Saratoga Hospital sought to develop an Ambulatory Care Center in a highly accessible area of Saratoga County. The hospital structured this $1.43-million project as a design/ build endeavor, with a Boston area architectural firm responsible for preparing conceptual design and outline specifications for bidding.

Hyman Hayes Associates became involved as construction was starting on the recommendation of the Hospital's architectural firm. Our role was to provide construction administration services. It became immediately apparent that the contractor intended to build the project from the conceptual drawings so our role was quickly changed to include developing the final design.

Postponing construction was not an option. Our review of the drawings identified numerous code issues which had not yet been resolved. We worked closely with the Hospital's project manager and the architectural firm to ensure that none of the required changes affected the project's design intent or cost.

We then reviewed the exterior design. We recommended: changes to a number of design elements; an alternate cost-saving cladding system; and the addition of a Hyman Hayes Associates-designed entry canopy.

Despite multiple changes and fast-tracked construction, the project was completed on time and within budget.