ICG’s Building Design Process

There are certain constants in the building trades – homes have a foundation, walls, windows, doors, a roof. And there are some standard practices in wood-framed construction.

There are also constants in the building design process – a real estate developer works with designers, architects, engineers, general contractors, and multiple on-site trades.

But what if some of those constants were challenged?

The success of our off-site construction model is driven by a desire to challenge the constants…the result is an efficient, innovative process that saves you time and money, without sacrificing quality.

Here are the four components of our building design process that set us apart.

1. Advanced 3D modeling.

All the framing for your single or multi-family home development will be designed completely in-house using our 3D modeling software. Our team of designers, architects, and builders collaborate on a design together, under one roof. They can anticipate conflicts in building codes and challenges in structural design before a single 2×4 or sheet of plywood has hit the shop floor.

With a real-time eraser, we can accommodate specific requests for custom features without sacrificing the structural integrity of the building. We’ll be able to tell you exactly what impact the changes will have on your hard and soft costs.

2. Off-site manufacturing.

Some of the biggest time and cost savings are realized on our shop floor. Since the plans have been mapped with precision and materials have been ordered to match exact specifications, there’s little waste in our manufacturing process. 

Our skilled team makes each cut using laser-guided technology, resulting in clean and accurate joints in our trusses and wall panels. Our quality control happens in a controlled environment, with the structural engineers on hand. 

If you’re not using our construction team, there can be a concern that your on-site crew is able to execute the blueprints according to design. With skilled labor at a premium, our ready-to-assemble components open up opportunities for a crew that might not have as much experience on a building site.

3. Designing for the climate…and cost savings.

One size doesn’t fit all, especially in regions like Florida and the southeast. In Florida, particularly, wind speed and exposure vary greatly up and down the state, so a design that works in Gainesville won’t be suited to Melbourne. We take these regional differences into account so your buildings meet regional building codes, resulting in safe, affordable homes.

We’re constantly looking for innovative ways to minimize uplift and wind shear in our designs. Our unique trusses, for example, are designed to release uplift, eliminating the need for hardware on interior walls, even those used for gravity load. And this results in significant cost savings, both in hard and soft costs.

4. Balancing the costs of materials off-site with the benefits on-site. 

We’ve learned over the past 15+ years in the construction trade that sometimes paying a little more at the front end saves money at the back. And sometimes, taking the time to engineer a solution to a structural challenge in 3D in the office results in the ability to use more economical building material on the shop floor.

We know that while our vertical sheathing panels are more expensive because of the dimensions we use, the install on-site will go more quickly and efficiently, reducing waste, saving labor, and material costs.

Because we’re vertically integrated, we’re able to find savings throughout the building design process. We’re constantly seeking innovation in our building design…looking for ways to reduce waste, save money, and build high-quality, affordable housing. 

There are some constants that should remain in the building trade: safety, reliability, and speed. Our team is our greatest asset and we’ll always make choices that keep them safe. We’ll uphold our commitment to them, and all of us uphold our commitments to our customers. That includes making sure your projects are completed on time.

If you’d like to learn more about our transformative approach to building design, contact us.

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Reduce Cycle Time By Using Prefabricated Components in Home Construction