The Project Development and Delivery Process

Developing and managing architectural and specialty design (e.g., exhibits, shows, attractions and the like) requires intensive research, creative thinking, a wide range of specialized talent and a disciplined approach. For Affinity, the process includes establishing substantial coordination with the architect of record (AOR, sometimes called the Lead Design Consultant or LDC), tracking action items and meeting deadlines. Affinity’s team starts by establishing a clear scope of work and a plan for achieving it under a schedule. We meet weekly (or more often, if necessary) to exchange information and review select issues, prioritizing according to near term and long term objectives. After every meeting, we itemize action items in detail and follow through with their execution. 

Central to the iterative design process is our focus on the purpose of each major element and its contribution to the overall design aesthetic. Each element must serve its specific purpose and appropriately contribute to the central theme of the guest experience. To develop the design our team will conduct research, do analysis and create design sketches, all of which are essential to properly sort good options from bad ones. In addition, mock-ups will be required to demonstrate potential technical solutions and assist in the refinement of design. 

In addition, Affinity’s team will assemble a design package during schematic design phase that includes coordination with facility design and other technical design documents, such as audio-video and controls design, lighting design and animal life support system equipment. Thus, design drawings will provide the necessary information for the architecture and their engineering team to develop construction drawings that can be permitted. As noted above, Affinity will work with the owner’s design team iteratively and methodically during schematic design, design development and the development of construction documents to ensure they are coordinated and there is harmony among the systems and elements of the project. 

Affinity approaches every project individually in a spirit of collaboration. Big ideas and creative concepts are developed by individuals and internally with teams and through workshops. Then regular meetings are held with Owners to ensure the project is developing according to the agreed upon objectives and schedule. Thus, Affinity works with Owners to develop a coordinated plan that integrates our services with other consultants at appropriate intervals. To that end, Affinity develops (or helps develop) a responsibility matrix that articulates roles and responsibilities among and between the members of the project team. It is then reviewed, updated, and refined during concept phase and at the conclusion of each design phase. In this way, the creative vision of the project is integrated and consistently expressed in the planning and architecture. In all cases, we apply the development and design guidelines outlined below to ensure each project is produced in distinct phases that progressively increase details and incrementally advance construction.

• Concept Development and Refinement
• Proof of Concept
• Schematic Design
• Design Development
• Media Production Services
• Creative Direction
• Interactive Media Production Services
• Production Management
• Construction Document Review/Show Drawing Review
• Fabrication 
• Handover 
• Installation and Commissioning 
• Programming 
• Handover 
• Post Opening Services