Request for Qualifications for Architectural Design Services for The Playspace
- This RFQ was uploaded by the owner.
The Conservancy is pleased to announce that we are requesting qualifications for architectural design services for The Playspace.
In 2007, Frank Gehry offered a gift of his design for a new Battery Playspace to the Battery Conservancy. His gift was accepted by TBC and Parks. Gehry envisioned a play experience that would elevate children in mind, body, and spirit. Playspace is a work of art and imaginative design. Gehry's gravity-defying architectural style creates an incomparable space for improvisation, performance, and spontaneous discovery.
Frank Gehry's gift includes conceptual and schematic design but does not include full architectural and engineering services. TBC must engage a team of licensed design professionals to provide the standard sequence of architectural and engineering services for the project. TBC is seeking to retain an architectural design firm to review the schematic design, process into design development and create construction documents that conform to New York City Department of Parks & Recreation guidelines. Playspace will be funded with private and public fundsa Parks will engage the construction contractors and hold all contracts for the construction of the project. Parks will approve the design, drawings and specifications, which must be prepared in Parks' required format.
TBC seeks an architectural design firm that possesses significant experience working in New York City and with public agencies such as Parks. Playspace is an ambitious project that will require the Executive Architect to collaborate with a landscape architect, engineers, and professional play equipment designers and fabricators-all of whom will be sub-consultants of the Executive Architect (see below), as well as execute coordination of various services for review and approval by public and other agencies including the MTA and Parks, Public Design Commission, TBC Board of Trustees, and others. The landscape architect and the play equipment designer have important roles in this project. The services of a licensed arborist will also be required to insure that the 29 existing trees are protected and safely incorporated in design phases and during construction.
The contract between the Executive Architect and TBC will be a lump sum fee for services. The Executive Architect will hold the contracts for all sub-consultants, with each sub-consultant fee separately identified. TBC reserves the right to approve all sub-consultants and their fees and agreements. The Executive Architect is responsible for first class management and coordination of all sub-consultants (especially the landscape architect and play equipment designer), as well as the review and collaboration with Gehry Partners.
TBC seeks an architectural firm that is flexible, creative, and has the ability to provide significant guidance to TBC throughout the process. TBC and Parks plan to retain a construction management firm for pre-construction and construction services. TBC may also hire an owner's representative for the entire project through completion.
While a substantial amount of fundraising has been completed, TBC must seek additional financing from both the City and other private and/or governmental sources for the project. Design and related services may be divided into phases.
Submission
Respondents should submit qualifications to:
Pat Kirshner, Director of Operations & Planning
The Battery Conservancy
One New York Plaza, Concourse
New York, NY 10004
All pre-submission inquiries should be directed via email to [email protected] (no phone calls). Proposals are due by 4:00 p.m. Please note that this schedule is subject to change.
Timetable
RFQ Release Date: November 8, 2011
Qualifications Due: January 4, 2012
Please carefully read the attached RFQ for submission requirements and evaluation and selection procedures.
