>specifically state that Clark was to design the Project to accommodate narrowbody aircraft at Gates A6 and A8, So sounds like it's a design-build contract. W

>specifically state that Clark was to design the Project to accommodate narrowbody aircraft at Gates A6 and A8, So sounds like it's a design-build contract. What many don't realize about this is that in contrast to other contract types (eg design-bid-build), the "design and build" in design-build are both contracted to one entity. This reduces what would be typical conflicts between the architect and contractor, because it eliminates incentive to play blame game when plans have internal contradictions or issues with constructibility/ buildibility (specs are impossible to build). This process has other advantages, like shorter lead and construction times and fewer delays, since the builder doesn't need to wait on all design phases to be complete before starting work. But it also effectively eliminates a party of review. To all the other comments suggesting VR/ or software simulation as a solution: 1) on a project this size, I guarantee 3D models were made and presented for both schematics and visuals, and 2) all the modeling in the world doesn't fix the original specs being wrong. Even if 3D lifelike visuals aren't a part the deliverables, the contractor has incentives to make them, including because of the case at hand. And (for those without construction experience) they have much greater incentive to point out errors in the (owner-provided) specs than to ignore obvious blunders. Change-Orders are the bread and butter for most companies doing this type of work, because the contract guarantees an inflated profit margin on the value of changes made. Which aligns incentives for both parties. It sounds to me like the owner/rep for seatac just wasn't paying any attention or doing their job. Which happens a lot on public pet projects when politicians want to be hands on and not outsource owner/rep responsibility to a more experienced party. Many states have departments that specifically will do this for any public entity in the state, and others allow their DOT to handle construction responsibilities for other departments, on-demand.