Architektón is the Greek word for Master Builder. Structures like the Theatre of Dionysus, the Parthenon, the cathedrals of Europe, the London Bridge, and the White House were all testaments to the Master Builder concept. In fact, Master Builders date as far back as 1800 BC in Mesopotamia. The Master Builder process has always been greatly admired across cultures and societies.
Medieval cathedrals are great examples of this type of building mastery. In many cases, these structures took centuries to finish. Often sons and grandsons succeeded the original Master Builder to complete the work that began generations earlier. The building project became a generational dedication from a family.
What is a Master Builder?
A Master Builder accepts full responsibility for integrating conceptual design with functional performance. To assume anything less than complete accountability for delivering a building project was unthinkable. In short, the Master Builder acted as the architect, engineer, and builder.
Although the industry has advanced technologies to complete projects in much less time nowadays, the Master Builder approach still has a place. This is largely the way one thinks of a design-build firm or an integrated firm now. Like these Master Builders of the past, integrated companies that combine architecture, engineering, and construction disciplines are committed to excellence in design and functionality from start to finish.
Why was the Master Builder and Integrated Concept Appealing?
The design-build process effectively addresses accountability, quality, cost, and time through a single entity. This integrated firm becomes the owner for all phases of project management for a building. In an integrated approach, the owner or client does not have to juggle from architect to contractor to find answers. Much like the Master Builder of the past, you have a single point of contact.
With design-build, owners can save money through value engineering and constructability review process. The design-build team evaluates all processes and materials to ensure the methods utilized maximize dollars. Time is saved because the design and construction phases intertwine and overlap. Less time results in lower costs and an earlier utilization of the completed facility.
The VIP Structures Approach
The integrated building approach may seem new and beneficial to many, however, as proven through Architektón, it is a time-honored process and one which VIP has been embracing since its inception in 1975. VIP is a fully integrated design-build firm using our own in-house architects, engineers, and contractors. We create a vision as a space consultant and take your project from concept to completion. VIP Structures has been serving the manufacturing, industrial, commercial, educational, and civic communities for over 40 years. Interested in learning more? Visit our integrated design-build page on our website here.
