If you’re embarking on a construction or renovation project, touring example building designs can be one of the most valuable parts of the design process. Seeing how other teams have handled similar projects firsthand can spark all kinds of ideas and help you avoid potential pitfalls.

But to really get the most out of these tours, you need to go in armed with thoughtful questions. Without a game plan, it’s easy to miss key details or not dig into the nitty-gritty of what worked, what didn’t, and why. 

As someone who has toured many projects for clients over the years, I’ve put together this guide of questions to ask when you check out example buildings. My goal is to help you have meaningful conversations and gain insights that will directly inform decisions for your own project.

Below I’ve outlined questions to ask in various categories, from big picture goals to specific finishes. I recommend adapting this list to your unique needs and priorities. Bring it with you on tours and take notes! The more great examples you can experience and learn from, the better ideas you’ll have to draw from.

Alright, let’s dive in! Here are my top suggested questions to ask when touring example building designs:

Overview of the Project 

Before digging into details, get a high-level lay of the land by asking about:

– The scope and goal of the project – Was it a new construction or renovation? What was the size and budget?

– Functions the building had to accommodate – Did program requirements shift during design?

– The project timeline – How long from concept to completion? Any delays?

– The team involved – Architect, contractor, tradespeople, etc. How were they assembled?

– Codes and regulations – What applied to the project and site? 

Gaining this foundational understanding of the project parameters, priorities and team dynamics provides helpful context for the more detailed questions to come. It allows you to better evaluate if certain strategies could work in your scenario.

Design Intent and Inspiration

Now dig into the design details by asking:

– What was the inspiration and aesthetic goals? Were specific styles requested by the client?

– How did the design address user needs and required functions? 

– What key choices shaped the design? What tradeoffs were made?

– How did the concept evolve from early ideas to final build? What changed and why?

– How were lighting, flow and openness used to craft interior feel?

The answers reveal what drove layout, material and detailing decisions and give you insight into whether certain ideas align with your own project’s vision. Understanding the design priorities and challenges can help inform your approach.

Layout and Flow

As you tour the actual spaces, consider: 

– How does the floorplan layout support the intended uses and activities? 

– How do the spaces connect and flow together? Are any adjacencies especially good or problematic?

– Were there any complex spatial problems to solve? Why were certain layout solutions chosen?

– Did building codes impact the layout in any way? Were variances needed?

– Can the layout adapt to changing needs over time? Is flexibility incorporated?

Experiencing the layout firsthand and seeing how well it works for the functions reveals important insights about spatial relationships, circulation, flexibility, etc. This can really help inform layout decisions for your project.

Materials and Finishes

Pay close attention to application and durability by asking:

– How were materials and finishes chosen? Do they align with overall design style? 

– Are they durable for intended use? Easy to maintain long-term?

– What specific materials were used (wood, concrete, tile, etc)? Are they eco-friendly?

– Any special finishes like textured concrete, custom tile work, reclaimed wood?

– How have the exterior materials weathered? Any lessons learned?

– How is lighting incorporated? What types of fixtures were used?

Studying how finishes perform in real spaces helps guide material specifications for your project to maximize durability, aesthetics and ease of maintenance.

Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) Systems

It’s easy to overlook infrastructure, but understanding how well the MEP systems work is crucial. Ask about:

– How were systems designed and specified? Any special considerations?

– What energy efficiency strategies were used? Any innovative systems?

– How are HVAC, plumbing, electrical, etc. controlled and adjusted?

– Any install challenges to make systems fit the design intent?

– Noise considerations for equipment placement and ductwork routing?

Seeing MEP solutions in context provides valuable insights for seamlessly integrating infrastructure into your architecture and spaces.

Energy Efficiency and Sustainability

With rising energy costs, high-performance strategies are a smart investment. Discuss:

– What sustainability goals guided design? Any green certifications pursued?

– How were passive strategies like daylighting, ventilation, solar gain used?

– What energy modeling informed mechanical system selection?  

– Any innovative water conservation, materials or waste reduction strategies used?

– Controls and monitoring used to sustain efficiency long-term?

Understanding which strategies worked well can help weigh options for maximizing your project’s energy efficiency and environmental footprint over the lifecycle.

Landscape and Outdoor Spaces

Well-designed outdoor areas add valuable usable space. Ask:

– How do the outdoor spaces integrate with the architecture? 

– What hardscape materials were used? How are they wearing? 

– What was the planting strategy? Are native plants used? How is irrigation handled?

– What outdoor lighting was incorporated? Any special considerations?

– Were any stormwater management features integrated? How is drainage handled?

Assessing the landscape design shows good solutions for blending interior and exterior, handling drainage, and creating enjoyable exterior environments tied to your architecture.

Accessibility and Universal Design

Asking about accessibility reveals smart strategies for catering to users of all abilities:

– How is accessibility incorporated in both public and private spaces?

– Were any unique accessibility challenges related to architecture or site?

– Are there good examples of universal design to serve people of varying mobility and ages?

– Any well-executed details related to lighting, space planning, finishes, hardware?

– How were accessibility requirements coordinated into signage and wayfinding?

Understanding how successful projects address inclusiveness helps inform planning to maximize usability and experience for occupants and visitors of your building.

Budget and Cost Considerations

Money matters, so discuss: 

– What was the overall budget? How was it set and allocated?

– Did any parts end up over or under budget? Why?

– How were material selections and detailing influenced by budget? Any splurges?

– What value engineering or other cost saving tactics were used? How did budget impact design?

– How were contractors and tradespeople selected? Did this help manage costs?

Learning how project priorities aligned with budget sheds light on striking the right balance between desired quality and cost. It provides a gauge for realistic costs in your area.

Contractor Selection and Oversight

Understanding the project management approach helps set your own team up for success:

– How was the general contractor selected? What criteria were used?

– How were specialty trades like tile setters chosen? 

– What pricing and change order contract terms were used? What worked or posed challenges?

– How was communication handled between client, architects and builders during construction?

– Was a clerk of the works or site supervisor used? Were there inspections?

This look behind the curtain provides useful perspective on vetting qualified partners and setting agreements to achieve design goals within budget.

Design-Build Process 

If considering a design-build approach, ask:

– How was the design-builder sourced and selected? 

– What benefits or downsides did design-build provide vs. traditional methods?

– How was design advanced collaboratively? How were reviews and feedback handled?

– Were digital models, renderings or walkthroughs used to communicate design?

– How were budgeting, scheduling and risk managed? 

Understanding real world design-build processes helps set expectations for effectively marrying design priorities with construction realities.

Changes During Construction

Construction often necessitates design tweaks, so inquire about:

– Were major changes needed once underway? What drove these?

– How were minor adjustments and field issues handled? Was the change order process efficient?

– How did the team evaluate changes for cost, schedule and aesthetic impacts?

– Could any changes have been anticipated earlier to allow smoother sailing during construction? 

– How were discrepancies between plans and built conditions resolved?

This glimpse into change management provides perspective on key coordination processes between design and construction.

Post-Occupancy Experience 

The “proof is in the pudding” when it comes to how buildings function when occupied. Ask:

– Now that it’s built, how well do the spaces work for intended uses?

– Have any layout, material or detailing issues become apparent post-occupancy?

– Have there been any performance, maintenance or durability issues?

– Has actual energy/water usage aligned with modeling projections? 

– Has a post-occupancy evaluation been done? Were opportunities found to better support user needs?

This real world feedback offers invaluable data on how design holds up under actual use. It allows refining your plans to maximize quality and functionality.

Final Thoughts

Finally, pull together lessons learned: 

– In hindsight, what design or budget compromises should have been avoided? What should have been priorities?

– What aspects were most successful?

– What lessons would change your approach if doing this project again?

– What advice do you have for others undertaking similar work?

– Are there questions you wished you had asked the design team before construction started?

Discussing their thoughtful hindsight on the project helps reveal “words of wisdom” to inform your approach and priorities to maximize outcomes.

Key Takeaways

Touring example projects armed with meaningful questions allows gathering invaluable design insights from others’ real world experience. Prioritize understanding priorities that shaped the project, how well intent translated to reality, and lessons that were learned. 

Discuss goals, spatial layout, materials, systems, project management and post-occupancy experience to uncover details that may inform your work. Evaluate if strategies seem applicable to your unique requirements. Then tailor plans to maximize outcomes based on your budget, aesthetics and quality needs.

The more great examples you can experience firsthand, the better ideas you’ll discover. So take notes, photos and ask lots of questions! Thoughtful project research is time very well spent that pays dividends in shaping an exceptional design perfectly fitted to your needs.

I hope this guide provides a helpful starting point for getting as much as possible out of tours to inform smart decisions for your next construction or remodeling project. Let me know if any other questions come to mind that I should add to this list!