Our Business Model
We really try to deliver a combination of three things that are difficult to do—a responsive design, technological expertise (that manifests itself both in the knowledge of complicated project types and uses, but also in the methodologies of delivering them), and a high level of service.
Our business model is similar to the retail challenge of providing goods at a low price with high service.
I think that our business model, which has been very effective over the years, will continue to evolve around our various studios of expertise (similar to the multiple practices at a law firm). We also look at what areas we should add to be able to serve our clients and to try and stay a step ahead so we’re there to help them build facilities for their missions. A couple years ago, we added a true planning studio that focuses on preservation planning for housing and mixed-use development, where we’re doing planning for projects like the Atlanta Beltline. The Beltline is a very exciting concept for introducing a people mover, linear parks and recreational facilities that’ll then take advantage of rehabilitating existing building stock and add new buildings as needed. We recently doubled the size of our preservations practice. A few years ago we added a housing and mixed-use practice. Looking forward, we’ll be seeking new opportunities to add other expertise-based practices.
Over the years, Lord, Aeck & Sargent has earned a well deserved reputation for upholding its core values. These include:
Responsive design approach, which includes as a matter of course: 1) designing new structures that are meant to be long-lasting, yet flexible enough to adapt to future changes to their original intended function, 2) preserving historic structures to continue to serve our communities and to meet today’s ever-changing functional demands, 3) applying advanced research into the relationship of the built environment and human behavior to increase performance and productivity, and 4) emphasizing the integration of sustainable design strategies into the planning and design process.
Technological expertise in a wide range of areas, enabling the firm to handle everything from the delicate restoration and rehabilitation of centuries-old buildings to the design of complex, interdisciplinary science research laboratories.
Exceptional client service, which means listening carefully to understand each client’s needs and desires before creating. Lord, Aeck & Sargent provides a very high level of interaction with its clients throughout the entire planning, programming, design and construction process.
