Marita Düwel in Conversation – As a total or general contractor, we can optimise project execution

Project manager Marita Düwel talks about Blumer Lehmann’s expertise as a full-service and general contractor, and why the federal asylum centre in Altstätten is a prime example of a successful full-service project.

Blumer Lehmann is responsible for the entire project from planning to commissioning. Marita Düwel, project manager in the GC | Modular Construction department, explains why this approach is hugely beneficial to both clients and the company itself.

Blumer Lehmann is implementing the federal asylum centre project in Altstätten as a
full-service contractor. What does that mean specifically, Marita?

MARITA DÜWEL This means that we take care of all services – from preliminary project planning to key handover. We put together the planning team and all trades, pay the planners and architects via contractor agreements and coordinate the entire implementation process. Clients only need one phone number for all matters relating to their construction project.

What criteria do you use to select your planning and implementation partners?

MARITA DÜWEL We specifically look for firms and implementation partners that are well versed in timber construction. At the federal asylum centre, for example, we have been working with Ruprecht Architekten, which already has experience with our construction method. That’s a huge advantage. When the architectural
firm and the other parties involved in the project, such as the electrical and ventilation planners, are aware of the sticking points in timber construction, the collaboration runs much more smoothly. In addition, we can organise, coordinate and monitor the interfaces very early on in this process, which makes it easier and clearer for us.

What are the specific benefits for the client?

The client has a single point of contact throughout the entire project planning and execution phase. The same applies to the warranty: one contact person or contractor assumes the warranty for the entire project.

«The client has a single point of contact»

And what about the timeline?

MARITA DÜWEL The overall project duration is considerably shorter than with standard procedures involving awarding individual contracts. This is particularly important for public projects. If, for example, it is clear today that four classrooms will be needed somewhere in 2027, the FSC competition is the only option. The traditional approach with an architectural competition and the subsequent awarding of individual contracts takes at least six to seven years – which is too long.

What are the benefits of the full-service contractor model for Blumer Lehmann?

MARITA DÜWEL Our entrepreneurial perspective is already incorporated into the planning – this makes
project implementation more efficient and economical. With our FSC/GC team of almost 30 employees, as well as external specialist planners and architects, we cover everything from engineering services to site management and architecture. This also enables us to take on large-scale projects.

Do you also see strategic opportunities in this?

MARITA DÜWEL Absolutely. We have tapped into the additional market segment of FSC/GC services. This enables us to implement major projects such as the federal asylum centre, which raises our profile. We have also built up expertise in complex and integrated planning, which is currently in high demand.

Where do you see Blumer Lehmann’s full-service and general contractor services going forward?

We implement projects as a full-service contractor (FSC) or general contractor (GC). For large projects, however, we will continue to refrain from presenting our own architectural designs, but will take on the majority of the implementation planning for the architecture. This is usually the case in modular construction anyway, as this method of construction requires specific expertise. But we certainly want to strengthen our expertise in
integrated planning – not just in GC and FSC projects, but in timber construction as a whole.