BUILDING & DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
Engineering for building and development projects.
RAM works with developers and building and property owners on new buildings, sites, renovations, expansions and other development-related engineering needs.
PROJECT PATHWAYS
Find your building or development type.
Choose a pathway below to review how RAM may become involved and what information can help define the engineering and design scope.
COORDINATED PROJECT DELIVERY
The project requirements determine RAM’s role.
Depending on the building type, occupancy, project requirements and professional disciplines required, RAM’s involvement may range from an individual structural or civil/site engineering service to a more coordinated building-design and engineering package.
For suitable projects, RAM may coordinate Building Design & Drafting + Structural Engineering + Civil & Site Engineering to provide a coordinated set of building and engineering drawings. The appropriate approach depends on the actual project, applicable code and professional requirements.
Where additional professional disciplines are required, RAM can work as part of the broader project team and coordinate its building, structural and civil/site work with the other consultants.
Commercial & Retail
Commercial buildings, retail developments, offices and mixed commercial projects can involve both the building and the surrounding site. RAM’s role may begin with a defined structural or civil/site requirement or expand into a coordinated engineering and building-design scope where appropriate.
Structural considerations may include framing systems, foundations, additions, tenant or building alterations, equipment-related modifications and coordination of openings or loads. Civil/site work may include grading, drainage, servicing, access and other development requirements. Where applicable, RAM’s Building Design & Drafting capability can help coordinate the building documents with the engineering.
Useful starting information may include
- Property and proposed-use information
- Available survey, geotechnical and servicing information
- Building size, layout, materials and intended construction approach
- Municipal, schedule and consultant requirements known so far
Multi-Unit Residential
Apartments, condominiums, townhouses and other multi-unit residential developments may require coordinated attention to the building, foundations, site and servicing. RAM may work as one engineering consultant within a broader project team or provide a more coordinated package where the project and professional requirements permit.
Structural engineering may address the selected framing system, load paths, foundations, balconies, openings and interfaces between materials. Civil/site engineering may address grading, drainage, servicing, parking and site access. For appropriate projects, RAM may also coordinate building design and drafting with the structural and civil/site engineering.
Coordination may involve
- Unit layouts, building form and proposed construction system
- Survey, geotechnical and site-servicing information
- Parking, access, grading and drainage requirements
- Consultant roles, permitting requirements and expected deliverables
Industrial & Manufacturing
Industrial, manufacturing and operational facilities often need engineering coordinated around equipment, processes, building systems, site operations and future change. RAM may assist with new facilities, additions, renovations, equipment replacements and upgrades, equipment-related modifications or a clearly defined engineering scope within a larger project.
Structural work may include building framing, foundations, equipment supports, rooftop equipment and RTU modifications, openings, reinforcing existing structures and other alterations. Civil/site work may include servicing, drainage, grading, access and site changes associated with the operation. Where appropriate, building design and drafting can help coordinate layouts and permit or construction documents with the engineering scope.
Project definition may require
- Process, equipment and operational requirements relevant to the design
- Existing drawings and verified conditions for additions or alterations
- Equipment loads, clearances, access and interface information
- Site, servicing, drainage and construction-sequencing information
Warehouses & Distribution
Warehouse and distribution projects may include new buildings, expansions, interior alterations, loading areas and related site development. RAM’s role can range from a specific structural or civil/site service to coordinated building design and engineering where appropriate.
Structural considerations may include long-span framing, foundations, mezzanines, building alterations, equipment or rooftop-unit supports, new openings, loading and material-handling interfaces. Civil/site considerations may include truck access, grading, drainage, servicing, parking and loading areas. For appropriate projects, RAM may also coordinate building design and drafting with the structural and civil/site engineering.
Useful project information may include
- Proposed storage, loading and operational requirements
- Building area, clear heights, spans and framing preferences
- Truck movements, access, parking and loading arrangements
- Survey, site servicing, drainage and geotechnical information
Agricultural Buildings
Agricultural projects may include farm shops, barns, livestock buildings, machinery and equipment storage buildings, agricultural storage buildings, operational buildings, additions and related site work. The engineering and design approach depends on the building use, size, construction system, site and project requirements.
RAM may assist with structural systems, foundations, large openings, equipment or storage loads, and additions or alterations to existing buildings. Civil/site work may include grading, drainage, access and servicing. For suitable projects, RAM may also coordinate building design and drafting with the structural and civil/site engineering to provide a more complete project package.
Starting information may include
- Intended building use, equipment and storage requirements
- Building dimensions, clearances and preferred construction system
- Existing-building information where an addition or alteration is planned
- Property, survey, drainage, access and servicing information
Institutional & Community
Institutional and community projects may include schools, churches and places of worship, community centres, recreation facilities and other public-serving buildings. The work may involve new construction, additions, renovations, building alterations and site improvements.
RAM may provide structural engineering, civil/site engineering or a defined engineering scope as part of a broader consultant team. Work may include building structures, foundations, additions and alterations, grading, drainage, servicing and other site requirements, coordinated with the project team and overall building design.
Coordination may include
- Building use, functional requirements and available project drawings
- Existing-building information for renovations or additions
- Survey, geotechnical, servicing, grading and drainage information
- Project team responsibilities, schedule and required submissions
Planning a building or development project?
Share the building, site and project information available so far to begin a discussion with RAM.