Case Study: University of Iowa Residence Hall Comparison

Case Study Summary

Two similar residence halls at the University of Iowa built project 2 years of each other constructed by the same contractor. One project used traditional Design-Bid-Build while the other project used Design-Build.

Design-Bid-Build (Traditional)
Cost per Sq Foot
$ 0
Design-Build (Alternative)
Cost per Sq Foot
$ 0

Delivery System Comparison

The following information came form University of Iowa bid tabs and the University of Iowa Campus Spaces which describes each building on campus.

Mary Louise Petersen Residence Hall

Design-Bid-Build (Traditional)
Cost
$33,664,611.00
Gross Square Footage
178,906 sqft
Cost per Square Foot
$188.17/sqft
Population
501
SQFT/Student
357 sqft/student
Year Built
2015

Elizabeth Catlett Residence Hall

Design-Build (Alternative)
Cost
$77,999,997.00
Gross Square Footage
315,459 sqft
Cost per Square Foot
$247.26/sqft
Population
1049
SQFT/Student
300 sqft/student
Year Built
2017

Conclusion

Using the Design-Bid-Build, the cost per square foot was more cost effective.
Saved with Design-Bid-Build
≈ $ 20 /sqft