Sports architecture firm Populous has launched a design-build unit, Populous Design Build, that brings architectural design and construction under one roof.
Adam Stover, director of Populous Design Build, said the effort will focus on offseason sports construction projects that have shorter deadlines.
“You are hiring us to deliver the entire project, start to finish,” said Stover, who is also principal, lead interior designer and director of product development for Populous. “We can speed things up by having everyone under one point of contact, one roof. We can engage [subcontractors] earlier.”
Offseason projects often face tight schedules that result in higher overtime costs, which can bench certain design elements because of time or money constraints.
“It’s such a pain point for our clients,” said Gina Stingley, marketing director and principal with Kansas City-based Populous.
Currently, the new division draws from Populous’ overall operations, but Stingley envisions it potentially growing into a 10- to 12-person stand-alone business unit.
Populous could work with various construction firms on the design-build model depending on the project but is putting early focus on teaming with Boston-based Shawmut Construction.
“We’ve worked with them at Yankee Stadium and we worked with them at Petco Park. We have a long track record with them,” said Terry McIntyre, director of business development for Shawmut.
McIntyre said Populous approached Shawmut about jointly pitching under the design-build model. He said Shawmut is the preferred contractor for the new unit, but the relationship is not exclusive. Shawmut does not have an equity stake in the design-build venture.
McIntyre said the design and construction process can take sports clients six months even for fast-tracked, offseason projects. He said a design-build model can cut that in half.
Populous already has used the design-build model to construct the new Kids’ Corner at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, and a new lobby at the University of Oklahoma’s football facility. Those both opened last month. It also has design-build plans for the Esports Stadium Arlington planned at the Arlington (Texas) Convention Center near Dallas.
