Our approach includes adherence to eight underlying principals we believe successful design is derived from:
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Environmental Stewardship
- Integration
- Innovation / Exploration
- Economy
- Education
- Ownership
Communication - Professional Design services always start with interpersonal communications. Whether a project is purely conceptual, a feasibility study, or an office complex, we always begin in the same manner. Pre-project consultations help allay fears and build trust between client and professional. Our goal is to maintain open, clear lines of communication from the onset of the project to help facilitate continued collaboration throughout the process.
Collaboration - The mission of our firm demands we develop a continual partnership with our clients. You know your markets. You understand how your home or business runs. Together, we seek to create functioning environments that support your objectives, ultimately allowing you, and your people to work more comfortably and efficiently. Achieving project success at Lab|8 lies in following a truly integrated design process in a collaborative working environment; one in which the best solutions rise to the forefront through discussion, and revision with peers, ultimately delivering to our clients an improved set of design solutions.
Environmental Stewardship - At the root of a sustainable design process is the mutual recognition of the living systems of which we are all a part of. Every aspect of a building project from material selection, building orientation to building operation and maintenance is derived from the understanding that we are active participants in determining the future of our world.
Integration - A simple means of linking all project criteria together at the onset, in a manner that allows each idea or objective to serve, and be fully informed by the next, eliminating redundancy as well as unnecessary complexity. When all available information is put on the table in the early design phases of a project, it becomes much easier to derive integrated project solutions within the vast, and sometimes complex network of systems that comprise every building project.
Innovation - As part of the creative class we enjoy the challenges and opportunities proposed by every new project and offer a wide range of services to fulfill project objectives. We utilize state of the art computer and communications technology to drive the design process and use our innovation lab to stay in touch with the results.
Lab|8 seeks to bridge the gap between design and implementation of innovative and sustainable design concepts and technologies. To this end, our goal is to serve our clients and our profession as a testing ground for new products prior to implementation in their construction project. Our Innovation Laboratory serves as both a computer simulation and, at times a physical testing facility for these concepts.
Economy - Through an integrated design process, supported by a comprehensive team approach, economies of cost can be achieved. Lab|8 works to show our clients that sustainable design projects are cost effective through solid, comprehensive analysis of each project coupled with a cost/benefit analysis for each major project objective. Careful integration of sustainability issues into the design phases can help save building owners money, hassle and aggravation over the life of the building.
Education - Education is derived from performing our services while maintaining an understanding of the changing world around us. Listening, observing and challenging critical decisions through careful analysis and purposeful collaboration allows us to produce concise, well thought out solutions to each problem we encounter. At Lab|8 we are committed to life long learning. Every project we participate in creates new educational experiences for the entire Team. Our goal is to give these experiences a chance to solidify into new ideas or innovative concepts, and to work these new ideas into the fabric of our Firms operations.
Ownership - A sense of Ownership is a driving factor in deriving solid, life-cycle cost based solutions to a problem. Ownership of the building means that when we complete a project, the Owner maintains a vested interest in seeing their building perform efficiently throughout it's life. In essence, we seek to instill this sense of ownership in our clients so that they continue to operate and maintain the building in a sustainable manner. We also seek to invest ourselves in the project during the design process. Our commitment to the project is how we ensure our clients that our principle tenets are followed throughout the process.