AV devices with the client’s IT team
• Identify electrical circuiting, conduit and architectural work requirements as part of the final design

Details of equipment, engineering, project management and AV Integrator installation services must be given to the main contractor.

Using BIM technology can enhance the feedback of security system functioning. The BIM models can be used to locate specific system devices and coordinate them with other devices, so that every system device is properly placed, connected and can be analysed for performance. Security systems can be integrated with the building’s other operating systems for the main contractor to analyse how the security system functions in its space and with relation to the people in that space.

Security (CCTV/Access Control) Design Services

• Provide bid documents, supporting drawings, a bid form
• Develop proposals evaluations, with comparative bid analysis, recommendations
• Create shop drawing submission reviews

Sound Masking Design Services 

• Determine sound masking system requirements with the project team
• Develop sound masking floor plans and drawings
• Create bid documents, supporting drawings, with bid form
• Create shop drawing submission reviews

In addition to coordinating with each subcontractor individually, the main contractor must ensure that the subcontractors coordinate with each other. For example, the MEP subcontractor must be aware of the grid system and a suspended ceiling’s fixings positions, while the ceiling subcontractor must be aware of the plant details above the ceiling for access purposes.

To conclude, the contractor’s design portion ties up all possible loose ends nice and tight. Technically certified and experienced electrical design services providers can enhance and ease the work of main contractors by providing accurate and timely design and drafting services. From moving seamlessly to fill the gap between installation drawings and as-built drawings to providing AV, security and sound masking services design, CDP makes a crucial contribution to the longevity and effectiveness of a building and its services.

XS CAD has valuable experience providing BIM MEP services, mechanical CAD drafting services and electrical design and drafting services for global firms.  Our range of services for building services contractors across the world include MEP drafting, electrical drafting and public health system drafting. 

For further details, contact info@xscad.com

Retail Store Design Leading to an Increase in Browsing, then Ordering Online

Touching it, holding it, trying it on – there are some unique store experiences that digital shopping cannot replace. Retail stores are still highly relevant, and the store’s design layout plays an important role in converting walk-ins to sales. In the digital age, the end point of sales has shifted, sometimes almost imperceptibly, to the process of ordering items online. A growing shopping trend is for consumers to search and view items online, visit stores to see and handle the actual product in its actual size and then order the item online, or visit what are known as brick-and-mortar houses first and go home to order the goods online. There are valid reasons why this process is becoming increasingly popular, and with the help of new technology and high-quality 3D architectural modelling and architectural rendering services, the decision-making process for consumers becomes easier.

Retail store layouts are well researched and well planned to maximise sales for different products. There are a few typical retail store layouts that are repeatedly used, depending on the shape and size of the store and the products sold there. In general, grocery stores use grid layouts for easy navigation and the predictability factor. When businesses want to highlight different products, such as in boutiques, more creative layouts are used.

Retail Floor Plans

Grid

Also called a straight layout, grid floor plans feature:

• efficient utilisation of floor space and walls
• displays parallel to walls, maximising floor space and corners
• easy navigation, easy to organise
• maximum wall space for promotional and seasonal items
• best for shelf-stocked goods, eg. books, toys, food, hardware, homeware

Used mainly in grocery and convenience stores, the grid plan layout creates a feeling of familiarity.

Loop

Also called a racetrack layout, the loop floor plan guides shoppers around the floor. Its features consist of:

• leading shoppers on a set pathway, exposing them to all display items
• visible perimeter walls with multiple wall and shelf displays.
• product displays on outer walls, creative display variations in the store centre

This plan works well for apparel, accessories, toys, homeware, kitchenware, personal care products and specialty products.

Free Flow

This store layout caters for maximum creativity and can be easily modified. Its main advantages are:

• encourages browsing
• angled displays make shoppers slow down and examine product groupings
• open lines of view through the floor space makes specialty displays and power walls visible and easy to guide customers to specific zones with bright accent colours and product groupings

This plan is ideal for boutiques, upscale stores, specialty stores with small inventories, highlighting special products, such as apparel, accessories, personal care, specialty brands, rather than store goods of large quantity

Diagonal

A diagonal store layout encourages shoppers to test or sample merchandise. Its features include:  

• easy movement between aisles while store employees can easily view shoppers
• ideal for letting shoppers browse sample products by themselves
• can point shoppers to a central sampling/demonstration area

This plan is preferred in electronic or technology stores, beauty and cosmetic retailers and specialty food stores.

Along with determining the most suitable floor plan for the merchandise being sold, there are a few other factors that retailers might consider.

Tips for Retail Floor Plans

          Appropriate product quantities - More products on the sales floor has led to increased sales. However, having an excessive amount of product on the sales floor could lead to negative brand perception, especially for boutique or high-end retailers. Discount retailers can pack the shop with merchandise as part of a successful strategy. High-end stores put up only a few selected items for display to emphasise exclusivity.

·        Sufficient space between products and fixtures - Customer personal space is important, but shelves can still be packed with merchandise.

Several factors encourage online shopping today. Besides being convenient, frequently cheaper and enabling the luxury of staying at home without venturing into uncomfortable weather or traffic conditions, consumers prefer to browse at traditional outlets, or brick-and-mortar shops, to get a more realistic look and feel of the product and then make their actual purchases online. Interestingly, some digital stores are launching traditional stores in addition to their digital presence, especially apparel stores, while traditional retailers are moving to the digital arena to stay relevant. There are a host of reasons why this works well for both sellers and buyers.

Digitally native brands opening traditional stores

Though they started online, digital brands are expanding their reach by launching traditional stores and are predicted to continue doing so. Buyers benefit from physically handling the merchandise they see online and can make purchases at their convenience from home.

AR aids

Augmented reality technology is helping to bridge the digital and physical divides. Large brands, especially in furniture, have begun to include AR features to help shoppers picture furniture in their homes. An app called Shopify helps make AR technology available to smaller brands through Shopify AR. This enables shoppers to browse for furniture in a real store and then go home and view (on their phone cameras) how merchandise, such as tables, beds, etc., will look in their homes, whether the furniture matches their home décor and then they can order online rather than revisit the store.

Customisation

Both e-commerce and traditional stores are increasingly providing options to customise purchases, so that consumers can buy products personalised to their needs, from personalised embroidery on jeans and jackets and even customised shoes. While visiting a retail store, shoppers can better understand how these products look and feel.

Searching visually

A retail trend that allows shoppers to take a photo and then search multiple sites, locate and purchase an item with just a click is powered by AI (artificial intelligence). The Lens feature of Pinterest uses this technology and the Pinterest App camera to look for visually similar pins. Retailers use high quality and current visual assets to represent their wares. Consumers can see the actual merchandise, click a picture and later locate the item online for the best possible deal.

Omnichannel approach

When both online and offline channels can be used for marketing and shopping, the buying experience needs to be consistent across all channels. Integrating all offline and online channels for a seamless shopping experience is something the omnichannel approach endeavours to deliver, enabling the availability of multiple channels, such as phone, desktop, laptop, tablet or a retail outlet, to make a purchase.

Pop-up stores

New products can be marketed by temporary online and offline storefronts, which encourage shoppers to sample and buy these products, generate a social presence and help collect consumer data.

Same-day delivery

Using drones, delivery robot startups or by other means, some brands deliver orders within a day, making shopping online as prompt as offline shopping. When shoppers are faced with retail stores not having the merchandise of choice in store, they can browse other stores and then go home to order online and still expect to have the item delivered on the same day.

Google hopping

Shoppers can browse, compare and buy items from different retailers without visiting individual websites by using Google Shopping.

In today’s world, consumers are able to conduct in-depth product research before they decide what to buy and from where. The layout design of a retail store can directly affect store traffic, staying time and ultimately sales. In the age of digital stores, retail store design still holds significant relevance, and it is important to devote time and resources to maximise profits. Layouts, displays and merchandise must adapt to new trends and concepts. As new technological advances and software tools, such as Revit BIM, become increasingly used, it may be wise for retail stores and chains to find reliable BIM service providers who can deliver accurate Revit Architecture services and 3D CAD modelling services that will assist their profitable offline and online presence.