Descriptive information
The RIBA Plan of Work published by the RIBA in 2020 defines descriptive Information (or design intent) as: ‘The means by which the design team describes a Building System in a manner that allows a specialist subcontractor to design the system.’
It suggests that it ‘…frames the scope of work, describing what is required and any specific details that must be adhered to, and includes a performance specification that specifies the standards that must be met.’
Smart Building Overlay to the RIBA Plan of Work, published by the RIBA in 2024, defines descriptive information as: ‘A descriptive specification which sets out the performance level required and characteristics of a system or component.’
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles
Check out some of the best features and news from Designing Buildings as well as key stories from around the web.
Listed structures on the rail network
Heritage interests and operational requirements must be balanced.
Historic England publishes research into embodied carbon when retrofitting traditional buildings.
New Prime Minister delivers on ECA call for cut in electricity costs.
CIOB reacts to the announcement of Andy Burnham as Prime Minister.
Heritage and conservation science workforce survey - Have your say.
England's Suburbs 1820-2020. Book review.
New, more proportionate and targeted approach for higher-risk building assessments.
Government brings British Steel into public ownership.
UKCW Birmingham returns with bold new theme and focus.
New guidance published on competence requirements for self-certification schemes.
Construction Management, 8 July
NEETs crisis drives interest in trades, but apprenticeships barriers remain.
Passive fire protection webinar
MEP services penetration seals.

















