How Friede & Associates Accelerates the Design and Construction Process

A Q&A with Ryan McKichan

Ryan McKichan, Architect
Project Manager and Pre-construction Services Specialist

Building a commercial construction project is a complex process that involves many disciplines, a lot of time, a significant amount of coordination, and a substantial investment. Over the seven+ decades we have been serving Wisconsin businesses, we have found the three biggest concerns of most owners are: budget, schedule, and quality. So, imagine what would happen if you compressed the amount of time between your initial idea or concept for the structure to the time when you could occupy your new building?

We sat down with Ryan McKichan, an architect with 15 years of experience who recently joined Friede & Associates as a project manager and pre-construction services specialist. In his new role, Ryan is doing just that—helping clients bring their ideas to fruition and enabling them to visualize their projects in three dimensions within weeks of their initial discussions—all without having to endure what can be five-figure design costs before even knowing whether or not the project is financially feasible.

What initially attracted you to the position?

Ultimately, I wanted to be closer to the construction process. I have always been fascinated with how buildings are built.  I joke, “if only I could help design a project, and then throw on the tool belt and help build it!”  Although I am not sure they will let me throw on the tool belt, there is now the potential to see, firsthand, a project from inception to fruition! 

I also saw the efficiency of integrating concept design into the early stages of the construction process, particularly early in the budgeting process. The concept phase of the project is now being done in the same office as the estimators, project managers, and superintendents.  Ensuring that the design is within budget, on time, and buildable right out of the gate! This helps the client make key decisions quickly to better ensure their project will become a reality.

Not to mention that, over the years as an architect, this is truly my favorite part of the job—that moment when the client has the “ah-ha” moment when they see their vision come to life. 

What kind of projects have you designed in the past?

Over the years I have been given the opportunity to work on a wide variety of projects. Working one on one with future homeowners, designing those most personal of spaces. Being part of a team of representatives on very collaborative municipal projects. Helping congregations with highly sacred projects. Learning specialized operations of businesses and providing them with very functional spaces. Being sensitive to the aging, ensuring they feel at home in senior living projects. Teaming up with energetic hospitality clients to design fun and engaging spaces in restaurant, hotel, entertainment venues, and even large indoor waterparks that incorporate all of these in one project. And, a handful of other unique project types, like working alongside farmers to design safe and productive environments for their livestock and equipment.

Construction is in your blood. Tell us about that.

With my dad being a contractor, I grew up around construction. As soon as I could swing a hammer, I was with my dad in the woodshop learning the trade. Eventually, I graduated to cleaning up job sites in middle school, to becoming a carpenter in high school and college breaks. I loved starting with a pile of materials and helping to craft a building out of it. Now as an architect, I don’t get to swing a hammer out in the field, but I am always building something, whether it is in my own woodshop or constantly improving our home.

How is working with a construction company different from working with an architectural firm?

Friede & Associates has a very skilled team of builders, superintendents, and project managers that have gained a great reputation with clients based on their craft, methods, and customer service. By tradition, architecture firms design as a neutral party and then bid that work to several general contractors. As an architect working directly with the construction company, I can ensure that designs are true to the way our company operates and in line with what loyal customers have come to expect. It will hopefully create an enhanced personal experience for our customers. 

Integrating concept design into the early stages of the construction process makes it easier for clients to visualize their ideas and make changes, saving thousands of dollars in design fees.

What software are you using to develop the 3D models that help clients visualize their projects?

I’m using Autodesk 3D design, engineering, and construction software, along with Revit—a specialized software package that allows me to precisely create 3D models, which update floors plans, elevations and sections in real time. This software also enables me to create quantity takeoffs and helps with estimates so our clients have numbers for budgeting from the get-go. 

How is this different from the traditional ways of designing and building a project?

Likely the greatest difference is the ability to virtually build a building before it is ever built. This virtual building can be an incredible tool to help clients visualize their project.  I can now take them on a virtual walk-through of each space in the building, and a fly-around of the exterior of their building, which was not possible with 2D paper plans. 

Today’s technology has advanced to the point where we can more easily design and re-design structures. With intelligent model-based design and task automation, I can create conceptual designs in much less time, packed with information that can be used to speed up the take-off and budgeting process for very little cost to the client. The old approach took more time and resources, so the entire process was longer and sometimes resulted in designs that were never built because the client’s budget simply wasn’t enough to build. Now, we can anticipate what our client’s budget is and develop concepts that come as close to that as possible. From there, it is just a matter of fine-tuning and value engineering to move the project forward.

How has the new technology made communication and coordination easier?

We can easily share this information digitally with our partners—architects, engineers, subcontractors, and suppliers. If changes are made, the plans are updated in real time, so everyone has the latest and greatest information about the project. Problems can be identified on the spot, and by integrating other components of the building (e.g:, mechanical and plumbing trades), the software will even detect conflicts in the design like a duct running into a steel column! In the old days, paper plans had to be printed and redistributed. You had to hope everyone was working off the right set of plans. 

In the short time you have been with Friede & Associates, you’ve met with quite a few clients and have created conceptual plans that have been budgeted in-house for their projects. What has their reaction been to the speed, quality and detail you have been able to provide them?

Clients seem thrilled they can see 3D concepts within the first couple of meetings. One project, a new development of nearly 50,000 square feet, had a 3D concept and budget within three weeks. A few iterations were even done within that time. What used to take months can now take weeks which, gets shovels in the ground sooner.

Another client, who admittedly had a hard time seeing things in 2D, quickly latched onto a concept saving several weeks of meetings. They were able to say, “what if we moved that over there,” or, “wont that block my view in that direction?”  Ultimately, we leave the meeting with more information than we would over a sheet of paper on a table.

Finally, after just a few meetings, clients have enough detailed drawings to take it before municipalities or other investors to keep the process rolling. 

So far, I have heard a lot of compliments!