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Prototype Design
Whether creating an economical and easy to rollout prototype from scratch, modifying current drawings to create a prototype, or managing projects using your existing prototype, APD has the expertise you need to complete your project as quickly and efficiently as possible.
APD Engineering & Architecture has enjoyed its greatest success in the area of national multi-site roll-out, prototype architecture and civil support. We have more than 20 years of experience working on projects for grocery, food service, auto repair, retail, commercial and multi-tenant clients. We have successfully implemented multi-site roll-out programs and developed prototype programs for some of the largest retailers and restaurant clients in the world.
Multi-Site Rollout
APD has honed their expertise to a craft when it comes to multi-site rollouts. Locally or Nationally, APD is equipped with the staff and skills needed to provide comprehensive services for any size rollout. Working with a variety of clients, APD has provided full National rollouts consisting of 100s of stores, as well as local and regional rollouts of a more moderate scale. Whatever size your rollout may be, APD has the staff and expertise to assist.
Prototype Design and Rollout Services
CLIENT: ALDI
APD has managed the ALDI prototype program since 2008 including the ALDI Prototype drawings, specifications, and civil design guidelines. They’ve been able to communicate prototype drawings, specifications, and design requirement updates to regional architects across the country, maintaining consistency throughout the ALDI building program. Throughout this time, they’ve lead and assisted with countless research and prototype development initiatives. APD’s skill at project management ensures a high degree of coordination with government entitlements, neighborhood groups, utility companies, and contractors, which is part of the reason why our projects get completed cost effectively and efficiently. APD provides an excellent product within a very competitive budget. It has been my pleasure to work with APD on numerous projects. I would highly recommend APD to any company in the need of architectural or engineering services.
Prototype Development
As a direct result of our success with multi-site rollout programs, clients have selected APD to be their Prototype Architect. In this capacity, APD works closely with our client to develop, maintain, and effectively share the prototype with all stakeholders. APD’s dedicated prototype team integrates our client’s varied and ever-changing requirements into a well-organized set of drawings and specifications. Numerous design options and use of universal design flexibility are incorporated into all prototypes, allowing for efficient use by the site-adapt architect.
We work continuously with our clients to improve store concepts and refine building designs while maintaining their specific criteria and brand identity. Understanding the impact of materials and constructability on efficiency, construction costs and operating costs, we regularly review materials and design details to refine each prototype for our clients.
APD uses collaborative technologies to distribute prototype documents, provide prototype updates, and communicate prototype changes to all members of our clients’ rollout program teams.
National Multi-site Rollouts
APD excels at national multi-site rollouts. Our team of architects and engineers work closely with our clients to understand their requirements and help them best achieve their expansion goals. Our team approach for site-adapting new build, retrofit, renovation, and remodel projects allows us to successfully complete a large volume of projects efficiently, on budget and on schedule, while maintaining a high level of quality. Our experience has given us the ability to quickly adapt prototypes to each location’s specific requirements.
We have completed projects for our clients in many municipalities throughout the nation and have experience with varying building code requirements. In many cases, having previously worked with a local municipality allows us to identify and seamlessly site adapt the prototype to the site-specific location and local permit requirements.
Our use of collaborative technologies allows greater coordination among the entire project team for project management, design, and construction documents.
3D Rendering
3D Photorealistic images and 3D Architectural Modeling provides a detailed view of a future project, improving communication between developers, engineers, fabricators, architects, and clients. This improved communication can minimize approval time and save cost when used strategically.
The Benefits of 3D Architectural Modeling Include:
- Gives tangible dimensions to an abstract vision
- Design alterations can be reflected across the 3D model quickly and effectively
- Developed prototype designs can be viewed in a variety of applications
- Project productivity in many cases is accelerated
- Stakeholders gain a thorough understanding of the project’s interior and exterior
- Communicates design ideas to clients, committees, and the general public
- Helps interior designers, furniture designers, and architects coordinate the interior design, exterior, and landscaping
Our use of advanced integrated design platforms incorporating Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology allow APD to integrate design information, construction expertise, equipment requirements, and client-specific knowledge within a single virtual model. By integrating 3D design into our civil engineering, we are able to reduce design effort and conflicts for underground utilities and features, optimize earthwork, and better visualize a design.
All of our projects are built on platforms with full BIM and 3D architectural modeling capabilities. We can provide fully developed building and/or site perspective models for presentations at public meetings and hearings. These can include full simulation of traffic conditions and critical visual perspectives, including fly-by and on-demand perspectives, in both fixed and dynamic conditions
3D Rendering Services
Entitlement/
Permitting
APD has a dedicated Permitting Department that is skilled at obtaining permits for our clients in an efficient and timely manner. Having worked in jurisdictions throughout the United States, APD is familiar with a variety of code issues and municipal requirements.
Rezoning
Rezoning may be required to allow a specific use of the property. For example, a residentially zoned property will typically not allow commercial building construction, and thus the property would need to be rezoned. Of note, the proposed rezoning must be an extension of an adjacent district and cannot be “spot zoned”.
Subdivision
Subdivision is the changing of existing lot lines to either combine or separate property.
Site Plan Approval
Site plan approvals are typically required for a project that involves a new or modified building and parking, in which the municipality reviews items such as layout, visual impact, traffic impact, etc.
Special Use/
Conditional Use Permit
Special Use or Conditional Use permits may be required when a proposed use is not permitted by right, but requires additional evaluation by the municipality to verify the use is a good fit for the property.
Variance
A variance may be required if zoning laws cannot be met for a proposed project (i.e. building setback, number of parking stalls, minimum greenspace, etc.). There are typically (2) types of Variances: a Use Variance (purpose of the land) or an Area Variance (dimensional/physical restrictions).
Other Considerations
Any state or local mandated environmental reviews (i.e. in NYS all projects must be evaluated through the State Environmental Quality Review Act known as SEQRA).
Any local municipal review boards (Architectural Review Board, Landscaping, etc.)
Any state required referrals (i.e. in NYS a project may need to be reviewed by County Planning Board if it meets certain criteria per 239m law).
Any local municipal review boards (Architectural Review Board, Landscaping, etc.)
Fire Escape Inspections
APD offers fire escape inspections to satisfy required code-compliance and safe operation of fire escape equipment.
The 2015 International Fire Code (adopted by New York State) Section 1104.16.5.1 requires that fire escape inspections be conducted on stairways, balconies and ladders by a registered design professional for structural stability and egress safety every five years (or as required by the local code official). APD will come to the property that you own or manage, document the condition of the fire escape(s), and complete a detailed fire escape inspection report assessing the safety and code compliance of the fire escape(s). APD will then provide this report to both the property owner/manager and appropriate code official(s).
Your Fire Escape Inspection report will indicate one of the following:
Pass
All elements observed to be in satisfactory condition and not in need of maintenance or repair at the time of the inspection.
Maintenance Required
Some elements may require minor maintenance. It is presumed that the authority having jurisdiction (fire code official or building inspector) will confirm the completion of noted maintenance without requiring re-inspection by APD.
Fail
Elements require specific repairs and re-inspection by the registered design professional.
Pricing for fire escape inspections may vary depending on the size, complexity, type of construction, number of access points, and locations of the fire escape(s) being examined.
Please reach out to APD with any questions, or to schedule your fire escape inspection.
It is important to note that a fire escape inspection may be required in order to receive a Certificate of Occupancy as many jurisdictions begin to enforce this section of the International Fire Code.
Don’t put it off, give us a call or send us a message today.
Pre-Inspection Guidelines for Fire Escape Inspections
New York State requires fire escape inspections, and APD wants you to pass! A PASS means that your fire escape is accessible, functional, and in compliance with applicable life safety and building codes. APD can help you throughout the entire process by performing inspections and issuing code-required reports to building inspectors. APD can also design recommended repairs or alternative solutions, recommend contractors, and communicate with the building or fire department on your behalf regarding the status of your fire escape.
To help you pass your first inspection and avoid the cost of follow-up inspections, we compiled this list to assist you and/or your contractor to prepare for a successful inspection.
To help you pass your first inspection and avoid the cost of follow-up inspections, we compiled this list to assist you and/or your contractor to prepare for a successful inspection.
Please review the following steps to take before scheduling a fire escape inspection:
Fire Escape Inspection Request
FIND US
EAST
APD Engineering and Architecture, PLLC
615 Fishers Run
Victor, NY 14564
(585) 742-2222
(585) 924-4914 fax
APD Engineering and Architecture, PLLC
615 Fishers Run
Victor, NY 14564
(585) 742-2222
(585) 924-4914 fax
WEST
APD Architecture, Inc.
PO Box 11626
Santa Ana, CA 92711
(714) 987-1380
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