Approach
THE AXIOM APPROACH
Axiom NW embraces the challenges and rewarding experience of construction from conceptual planning and site selection to turning over a finished building. We have found great joy in helping to create new spaces for our clients and their end users. Another of our core values and approaches to added value to the team is focused support that draws on years of experience navigating a sometimes very complex pre-construction process.
A collaborative team formed in the early stages of your project at a municipal level helps with long term success to completion. Fostering a collaborative team mentality with the Planning Department, Inspectors and Utility Representatives helps pave the way for accomplishing goals and overcoming challenges with a professional, timely resolution. Buy-in and support from City Departments has become a crucial part of Axiom NW’s successes in over 60 different municipalities.
PLANNING
Axiom Northwest provides clients with line-item estimates to help see how and where a project can be refined to fit within the structure of financing goals. Over several years this work has given us perspective on predicting cost projections as far as 3 years in advance. Various factors including maintenance budgets, keeping an eye on design intent, overall longevity of the improvement or project, and advocacy for the end user.
Speculative Budgets
Axiom NW provides clients with line-item estimates to help shine a light on how and where a project can be refined to fit within the structure of financing goals. Over the years, this work has given us perspective on predicting cost projections as far as 3 years in advance. Various factors including maintenance budgets, design intent, overall longevity of the improvements and advocacy for the end user.
Design/Build
Our team has decades worth of experience to draw from along with a dedicated group of subcontractors. We find the design-build process to be rewarding and enjoy sharing our knowledge of building materials and techniques with Owners, Architects and Design Professionals, while learning new things from others.
The collaborative process of design-build is a great outlet for all, collectively we tap into our professional experiences together. Axiom NW prides itself on encouraging a “Collaborate First” positive environment for each project we are part of no matter the size.
Planning & Permit Services
Axiom NW prides itself when called upon to assist navigating local AHJ’s. We have done just that from Sacramento CA to Lee’s Summit MO with many jurisdictions between. Knowing how to collaborate with plan reviewers, permit technicians and building inspectors from across the country has been a great learning experience. Walking into a pre-con meeting or helping provide comment requests with a positive, team first attitude has helped Architects keep projects moving forward and us doing what we do best, building.
Value Engineering
One of our greatest attributes is a willing readiness to source smart, economical solutions without compromising quality, or design intent by drawing on the collective knowledge of our team combined with our subcontractors. Suggesting options can help minimize costs and maintain budgets. Axiom NW’s hard-won knowledge is readily shared when requested by the design team or presented during the bidding process.
Axiom NW has maintained many of the buildings we have constructed over the past 15 years. We are keenly aware of products that are often asked to perform and still look good at a high level for years. This connection to the end user and their maintenance team has allowed us to gain valuable insight that can be helpful regarding specific techniques or products. This insight has also taught us how important it is to support the end user as they move in and utilize their new space.
CONSTRUCTION
From decades of combined experience to draw from, Axiom NW has learned many aspects of construction and will often self-perform tasks that may otherwise impede schedules or create unnecessary cost overages. We have experience ranging from building in sub-zero temperatures, major soil remediation with vapor intrusion mitigation, building on a designated pedestrian and mass transit corridor in the middle of a busy city to building in protected wetlands with a hazardous aquifer plume to avoid below. In addition to flying and setting structural steel and pan decking to fabricating steel embeds and decorative gates and facades, we are a talented group of carpenters and welders. Axiom NW can perform many ground-up specific duties and the experience we bring to the table is a benefit to all. We love playing in the dirt from simple excavations to very complex storm vaults and swales.
Site Improvements
The first step and sometimes the largest cost is the site and utility work that comes first in site improvements. Not only has Axiom NW started handling more and more of their responsibility, but we also have trusted partners to work with as often as the location allows. Axiom NW has successfully navigated some incredibly challenging sites from building a 12,000 ft. clinic on protected wetlands to mitigating a contaminated site and installing a state-of-the-art passive vapor intrusion system to breathe new life and a bright future into a 3-acre parcel with an active creek running through it.
Core & Shell/Building Improvements
A building’s footprint is critical and is the foundation of a project’s success. Knowing all aspects of the trades and skills required for this fundamental step in the process are things we first learned building houses in the ‘80’s. Techniques may have changed 20 times since then, but the fundamentals are the same. Self-performing these tasks makes us a desirable partner.
Whether building structural steel fabrication, wood stick framing or tilt-up buildings, Axiom NW’s field crew members have extensive experience with getting buildings up and out of the ground and ready for the next phase of construction.
Tenant Improvements
Converting existing or vacant spaces is a common challenge Axiom NW has been competing regularly for the last 15 years. The fact that each project presents new challenges speaks to the inherent complexity of the process. Making things look easy and delivering an exceptional finished product for the Owner/Tenant is another core value and pillar of our mission. Building for our client, breathing life into the Design Team’s vision while respecting the budget and timeline is one main reason our clients keep coming back to us.
Self Performed Tasks
Our dynamic team includes many skilled tradespeople, and this allows us to offer added savings and tighter control over the schedule. We can overlap certain tasks with Axiom NW’s field crew performing tasks that would otherwise be hired out, helping us to accelerate schedules in ways not easily achieved otherwise.
Axiom NW has a metal fabrication/welding and woodworking shop that can be an integral part of our projects, enabling us to fabricate many parts needed while installing and erecting structural steel or helping with embeds for a tilt-up building. Axiom NW’s in-house welding capability is an added benefit, oftentimes assisting to overcome unforeseen engineering or design challenges by not outsourcing critical parts and immediately responding. This added layer of skill and support also helps keep the schedule on time and the budget in line.
Our assortment of equipment can be utilized when needed, not only for added value but also eliminating time and effort of mobilizing rental equipment to job sites.
Scheduling & Procurement
Proven scheduling strategies changed when COIVD19 happened, that supply chain interruption is still with us today and is impacting current and future projects. Axiom NW responded by inventing new strategies with not only our own vendors, but Owner’s suppliers as well.
Our response was to create a back-end deliverables matrix creating better project flow. These new tools and ideas have seen benefits with our Subcontractor pipeline by encouraging new and better approaches to how we communicate as a team. We are now able to hold new efficiencies in a way that leads to results by focusing on positive solutions while still holding vendors & suppliers accountable to the construction schedule.
SPECIALTIES
Occupied Spaces & Maintenance
Even a well-maintained facility will be due for system upgrades and improvements over time. We’ve proudly completed countless retrofits for our clients with no disruption to daily operations. Ranging from simple tasks such as finish refreshes or fixture upgrades to more complex projects such as equipment upgrades or phased remodels and expansions.
Active clinics present unique needs when it comes time for an upgrade or make repairs. They require added levels of planning, safety, cleanliness, professionalism & empathy for the surroundings. Lessons we have learned from working in occupied spaces translate across all Axiom NW’s building practices, and our team has developed an extra level of attention to detail that is now second nature.
Vapor Intrusion Mitagation Systems
Vapor intrusion mitigation is a proven and effective process of ensuring fumes from contaminates deep within the soil, often traced down to the water table and beyond, don’t affect the health and wellbeing of people, animals, and vegetation at or above ground level. Each project requires unique solutions, typically involving a combination of surface level excavation, piping network, new soil and rock and a 100-mil vapor barrier to transfer vapor and fumes from where they are to where they can be safely expelled.
These systems create usable real estate from what was a previously contaminated parcel is a rewarding experience, and Axiom NW is proud to say they have installed these systems with a smile.
