What Is Design-Build Construction?

With more than three decades of experience in the construction industry, William Londos serves as vice president of preconstruction at ACM Design & Build, based in Miami. To better serve his clients, William Londos maintains membership to multiple professional organizations, including the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA).

DBIA is dedicated to demonstrating how the design-build process ensures accountability, saves time, and saves money. Today, roughly half of all construction projects utilize design-build technology, and though it is a newer form of construction, it is the fastest growing method in America. 

The approach’s success lies in its streamlined process, in which an individual or entity seeking construction services needs to conclude only one contract with a design-build provider, rather than multiple contracts with designers, contractors, subcontractors, and consultants. With specialists fulfilling all of the traditional needs under one roof, design-build entities also enjoy an intimate culture of collaboration, one which encourages innovation. Recent research by CII/Pankow shows design-build construction continues to surpass other delivery systems in terms of its speed of delivery and cost.

The LBA Children and Families Foundation

William Londos draws on more than 30 years’ experience in the construction industry as vice president of preconstruction at ACM Design and Build in Miami, Florida. Away from his responsibilities at ACM, William Londos balances his time between industry organizations, such as the Latin Builders Association, and various philanthropic groups, including the Humane Society.

The Latin Builders Association (LBA) manages a variety of philanthropic initiatives through the LBA Children and Families Foundation. The foundation was formally launched in 2007, though the LBA had been active throughout South Florida as a philanthropic organization for nearly three decades prior. Early charitable efforts included collaborations on La Liga Contra El Cancer and support for local charity events such as Miami’s Annual Bike Drive.

Today, the LBA Children and Families Foundation coordinates all LBA fundraising initiatives and charity events, which include the LBA Scholarship Fund, the LBA Back-to-School Backpack Drive, and the LBA Toy and Bike Drive. The organization regularly distributes grants to worthy community programs while utilizing public relations and promotional efforts to raise awareness for these organizations and their missions.

The 2019 Design-Build Conference & Expo

As the vice president of preconstruction at ACM Design & Build, William Londos handles the preparatory process for a diverse range of construction projects from the company's headquarters in Miami. With decades of experience in the industry and LEED certification, William Londos is affiliated with organizations such as the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA).

Founded to discover a better process for taking architecture, construction, and engineering projects from the initial stages to completion, DBIA polished the design-build approach to construction, which continues to impact project development across the country. Each year, the association furthers its mission by hosting the Design-Build Conference & Expo.

This event invites professionals in the industry and those just beginning their careers to gather and learn more about the design-build process and the latest advances in its techniques. Attendees can participate in continuing education courses and view some of the industry's top projects honored with the DBIA Project/Team Awards.

The 2019 Design-Build Conference & Expo will take place November 6-8 in Las Vegas. For more information about DBIA and the annual fall conference, please visit dbia.org.

Understanding the Hard and Soft Costs of Construction

An experienced construction industry professional, William Londos serves as the vice president of preconstruction at ACM Design & Build. From his office based in Miami, Florida, William Londos oversees pre-construction work including budgeting for costs.

There are two types of costs for construction projects - hard costs and soft costs. Estimating both correctly at the pre-construction stage is critical for smooth development. 

Hard costs are determinable and quantifiable. They relate directly to actual construction work, from design to engineering, and typically make up 70 percent of construction costs. Hard costs include those related to the building structure (labor and materials), site preparation (underground utilities, drains, paving, and grading), and landscape. Because these costs are quantifiable, many estimators use previous construction projects to estimate the hard costs of a new project, plus a contingency for unseen conditions.

Soft costs refer to nontangible costs that do not directly involve actual building. These include architectural and design fees, building inspection and permit fees to local governments, accounting costs, insurance, and real estate costs such as land appraisal and assessments. Other examples include local and state taxes, construction insurance, and advertising. Soft costs typically make up 30 percent of construction costs.

LEED Buildings Help Create a Sustainable Future

As vice president of preconstruction for ACM Design & Build in Miami, William Londos consults with clients on project cost management. William Londos has demonstrated an interest in sustainability by being LEED accredited. 

Many buildings degrade their environment. They consume natural resources, account for some 30% of waste, and expose their occupants to many hazardous materials. The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) process ensures that new buildings make a smaller ecological impact and save money on energy and water bills. 

LEED accredited individuals know how to incorporate ecologically safe practices into design and construction. They choose materials, sites, and energy systems that out-perform those of conventional structures. 

In pursuit of these goals, involving all participants in the design and construction stages - architects, owners, and engineers - is the best way to guarantee certification. A holistic approach enables these partners to collaborate on environmentally friendly designs.

LEED certification not only benefits a building’s surroundings. These standards create more comfort for users and enhance property values. LEED buildings bring higher office rents and larger sale prices than their counterparts.

Nonresidential Construction Spending at Record Levels

An accomplished construction executive who has served in leadership roles in South Florida for the past thirty-plus years, William Londos is the vice president of preconstruction with ACM Design & Build in Miami. Engaged with his industry, William Londos is a longtime member of Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. (ABC). 

ABC recently highlighted figures from the U.S. Census Bureau showing nonresidential construction spending across the country in August reached a record high. In total, more than $760 billion was spent in the sector that month, which is up more than eight percent over the same month last year. ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu says the figures represent an ongoing trend of positive news in nonresidential construction, a trend that has been forecast by additional data gathered by the organization.

In addition to increasing property values, Basu also pointed to a strong economic climate, increasing materials costs, and better paying jobs for construction workers as additional spending indicators. All those factors considered, he says, the short-term future of the industry looks bright.