At Walker Architects, every project—whether it’s a new build or a renovation—offers a chance to uncover possibilities that might not be immediately visible. A key component in that discovery process is the feasibility study. Rather than functioning as a one-size-fits-all checklist, feasibility studies can pave the way for an agile design approach that adapts to a project’s evolving needs.

Here’s a look at how feasibility studies serve as a guiding force, why it’s crucial to identify the “why” behind a request, and how combining them with agile design can help clarify the “unknown” to shape and refine a project’s ultimate direction.

Identifying the Why: Uncovering the Real Need

A vital step in any feasibility study is probing beyond the immediate request to understand the true challenge at hand. Sometimes, the solution originally proposed won’t address the actual need that prompted the project in the first place. By taking time to ask “why?”—often through interviews, data collection, and stakeholder workshops—feasibility teams can reveal whether a less costly or more innovative solution better meets the underlying issue. This deeper approach ensures we aren’t just validating a pre-formed idea; we’re discovering the best possible path forward for the client’s goals and resources.

What Is a Feasibility Study?

A feasibility study is a structured assessment of a project’s potential, covering factors such as site conditions, budget ranges, regulatory requirements, and program needs. On the surface, these studies determine whether a proposed concept is practical. However, they also delve into how to approach design so that it aligns with real-world constraints and objectives.

At Walker Architects, feasibility studies often become a starting point for deeper exploration. By identifying constraints early—like the need to preserve historical elements or adapt existing infrastructure—teams can set realistic parameters and avoid costly oversights later on.

Embracing Agile Design

“Agile design” refers to a process that remains open to adjustments as new information or conditions emerge. As a project progresses, factors like changes in building usage or newly discovered regulations can shift the design requirements. Rather than forcing a rigid plan to fit a moving target, agile design accommodates these discoveries, ensuring that core objectives remain achievable. In tandem with a feasibility study, agile design offers a framework to respond dynamically to any “unknowns” revealed in the initial analysis.

Feasibility Meets Agile: Real-World Examples

1. UF Norman Hall
At the University of Florida’s Norman Hall, what began as an effort to upgrade outdated HVAC systems grew into a more comprehensive renewal once the feasibility study uncovered decades of ad hoc changes. By reinstating a lost vestibule and improving circulation, the design honored historic character while introducing modern amenities. This agile mindset ensured that each surprise discovery—spatial, structural, or budgetary—could be folded into a coherent final plan that better served the building’s long-term needs.

2. UF Career Connections Center
For the UF Career Connections Center, the feasibility phase exposed structural challenges tied to reusing existing frameworks. Adopting an agile approach allowed the team to test multiple layout scenarios in real time, making it easier to pivot when new issues emerged. The result? Spaces that more aptly reflected evolving student requirements, including collaborative areas and technology integrations that weren’t part of the original scope.

3. Exactech Headquarters Expansion
During the feasibility assessment for Exactech’s headquarters, growth forecasts indicated rapidly shifting space demands. Rather than locking in final layouts prematurely, the design team built room for change as the project progressed. This ensured the expanded facilities could accommodate new staffing patterns and technology upgrades without losing sight of the project’s original goal: a cohesive, dynamic workspace.

How Feasibility and Agile Design Work Together

1. Defining the Vision - Early discussions clarify overall objectives—such as creating collaborative environments or preserving architectural features. Agile design then translates these objectives into flexible concepts that can shift if new data or ideas emerge.
2. Identifying Opportunities and Constraints - Through studies of site conditions, code requirements, or structural elements, a project’s boundaries become clear. These insights prompt design revisions at opportune times, rather than late in the process when changes are more costly.
3. Balancing Budget and Timeline - Feasibility work helps set realistic cost and scheduling frameworks. Because agile design anticipates change, teams can pivot more gracefully, minimizing disruptions if a better path is identified.
4. Engaging Stakeholders - Feasibility studies often include input from clients, user groups, and community members. An agile approach ensures that every insight—whether it’s about user comfort or long-term expansion—can be incorporated rather than overlooked.

Why It Matters

Combining the clarity of a feasibility study with the flexibility of agile design helps projects navigate the unknown without drifting from core objectives. When a study highlights hidden structural issues, unforeseen code requirements, or new opportunities, agile design allows the project to adapt rather than derail. By maintaining an evolving dialogue between constraints and possibilities, teams ensure that the final form is both realistic in its constraints and inspiring in its potential.

When we pinpoint the true “why,” we’re able to confirm whether the initial project request addresses the real need—or whether a more cost-effective or comprehensive strategy might offer greater value. Armed with that deeper understanding, we can shape buildings and spaces that truly serve their communities for years to come.

Agile design, informed by the facts uncovered in a feasibility study—and by the true motivations driving a project—creates a roadmap for solutions that grow stronger as new insights arise. By asking “why?” at every stage, we uncover better answers and ultimately deliver places that exceed client expectations while honoring real-world constraints.