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Avoiding Over-Design: How Collaboration Saved $3 Million

August 12, 2025
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Community

Avoiding Over-Design: How Collaboration Saved $3 Million

On a recent six-storey mixed-use project in St. John�s, Newfoundland, an architect we�ve partnered with many times reached out with a concern.

They were working with an engineering firm tied to the project owner, but the designs for the mechanical, electrical, and structural systems seemed overly complex � and costly. The architect suspected there was room for optimization without compromising performance or safety.

Our role was to conduct a detailed peer review. By analyzing each system and looking for efficiencies, our mechanical, electrical, and structural teams identified opportunities to simplify and streamline the design.

The result? Approximately $2.5 million in savings on our side, plus an additional $500,000 saved through architectural adjustments. Those savings kept the project viable, maintained jobs, and ensured investment flowed into the community.

Thanks to the client�s trust, we took over the design and delivered the project. Bringing our national experience to the table meant drawing on lessons learned from across Canada, applying best practices that work in a variety of markets and conditions.

We do this regularly � helping clients avoid unnecessary cost, complexity, and risk while ensuring high-quality, code-compliant designs.

Sometimes the best design decision is knowing when less is more.

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