CONTRACTOR SUCCESS STORY II
One of Redesign Group ’ s long-term goals is to provide more design-build services to public agencies and other clients . Currently , designbuild is more commonly used on federal rather than on state or city level projects , but Ladan Naraghi , President of Redesign Group , Inc ., sees utilizing integrated design-build services as an opportunity for state , county and city agencies to save time and money by minimizing the significant errors which often occur when architectural and engineering services are contracted separately from construction services . As Ladan points out , “ My company can do so much more , and we truly want to be part of improving our city and environment .”
On some projects for which Ladan ’ s firm has been the builder only , it ’ s been evident that the architect and engineers did not fully investigate and familiarize themselves with the construction site , resulting in numerous avoidable design mistakes . On one such project , she had to produce close to thirty RFIs to address design issues . “ I am happy to be the builder on a project , but often when I am hired only as the builder , I end up having to correct many issues that could have been avoided by using our company for both the design and the build ,” explains Ladan . “ Working as both the designer and the builder , we are able to proactively assess and address potential challenges from both perspectives – which is vital to ensuring that from design conception to project completion , the process is as accurate , streamlined , costeffective and efficient as possible .”
Ladan Naraghi , President , Redesign Group , Inc .
Part of Redesign Group ’ s mission is to help public agencies rise above the systemic inefficiencies that prevent the timely implementation of real solutions to urban dilemmas . “ We have the breadth and depth of experience to get things done ,” she notes . Redesign Group has worked on two small projects in Skid Row with the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles ( HACLA ), managed by Volunteers of America – one remodeling rooms in a shelter to make them more comfortable and appealing . At the California Institution for Women ( CIW ) in Chino , Redesign Group also remodeled and upgraded a 4,000 sf building to create offices and classrooms for a career technical education program which provides computer and coding instruction to help inmates find gainful employment after release . The company completed a similar conversion for a juvenile correction facility . “ One reason I came to public works is to contribute to our community ,” Ladan explains , “ and these
SPRING 2023 LA CONTRACTOR CONNECTION - 29