BCA has developed an excellent reputation through 20 years of providing design services and attracting personnel with exceptional experience in their general practice and areas of expertise.

The volume of repeat business over the years speaks highly of our qualifications and clients confidence in BCA. We have developed ongoing contractual relationships with two public housing providers, eleven different Illinois school districts, a banking institution, the City of Ottawa and three adult care providers. These repeat clients represent approximately 60% of our workload.

Cost control and schedule performance is the lifeblood of service firms. BCA can boast that over 95% of our projects have been bid within the estimated construction cost. We design the bid structure to provide decision tools for the client to choose from bid alternatives to match the budget thus allowing timely awards and minimization of project delays in the Bid/Award Phase. Additionally, BCA takes pride in our ability to establish project design schedules and then organize our team including consultants to meet those schedules.

The design process is a problem solving process. The critical first step in solving a problem is to clearly define that problem. This may sound simple and conceptually speaking, it is. However, every architectural problem is complicated by a number of variables. These variables include the characteristics of the client, the users, the physical constraints, and the budget. It is complicated even further by legal and governing constraints. These are all variables that make each architectural problem a unique challenge for the designer.

The approach to define, "the design problem," is an analytical one. It is to collect data, both technical and organizational, and then to organize and prioritize that data so that needs can be established. This process of problem definition is most successful when it is done in a participative manner including all stakeholders. This process yields the best consensus of the problem and subsequent acceptance of the solution.

BCA will work as a team with the client to address real identified problems, not merely implementing someone else's solutions. BCA works to establish realistic goals and endeavors to balance needs with budget and space constraints.

With a completed and accepted Design Program (problem statement), BCA develops solutions in stepped phases which provides the client input on every aspect of the final design.

BCA takes a leadership role in the solicitation of bids by preparing the Advertisement for Bids and then contacting potential prime bidders to obtain interest. BCA will conduct the Bid Opening and then analyze the bids including, if necessary, queries or interviews of apparent low bidders to ascertain understanding of scope and/or to ascertain compliance with bidding requirements. BCA will then prepare a written statement of findings to the client.

When primary project responsibility transfers to the successful contractor, BCA will assist the client in the administration of the contract through review of all contract submittals, and certification applications for payment. BCA will visit the construction site to generally check for compliance with the design specifications. During the completion phase of the construction, BCA will conduct a substantial completion visit and prepare a punch list of items to be completed. BCA will prepare and administrate close-out documents. BCA is familiar with the cost of construction and will work with the client to maximize the cost efficiency. BCA will manage the design process providing design leadership and counsel to address issues of budget, alternate approaches and time constraints.

BCA has a history of project solutions that are creative and innovative, while still meeting budgets and schedules.

BCA has a strong commitment to providing experienced professional persons working directly on projects. BCA principals are working principals and actively manage projects. Each project's, "Principal in Charge," will work directly with the client in the creation of the final design solution. Additionally, the client will benefit from internal reviews from other firm principals with expertise in other aspects of the field of design. The client can be assured that the principal at the interview will be the person with whom they will be working with throughout the project.

The firm was established in 1983 by Willis Fredericks and was operated as a sole proprietorship for the general practice of Architecture until May of 1987 when Paul Basalay joined the organization as a general partner. In May of 1992, Basalay acquired ownership and assumed general management of the firm. George A. Cary joined the firm on August 1, 1994 as a partner. The firm changed again in January 1999 when Michael A. Alstadt joined the ownership ranks and the name was changed to Basalay, Cary & Alstadt Architects, Ltd. Kurt Rimmele was promoted to partner in 2002. The remainder of the staff consists of a fifth licensed architect, one interiors person, an architectural designer, an architectural intern, and an executive secretary. The organization is further supplemented by independent consulting engineering firms whose expertise is utilized for plumbing, heating, air-conditioning, electrical and structural engineering services, when necessary. Since the firm has been in existence, it has provided architectural design, planning, and technical services for building construction for a broad spectrum of building types. Staff member can also count many years of solid experience while previously associated with other firms. This experience factor, together with a dedication to: (1) developing architectural plans and designs that are thoughtfully innovative and disciplined to the Owner's needs and budgetary constraints; (2) preparing technical documents that are concise in detail and comprehensive in scope; and (3) conducting on-site construction observations and performing other construction-related duties that are timely and conscientious, form the foundation from which our clients are served.