Because of the exposed ductwork, Ken knew that the TechSpace project required an exceptional air conditioning design-build contractor. From the selling of the job right through the punch list, he found that TEAM Marina was the partner he needed. "Marina’s reliability and predictability built a bond of trust," Ken explains. "They don’t waste our time. We don’t have to look over their shoulder. They don’t cover their tracks with needless paperwork."

"We’re not for every subcontractor," Ken continues. He cites the TechSpace improvements as a good example. "Before we had a contract, we asked Marina for many preliminary budgets and held several development meetings. Marina’s Design and Sales Engineer, Vince Aiello, offered close to a dozen ideas on budget. Marina’s willingness to  help us sell the project helped us consolidate our relationship with our New York based tenant who did not have ties to a Bay Area contractor.

"Coordination of trades was particularly difficult on this project, and Marina proved to be the most pro-active subcontractor, setting the example and leading the way. They worked hard every day for eight months, and their professional approach helped us negotiate the changes that come up in any project."

"Our subcontractor list is short", Ken concludes. "We get competitive numbers, but we go back to the same subs because of reliability. A construction project is a long hard road. I only want to go down that road with people like Marina."

In 1980 Fine Line Group founders, John Santori and Bob Helmers, went into business building museum exhibits. It was a natural evolution into high-end customer spaces. To do this work successfully requires blending professionalism with a creative personal approach. Ken puts it this way, "Fine Line Group feels like a family business without being tiny, and a corporation without being too large. We are a good team. We all get along. It’s a fun company to work for." Ken explains how this happens by quoting his boss, John Santori, who says, "If it isn’t fun, why do it?" At Marina we feel the same way. Maybe that’s why the TechSpace job worked out so well.

Finding the Right Solution In a Design-Build Relationship
Sausal and Marina Know What Customer Service is All About
Using Energy Savings to Pay for Capital Improvements
Marina Meets A Creative Design Challenge for DBD Structures

Making the Architect Look Good ...

TechSpace Architect Ron Wallace asked Marina to contribute artistically AND reduce building costs. Ron explains his creative challenge at TechSpace and how Marina met it. "Ductwork, conduit, cable wiring, gas, water and drain lines were all run exposed, making the routing of the ductwork an artistic endeavor. This was worked out on site mostly by Vince Aiello (our design engineer), the general contractor, the subs and myself."

But that was not all. "Come up with some savings proposals," Ron asked. "OK," Vince replied, and we delivered over $25,000 in savings right off the top. Here are the direct savings we proposed and delivered with no compromise to the building’s performance requirements:

Eliminate the double vibration isolation.

Downsize the main unit and still meet the tenant cooling requirement.

Relocate the main unit to make room on the roof.

Relocate shafts to minimize impact on office space.

Consolidate the air distribution shafts.

Elevate the units for structural support so they will never interfere with re-roofing.

Route the ductwork by overlaying the electrical conduit, lighting and plumbing for maximum headspace.

Ron looks back on the experience with obvious pleasure. "I really liked working with Vince," he says. "He is extremely bright, articulate and well organized. Our discussions don’t drag on for hours. After he showed me the revised calculations, I let him run with it, and everything worked fine."

At Marina, we know it’s our job to give that extra effort. It’s good for our customers. It’s good for the other professionals and trades on the project. Finding and delivering dollar savings builds good will and strong relationships. It also makes contracting fun!

Ron is a founder of Mock/Wallace Architects in San Francisco. Since 1978, his firm has built offices, public housing, libraries, community centers, fire stations and police buildings. Current projects include consulting with the City of San Jose on space planning and move coordination for a $300,000,000 facility with 2,000 employees and a $9,000,000 hotel rehab in the Tenderloin.

Finding the Right Solution In a Design-Build Relationship

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