A Conversation with James Hughes, Manager of the Construction Contract Administration Team

Earlier this year, James Hughes, STUDIO tla’s Manager of Construction Contract Administration, was appointed to Associate. With a well-rounded background that ranges from guest lecturing at the University of Guelph, to contributing articles to landscape architecture platform The Landscape Library, to inspecting construction activities on project sites, James brings a diverse and well-informed perspective to his role.

We caught up with James to learn more about his responsibilities and the team he leads at STUDIO tla.

Tell us about your role with the contract administration team.

“In a nutshell, I am part of team that works to ensure that our designs are built with the highest quality possible, to accurately reflect the details,  specifications and design intent of each project.
 
"I often represent STUDIO tla as a prime consultant on project sites, acting as our eyes and ears and communicating constantly with clients, contractors, trades, inspectors and others. If site conditions change or constructability issues arise, I coordinate any necessary changes in contract documents immediately with clients and municipal representatives. This is a big part of my job because producing timely site instructions, change orders and required reports ensures projects stay on track.”
 
What approach does your team take to fulfill its duties?

“Our team is very much about using an integrated-system approach This means that our contract administrators–Sam Marsala, Gavin Arnott and I–are involved throughout the entire design process, which ensures constructability and implementation are key cornerstones throughout project development. Our CA’s strive to be  involved early on in the design process, and this really helps them gain a detailed understanding of the design details  and the client’s expectations. We also actively collaborate  and participate in QA/QC from the projects onset.

"They work to create a cooperative partnership with our design teams, making sure that all information–including material selection, key design decisions, critical features, etc.– are accurately represented through the design process."  
 
Not all landscape architecture firms boast an in-house contract administration team. What value do you feel your team offers STUDIO tla’s clients?

“We bring a complete understanding of the detailed contract scope as well as the construction process to each meeting and site visit. Construction can follow non-linear progressions but by providing our clients with a confident understanding of how we will deliver these projects is a main focus of ours. Our involvement throughout the process gives us deeper insights that help identify potential issues before they happen, which ultimately mitigates risks for our clients and the studio.”
 
What does becoming an Associate at STUDIO tla mean to you?

"Being elevated to an Associate at STUDIO tla reinforced the continued message that our firm is committed not only to a high level of design but also ensuring those designs are implemented in the field at an equally high level. I have been fortunate to have been able to surround myself with a strong and hard-working team who embody the key values critical to ensure our designs can be implemented, while also maintaining the same cornerstone design values that led to their creation."