DESIGNING BUILDINGS WIKI - WHAT IS IT?

Designing Buildings Wiki is a powerful new force in construction, pulling together all industry knowledge into one free, open-access resource. From property development to design, from construction to legislation; this compendium of up-to-date professional information is used by clients, consultants, contractors, suppliers and students in the UK and overseas.

Anyone can create an article, anyone can edit an article and everything is moderated.

WHAT'S IT FOR?

For as long as we can remember, people have talked about the construction industry being fragmented, adversarial and not very good at disseminating knowledge or learning from mistakes. Designing Buildings Wiki is a cross-discipline, collaborative knowledge base where the whole industry can come together and share what we know on a singe, free resource.

YOU WRITE THE ARTICLES.

The only reason we have any articles on Designing Buildings Wiki is because people just like you have written them. They got to explain a bit about their subject, they helped improve the industry, and if they wanted, they got to sign their articles. That’s the difference between us and Wikipedia, if you want to, you can add a signature to your article, so when people search for your subject, they find you. You can even protect your article so no one else can change it.

WHAT DO I KNOW?

You have LOTS of specialist knowledge:

• Building types you have worked on.
• Dissertations you have written.
• Courses you have been on.
• Research for clients.
• Explanations for planning applications or bids.
• Papers for conferences.

There must be all sorts of things you have written already, just gathering dust on your hard drive. Why not make them work for you? Have a look at our list of articles required, you’ll be surprised how much we know we are missing - and that’s just the tip of the iceberg, there are thousands of possible subjects.

Go on, write something on Designing Buildings Wiki – it’s what it’s for.

Watch our YouTube video: Designing Buildings Wiki - what's it all about?

David Trench, Chairman of Designing Buildings Wiki, comments: “We have spent a long time talking about the problems with the industry, but we can all help improve it just by sharing what we know. There is no need to start every project with a blank piece of paper when the industry has expertise in every aspect of building design and development.”

Andrew Morris, Partner, Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, comments: “The site will provide an invaluable way for architects, engineers, and professionals from across the construction industry to work together."

Julian Barwick, Executive Director at Development Securities, adds: “Development Securities PLC is keen to support technical innovations that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the property and construction industries. The Designing Buildings Wiki site consolidates highly relevant information, clarifying terminology and acronyms and providing a roadmap for quick reference on property and construction matters.”

Andrew Comer, of Buro Happold, explains: “From an engineering perspective we see the site as being able to present a platform to enable the industry to articulate the incredible innovations and advances we engineers are delivering right now and how we will be shaping the built environment of the future.”

Saleem Akram, Director of Construction Innovation and Development at The Chartered Institute of Building said: "Designing Buildings Wiki is becoming an indispensable resource for anyone involved in
building."

Designing Buildings Wiki is for use in England and Wales (although Welsh building regulations may differ from English building regulations). However, much of the content of the site is also applicable in Scotland and Northern Ireland, and many other countries around the world adopt similar procedures.

Designing Buildings Wiki is an online, collaborative encyclopedia, not a magazine. It presents facts not commentary. It is not the place for self promotion. Articles do not include marketing information or information about specific brands, although brand information can be included on user pages and we do invite advertising adjacent to articles to help pay for the running costs of the site (see 'sponsor this page'). See our notability test for more guidance.

Designing Buildings Wiki is owned by Designing Buildings Limited, a company founded by project manager David Trench CBE FCIOB , architect Dr Gregor Harvie RIBA, construction law solicitor Richard Winward LLB FCIArb FCInst CES and chartered banker and finance director Martin Cantor.

You can contact us by clicking on the 'submit comment' link at the bottom of the page or by emailing info@designingbuildings.co.uk.

• Watch our YouTube video: Designing Buildings Wiki - what's it all about?
• For information about using the site see our Help page.
• For guidance about the writing style see our quick style guide.
• For terms of use see our terms and conditions.
• For information about advertising see sponsor this page.

The graphic design of Designing Buildings Wiki was created by Fish and Chip Design. The website was developed by Clark Web Development.