Pre-Design Services

Site Planning

Testing through preliminary design the multiple possibilities for a site.

Zoning, Code Analysis

Our team will prepare a comprehensive zoning analysis highlighting what can be built on the property by-right and what could be built through various entitlement incentives and rezoning.

Yield Study

We prepare studies that explore site opportunities for highest and best use and maximum built potential for the selected property with breakdowns of program areas and open space.

Feasibility Studies

Engage in preliminary proforma and data and analytical setup of protected programs.

Concept Massing and Renderings

Technical Production

Typical architectural services include:

Schematic Design

  • We engage in 3D early and often in the process internally and for/with our clients.
  • Multiple design options.
  • We engage in pre-review meetings with our counterparts at the city to include them in the process early and avoid any regulatory surprises due to new personnel or code/zoning changes.

Design Development Drawings and Consultant Coordination (in-house consultants)

With our in-house consultants and collaborative design software, we are able to collaborate efficiently and produce documents that are well coordinated (that means no ductwork collides with a column)

Construction Documents and Permitting

We have a great relationship with counterparts at the City of El Paso.

Site Planning /Master Planning

We engage in small scale or large scale planning including rigorous site analysis of:

  • Parking
  • Environmental (Solar, Wind)
  • Circulation (Vehicular, Pedestrians)
  • Utilities Studies and Point of Connections
  • Drone, Google Earth Scanning, Topographic 3D analysis

Design-Build and Construction

Design-Build

In architect-led design-build projects, the architect works directly with the owner (the client), acts as the designer and builder, coordinating a team of consultants, subcontractors, and materials suppliers throughout the project lifecycle.

Construction and Construction Management

  • We engage in the construction of your project. Through our construction division of STEM construction, we have had success in the construction of projects.
  • Generally, we learned that in order to execute simple details all the way up to furniture design and fabrication, we have to be on-site and involved with construction. We knew that this level of quality-driven concept has not typically been seen in El Paso, and that means that we have to be heavily involved in the construction. Existing buildings also pose a unique challenge due to multiple conditions where new construction elements meet the old, as well as the inability to fully plan for the unknown. The idea of typical details or typical conditions gets thrown out the window.
  • Cost-Estimates
    • We work with industry experts to be able to price your project during various stages of design allowing for value analysis during the design process and building in design contingencies for structural systems, material finishes.
  • Bidding and negotiation
    • If you do decide to bid on projects, we can assist in the preparation of preliminary pricing packages to make sure the project is on track financially in the early stages.

Development

We learned that no matter how well-executed the design is, economics and the market drive the ultimate financial success of a project. This was especially the case with Working Capitol, which relied on tenants and members, all of whom were struggling in their own respective businesses throughout the pandemic. Taking a real estate and developer mindset to the final architectural product allowed us to be better stewards to the ultimate concept, which is a place that provides for the needs of a collective people, in a certain time and in a certain place.

As an architect, you have parameters, you have limitations. You’re given a set of rules, budget, scope, schedule. As a developer, you get to set those boundaries. You get to pick what flavor the project is going to have. When you get to play both sides, you really get to dig deep into the core of what the community needs. It’s one-hand guiding the other. The end result is a well-thought-out plan of action that attempts to piece together all of the elements that make a community great.

Adaptive Reuse

Adaptive reuse (also called building reuse) refers to the repurposing of an existing structure for new use. For example, converting an old church into a restaurant, an old train station into an office space, or an old windmill into a home.

Historic Preservation Tax Credit Consulting

Root Architects engages in the restoration and adaptive reuse of old and historic buildings. We have several years of experience in historic preservation with members of our team has served on the city of El Paso’s historic landmark commissions. We have experience and success in helping clients navigate the federal, state, and local tax credit program for historic buildings, saving clients up to 50% in construction costs.