Traditional contract: concept design
The concept design stage is concerned with preparing a concept design for the preferred option and developing and then freezing the project brief. It may also include making an outline planning application or a detailed planning application.
[edit] Starting the work stage and appointing additional members of the consultant team if necessary.
The client updates the project execution plan to reflect comments made at the end of the previous stage. The lead consultant co-ordinates a start-up meeting attended by the consultant team and the client to receive comments made at the end of the previous stage, to issue the revised project execution plan and project brief and to agree the programme for the stage.
The consultant team or the client may identify a requirement to appoint additional consultants. Go to work stage: Traditional contract: appointment.
[edit] Preparing an initial concept design.
The consultant team carries out any additional site appraisals or surveys that may be necessary as a result of the requirements of the project brief. Additional expenditure may need to be approved by the client.
The lead designer co-ordinates the preparation of an initial concept design (including outline specification) and presents these initial concept design ideas to the client. The client considers whether the initial concept design ideas represent good design quality and makes comments to the lead designer who co-ordinates incorporation of these comments into the developing concept design.
The lead designer co-ordinates consultations with user panels, champions, and other stakeholders, including statutory authorities. The lead designer then co-ordinates the incorporation of comments received into the developing concept design.
The lead designer co-ordinates a design review of the concept design and then co-ordinates any necessary amendments. The cost consultant amends the elemental cost plan and and prepares a cash flow projection for the client.
The lead consultant co-ordinates the preparation of a concept design report which records the basic design options that merit further investigation.
The client reviews the concept design report assessing the design quality of the options presented and the extent to which it satisfies the requirements set out in the developing project brief. At this stage the client may feel it necessary to undertake a value management exercise to ensure that optimum, whole-life solutions are being pursued.
The cost consultant amends the elemental cost plan and cash flow projection to reflect any changes to the design resulting from the value management exercise and the lead consultant co-ordinates amendments necessary to the concept design report and project brief.
The client considers the developed project brief and if satisfied, freezes the project brief and instructs the lead consultant to introduce change control procedures for the project brief. The frozen project brief should be issued to user panels, champions and other stakeholders.
[edit] If necessary, making an outline planning application or detailed planning application.
The client, lead designer and architect consider whether it is appropriate to make an outline planning application or detailed planning application. If instructed by the client, the lead consultant directs the consultant team to make an outline planning application or detailed planning application. Go to work stage: Traditional contract: planning permission.
Featured articles and news
Building Safety Regulator reforms
New roles, new staff and a new fast track service pave the way for a single construction regulator.
Cooling centres and cool spaces
Managing extreme heat in cities by directing the public to places for heat stress relief and water sources.
Winter gardens: A brief history and warm variations
Extending the season with glass in different forms and terms.
Restoring Great Yarmouth's Winter Gardens
Transforming one of the least sustainable constructions imaginable.
Construction Skills Mission Board launch sector drive
Newly formed government and industry collaboration set strategy for recruiting an additional 100,000 construction workers a year.
New Architects Code comes into effect in September 2025
ARB Architects Code of Conduct and Practice available with ongoing consultation regarding guidance.
Welsh Skills Body (Medr) launches ambitious plan
The new skills body brings together funding and regulation of tertiary education and research for the devolved nation.
Paul Gandy FCIOB announced as next CIOB President
Former Tilbury Douglas CEO takes helm.
UK Infrastructure: A 10 Year Strategy. In brief with reactions
With the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA).
Ebenezer Howard: inventor of the garden city. Book review.
The Grenfell Tower fire, eight years on
A time to pause and reflect as Dubai tower block fire reported just before anniversary.
Airtightness Topic Guide BSRIA TG 27/2025
Explaining the basics of airtightness, what it is, why it's important, when it's required and how it's carried out.
Construction contract awards hit lowest point of 2025
Plummeting for second consecutive month, intensifying concerns for housing and infrastructure goals.
Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025
Examining the state of mental health in construction, shedding light on levels of stress, anxiety and depression.
The benefits of engaging with insulation manufacturers
When considering ground floor constructions.
Lighting Industry endorses Blueprint for Electrification
The Lighting Industry Association fully supports the ECA Blueprint as a timely, urgent call to action.