Design-build new buzz word.

One team, one price, one schedule--that's what design-build enthusiasts are touting around town, but the question is, will it catch on here?

Design-build is a project delivery system where both the design and construction is in the hands of a single entity, there is a single point of responsibility for quality, cost and schedule adherence.

In the United States, nearly 35 percent of all public and private sector construction projects are built with a design-build team, according to Richard Belle, spokesman of the Design-Build Institute of America.

"We are projecting that in 10 to 12 years, that number will rise to 40 to 50 percent," said Belle, who added that in seven states design build is still not legal. "The largest issue, I think, is a cultural one. Design build is a new way of thinking for both building and owner. It requires a change of habit."

Although design-build is legal in New York, it has not caught on as quickly.

Carlos Cardoso, director of construction administration for Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners LLP, is an avid supporter of design-build and said individuals must forget their own needs and work towards a common goal.

"My philosophy is, can we work as a team?," Cardoso said. "It's not about he, who, she or it. It's about the team."

Without the design-build system, it's sometimes an every-man-for-himself attitude, which isn't always conducive to the construction process.

"I think you have two teams put together and they are not working together from the get go," Cardoso said. "They do not understand each others problems and solutions."

In design-build, great minds come together for a common cause, he said.

"You have brilliant people on both sides, and if you put them together from the beginning, you solve a lot of the problems," Cardoso said. "You streamline, giving the client a better product, but at the same time the AEC industry is still making money."

Others in the construction industry agree, it's time for a change.

"The industry is at a critical point," said Frank Sciame, CEO of F.J. Sciame Construction and Sciame Development. "It is pretty much broken. You have very good builders who can't make money in construction given the fee structure right now. Repeat clients now have auctions on fees, auctions over the Internet over what the fees should be."

Supporters say money is saved, but quality is not compromised.

"I'm really excited about design-build. I've been doing it for 10 years," said Vivian Chavez, president of HLW Design/Build.

"It's the most efficient method that can deliver quality, schedule and cost."

HLW is one of the less than 100 firms that provide the design-build option in the tri-state area.

"We have no competition," Chavez said. "I want to change that. I want to educate our clients, so every time I explain design-build I won't have to start from scratch. It would be nice if New York, New Jersey and Conn. were aware of this delivery approach."

It has already caught on with some companies that have to watch their budgets closely.

Common Ground, a non-profit agency that builds and develops affordable housing, is using the design-build system for its restoration of the Prince George Ballroom on East 28th Street, which is being coordinated by Beyer Blinder Belle.

The project was estimated to cost $1.9 million. That has been shaved down to $1.5 million.

"That's a considerable savings," said Rosanne Haggerty, president of Common Ground. "We are in the front end of the process right now. Thus far, it really does have a different feel."

Haggerty said she would definitely consider using the design-build process again for upcoming projects.