Design-Build
One coordinated team. Fewer handoffs. Better outcomes.
Design-build simplifies project delivery by aligning trusted design partners and construction leadership from concept through completion.
For owners, that means clearer accountability, faster decisions, and a more efficient path forward.
Too many handoffs create risk.
Traditional delivery methods often separate design and construction into disconnected phases.
That can create:
- Communication gaps
- Delayed decisions
- Schedule inefficiencies
- Budget surprises
- Finger-pointing when challenges emerge
For complex projects, that creates unnecessary risk.
Design-build creates a simpler, more accountable delivery model with stronger coordination from the start.
Aligned from day one.
Design-build works best when the right partners come together early.
BBI works alongside trusted architects, engineers, consultants, and trade partners to create a more coordinated path from planning through construction.
We bring practical construction leadership into the process early, helping owners improve decision-making, reduce risk, and maintain momentum.
Early Collaboration
Better planning starts early.
Unified Accountability
One coordinated delivery team. Clear ownership.
Streamlined Communication
Fewer handoffs. Faster decisions.
Faster Issue Resolution
Challenges get solved before they become delays.
Budget Alignment
Better cost visibility while decisions are still flexible.
What We Manage
BBI helps coordinate the moving parts that connect planning, design, procurement, and construction.
Design Coordination
Architect & Engineer Collaboration
Early Budgeting
Constructability Input
Schedule Integration
Permitting Coordination
Procurement Strategy
Construction Delivery
Why BBI
Built for practical design-build delivery.
Practical design-build leadership.
Design-build works best when construction expertise shapes decisions early. BBI brings practical leadership, not theoretical oversight.
Constructability-First Thinking
We evaluate ideas through the lens of execution.
Real Operational Awareness
We plan around access, logistics, occupants, and operational realities.
Renovation Expertise
Complex active environments are where we work every day.
Strong Partner Relationships
Trusted collaboration keeps projects aligned and moving.
Design-Build Leadership
Successful design-build delivery depends on strong leadership from planning through execution.
BBI combines preconstruction expertise, operational leadership, and disciplined execution to help owners move projects forward with confidence.
Chris Trowell
Chris helps lead BBI’s design-build strategy, client relationships, and overall project alignment. His leadership brings clear communication, accountability, and a steady owner-focused approach that helps keep teams aligned and decisions moving.
David Herbig
David leads preconstruction efforts for BBI’s design-build projects, helping owners and design partners align scope, budget, constructability, and procurement strategy early. His practical experience bridging planning and execution helps reduce risk and improve decision-making before construction begins.
Jason Diven
Jason leads operational execution, helping translate planning into disciplined field delivery. His experience managing complex renovations, active environments, and technically demanding projects helps ensure strong coordination from mobilization through closeout.
Design-Build FAQs
What is design-build?
Design-build is a project delivery method that aligns design and construction under one coordinated team, creating a more streamlined path from concept through completion.
Instead of separating design and construction into disconnected phases, design-build brings construction leadership into the process early helping improve communication, accelerate decision-making, and reduce project risk.
For owners, that often means a simpler experience with clearer accountability and fewer handoffs.
How is design-build different from traditional project delivery?
Traditional delivery typically separates design and construction into distinct phases, often requiring owners to coordinate between multiple parties.
Design-build creates a more integrated delivery model by aligning design and construction under one coordinated team.
That often means:
- fewer handoffs
- clearer communication
- faster decision-making
- earlier cost visibility
- stronger coordination
- reduced owner friction
For many owners, it creates a more predictable and efficient project experience.
What’s the difference between CMAR and Design-Build?
Both Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) and Design-Build are collaborative delivery methods that bring construction leadership into the process earlier than traditional general contracting, but they differ in how the project team is structured.
In a CMAR model, the owner typically hires the architect or design team separately, while the construction manager joins early to provide budgeting, constructability review, scheduling, procurement strategy, and preconstruction guidance before construction begins.
In a Design-Build model, design and construction are aligned under one coordinated delivery team, creating a more streamlined path from planning through execution.
In simple terms:
CMAR = owner manages separate design + construction relationships
Design-Build = one coordinated delivery team
The right choice depends on project goals, procurement requirements, desired owner involvement, and project complexity.
BBI helps clients evaluate the delivery approach that best fits their project.
Is design-build faster?
In many cases, yes.
Because design and construction teams are aligned earlier, decisions can happen faster, coordination improves, and certain phases of work can overlap instead of waiting for a fully completed design before construction begins.
This can help reduce overall project timelines, especially for projects with schedule urgency, phased delivery needs, or complex coordination requirements.
That said, speed depends on project scope, permitting, stakeholder involvement, and decision-making.
When is design-build the right choice?
Design-build is often a strong fit when owners value speed, collaboration, accountability, and streamlined decision-making.
It can be especially effective for:
- complex renovations
- modernization projects
- occupied facilities
- phased construction
- projects with compressed schedules
- facilities requiring strong operational coordination
Design-build becomes especially valuable when early construction input can improve constructability, budgeting, and project planning.
How does design-build pricing work?
Pricing depends on project scope, complexity, and how early the team is engaged.
Many design-build projects begin with early budgeting and progressive cost development as scope becomes more clearly defined. This gives owners stronger cost visibility while design decisions remain flexible.
As the project progresses, pricing may be formalized through negotiated agreements, guaranteed pricing structures, or other delivery arrangements depending on project goals.
BBI’s focus is practical budgeting, transparent communication, and early cost alignment to help reduce surprises later.
Does BBI provide in-house design services?
No.
BBI partners with trusted architects, engineers, consultants, and specialty design professionals to deliver coordinated design-build projects.
This approach allows us to assemble the right team for each project while maintaining strong collaboration, clear accountability, and practical construction leadership throughout the process.
Owners benefit from both specialized design expertise and disciplined construction leadership without managing separate teams themselves.
Can design-build work for renovation and occupied projects?
Absolutely.
In fact, design-build can be especially effective for renovation, modernization, and occupied facility projects where early coordination between design and construction reduces risk.
Active environments benefit from earlier constructability input, phased execution planning, operational coordination, and faster issue resolution making design-build a strong option when continuity matters.
Let’s simplify your project delivery.
