Collaboration can be hard-won in the world of construction design. It involves no less than "independent, for-profit organizations functioning in the name of one common goal, for a limited period of time, often on a moment's notice, with no regard for existing workload and schedules," says Dan Gainsboro, CEO of developer NOW Communities, in Concord, Mass.
"You get it when team members are inspired by the project or mission," says Donald Powers, president of Union Studio Architecture, in Providence, R.I.
When collaboration occurs, the result is a more marketable community that cycles through construction with a minimum of headaches. Designs can be shared, scrutinized, edited, and updated online so that everyone is aware of the latest tweaks and versions and the client is always kept in the loop.
The three projects that follow show why successful collaboration makes for great design.
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