Process Overview

Right about now, you probably have a sense of how the Mosaic Centre is rethinking design, construction and operational sustainability. Interestingly, the team behind the project is taking the path-less-travelled in the commercial construction industry today by using an approach called the IPD system.

The project employs an IPD (Integrated Project Delivery) methodology; a framework that takes the various participants (such as consultants, architects and contractors) and turns them into collaborative team members, simulating a one-firm mentality. This group works together towards one goal, which is to maximize the value of the final product: the thriving commercial building as envisioned by the owner. The IPD system is celebrated for keeping projects on budget, nailing deadlines and removing the ugly and much too common issue of litigation in construction. We would venture to say it also creates a very enjoyable experience for all parties involved.

The construction industry is unique in the fact that it has seen a constant productivity decline for the last 50 years. The industry is riddled with disruptive relationships among all the roles that need to come together to produce the final product. Each role traditionally looks out for the interests of their firm only, trying to maximize their profit margin with little or no concern to the performance of the entire project. The first instance of an IPD (Integrated Project Delivery) project was the UCSF Medical Centre in 2000.

IPD brings together the various proponents to collaborate together early in the process, sharing information and working to reduce waste through lean methodologies throughout the project. The result? Contemporary design, lower costs, on-time builds and challenging the perception that building a LEED Platinum building is cost-prohibitive.