Top tips for innovative facility renovation and construction

By Albert Marks
Photos: Mosaic Construction

Many important questions, conversations, considerations, and decisions are made during the journey toward a ribbon cutting for a new camp building. At initial meetings, camp owners and directors often focus on the most out-of-the-box, wish-list ideas so the design/build team can articulate the camp’s vision and generate a design that will eventually result in a functional, beautiful space.

What are some important aspects to consider when designing and building a new facility?

There are four areas:

Safety. Campers and staff members entrust you to care for their health and well-being—physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. Therefore, focus on making sure each person feels safe, included, and comfortable when entering and interacting within a space.
Security. Camp is home to so many and a safe place from the dangers of the outside world. A building should convey this feeling.
Efficiency. A building should also be able to accommodate the fast-paced, action-packed daily schedule of camp life. Be purposeful with a building’s use from a logistics standpoint.
Flexibility. Like camp, buildings should be inclusive, welcoming, and accommodating. These buildings must no longer adhere to a function, season, or purpose, and should never be the reason why staff must say “no” to an idea or program. Camp is about being flexible with every aspect of the day, and a building should represent this intentionality.

How does one integrate sustainable “green design” practices?

Green building design can be costly for camps and facilities that are dependent on large numbers of resources like electricity and water. However, using efficient resources, like sustainable siding, fencing, and insulation, can conserve water and electricity, resulting in lower operating costs.

What are some of the latest trends in facility renovations?

There is a real increase in specialty camps and programs and an emphasis on the facilities to accommodate them, especially as the modern-day camper has done specialized, experiential learning at home. There’s also an uptick in the need for full industrial kitchens for school-level cooking classes, technology hubs for STEM programs, and countless other unique camp concepts. There’s also an emergence of academic-based camps where school and classroom design techniques and themes have come into play.

A continued trend is a focus and interest in the outdoors and nature. With so many people being forced to spend time inside during the pandemic, this is reflected in camp facility design as well. Outdoor gardens, recycling/compost sites, even full-blown outdoor, hands-on science centers that allow for daily interaction with biology, chemistry, physics, and more have become a need as well as a want.

How do I find the right design/build team?

Hire a design/build team with a track-record and experience of successfully delivering facilities like the one you envision.

The design-builder should be able to solve problems “on the fly” since changes in expectations, regulations, and trends within the camping world pose new and different challenges with each project. The design-builder should also be an adept collaborator, especially with you, the architect, engineers, and trade contractors.

When partnering with a general contractor, choose an experienced management team with a problem-solving mentality and accommodating approach. The design/build team should be as dedicated to the success of a camp and its experience as you are.

What are some common mistakes to avoid?

Sometimes, general contractors or architects are selected because of previously completed projects beyond the camp world. However, there’s no substitute for experience; a home builder may build beautiful buildings yet does not have field experience with lighting or HVAC systems; or an architect who designs retail spaces may not understand the unique complexity and necessities of a summer-camp facility. A design/build partner should be able to speak of “tales from the trenches” related to camp-facility construction. A team should not be saying, “Let’s learn this together.”

As a camp owner, what is the right level of engagement throughout the construction process?

A facility is the backdrop for every aspect of a camp, whether it’s a living space, dining hall, or program area. Expect to maintain a proactive working relationship with a designer and general contractor throughout the process, so your voice is present as key decisions are being made, and let the contractor manage the trades.

Like the camp industry, construction is nuanced and complex. Finding the right partner to help navigate the design and build process will go a long way to simplifying the endeavor, while avoiding common mistakes and keeping you informed along the way.

Albert Marks is Manager of Business Development for Mosaic Construction—a national, commercial, multi-family, and residential design-build construction firm that has been providing strategic planning, programming, architecture, engineering, and construction services across the United States for more than 30 years. He works directly with developers, owners, operators, and managers to determine design and construction needs and budget and regulatory parameters, and he ensures those needs are met. Reach him at albert@mosaicconstruction.net and on LinkedIn.

Building For The Future