WELCOME

Reinventing The Way People Design, Build, And Manage Facilities.

At Harrell Design Group, PC (HDG), we work in three dimensions, using virtual reality, from project conception through occupancy. We call our process Virtual Construction and believe it is the best way to coordinate the building structure, envelope, and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. Designing in virtual reality allows us to construct the entire project in a virtual setting prior to the start of actual construction. This unique, HDG exclusive process allows us to reduce errors and conflicts thereby minimizing change orders, schedule delays, and operational problems.

We believe the early coordination of all disciplines is critical to the success of every project. HDG designers begin this process in the pre-design phase with team meetings and program analysis. This process, which helps us to establish project goals and define scope, involves all disciplines. We look at multiple systems options to help facility owners evaluate first cost, operating cost, and life cycle cost. We also evaluate systems options and their impact on the overall facility design, site design, and structure.

As the building design evolves and systems are selected, we begin Virtual Construction of the facility. We actually build the facility in three dimensions using commercial Revit software as well as automation software that we have developed in house. By designing the facility and all of its systems in three dimensions, we are able to evaluate critical areas and issues such as MEP chases, ceiling space and clearances, and equipment clearances. As an added benefit, we are able to show our clients what it will feel like to occupy any space in their facility. We can even let maintenance personnel look into crowded utility tunnels, ceiling plenums, and equipment rooms.

Our services do not end at project completion and occupancy. We maintain close ties with facility maintainers, as their feedback is a critical source of constantly improving our design quality. Our newest service is SAFER, which came about due to a need from our clients to have an emergency procedures manual for their infrastructure systems. We learned that While 37% of hospitals suffer a major infrastructure emergency each year, many, perhaps most, do not have a single, up to date, full set of drawings of their piping for such critical systems as domestic water, sanitary sewer, fire protection chilled water, reheat hot water, steam, and medical gas. Most don’t have a single set of up-to-date drawings showing their electrical system panels and motor control centers and the areas served by them. They don’t know where their critical valves are and don’t have an emergency procedures plan to respond quickly in the event of an infrastructure emergency.