The Zebra is an internet insurance comparison tool born in 2012 with rapid success and a need to create a two-floor headquarters space in the heart of Austin, Texas. The Zebra contracted rand* early during design development to help in budget development, constructability reviews, value engineering exercises, and material selection to create a streamlined construction approach for the delivery of the high-end office space. The project houses custom materials throughout, most notably the custom lighting package, millwork installations with a sculptural millwork centerpiece, neon signage, and high-end metal wall panels. The utilization of the preconstruction period was vital for developing a pre-release package for critical materials as well as on-boarding key team members early on to clearly define the scope and workscope needed for the building systems.

This is evident with the special coordination needed for the VRF HVAC system having to be integrated with low deck-to-deck clearance. The building system was also post-tension making cores and slab penetrations highly coordinated. The open ceilings made a coordinated layout vital for the installation of the mechanical, electrical, soundproofing, and extensive data cabling packages. This project is a key example of the importance of streamlined communication throughout on a complex design within a compressed schedule.