Controlling Costs on a Complex UMass Boston Signage Project – Higher Education Series Post 2
ADA, Colleges and Universities, Customer Spotlight, Interior Signage, Metro Sign & Awning, Sign DesignWhile Fitchburg State needed updated signs that complied with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations and a visually appealing way to celebrate its 125th anniversary, the University of Massachusetts Boston needed interior signage and more as part of its Renovations to Existing Academic Buildings (REAB) project. This monumental project included construction in McCormack and Wheatley Halls, Healey Library, and Quinn. Much of the renovation involved adapting vacant spaces to accommodate programs from the Science Center.
Metro Sign’s contribution to the project included providing wayfinding, directories, and ADA compliant signs. UMass Boston initially provided specifications for a higher-end fabrication. When it was determined that the initial sign design would exceed the funds allotted Metro stepped in to help. Understanding the importance of sticking to a budget, we spent time talking to the university’s team to better understand its needs.
It didn’t take long before our sign design and fabrication group returned to the planning table and presented a series of value engineering options to the University that helped keep costs from rising over budget. Our recommendations included an alternative fabrication method for the lab signs and a different material that maintained the design concept and helped UMass Boston control its project costs.
How do you manage a complex project like the REAB project? With lots and lots of planning. After winning the bid and signing the contract, Metro’s design team met with the UMass Boston team to discuss requirements and develop a simple design that complemented the family of signs already in use around campus. We generated drawings sent to the university’s design team and worked collaboratively with the general contractor as well as the architecture & design firm the entire time with an eye both on budget and with one of our company goals: to help our clients see a positive return on their sign investments.
Because huge projects rarely run without at least a few hiccups, we had to pivot a few times so we could successfully address unexpected design challenges that included a looming deadline created by a shortened production schedule, requiring a quick adjustment to our production plan to meet those new deadlines.
Just like we did with UMass and Fitchburg State, Metro Sign always works with our clients to design the right sign type, size, color, lighting, and mounting based on your goals, location, and local sign codes. We collaborate directly with architects, general contractors, and other firms to value-engineer the sign packaging we provide.
Read more posts from our Higher Education Series:
Keeping Pedestrians Safe at Fitchburg State – Higher Education Series Post 1
No Signage Project Too Big at Suffolk University – Higher Education Series Post 3
Building Relationships at Salem State University – Higher Education Series Post 4
