Hiring an architect as a commercial client - Revision history

Designing Buildings: Redirected page to Appointing an architect

2018-01-22T11:10:26Z

Redirected page to Appointing an architect

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:10, 22 January 2018
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−	The process of designing and building a project as a commercial client is often an expensive and time-consuming undertaking, particularly as an owner-occupier or new developer. Most projects will benefit from the hiring of an architect at any early stage as a means of optimising the property asset and creating value.	+	#redirect:[[Appointing_an_architect\|Appointing an architect]]
−		+
−	The term ‘architect’ is now protected by the Architects Act 1997. Only qualified individuals that are registered with the Architects Registration Board (ARB) can offer their services as architects. However, the same services can be provided by people that are not architects as long as they do not claim to be architects.	+
−		+
−	Architects working on commercial projects are able to apply their impartiality and creativity when thinking about how to plan a new building, or adapt or expand an existing one. They can help to support the client’s strategic decision-making, carry out feasibility studies, and develop the strategic brief into the project brief. The project brief is the final stage in the process of defining the client's requirements for the development of a built asset and is the key document upon which the design will be based.	+
−		+
−	It will be the responsibility of the architect to understand the needs of the client and their business, as well as the different stakeholders, and present options for the optimal design solution, with the importance of maximising investment firmly in mind. The architect often sets up and leads the design team, helps to manage the application processes, as well as help with the contractor selection process.	+
−		+
−	Many commercial clients appoint architects based on an existing relationship, a recommendation, or because they have seen work done by the architect elsewhere. However, while there is nothing wrong with these methods of selection, it can also be advantageous to adopt a different and slightly more detailed process, i.e. if the project requires a certain type of expertise or experience. Architecture practices can be selected based on several things, such as their relevant expertise, their contacts with local authority town planners, track record of approvals, and so on.	+
−		+
−	It is recommended that clients follow up their references with previous clients, with focus placed on factors such as the architect’s attention to detail, their responsiveness to change, their effectiveness at budget management, and so on.	+
−		+
−	~~Clients can ask for the following as a means of helping them create a shortlist of preferred architects~~:	+
−		+
−	* Literature outlining the firm’s qualifications, expertise and any awards.	+
−	* Portfolio of works.	+
−	* Method statement as the how the work will be undertaken.	+
−	* Health and safety policies, quality control, sustainable credentials, and so on.	+
−	* Confirmation of professional indemnity insurance.	+
−	* Confirmation of public and employer’s liability insurance.	+
−		+
−	~~Once the preferred architect has been chosen, the scope and cost of architectural services should be discussed before starting the project, with the agreement made in writing.~~	+
−		+
−	Fees charged by architects vary very significantly, and since the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) abolished their indicative fee scales, there is very little benchmarking information freely available. Generally speaking, large new build projects attract much lower percentage fees than small works to existing buildings, commercial work attracts lower fees than private residential work, works to historic or listed buildings attract higher fees still, and so on.	+
−		+
−	~~For more information, see Architect’s fees.~~	+
−		+
−	~~= Find out more =~~	+
−		+
−	~~=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki ===~~	+
−		+
−	* Appointing an architect.	+
−	* Appointing consultants.	+
−	* [[Architect's_fees\|Architect’s fees.]]	+
−	* Avoiding planning permission pitfalls.	+
−	* Business case for construction projects.	+
−	* Commercial management.	+
−	* Consultant team.	+
−	* Fees.	+
−	* Hiring an architect as a domestic client.	+
−	* The architectural profession.	+
−	* The role of architects.	+
−		+
−	~~=== External resources ===~~	+
−		+
−	* ‘A Commercial Client’s Guide to Engaging an Architect’ – N. OSTIME, RIBA Publishing (2017)	+

	[[Category:Appointments]] [[Category:Client_procedures]] [[Category:Procurement]]		[[Category:Appointments]] [[Category:Client_procedures]] [[Category:Procurement]]

Editor at 16:28, 27 November 2017

2017-11-27T16:28:25Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:28, 27 November 2017
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	* Appointing an architect.		* Appointing an architect.
	* Appointing consultants.		* Appointing consultants.
−	* Architect’s fees.	+	* [[Architect's_fees\|Architect’s fees.]]
	* Avoiding planning permission pitfalls.		* Avoiding planning permission pitfalls.
	* Business case for construction projects.		* Business case for construction projects.

Editor: Created page with "The process of designing and building a project as a commercial client is often an expensive and time-consuming undertaking, particularly as an owner-occupier or new developer. M..."

2017-11-27T16:27:02Z

Created page with "The process of designing and building a project as a commercial client is often an expensive and time-consuming undertaking, particularly as an owner-occupier or new developer. M..."

New page

The process of designing and building a project as a commercial client is often an expensive and time-consuming undertaking, particularly as an owner-occupier or new developer. Most projects will benefit from the hiring of an architect at any early stage as a means of optimising the property asset and creating value.

The term ‘architect’ is now protected by the Architects Act 1997. Only qualified individuals that are registered with the Architects Registration Board (ARB) can offer their services as architects. However, the same services can be provided by people that are not architects as long as they do not claim to be architects.

Architects working on commercial projects are able to apply their impartiality and creativity when thinking about how to plan a new building, or adapt or expand an existing one. They can help to support the client’s strategic decision-making, carry out feasibility studies, and develop the strategic brief into the project brief. The project brief is the final stage in the process of defining the client's requirements for the development of a built asset and is the key document upon which the design will be based.

It will be the responsibility of the architect to understand the needs of the client and their business, as well as the different stakeholders, and present options for the optimal design solution, with the importance of maximising investment firmly in mind. The architect often sets up and leads the design team, helps to manage the application processes, as well as help with the contractor selection process.

Many commercial clients appoint architects based on an existing relationship, a recommendation, or because they have seen work done by the architect elsewhere. However, while there is nothing wrong with these methods of selection, it can also be advantageous to adopt a different and slightly more detailed process, i.e. if the project requires a certain type of expertise or experience. Architecture practices can be selected based on several things, such as their relevant expertise, their contacts with local authority town planners, track record of approvals, and so on.

It is recommended that clients follow up their references with previous clients, with focus placed on factors such as the architect’s attention to detail, their responsiveness to change, their effectiveness at budget management, and so on.

Clients can ask for the following as a means of helping them create a shortlist of preferred architects:

* Literature outlining the firm’s qualifications, expertise and any awards.
* Portfolio of works.
* Method statement as the how the work will be undertaken.
* Health and safety policies, quality control, sustainable credentials, and so on.
* Confirmation of professional indemnity insurance.
* Confirmation of public and employer’s liability insurance.

Once the preferred architect has been chosen, the scope and cost of architectural services should be discussed before starting the project, with the agreement made in writing.

Fees charged by architects vary very significantly, and since the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) abolished their indicative fee scales, there is very little benchmarking information freely available. Generally speaking, large new build projects attract much lower percentage fees than small works to existing buildings, commercial work attracts lower fees than private residential work, works to historic or listed buildings attract higher fees still, and so on.

For more information, see Architect’s fees.

= Find out more =

=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki ===

* Appointing an architect.
* Appointing consultants.
* Architect’s fees.
* Avoiding planning permission pitfalls.
* Business case for construction projects.
* Commercial management.
* Consultant team.
* Fees.
* Hiring an architect as a domestic client.
* The architectural profession.
* The role of architects.

=== External resources ===

* ‘A Commercial Client’s Guide to Engaging an Architect’ – N. OSTIME, RIBA Publishing (2017)

[[Category:Appointments]] [[Category:Client_procedures]] [[Category:Procurement]]