Introduction

JD Grothe + Associates and its predecessor firm has designed and delivered more than $60 million in school construction projects in the past five years alone. These projects not only establish our ability to design attractive, functional and sustainable projects, but also our ability to get those buildings DSA-approved and built in a cost-effective and timely manner. 

Our extensive work with several area school districts has given JD Grothe + Associates unparalleled knowledge of building and facility requirements on school campuses, as well as the opportunity to develop close, collaborative working relationships with various faculties, District administrators and DSA reviewers.

    Architectural Approach 

Most people think the most important ability an architect has is the ability to draw. It is not. The most important ability an architect possesses is the ability to listen.

At JD Grothe + Associates, we pride ourselves on how well we listen.  We believe this is the most important skill we bring to a project because buildings are not theories. They don’t exist in a vacuum and can’t just work on paper. Buildings must work for the people who use them every day – the faculty, staff and students. They must work for the campus and for the District, supporting and enhancing the educational vision of the Board.  To design buildings that succeed on all those levels – it is vital for the architect to listen.

    Qualifications

JD Grothe + Associates specializes in designing buildings for local school districts, including modernization, renovation, new construction and deferred maintenance projects. We are a local firm and immediately accessible to the District through every project phase. The owner of the company is J.D. Grothe. Mr. Grothe is a member of the American Institute of Architects and past president of the Sierra Valley Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

JD Grothe + Associates and our project team have a thorough working knowledge of the Divisions of the State Architect’s required design standards, including those related to the California Building Code and Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations. We also have a very good working relationship with DSA. The fact that 278 of our projects have been reviewed and approved by DSA – 108 in the past five years alone – substantiates this experience. We know what DSA is looking for and is comfortable with.  These are important factors in keeping a project on schedule and on budget. 

In addition to DSA, we have outstanding working relationships with local government agencies in Stanislaus County, and extensive experience processing projects through the planning and funding process of the California Department of Education and the Office of Public School Construction.

    Architectural Services Offered

Narrative

 The following is a narrative of the architectural services offered by JD Grothe + Associates:

 In the Schematic Design Phase, JD Grothe + Associates will translate the needs and desires of the District into single-line drawings of the architectural, structural, mechanical and electrical systems, and provide outline specifications of those systems. 

 After presenting schematic drawings and specifications to the District and receiving feedback, we will proceed to the Design Development Phase.  In this phase, we further develop the design concept and produce detailed drawings and specifications of the architectural, structural, mechanical and electrical systems, as well as civil and landscape work.

 After review Narrative

and approval by the District, JD Grothe + Associates will proceed to the Construction Documents Phase.  Documents will be submitted to the District when they are 50% and 100% complete.  The 100% complete set will be submitted to DSA. After review by the District and DSA, JD Grothe + Associates will complete any backcheck work required and present to the District final Construction Documents stamped and signed by DSA. 

We will perform Bidding Phase services for the District, including assisting in the preparation of bidding procedures and preparing any addenda to the drawings and specifications necessary. JD Grothe + Associates will attend the bid opening and, when a contract is awarded, proceed to the Construction Administration Phase.  In this phase, JD Grothe + Associates will review and approve submittals and respond to all requests for information as expeditiously as possible to keep the project on schedule. 

After construction ends, we will perform Close-Out Phase services specified in the Contract. During all phases of the project, JD Grothe + Associates will meet regularly with the District and Contractor to ensure that the project stays on track and on budget and that the building that emerges exceeds the expectations of all involved.