Spatial coordination
The process for completing the design and construction of a building is often divided into stages. This can be helpful in establishing milestones for the submission of progress reports, the preparation of information for approval, client gateways, and for making payments.
However, there is a great deal of ambiguity between the naming of stages by different organisations and the definition of what individual stages actually include, and so it is important that appointment documents make it clear specifically what activities fall within which stage, and what level of detail is required.
‘Spatial coordination’ is a new stage introduced by the RIBA Plan of work 2020. This replaces ‘developed design’ in the 2013 edition and might previously have been known as ‘detailed design’.
The RIBA Plan of Work is published by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). Split into a number of key project stages, the RIBA Plan of Work provides a shared framework for design and construction that offers both a process map and a management tool.
The RIBA Plan of Work 2020 changed the structure of the stages as shown below:
Stage | 2013 edition | 2020 edition |
0 | Strategic definition. | Strategic definition. |
1 | Preparation and brief. | Preparation and briefing. |
2 | Concept design. | Concept design. |
3 | Developed design. | Spatial coordination. |
4 | Technical design. | Technical design. |
5 | Construction. | Manufacturing and construction. |
6 | Handover and close out. | Handover. |
7 | In use. | Use. |
The 2020 edition of the RIBA Plan of Work suggests that the spatial coordination stage: ‘...is fundamentally about testing and validating the Architectural Concept, to make sure that the architectural and engineering information prepared at Stage 2 is Spatially Coordinated before the detailed information required to manufacture and construct the building is produced at Stage 4… Stage 3 is not about adjusting the Architectural Concept, which should remain substantially unaltered, although detailed design or engineering tasks may require adjustments to make sure that the building is Spatially Coordinated.’
It suggests that a spatially coordinated design is a: 'Design in which the client’s Spatial Requirements and the spaces required for any Building Systems – such as structural and building services engineering aspects, including grids, risers and plant rooms – have been determined and fixed to allow Stage 4 to progress without any further iterations.'
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Top 50 firms awarded 52bn of projects in the last year
New engineering data shows.
Enhancing construction site reporting efficiency
Through digitisation and the digital revolution.
Noise in the built environment
BSRIA guide TG 20/2021.
17,000 people suffer conditions as a result of exposure to excessive noise at work.
Turning down the noise: Auditory health
A pervasive risk with far-reaching consequences.
UK Construction Week, London is here !
Debuting major international pavilions and much more.
Getting the most out of heat pumps and heating
How heat pumps work and how they work best.
Plumbing and heating for successful retrofit and renovation
Low temperature underfloor systems and heat pumps.
Cost-of-living crisis and home improvement plans
Starting on the right footing and top tips for projects.
Delays on construction projects
Types, mitigation and the acceleration of works.
From Chaucer to Fawlty Towers.
Electrotechnical excellence, now open for entries.
Net zero electricity grids BSRIA guide NZG 5/2024
Outlining the changes needed to transition to net zero.
CIOB Global Student Challenge 2024
Universitas Indonesia wins for second year running.
ECA 2024 Apprentice of the Year Award
Entries open for submission until May 31.