HEAD START CENTER DESIGN GUIDE

2.2 Process

GSA has learned through experience that owner involvement starting at the initial planning stages, is the most valuable investment to ensure the excellence and cost effectiveness of the final result. The process starts with the planning and pre-design stages and moves to design. The early stages of design that lead to the concept can form the foundation of an excellent and functional design.

The design process for new centers or major renovation or expansion should begin with a high level of communication. To facilitate this communication, Head Start may convene a design workshop to which all interested stakeholders should be invited including building managers, Regional Office contacts, the architects and engineers, representatives from boards and policy groups or start-up committees, parents, teachers, and the grantees' administration. GSA has found that projects that start with a design workshop move ahead more effectively.

This design workshop can also be associated with a partnering session. for clarifying roles and responsibilities. Such a session typically results in a written charter that attendees are invited to sign in order to commit themselves to taking clearly defined steps for collaboration.