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Izzet Fikirlier, Managing Director“We bring a concept to reality while working beside contractors from a project’s initial stages of development, adequately delivering the design intent to clients,” says Izzet Fikirlier, managing director of SFMM Architects & Consultants.
SFMM’s services range from concept to fabrication, but its approach to construction design varies drastically from its peers.
Engaging contractors from the beginning of every project, SFMM eliminates any potential issues that might arise midway, streamlining the process. It is cost-effective as contractors can avoid reworking on a project that would require more resources and time. Contractors can share their construction know-how, fulfilling the requirements of form and function while accommodating factors like geography, building culture, resource context, budget, and time. Through this out-of-the-box design approach that goes beyond work in the design office, SFMM mitigates challenges. Working with numerous clients in the Middle East has given SFMM an understanding of realistic build expectations and the benefits that can be implemented in the design process.
SFMM uses building information modeling (BIM) as a part of the design approach, which is a project delivery tool that allows it to consistently coordinate and produce drawings and documents.
SFMM creates these detailed digital representations using BIM’s capabilities of integrating multi-disciplinary data. This data is managed on the cloud and can be shared with clients in real time. This helps SFMM meet its commitment to deliver services that meet client requirements and budgets.
An approach SFMM implements in its projects to shorten execution time and make it feasible is deploying its consultants to work at the project location until its completion as opposed to traveling between the central office and the location. Case in point, SFMM, while working on the Airport projects, established an office on-site to deliver required approvals and maintain site supervision. Their presence at the project site enhanced communication with the contractors, accelerating the design process.
In addition to this quality management system, it employs integrated management software that promotes continuous improvement. SFMM’s staff fully understands the system’s functions and uses them to their full potential. Modern, efficient software, combined with the expertise of its staff, enables it to ensure superior design execution.
SFMM’s excellence is evident through the results it produces through its projects. It recently worked on the design for the Kuwait International Airport, providing design development for beam claddings, structural design, design detail development, reducing delivery time and cost while meeting design intent. The large footprint for the hub made the project for SFMM iconic and demanding. The project contract was administered by the Ministry of Public Works (MPW), and SFMM maintained contact with them to regularly share project updates. It also maintained a direct feedback relationship to keep the project flow consistent.
We bring the concept to reality while working alongside contractors from the initial stages of development of a project, delivering satisfaction to clients
“As an architectural firm, we try to bridge the gap between clients and the client’s consultants, fostering trust and confidence,” says Fikirlier.
Fostering this close relationship with clients and contractors from the start, SFMM tailors construction projects while emphasizing practicality and feasibility. It goes to great lengths to maintain the design intent of a building, making SFMM the go-to provider for construction design services.
