Feasibility Studies are one of the Predesign Services in which an architect may participate by providing valuable input. Foremost among such services is the development of a Program Statement. Program requirements are normally stated in writing, but may also be graphic, in the form of bubble diagrams, graphs and sketches.
An architect’s experience may be tapped to provide insight into potential financial pitfalls during predesign. Budgetary aspects such as:
- Zoning restrictions;
- Wetlands;
- Potential flooding;
- Adverse soil and/or geological conditions;
- Environmental issues;
- Utilities service problems;
- ADA requirements;
- Marketability problems;
- Poor bidding climate and/or material shortages;
- Inappropriate proposed building size;
- Excessive energy consumption;
- Poor vehicular ingress and egress;
- Too little (or too much) traffic;
- Community resistance;
- Visibility limitations, and
- Signage restrictions.
…may have to be uncovered and quantified. The problematic items can be considered and the potential answers stated within the Feasibility Study.