a group of people in a meeting setting looking out at a bim screen
How We Build

DESIGN-TO-BUILD

Optimizing Construction

Through Design

Design-to-build processes provide consistency and predictability in project delivery from initial concepts through occupancy. By applying principles of manufacturing and our experience as builders, we are fine tuning not only physical buildings, but the entire method of developing and delivering them.
Design-to-Build Expertise

Achieving More Predictable Outcomes

Design-to-build is an approach to delivering projects that spans design, construction and turnover. Unlike design-build, which is a form of contract, design-to-build enhances the bonds between design and construction by providing the people, processes and tools to close the gaps.

With design-to-build, all the expertise needed on a project is available upfront and throughout the entire project lifecycle. It is intrinsically more collaborative than a sequential approach, and drives greater ownership and control of aesthetics, performance and quality.

A man explains a BIM on screen.
An Approach

For All Projects

Design-to-build processes are applicable on all project types—from simple to highly complex—regardless of contract mechanism. Projects using these processes benefit from a data-driven streamlined workflow, earlier and more informed decision making, design for manufacturing and assembly (DfMA), higher quality implementation, and better alignment with project goals.

Two workers look at a tablet together on a construction site
A man explains a BIM on screen.

Achieving More Predictable Outcomes

Design-to-build is an approach to delivering projects that spans design, construction and turnover. Unlike design-build, which is a form of contract, design-to-build enhances the bonds between design and construction by providing the people, processes and tools to close the gaps.

With design-to-build, all the expertise needed on a project is available upfront and throughout the entire project lifecycle. It is intrinsically more collaborative than a sequential approach, and drives greater ownership and control of aesthetics, performance and quality.

Two workers look at a tablet together on a construction site
An Approach

For All Projects

Design-to-build processes are applicable on all project types—from simple to highly complex—regardless of contract mechanism. Projects using these processes benefit from a data-driven streamlined workflow, earlier and more informed decision making, design for manufacturing and assembly (DfMA), higher quality implementation, and better alignment with project goals.

ESTABLISHING A

Framework For Consistency

At DPR, the design-to-build approach begins with design integration, working hand in hand with our clients, design and trade partners to deploy a detailed process framework that supports consistent delivery and predictable outcomes.

1. Setting Expectations

2. Premortem/ Opportunities & Risks

3. Communication & Decision Agreements

4. Information Management

5. Procurement & Package Strategy

6. Milestone Alignment & Decisions Scheduling

7. Setting the Target

8. Continuous Cost Control

9. Quality

10. True Digital Deliverables

Design-to-Build Advantage
The Design-to-Build

Advantage

Design

Integration

Design integration is a proactive approach to bringing design and construction activities together under a single process framework to achieve all project goals. DPR partners with vConstruct to employ a VDC-driven digital process that emphasizes communication and transparency, so teams can align on specific project needs and use data to drive effective and timely decisions.

Design for

Manufacture & Assembly

DfMA fine-tunes components or parts of a design to make them easier to build and faster to assemble—improving predictability, speed, quality and safety in construction. Taking this approach to building design maximizes offsite fabrication and simplifies field assembly. DPR’s strategic partners Digital Building Components and Surepods provide custom, factory-built assemblies and finished bathroom pods.

Technical

Expertise & Precision

Design-to-build leverages the proficiency of self-perform work, prefabrication and technical design resources from DPR's strategic partner, GPLA, to deliver predicable outcomes. The nature of design-to-build fosters creative problem solving and adaptive innovation to solve unique and complex problems.

Prioritizing

Function & Purpose

Design-to-build supports strategies such as programmatic project development: organizing the project’s costing around the key functions and component parts of a building—to ensure functional needs are met first. Projects using this approach reap the benefits of having more information upfront to reduce unknowns and achieve greater accuracy and predictability.

Experiential

Benefits

Design-to-build ensures continuity in every aspect of project workflow. Early stakeholder integration enables true collaboration and a smoother experience end-to-end. Real-time transparency, allowing all stakeholders to share and work from the same information, leads to timely and effective decision-making—increasing efficiency throughout all phases of the project lifecycle.

two workers looking at a tablet in the field
A robotic arm welds a piece of wall panel.
two construction workers in full ppe receiving a panel from a lift
A brightly lit operating room.
A team of healthcare professionals review plans.
The Design-to-Build

Advantage

two workers looking at a tablet in the field
Design

Integration

Design integration is a proactive approach to bringing design and construction activities together under a single process framework to achieve all project goals. DPR partners with vConstruct to employ a VDC-driven digital process that emphasizes communication and transparency, so teams can align on specific project needs and use data to drive effective and timely decisions.

A robotic arm welds a piece of wall panel.
Design for

Manufacture & Assembly

DfMA fine-tunes components or parts of a design to make them easier to build and faster to assemble—improving predictability, speed, quality and safety in construction. Taking this approach to building design maximizes offsite fabrication and simplifies field assembly. DPR’s strategic partners Digital Building Components and Surepods provide custom, factory-built assemblies and finished bathroom pods.

two construction workers in full ppe receiving a panel from a lift
Technical

Expertise & Precision

Design-to-build leverages the proficiency of self-perform work, prefabrication and technical design resources from DPR's strategic partner, GPLA, to deliver predicable outcomes. The nature of design-to-build fosters creative problem solving and adaptive innovation to solve unique and complex problems.

A brightly lit operating room.
Prioritizing

Function & Purpose

Design-to-build supports strategies such as programmatic project development: organizing the project’s costing around the key functions and component parts of a building—to ensure functional needs are met first. Projects using this approach reap the benefits of having more information upfront to reduce unknowns and achieve greater accuracy and predictability.

A team of healthcare professionals review plans.
Experiential

Benefits

Design-to-build ensures continuity in every aspect of project workflow. Early stakeholder integration enables true collaboration and a smoother experience end-to-end. Real-time transparency, allowing all stakeholders to share and work from the same information, leads to timely and effective decision-making—increasing efficiency throughout all phases of the project lifecycle.

The Approach
Our Approach

People, Process, Tools

At DPR, we believe in combining the power of people, processes and tools. By working together, we can optimize outcomes of both design and construction, improving predictability and performance while fostering creativity and innovation in design.

a man in a safety vest hanging notes on a DPR planning board on the wall
The Strength Of

Combined Power

Process – We deploy a consistent process framework, adapted for project characteristics, that includes principles, expectations and measurable outcomes as well as benchmark examples.

Tools – We provide a custom toolkit of resources with integrated support technologies to equip teams with everything they need to best deliver a project.

People – We identify and offer the best people for the job, clearly define roles and responsibilities and empower the team to execute.

A group of people talk over tablets on a jobsite roof
a man in a safety vest hanging notes on a DPR planning board on the wall
Our Approach

People, Process, Tools

At DPR, we believe in combining the power of people, processes and tools. By working together, we can optimize outcomes of both design and construction, improving predictability and performance while fostering creativity and innovation in design.

A group of people talk over tablets on a jobsite roof
The Strength Of

Combined Power

Process – We deploy a consistent process framework, adapted for project characteristics, that includes principles, expectations and measurable outcomes as well as benchmark examples.

Tools – We provide a custom toolkit of resources with integrated support technologies to equip teams with everything they need to best deliver a project.

People – We identify and offer the best people for the job, clearly define roles and responsibilities and empower the team to execute.

Meet Our Leadership
Design-to-Build Leadership
head shot of Zach Murphy
who we are

Zach Murphy

Design-to-build Leader

who we are

Laurel Harrison

Design-to-build Strategist

who we are

Peter Berg

Design Integration Lead

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