The Design Team
The client – The client is the person who is in need of building work. They are considered to be the most important member of the design team for without them the work would not exist. They have the responsibility for financing the work and employing all members of the team directly or indirectly.
Picture courtesy of Yahoo Images.
They can be a private individual, an association, partnership, public company or even local authority.
As well as providing a detailed brief, communication, cooperation and good relationship with the architect is imperative.
The client has a duty to determine whether the project complies with Construction (Design and Management) CDM Regulations and must notify the HSE if work is likely to last more than 30 days or more than 500 person days, (from start of design till the end of construction), through the use of a form F10. It would be advisable that they employ a Planning Supervisor and Principal Contractor and ensure any contractors and design consultants are competent and have the adequate resources to complete the project. They must make sure, work doesn’t start until a Health and Safety Plan has been prepared and a Health and Safety File is available at project completion.
The client would be best to remember that all final responsibilities of the project lies with them.
The Architect – The client’s first and most important member of the design team would be the architect. They act as the client’s agent by interpreting their needs and requirements and communicating them to the design and construction team. Firstly to achieve this they do a feasibility study to evaluate the impact of the proposed project, determine whether it will work and how best to accomplish it (this is often referred to as inception).
Secondly the architect would produce sketch plans and an accompanying report of the outline proposals, these can then be discussed with the client so that they know what is being created thus amend or reject ideas appropriately.
Sketch plan courtesy of Google Images.
Once a decision on particular proposals, such as planning arrangements, appearance and method of construction, are made the architect will then draft drawings that need to be submitted to the local authorities building control department along with an outline specification and cost in order to obtain planning consent.
If and only when planning permission is granted, the architect can obtain any last minute decisions that are related to design, specification, construction or cost. Finally the working drawings can then be created to include the full design of every part and component of the building.
Working Drawings courtesy of AR Digitech.
It is imperative the architect has a full understanding of current building legislation and the possible effect they may have on cost/quality of design, as well as a comprehension of health, safety and welfare legislation and ability to address it’s implication on design and construction. The architect needs to supervise all aspects of work carried out until completion. They would also need to be registered with the Architects Registration Council as well as being a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
Qualifications needed include a degree in Architecture, the satisfied required experience is two/three years practicum or internship followed by a registration exam prior to licensure.
Architectural Technologist – An architectural technologist has many similar abilities to an architect and work alongside them in order to establish contract procedures and administration of work. They can lead and manage a project from conception through to final certification. They have a vast knowledge of construction technology and design, are able to translate ideas into sound and produce drawings that a contractor can easily follow. In order for a project to be completed they are able to draft out drawings and develop construction related details. These details are accurate and precise and used by the quantity surveyor when producing the bill of quantities.
They affiliate with a professional body –the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT). A HNC/Diploma or foundation degree followed by two years experience or NVQ level 4 in built environment design followed up with continuing professional development are considered CIAT recognised qualifications.
Interior Designer – When the internal finish/décor is of a high status an interior designer is used. Many city centre apartment conversions or high profile house building projects are developed in conjunction with an interior designer. The internal design can add a considerable value to any project undertaken.
Interior design is a multi–faceted profession in which creative and technical solutions are applied within a structure to achieve a built interior environment.
The interior design process follows a systematic and coordinated methodology, including research, analysis, and integration of knowledge into the creative process, whereby the needs and resources of the client are satisfied to produce an interior space that fulfills the project goals.i
In an aim to promote professionalism, commercial and residential interior designers affiliate to a professional membership organisation – British Institute for Interior Designers (BIID). Signing up to a code of conduct is required by members with an aim to continue their professional development throughout their career.
Landscape Architect – Like the Interior Designer, the Landscape Architect is a design specialist, but for the outside. The design of the external environment is achieved through an investigation of existing ecological, geological and social conditions, with sustainability in mind, an overall concept can be conceived in view to prepare a Master Plan from which detailed design drawings and technical specifications can be produced. The design can add considerable value to any project undertaken as well as improve the appearance of a development.
Landscape Architecture is the known professional practice and their professional scope includes urban design, urban/town planning, site planning and environmental restoration. The recognised body for the field is the Landscape Institute.
It takes approximately 7 years to become a recognised Landscape Architect. Initially a credited course by the Landscape Institute needs to be undertaken to achieve a Bachelor’s degree followed by a postgraduate diploma then next completion of the Pathway to Chartership. When this is achieved a full Landscape Architect title is awarded and they become a Chartered Member of the Landscape Institute (CMLI.)
Structural Engineer – With the safety of the occupant and users of a building in mind, the Structural Engineers determine the design of load bearing elements of the building ensuring each component can safely withstand any load imposed on it. Although their work takes into account mainly safety, technicality and economics they also consider aesthetics, environmental and social factors.
They can work for the client but more often than not they are employed by the architect and supervise the design and installation of all structural elements and inform the architect as work proceeds.
Their professional body is the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE). In order to obtain a Chartered Engineer title a Master or Bachelor’s Engineering Degree followed by Master of Science Degree. Once achieved, four years of Initial Professional Development, then a Professional Review Interview. Upon passing the interview an eight hour Professional Review Examination is required to determine Chartered membership (IStructE). They can then register with Engineering Council UK once accredited with Chartered membership.
The Quantity Surveyor – The quantity surveyor (QS) is an economic consultant/accountant and advises the client/architect during the design process how the building may be constructed within a budget. On some jobs he may report to the Project Manager.
From drawings supplied by the architect/engineer he will measure the quantity of labour/materials needed.
These quantities are documented in a Bill of Quantities and can be used later on to evaluate costs as work proceeds or by the contractors in a tender document when pricing building work.
The skills needed to be become a Quantity Surveyor are achieved in a number of ways from either, a formal education, specific training or work experience. The majority of Quantity Surveyors affiliate to the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) but there are other organisations. Once a member of the RICS they can use the term ‘Chartered Quantity Surveyor’ or ‘Chartered Surveyor’.
Building Services Engineer – They become part of the design team to assist the client/architect with the design, installation and operation of mechanical, electrical and public health systems. They also work closely with structural engineers and quantity surveyors providing drawings to enable calculations for their specialist areas of work and make regular checks to ensure work is carried in accordance with their design.
Building Service Engineers play a significant role, due to the fact buildings account for around 50% of all carbon emissions; through sustainability, low carbon technologies and energy management; combating climate change.
To become a Building Service Engineer a degree in Building Services / Mechanical / Electrical Engineering is needed. This can be obtained over a period of three years for a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) or Bachelor of Science (BSc), four years for a Master for Engineering (MEng). Their professional body is Chartered Institute of Building Service Engineers (CIBSE).
In addition to their Professional Engineering registration, Building Services Engineers increasingly seek BREEAM (BRE Environmental Assessment Method), CIBSE Low Carbon Consultants (LCC) and Energy Assessors (LCEA) status due to an increasing emphasis on sustainability and green design.
References
Btec Level 3 Construction and the Built Environment – Simon Topliss / Mike Hurst
Industrial Studies – Peter Brett
en.wikipedia.org
i Text courtesy of en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interior_design
ii Taken from http://www.landscapeinstitute.org/index.php
Construction and the Built Environment 