ROLE OF ARCHITECTS IN DESIGN BUILD

ROLE OF ARCHITECTS IN DESIGN BUILD

 

The construction industry has grown over the years with new technology dominating the current scene. The world economy is expanding and with it the population, this trend has contributed to the boom witnessed in the real estate business with commercial real estate taking the lion’s share of the real estate market.

 

We can never talk about the construction industry without mention an architect, contractor or engineer. These three professionals play a major role in the construction process with roles ranging from the design to construction and finishing. For this article we are focusing on architects and their role in the design-build process.

 

Architects have for ages been tasked with designing buildings that incorporate beauty and functionality. However, they have been known to overlook the pricing of the entire project. Their designs are usually centered on perfection without putting into consideration the budget of the client.

 

This being the case, many construction projects in the present day are using alternative methods that do not need the expertise of architects. Architects have been lamenting about this increased trend pointing out their marginalization in the entire design-build process, especially for residential projects.

 

Many clients are finding it easier to contract one entity for both the design and build, this the reason for increase in design-build firms. As a potential investor in property, you need to understand the meaning of design-build in construction.

 

Design-build is a project delivery system where the designing and building process are done by one firm usually referred to as the design-builder or the design-build contractor. This model can be grouped as architect-led design-build and contractor-led design-build.

 

Many a time key players have pitted the design-bid-build against the design-build model. Design-bid-build is slowly losing face in the construction industry. This is because clients prefer to work with one entity to whom they can hold accountable for any shortcomings in the project. Unlike the design-bid-build model where the designer is

held accountable differently from the builder.

 

Previously the construction process had two dimensions to it. The designer of the project was chosen separately and the builder or contractor chosen differently. Design- build firms have come as a solution to this by providing a single point of responsibility for the clients as well as an overall reduction in cost of the entire project.

 

The design-build process fairs in comparison to the master builder technique which was used during the olden days. Master builders were responsible for coming up with the design for the project and also execute the design, a procedure that we are currently seeing in the design-build process.

 

Design-build contractor

This is usually a general contractor taking on various projects. General contractors are majorly professionals in the construction industry, architects, engineers and architectural technologists. However some firms are led by contractors who source for the services of these professionals to operate under one wing, a design-build firm.

 

The general contractor can either forge a long term relationship with design professionals or retain their services on a project basis where that only work together on one project at a time.

 

However, this move has been facing opposition from the American Institute of Architects whose rule book prohibits members from offering construction services. This has greatly limited the ambitions of many architects seeking to pursue new horizons in integrated services where they can offer both design and building services to customers.

 

The institute has however had to review its rule book due to the increasing need for the design-build model in both residential and commercial real estate. The institute later released a new set of guidelines to help its member seeking to pursue their careers

further as design-build contractors.

 

The role of an architect in a contractor-led design-build

As discussed previously, some of the design-build firms contract the services of designers. Under this model, the investor directly receives input from the contractor who works with subcontractors i.e. architects and engineers. As much as the design-builder is responsible for the entire project, architects have been known for taking on key role in the entire design-build process. Some of the contributions include;

 

• As an employee- the architect is contracted by the firm to provide their

professional skills as an employee of the firm. Under the firm, the architect is still held accountable but with less control over the project.

• As a subcontractor- here the architects with other subcontractors as a team. The contractor brings together different professionals to work under his umbrella. The architect in this case risks accountability but with limited control on the project.
• As a second party in a contractor-led integrated project delivery- Now here, the architect has a degree of control in the project working together with the contractor to oversee the entire project. This joint venture has both the architect and contractor exercising equal authority on other subcontractors. In this case

the architects risks professional accountability but with more control over the

 

project. Under integrated project delivery, the architect is allowed to defer with

the contractor on various aspect of the design-build process.

 

Architect-led design-build projects

With approval from the American Institute of Architects, architects have been able to

provide integrated services to clients, design and construction. Architect-led design-

build project is where architects and other construction professionals, plumbers,

engineers, masons etc., work together in a flexible and streamline design-build process

with the architect overseeing the work of every professional.

These projects are controlled by the architect who answers to the owner of the project.

The architect coordinates the workload within the team providing their service as a

designer and builder through the entire project.

An architect’s role in the project is vital to the successful completion and overall

outcome of the project.

 

Role of architects in an architect-led design-build project.

• Providing extended services- the architect works directly with the owner to

oversee both the designing and construction process. This is an extension of the

architects mandate that within designing. As an extension the architects takes

over the building process managing other subcontractors on behalf of the

investor. In this case, the architect is more accountable as he has control over

the projects progress.

• As a primary party in an architect-led integrated project delivery- in this case the

architects works with other subcontractors under a joint venture. However the

clients has only one contract, meaning the entire team is working under one

umbrella.

• The architects is the general overseer of this project coordinating the work

between other subcontractors. The architect bears more risk in this project

compared to the convention construction process. Nevertheless, this risk is

equally shared out between the investor architect and contractor as stated by

their contract.

• Under integrated project delivery, the architect can be contracted independently

for the design-build process after which they subcontract general contractors who

can bring on board other trade professionals. This approach mirrors the

contractor-led design-build model with the architect having the reigns.

• Providing full services as a leader in the entire construction process- in this

project, the architect takes on full control of the construction process from

 

managing subcontractors to sourcing for trade professionals, building materials

and permits. The architect manages all these roles while coordinating the entire

project from the design to the build.

• The architect takes on the role of general contractor, having extended their roles

from designer to site manager. With full control over the entire process, the

architect bears most of the risk and accountability.

 

Advantages of using the design-build model in construction

• Efficiency- this model of construction has grown into an integral part of the

construction industry. This process has been proven to be efficient in service

delivery especially in straightforward projects requiring functionality on a tight

budget.

• Single source- design-build firms have been able to grow due to the increasing

demand by clients to contract one firm for their entire construction needs. It is

preferable to source for one entity that is able to oversee the entire project while

sourcing for other components of the project on your behalf.

• This model has also gained foothold because of the ease of accountability. In the

event of a mishap in the construction process it is easier to get answers from a

single source unlike in the traditional, design-bid-build model. Having one single

party is also easier when one entity works towards the problem without having to

separate parties go against each other in a blame game.

• Saves money and time- it has proven to be costly when contracting a different

party for the design and a separate company for the construction work. Having all

these services under one roof helps significantly reduce the project budget as

well as reduce time wastage.

• All your construction needs are solved with one entity without you having to

spend time with different entities trying to integrate your project vision.

 

Disadvantages of the design-build model

• The design-build process does not maximize on the competitive bidding where

several builders present different proposal based on the design for the investor to

choose the most promising. Provides a wide pool to choose from.

• The method of choosing a design-build firm is subjective and difficult to evaluate.
• Under this model, the selected design and pricing have been known to raise

public suspicion. This may eventually lead to loss of confidence from the public.

• The design model can lead to difference in opinion between the contractor and