One of the most prominent benefits of working with a consultant is, without a doubt, the experience and specialized knowledge that they bring to the finish selection process. Mar Azul Projects has highly trained professionals who understand the quality and functionality of different types of finishes, thus supporting the best selection at the time of purchase of these materials, and adding knowledge about the latest technological innovations in terms of materials and systems. . This allows us to advise accurately and provide personalized recommendations for each particular project.

Choosing the right finishes has a significant impact on the functionality and durability of a building. This is when —as an advisor— the specific needs of each space can be evaluated, considering both the design line and other influencing factors, such as natural lighting, expected traffic, and local climate, among other relevant aspects. With this information, the most appropriate materials and systems can be recommended, guaranteeing that the selected finishes meet quality standards and fit within the established budget.

Another advantage of working with an advisor is the optimization of resources. The proper choice of finishes can help maximize energy efficiency, reduce maintenance costs, and improve user comfort. Mar Azul Projects has vast experience in different types of projects for which it has provided the best choice of materials: efficient lighting, durable coatings suitable for each traffic, thermal and acoustic insulation, and even in the choice of doors and windows that favor energy saving, acoustic comfort, and aesthetics.

Another great value in working with subject matter experts is simplifying the decision-making process. The variety of options on the market can be overwhelming for those unfamiliar with the world of construction. Mar Azul Projects, as an experienced advisor, can present a selection of finishes that fit the client’s style and preferences, thus avoiding the loss of time and resources in the search for inappropriate alternatives.

In summary, the choice of finishes in a construction project is a fundamental aspect that should not be left to chance. Having an expert advisor, such as Mar Azul Projects, provides the assurance that the selected finishes will be functional, aesthetically pleasing, and in accordance with the needs and expectations of our clients. Our specialized knowledge, experience, and ability to optimize resources make investing in a consultant an intelligent decision that will be reflected in the final result of the construction.

La entrada Importance of having an expert advisor in finishes se publicó primero en Mar Azul | Project Management.

The benefits of a pre-feasibility process are many. First of all, it allows us to evaluate its feasibility of execution before investing large amounts of money in the project. This can avoid unnecessary costs and financial risks in the long run.

In addition, a well-executed pre-feasibility process can help us identify areas where we can reduce costs and maximize benefits, allowing us to know if the project will be profitable in the long term. It also helps us anticipate and prevent potential roadblocks or risks, reducing the likelihood of costly delays or unforeseen events.

A pre-feasibility process begins with an assessment of the project’s location. An example of how to start would be, in the case of a tourism project, evaluating whether the construction project is located in complex areas, such as coastal or tourist areas, where the accessibility of the location is reviewed and whether it is attractive to tourists and visitors. And so for each type of project, it is analyzed according to its characteristics.

In this line, once the location has been evaluated, a cost-benefit analysis of the project is carried out. This analysis makes it possible to determine, at the monetary level, if the project will be profitable and if the costs associated with the project will be justified by the benefits that will be obtained.

At Mar Azul Projects we focus on reviewing these costs, seeking to contribute and have a high-quality project that is sustainable and respectful of the environment, which in the long term results in significant savings in operation and maintenance costs. Another important factor in the pre-feasibility process is the evaluation of the time and resources needed to carry out the project. As experts in value engineering, we evaluate each of the stages, schedule and the necessary resources to be required during the execution of the work.

Based on our experience, we consider the pre-feasibility process as an essential part of planning any construction project. And in its effect, this process allows evaluating its feasibility, resulting in being able to guarantee profitable and sustainable projects in the long term.

La entrada How to define if your project is feasible? se publicó primero en Mar Azul | Project Management.

In general terms, the main permits that are required in a construction project in Panama must be processed with the municipality and the fire department of the corresponding area. The order that we recommend following, considering that it is the most appropriate and organized way to comply with what the law requires, would be the following:

a. Submit and approve a draft plan;

b. Submit and approve a construction plan that includes all the designs of the specialties, such as architecture, structure, electromechanics, signaling, alarm, among others;

c. Request an appraisal of the cost for the project, according to approved plans and pay the construction tax, called Construction Permit;

d. During the project, other types of permits are requested, such as the sidewalk permit (if you build adjacent and very incident to a pedestrian crossing area), the crane permit, the forklift permit, etc. and

e. For the final stages of the project, the occupancy permit must be requested, with which the building can operate for the purpose it was intended for.

Basically, the permits do not vary by the type of project since, regardless of the activity, the same procedure listed must be carried out. What is important to mention is that building in a specific area requires the land use or classification that said area has. For example, you cannot build an office building in a residential area. Another variation occurs in the case of permits that have to do with the impact that the project will have on the environment. For this, it is required that every project have an Environmental Impact Study that includes the different categories.

It is extremely important that the client have all the legal documentation of the company that owns the project and the land on which said project will be built. The client must also be financially prepared to face the different initial costs that this stage entails.

Another valuable recommendation is that the architect and the client validate all the information and the scope of their project so that this is reflected in the plans and can thus confirm land use, previous studies of the area (environmental impact study, hydrological, etc.) as well as the preparation of all the plans that will be submitted in the draft (general concept of the project).

From our experience and perspective as project management, we hold follow-up meetings, even weekly, with the architects (for any change) or the person named as processor, who is in charge of the follow-up between the different departments of the municipality and the fire department. In addition, when a signature, documentation issuance by the project owner or any tax payment is required, we take care of processing it, to meet the requirements on time and as requested by each entity.

To conclude, we know that a delayed or undone procedure brings with it multiple actions that can affect the project, which is why it is imperative to always keep these processes in mind and be prepared for them to avoid delays or fines to the project.

La entrada Project permits se publicó primero en Mar Azul | Project Management.

In summary, the Test Fit is an analysis process that is used so that —in a preliminary way— the use of a space can be visualized. In turn, this allows decisions to be made and a design to be much more aligned with the tastes and needs of the client, as well as the size of the place, proving that all the components fit within this space. It is done in conjunction with the designer and the client, resulting in a more efficient and much clearer design for a specific client.

It is important to understand the space requirements of the client and, in the same way, to comprehend their daily operation so that the design is consistent with the operation of the company, which is exactly what is sought to be achieved through a Test Fit. It also helps to better use the resources of a remodeling, a gray space or a new office, it helps to use the budget in the most efficient way, anticipating all the details and requirements, already based and aligned with the operation of the company that will be in execution in that new space.

In our experience with commercial projects, especially in the area of corporate offices, we have had the opportunity to experience how much value this process provides by helping us to clearly understand what is required by each of our clients and to avoid letting details slip that could only be seen when the site is already in operation. It also influences the schematic design phase as all parties test and examine the space plan.

Making the decision to run a Test Fit process is always a good idea, it’s a simple and fast process that does a lot, giving you a clear idea of the functionality of your future workspace, without exorbitant costs.

What do you need to start this process? Once the decision to carry it out is made, you only need:
→ Empty architectural plan to use as a base;
→ Essential requirements of the client in terms of spaces;
→ Approximate footage per space (if this information is available);
→ Company organization chart; and
→ Contact with the person in the company who sees and understands the daily operations.

In conclusion, once a Test Fit is done, those involved can see, react, and respond to the space plan prior to a final design and help guide all solutions for the full functionality of the future workspace.

La entrada What is a Test Fit? se publicó primero en Mar Azul | Project Management.

Welcome to both. This December the doors of the Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo hotel opened, a space located on the foundations of a long history, and it undoubtedly becomes an icon for our country. David, from your perspective as manager and representative of Sofitel, we would like you to tell us a little about what the Sofitel Legend Hotel is.

→ David Kianni: Well, first of all thanks for having me here, my name is David Kianni. I am the general manager of the Hotel Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo, Panama of the Sofitel chain, which is one of the brands of the Accor hotel company. In turn, Accor is a French company, which has more than 5,000 hotels in the world with different types of categories: economic, midscale, upscale, luxury and ultra-luxury.

Sofitel hotel is one of the luxury brands and Sofitel Legend is the ultra luxury brand. This means that all Sofitel Legend Hotels must be located in a building with at least one hundred years of history or heritage. That is why we are here at the former Union Club. All Sofitel Legend hotels have high standards, offering products and services of much higher quality than other Sofitel hotels, of which there are more than 120 in the rest of the world.

As a foreigner, opening this emblematic hotel in Panama is a source of pride; for that, thank you, Panama! Thank you for allowing me to be here to open this hotel. Its history and heritage is very important, not only for Panama, but also for our brand. We have something called: “CULTURELink”, and part of this focuses on telling the story that we are living in the country. And now, with the doors already open, here we are in this fantastic building which was made possible in conjunction with Mar Azul Projects, and we are ready to share its story.

José Ramón, we would like to hear about you and that you can tell us about the experience of being part of this project for Mar Azul Projects.

→ José Ramón Icaza: My name is José Ramón Icaza, partner director of Mar Azul Projects. We are a firm that has more than ten years of experience in project management, technical inspection of works, and engineering services. For many years we have focused on developing large-scale and complex projects, unique projects such as the Sofitel Legend Hotel Project on this occasion, but we have also had the opportunity to participate in other projects.

Our service is based on three fundamental pillars: a proven track record, standardized processes, and a firm belief in innovation and technology. In this project, Sofitel Legend has allowed us to incorporate each of those experiences lived in the past, with processes and technologies, in order to develop this unique piece in Panama City.

From your perspective as director of Mar Azul Projects, a company with a history of many years, what has it meant to be part of this iconic project?

→ José Ramón Icaza: Well, from the moment the owners approached us to collaborate with the Sofitel Legend project, for us it really was the validation of many years of experience, trajectory and development of similar projects, because at that time they were Trusting in our company Mar Azul, in our work team and in myself, a project that for them was a jewel. It was about building a unique piece, as Mr. David has mentioned, in the Casco Antiguo, in Panama City.

From that moment on, with great commitment, enthusiasm and passion, we devoted ourselves to collaborating with the team that was developing the Hotel Sofitel Legend project at that time. We also meet the Sofitel brand team, committed to achieving the quality, product and service that has defined this brand for many years. In Panama an introduction has been made with golden gates in a property that truly represents what is the history of the development of Casco Antiguo in Panama City.

Having this Sofitel Legend Hotel on the sea makes it truly unique because there are very few properties in the world that can say that they are in a location like this, with the privilege of having all the rooms facing the sea, in an area of the city that is so many years old, with so much history. Especially in a city like Panama, a cosmopolitan city that connects all of the Americas and that always maintains a positive vibe that promotes the development process of the region.

José Ramón, tell us a little more about the specific support and contribution of Mar Azul Projects to the Sofitel Legend Hotel Project.

→ José Ramón Icaza: Mar Azul finds itself with a project in the process of finally finishing the rooms, the common areas, the architectural part, everything that the guests experience and see, and that both for Mar Azul and for Sofitel, was of great importance to execute with the expected quality.

When we joined the project, we had the difficult task of being able to organize that each of the systems complied with the standards of the Sofitel brand. It was sought that the electromechanical part, the part that many times the client does not see (everything that is behind the walls), would work properly so that the quality of the service that the guest receives is always at an optimal level. In the same way that the electromechanical part was worked on, we turned to making all the revisions of the architecture, internal design, and systems, in order to make the corresponding corrections and proceed with the commissioning process and final delivery to the Sofitel Hotel.

When we entered, we found an advanced project; however, there were areas that we had to correct in order to achieve the quality required by the brand. Our way of acting was to assign a committed team, with vast experience in the construction of unique and high-quality spaces, in order to integrate all the necessary pieces. The assigned team was a diversified team, not only with experience in hotel projects, but a team with vast experience managing high-end corporate offices and luxury residential; other areas of the construction industry in which we have extensive experience.

Thanks to all this diversification in knowledge, it was finally possible to integrate the electromechanical systems, occupational safety systems, air conditioning ventilation systems with architecture, among others, to proceed with the final completion of the project and enter the installation stage of all the furniture. Furniture of exquisite taste, with a contemporary French touch, which has given it the final distinctive touch to be able to create these very pleasant spaces that we have today in the hotel.

We would like to hear from each of you, now from a more human perspective, how has the collaboration between the Sofitel Hotel team and the Mar Azul Projectsteam been for you?

→ José Ramón Icaza: I could start by commenting that when we started, one of the things we found was a communication that had room for improvement. We understood that over time, the communication between the construction team, the design team, the Sofitel Hotel team, and the owner’s team had deteriorated.

Upon identifying this, we quickly began working to improve communication between the different teams for the benefit of the project, always keeping in mind the expectations and needs of the owner and the Sofitel brand.

Our job was to identify where that opportunity for improvement existed within all the parties involved, in order to speed up the workflow and achieve quality standards and time within budget in the same way. We did it in a fashion that we were able to establish successful communication channels that allowed us to recover that trust that had deteriorated throughout the project’s execution time. In this way, the team of designers, the hotel team, and the owner’s team felt confident that Mar Azul could support them to continue with the work.

We created cross collaborations between teams. We connected the electromechanical team of Mar Azul Projects with the electromechanical and the Fire Life and Safety team of the Hotel Sofitel, with the support of a new commissioning team to be able to integrate this component. In the same way, we integrated the team that was seeing the final completion of the architecture of the project from Mar Azul Projects with the internal design team of the Hotel Sofitel and we added to this collaboration the list of suppliers and subcontractors, in such a way that there was a synergy that would allow them to reach the expected quality standard.

Finally, the line of communication was worked at the executive level, considering the Mar Azul team, in this case led by myself, with the hotel team, led by manager David Kianni, the corporate team of the Accor Sofitel chain and the hotel owner. Communication channels and bridges of trust were forged. I can say that this was the success that allowed us to move forward with a road map and work plan and thus be able to reach the goal.

→ David Kianni: I think the key word here is collaboration. And, from the moment we started working together, we have had a very good collaboration between different teams, which José Ramón just mentioned. It is not my first time working with a construction and architecture team. I have worked in different places and I can say that we have had an excellent relationship and we are here, with this beautiful hotel open, that we work together, hand in hand. And also thanks to effective communication, which helped us get to this point. We have done an excellent job together.

Thank you both, you have shared your perspectives very well with us. Now, we would like to hear from David, what do you consider has been the greatest value that Mar Azul Projects has contributed in the execution and delivery process?

→ David Kianni: I started working on this project two years ago and, prior to the entry of Mar Azul, when we worked with another administration that was managing the construction, we were not achieving what we have achieved in the short term with José Ramón and his team. Prior to Mar Azul, it was difficult because the communication was not there, nor was the commitment. But, again, with Mar Azul we have achieved an excellent product, because we have worked together, which was made possible by the experience that Mar Azul has creating other hotels, creating other projects, creating luxury apartments. They understand very well the level of detail and the level of demand that we are looking for, which has allowed us to make what we have achieved possible.

After all the hard work that has been done, the integration of new teams, the adaptation, all the challenges, what does this achievement represent for you and how do you envision being able to enjoy this space?

→ David Kianni: We have a fabulous project, but it’s not fully complete yet; we continue to work hard and finalize details to finish it and be able to open the hotel at 100%, something that is going to happen very, very soon. We are very close to getting there and, well, how am I going to enjoy it? With open heart and hands, because we are going to invite all Panamanians and foreigners to live not only the history of this building, but also the unique experience that we are going to create for our clients in this Sofitel Legend.

→ José Ramón Icaza: I would add that, after a rather arduous construction process, we must recognize the work of all the people who made this project possible; the design team, architects, contractors, different administrations, different owners.

I think that many times, when you see a building, one fails to perceive all the effort, complexity, and hard work that was required to achieve these unique spaces and, when you have the opportunity to complete a project, I think that it is very important to take a moment to recognize the commitment and dedication of all the people involved.

Despite the fact that we have sometimes experienced difficult moments, we have also experienced very pleasant moments and, always with David, we have joked that when we finish this project we will have a good beer and come to enjoy the space.

There have been many stories that we have lived to make this hotel possible. Stories of laughter, stories of surprises, some positive and others not so much, but in the end, they have all been stories that remain as memories and experiences that allow us to grow. Once the project is fully completed, Panama wins, Casco Viejo wins with a world-class hotel offer, and the tourism sector also wins, because Sofitel Legend brings with it many experiences, a world-class service that in turn will raise the standard of care and service in Panama. I am sure that we are going to enjoy it and we are going to celebrate together thanks to that work team that has been doing everything possible for several months to make Sofitel Legend a reality.

To finish this interview, we would like both of you to invite everyone to get to know Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo and to live this experience.

→ José Ramón Icaza: I believe that there are different ways to extend an invitation, both to Panamanians and from abroad. As David well commented at the beginning of the interview, this is a unique property, a property that is over a hundred years old and that brings back many memories to Panamanians; above all, to those Panamanians who are in their third and fourth ages and had the opportunity to get to know the former Union Club before its headquarters moved.

When you wander around the hotel and begin to walk through the spaces and see the photographs, such as the historical photos that are in the boardroom, it really seems that you are transporting yourself to the past. I want to invite Panamanians to live that story at the New Sofitel Legend Hotel because Panamanians who had the opportunity to visit this club at the time or even when it was in ruins, I know that when they visit it now they will remember very beautiful moments. And the foreigners who probably did not know its story will now have the opportunity to understand it, live it, and hear it from the person who receives them, always with a smile. I am sure that they can also imagine a bit about the grandeur of this space and what has been managed to be rescued today.

→ David Kianni: Panama is a jewel, a jewel that is not yet known worldwide. I believe that, with the construction and opening of this hotel, we can position Panama as a luxury destination for luxury travelers who are looking for unique experiences, because Panama has everything, it has culture, it has friendly people with beautiful smiles, it has biodiversity, it has something called duality: it has North America, South America, the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean.

So why not talk about and present Panama as it should be and how people should know it? At Hotel Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo, we are going to tell all those stories, we are going to open our doors to our clients, so that they can discover Panama, everything that was and everything that is now, from the former Union Club; the Sofitel Legend Hotel, an oasis that is built on a fabulous building.

And, as José Ramón mentioned, many people were involved in this vision; people who dreamed what this hotel could be after what it was. I believe that we are telling a fabulous story for everyone, both Panamanians and foreigners. So again, I am very proud to be able to open these doors for our clients and we are here to welcome you all.

December 23, 2022
Hotel Sofitel Legend, Casco Viejo
Panama City, Panama

La entrada Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo, a unique experience in Panama se publicó primero en Mar Azul | Project Management.

This iconic project has a special charm, an architectural mix throughout the center of the old city or Casco Antiguo as it is also known; which makes each story of its entire history emotional and that is because in this project you will find stories in every corner of the hotel, making the site a complete jewel.

Originally built as a Jesuit convent in 1688, the project showcases architectural styles such as Spanish, French, and American, thus divided into the hotel’s three wings. The buildings have been categorized according to their history and the restoration of each wing has been designed to rescue it with changes that do not disturb it and preserve the original structure.

The Casco Antiguo de Panamá is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, so working on a project located in this area generates both challenges and learning. The most important thing when working on a project located in a site of historical heritage, in addition to having private regulations and statutes that meticulously govern the area, is the responsibility to protect and preserve the national identity, the feeling of belonging, and to take care of each detail.

Throughout the execution of the project, under the direction of Mar Azul, an important challenge was working in the central patio, since when the earthworks were carried out as a result of the project, there were finds of historical objects. Upon encountering these findings, Historical Heritage was notified. It was also a mandatory requirement to have an archaeologist endorsed by the managing entity in the project to assist in each finding that occurred. When a finding was presented, the work was stopped until what was found was studied, a survey was carried out, it was removed from the site, and after they gave us the order to restart the work. In each situation, the entities in the area were informed and registered by the responsible institutions. Among the main findings we can mention:

→ Finding of a colonial wall along the outskirts of the building (Central Patio), less than 1.50 m deep, dating from 1688. Assistance was immediately requested from the institution in charge, several archaeologists verified the discovery, and they asked us to cordon off and preserve said architectural element within the construction, which is why the design was adapted to maintain this wall and incorporate it into the final design.

→ The second important finding was a human skeleton, also found nearby the central patio. It is estimated that this space functioned as a cemetery at that time since it is located next to the Church of the Company of Jesus, which also functioned as a Catholic convent and university. This finding was transferred for further analysis and review by archaeologists and responsible entities.

For us, as the Mar Azulteam, having been part of the Hotel La Compañía Project has marked a milestone, being part of a seven-year restoration project that tells stories, imagined and designed by its owner detail by detail, and in which historians, artisans, architects, and engineers from all over the world came together to make it a palpable reality and create a worthy experience, being able to be part of history through the details. Hotel la Compañía is, without a doubt, a work of art in our region and we are proud and satisfied to have fulfilled and been part of this jewel of the Casco Antiguo.

Show project

Hospitality

La Compañía
Hotel

Project: Hotel
Location: Casco Antiguo, Panama
Construction period: 2019 – Present
Promoter: Shebandowan Holdings, S. A.
Project investment: USD 20 MM
Construction area: 9,000 m2

Visit project

Historic hotel project consisting of the complete restoration and reuse of the four buildings that made up a 17th century Jesuit mission, the Society of Jesus. An emblematic project for our city.

The hotel will have 88 unique rooms, five restaurants, a bar and, on the rooftop, a sky lounge, full spa, hairdresser, swimming pool and jacuzzi.

→ Management of contractors.

→ Quality control, budget and quantity calculation.

→ Project management.

→ Project technical inspection.

→ Management of progress invoices.

→ Final delivery.

Hospitality

La Compañía
Hotel

Project: Hotel
Location: Casco Antiguo, Panama
Construction period:
2019 – Present
Promoter: Shebandowan Holdings, S. A.
Project investment: USD 20 MM
Construction area: 9,000 m2

Visit project

Historic hotel project consisting of the complete restoration and reuse of the four buildings that made up a 17th century Jesuit mission, the Society of Jesus. An emblematic project for our city.

The hotel will have 88 unique rooms, five restaurants, a bar and, on the rooftop, a sky lounge, full spa, hairdresser, swimming pool and jacuzzi.

→ Management of contractors.

→ Quality control, budget and quantity calculation.

→ Project management.

→ Project technical inspection.

→ Management of progress invoices.

→ Final delivery.

La entrada Hotel La Compañía, our execution experience in an important historical area se publicó primero en Mar Azul | Project Management.

On this occasion, we want to share recommendations when working with natural stones, since it is of great importance to pay special attention at the time of its selection, installation, and handling in order to make the most of all the benefits that this type of finish offers.

First, we must evaluate the area where it is going to be installed taking into account the type of material that we are going to choose, if it is for exterior or interior, if it is for a humid area and if it is going to be installed on the floor or wall.

A second point of great importance is knowing what material will be installed. For the installation of stones in walls, it must be ensured that the type of wall supports the weight of the stone as well as its porosity. If the installation is on floors, topping must be carried out with a good dosage; especially if it will be exposed to outdoor elements.

Regarding the topping, we must emphasize that it must be completely dry with the appropriate dilations and a good dosage.

Third, but not least important, is the proper care when placing the stone with the use of spacers so that the joints between the stones are symmetrical and thus prevent the pieces from breaking in the future. Similarly, cleaning should be done with water and neutral cleaners designed for natural stone. Do not use a mop; rather a damp towel that is first passed to the floor. Then the products can be applied. It is also important to avoid the use of acidic products that can stain the stone.

Let’s not forget that natural stone, as its name indicates, comes from natural processes of millions of years, so each piece of this material is unique and unrepeatable.

Natural stone cladding embellishes any room; take these recommendations into account and encourage yourself to use them.

La entrada Recommendations for working with natural stones se publicó primero en Mar Azul | Project Management.

Now, to take advantage of all the benefits that these systems offer, it is important to select companies with vast experience in their installation, since mistakes can be made that would represent delays and additional costs. For this reason, below we share with you the five errors that we believe are important to pay attention to in order to avoid mistakes associated to light wall installations:

1. Not knowing the system to use, the spacing in the structure and screws, the classification of finish levels, its type of sheet and, of course, the appropriate use for each of them. Failure to use a correct installation according to the type of sheet can cause cracks at the time of installation;
2. Not being clear about the types of finishes and materials to be installed on the light system from the beginning of the work;
3. Not considering the thickness of the materials to be installed inside the lightweight wall will also generate errors at the time of the finishings. For example, not considering the size of the pipes inside the walls, as well as the layout of light walls that are often carried out with inadequate architectural plans;
4. Not using tools that guarantee a good leveling of the structure and sheets, such as the use of a laser, level, plumb lines, rulers, and squares. For example, when checking plumbing and leveling of plastered walls, avoid detecting erroneous unevenness, something that happens a lot in the corners where the plastic corner pieces are placed; and
5. Having a poor disposal and storage of the material can also cause damage to them and affect the final finishing in the future as a result of rusty metals, warped sheets, broken and/or wet sheets.

Our recommendations to avoid mistakes:

→ Define in previous stages the type of system and indicate it from the development of the plan, indicate the correct thickness of the walls, considering the dimensions of the pipes which depend on the electromechanical networks required;
→ Have the details of pipe reinforcements and transitions according to the recommendations of the manufacturers and suppliers. If they are carried out according to these details, no cuts should be generated in the structures;
→ Be clear that the plastic corners generate a thickness that in turn generates an unevenness, so the squares must be verified before placing the plastic corners to avoid unevenness in the final finishing. As well as applying the light in the final incidence of the area; that is, simulate the lamp that will finally be installed;
→ Have a training system supported by system providers, where both construction personnel and supervisors are instructed, prior to the start of installations; and
→ Provide follow-up and assurance on the part of all those involved for compliance with what is established in the system manuals, ensure the correct installation, as indicated.

These simple points and ensuring the involvement of all parties in early stages, have been the success of good management of light systems, providing a reduction in time and costs to benefit our projects.

La entrada Five common mistakes in the installation of lightweight walls and how to avoid them se publicó primero en Mar Azul | Project Management.

In general, a budget could be defined as a prediction of the costs of a work. The objective would be for the prediction to be as accurate as possible, taking into account aspects such as the planning of the activities to be carried out during the execution of the project.

In the world of construction there are several types of budgets. We will mention two types classified by the level of advancement of the design: the first type of budget is known as an estimate, it is based on conceptual designs and it is used mainly for feasibility analysis. The second type is known as a work budget, calculated with developed plans, and it is used as a basis for construction.

To achieve an estimated budget, Mar Azul relies on its experience with similar projects and on its database of real costs of these projects, which allows establishing costs per m2 for each discipline with defined characteristics. Using these data, an objective figure is reached based on ranges of the total cost of the work and the items with the highest risk are defined.

For the work budget, Mar Azul also relies on its database of real costs of similar projects and, in addition, on consultancies with companies and suppliers with whom it has a good commercial relationship, achieving a more exact budget than the estimated . But this would be only the first step, since this budget is only a reference for a bidding process and request for quotations, where the reference budget is a key point for negotiation, review of proposals, and implementation of value engineering. After all this process, the base budget for the start of construction would be obtained.

At Mar Azul, we summarize the three best practices or recommendations that we can cite to prepare a budget as:

→ Key tools, such as an experienced human resource, for us one of our greatest strengths, as well as technological support through adequate software for calculating the budget and, of course, having the plans approved and as complete as possible. At Mar Azul, we rely on the best tools and software on the market such as
Procore y Esticom, which allows us to keep track of the quantifications throughout the budget review process and to better spread the information among all those involved. The use of these tools also provides the flexibility to change the quantification criteria (types of materials, dimensions, among others) in an easy way, saving time and rework.

→ Include clear references, both for quantities and unit prices in order to always have the traceability and basis of origin. Also, have trusted suppliers from which we can support ourselves to validate estimates and market values in real time.

→ Organization, by establishing the scope, planning the activities, and holding approval meetings, both with the assigned team and with the client, to find out their expectations regarding the project, since in many cases there are special items that the clients make special selection; all this in order to clarify any doubts that may arise, avoid confusion, and maintain the same approach in all stages.

Finally, it is important to understand that every budget is based on the documents and information provided by both the client and the designer and, definitely, the more advanced the design development we will have a higher level of definition of the same and we will be able to refine the uncertainty range of the budget estimate. However, in practice it is crucial, if not invaluable, to have an estimate from the start. Based on our experience and references of projects that we have previously managed, we can evaluate and compare to refine the degree of certainty of the estimates, so our main recommendation is an interactive review of all stages, to ensure that the parameters of cost established for the project and the recommendations of our value engineering are followed.

La entrada Project budget management se publicó primero en Mar Azul | Project Management.

You are taking on a new project and you are about to start construction. You already have the awarded contractor and they have agreed a fixed cost for the turnkey execution of the project. It is the day to start construction and the contractor is using a conceptual design that an architect developed for the approval of the blueprint. How does this situation make you feel?

Surely anxious about the lack of definitions, both for execution and for the basis on which they have estimated the fixed cost of the contractor, which — surely — will represent various change orders and cost increases.

This situation cries out for an architect to formalize the construction plans that include all engineering disciplines such as structure, electromechanics, finishes, and others. Knowing that all this information is available prior to the start of the project, or that it is under development, is truly essential for the execution of the project.

Now how does this relate to planning a project?

Just as the architect is in charge of defining and formalizing the construction plans of the project, a clear and structured planning is necessary to guarantee the fulfillment of the project objectives. Not having this is the same as building without plans; a project adrift and without a strategic plan that guarantees its effective fulfillment.

At Mar Azul we help you manage your projects so that you do not feel anxiety during execution and have the clarity, strategy, and planning required to meet your time, cost, and quality objectives.

La entrada Would you build a project without blueprints? se publicó primero en Mar Azul | Project Management.