Randall Scott Architects

Starting a Project?

Every city eventually reaches the moment when its staff says, “We need a new building.” Immediately after, a barrage of questions will emerge —

Why do we need it?
How Big Would It Be?
Where would it go?
How Much Would It Cost?
What Would It Look Like?
How Long Would It Take?

The RSA Needs Assessment helps you answer those questions before they’re even asked.

From existing conditions to full concept, RSA delivers defensible data and design tools that position your project for success. The need may be clear, but it takes a proven, data-driven process to justify investment and build Council and voter support. Below, we address the key questions every city is asked when considering a new facility — and how our process helps you answer them with clarity and credibility.

Why do we need it?

Before you can plan a project, you must first prove the need.

Our process begins with a Facility Condition Index (FCI) — a concise, technical walk-through conducted by our licensed architects to evaluate your existing building condition (using our 12-category matrix).

This initial assessment is objective and qualitative — focused only on what “is existing,” not what “should be.” We examine items such as structural integrity, life-safety compliance, HVAC and electrical infrastructure to determine the building’s overall health and serviceability.

This first step creates defensible justification for either renovation or new construction.

How Big Would It Be?

Once the need is proven, the next question is size.

Our process will help right-size your potential project by blending together your city’s unique trajectory with peer city comparisons — what your departments say they need versus what similarly sized cities have recently built.

Through staff interviews and customized questionnaires, we capture each department’s operational goals and projected growth. Then, using benchmark data from cities of similar size and growth rates, we help establish realistic space standards and staffing projections.

The result is a data-driven “right size” — a project program that reflects how your city actually functions, not a one-size-fits-all template or wish list.

Where would it go?

Once the needs and size are known, the next question is location.

This process helps evaluate many site options: city-owned land and potential acquisitions, as well as properties that could be repurposed or sold. Each site is analyzed for access, visibility, cost, and long-term value to the city.

We document pros and cons for each potential site, creating a transparent record that explains why a selected site makes sense — the kind of rationale councils and residents expect before they’ll support funding.

How Much Would It Cost?

Every project conversation eventually turns to cost — and it deserves an answer grounded in data, not speculation.

RSA develops preliminary cost models that draw from our extensive database of municipal projects across Texas, adjusted for your building type, site conditions, market location, and escalation trends.

These models provide a defensible budget range that includes turn-key project cost estimates, allowing your leadership to make informed decisions with clarity and
confidence.

What Would It Look Like?

Data convinces the head; design inspires the heart.

Once data establishes a need, everyone starts to wonder what the project might look like. RSA believes every civic building should reflect the community it serves — not just in function, but in its character and its sense of place.

Through our DNA-driven process, we study your city’s history, materials, and architectural fabric to uncover the details that make it unique. We combine that research with benchmarking tours and visioning sessions to identify the unique markers of the city as well as its aspirations for the next generation.

The result is an early design concept that both honors the past and looks to the future — a building your community recognizes as its own before it’s even built.

How Long Would It Take?

Our Needs Assessment process usually takes 8–16 weeks. This information leverages our multi-generational municipal expertise to bring you the tools necessary for council consensus and voter confidence.

The Study is Affordable. The amount of information you receive for a nominal fee is an incredible value for the city.

Often, the cost of these studies are less than the limit requiring council approval. The cost is worth it to have a professional consultant validate the needs and build compelling justification.