AENA started as a full service architectural design firm, and although we have expanded our scope of services, architecture is still at the core of what we do, and influences how we approach all types of design. Our integrated approach helps to inform the architectural decisions we make, but it is mostly the core architectural design concepts that are carried through onto other disciplines.
Although we utilize a design-build delivery method for some of our projects, AENA is fully versed in all aspects of the traditional project delivery methods that emphasize standards established by the American Institute of Architects and encompass preliminary through final design processes leading to full construction documents. Our experience in preparing bidding documents and helping owners with oversight of construction is greatly enhanced by our multi-disciplinary team that have the hands-on knowledge to assess and solve contractor issues during contract administration. We have managed or assisted owners in bidding many projects to contractors and have the familiarity with building codes to assure that our projects are approved quickly by the building department or appropriate authority having jurisdiction. AENA has extensive experience in preparing complicated planning board and design reviews that require comprehensive presentations to convey the proper design concepts necessary for successful project approval.
AENA is proud to have both American Institute of Architects members and LEED Accredited Professionals among our valued staff. We also hold many professional certificates from various professional and government agencies, and believe in professional development to keep up to date on the latest industry trends.
We believe each project brings a unique combination of site opportunities or constraints, client requirements, market responses, and oversight parameters, as well as specific architectural programs that present challenges from which grow interesting and varied design solutions. We pride ourselves on our ability to communicate and to listen while bringing the necessary level of experience to each project. We believe that these skills have contributed significantly to our success in implementing projects of all scales.
For all of our design work, we follow a multi-step process: Context, Analysis, Options, and Design. During each of these phases, we asses the overall project direction and goals in relation to our initial decisions and thereby check our results to asses overall progress. We believe the process must be streamlined and efficient, and that both we and the client must make rational and timely decisions to maintain project focus and momentum.
We have therefore organized our studio to facilitate an open exchange of ideas, allowing each project to be enriched by the perspectives and discoveries of other projects and maintaining a creative dialogue between built projects, competitions, and speculative investigations. To each stage, client comment periods are included in our work schedules following each major phase. The Design is the result of a process in which both clients and the design team finalize their ideas and develop precise visual tools to truly understand what the end solution will be. This is accomplished through and intensive set of discovery meetings for the client to understand and comment on the progress of the design. Communication is imperative so that solutions are found that best suit client needs and reinforce the principles established early in the design process.
