Following a constant evolutionary process, Progetto CMR has expanded its integrated design approach, moving from drawing to creating. Consistent with its vision of “total integration”, after having introduced the engineering, technical aspects and regulations into the architectural project, the company opened the Progetto Design & Build division to respond to market demands.
In the interview Massimiliano Notarbartolo, CEO of Progetto Design & Build explains what are the distinctive elements of this method that reaches the complete fit-out.

The Progetto Design & Build division -owners 70% Progetto CMR and 30% Massimiliano Notarbartolo, CEO- founded just over a year ago, already has an enviable portfolio of references and closed 2018 with 4 million euro turnover.
A success due to the passion and commitment of a 12 people team and the resources shared with Progetto CMR (a 160 professionals staff and over 2600 projects).

What are the differences between Design & Build approach and the so-called Turnkey?

Turnkey refers to the realization concerning furnishings and accessories. This approach can not respond to the demands of an evolved market: customers asked us to close the project, to entirely realize it.

Design & Build means starting from the analysis, designing and getting to realization, including not only the architectural project and the building, but also the engineering (electrical, mechanical, data) up to the furniture, to the complete fit out.

The strength of the Design & Build project is to consider the realization already in the starting phase; including professionals that take part in the project: engineers and project managers and specialists in financial aspects to guarantee the quality of the project and the respect of time and costs without overriding the fixed budgets.

Is it possible to lower the quality of the project in order to respect time and costs?

No, quite the opposite. To guarantee a high quality level, we spend more time in the preliminary analysis following a method usually adopted in Germany.
Each aspect, each variant is analyzed, before developing the meta-project: building analysis, contractual aspects, surveys on the ways of working of employees and even critical issues that could be created due to disturbance caused to “neighbors”. It may seem like a waste of time, but it is precisely what avoids bad surprises under construction.

So does the work team also include unusual professionals?

Exactly. In particular there are three professional figures that we consider fundamental.
Two risk managers participate in the development of the projects, taking into consideration all the financial and legal aspects. For example, we consider the risk for a possible delivery delay of suppliers. The customer is always informed about these risks.

Another new expertise is the defect engineer who comes into action a couple of weeks before delivering the project to check everything that could have escaped the project team; exactly the same that happens in the quality control of the production chain of the car industry.

Last figure is the trainer who accompanies employees in changing new offices, explaining to groups how to use spaces, furnishings, common areas and escape routes, how to manage customizable systems, how to use workstations, wiring and furniture.

So the employees are not involved in the design phase?

Engagement also involves emotional aspects that can distort the results. We prefer a very profound analysis phase preceding the project. This survey allows us to know the client’s needs based on four variables: behavior, diversity, space innovation and brand identity.

After the debate with top and middle management, we pass from qualitative to quantitative analysis.
All this information allows us to get to the meta-project that is finally a shared design.
The D & B project is a journey that starts from knowing the client’s dreams and realize them. It is a huge responsibility, we can be dream maker or create a nightmare ….

When the customer understands that we can realize the project of his own life, it is no longer essential to do it quickly. However, the customer expects to do it on time and with the right costs.
The validity of our approach is concretely measured : after 1 year of activity, we have recorded only successes and no objections.

What are the differences between Progetto Design & Build and the other companies that apply the same method?

Unlike other companies, we did not start as dealers and we are not a multinational company. We are not general contractors, so we realize only what we design.
We are an integrated design company; our need is to understand the customers’ request to be able to face the project in all its phases.
Each project is different. We have consolidated cornerstones and we know what the customer wants: he wants to realize his own dream even if cuts are needed.

In the images, some of the venues created in Milan by Progetto Design & Build in 2018: Sobi, Merz Pharma, Aquileia Capital, E-Novia Innovation Center, Logicor.

Photo by Paolo Riolzi