commissioning architecture

7/28/2019 Commissioning Architecture

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Royal Institute

of British Architects

CommissioningarchitectureWhether you intend to construct a new building,expand your current facility, or adapt an existingstructure to a new use, it makes sense to consultan RIBA Registered Practice. This leaflet explainshow to select, appoint and work with an architect


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02 The value of an architectThe architects contribution to a building extends far beyond form andaesthetics. It can influence the perception, performance and value ofyour business.

05 The selection processYour shortlist of practices provided by RIBA Client Services will offer anumber of alternative architects, handpicked for your scheme. But howdo you decide between them?09 Appointing an architectThe agreement you sign with your chosen architect must detail thescope and cost of the services you will need.10 The briefThe quality of your finished building will reflect the quality of your brief.This is the key document defining your vision of the finished building.13 Being a good clientIt is vital to find the right architect towork with. However, to be asuccess, your project will need the right kind of client too.14 Further information

Anthony Gormley Studio, London N7, David Chipperfield Architects. Benedict Luxmoore/Arcaid

Contents


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02 03

Gridshell, Weald & Downland Museum,West Sussex, Edward Cullinan Architects. Benedict Luxmoore/Arcaid

The architects contribution to a buildingextends far beyond form and aesthetics.It can influence the perception,performance and value of your business.

Brought in early and given the opportunityto understand your business, an architectcan design a building, masterplan or interiorthat is tailored to your needs, both now andin the future; one that is not only productivebut also a pleasure to work in and visit.

Consulting an architect at the earliestplanning stages opens the door to costsavings, both in the construction andoperation of the building, from innovativedesign solutions. Allowing an architect tomanage your project and coordinate thework of consultants and contractors cansaveyou and your staff time.

An architects fees may be charged asa percentage of the total constructioncost or, depending on the service supplied,

at an hourly rate or as a lump sum.Hourly rates (as of January 2005) mayrange from 55.00 for general work bya qualified architect to around 150.00per hour for complex work by a seniorpractice member.*

A sound investment?Good advice has its price and the price ofskimping on design quality is far higher.Design fees will usually constitute just asmall fraction (typically around 10%) of

the total construction cost of, say, a newheadquarters building. However, they paleinto insignificance when measured againstthe companys total operating costs overthe 20 year lifespan of the building.

High quality design can reduce thoseoperating costs by maximising theefficiency of the building. A buildingthat has received the input of designprofessionals from inception will becheaper to run and command greatervalue in the long term. As the Governmentis now advising, procuring design servicesby fee competition will not buy the bestvalue in the long term.

*More information on fees and budgeting can befound in the RIBA booklet, A clients guide toengaging an architect (5.00), available fromRIBABookshops,www.ribabookshops.com .

The value of an architect


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04 05

Royal Ballet School Bridge of Aspiration, London WC2, Wilkinson Eyre Architects.Nick Wood

Your shortlist of practices provided byRIBA Client Services will offer a numberof alternative architects, handpickedfor your scheme. How do you decidebetween them?

First, confirm which practices can beconsidered. Call each one, describe yourproject and its approximate timing, andcheck their ability to accommodate it. If theycan help, request practice literature withdetails about the firms qualifications andexperience. If they cannot, contact RIBAClient Services on 020 7307 3700 and wellsupply a replacement name for your list.

Why use an RIBA registered practice?The RIBA Register of Practices wasset up toclarify the status of eacharchitectural practice, its expertiseand the services it offers. To register,a practice mustmeet the followingcriteria:

_

It must holdProfessional Indemin ityInsurance cover appropriate to thescale and type of work it undertakes.

_At least one partner or director in thepractice must be a Chartered Architect(a member of the RIBA)

_80% of its registered architects mustbe Chartered Architects

_ It must have in place managementprocedures to ensure that its architectscomply with the RIBAs ContinuingProfessional Development(CPD)obligations and adhere to the RIBACode of Conduct.

Do some researchVisit the websites of your shortlisted firmsand look at their entries in the RIBAs onlinedirectory (www.ribafind.org). Listen torecommendations and contact their

previous clients to discover what they arelike to work with.

There may be names on the list whosework you already know and admire, andwould like to appoint. However, to establishwhether the fit between your requirementsas a client and your architects skills andservices is a good one, youll need astructured selection process.

Interview the candidatesMeeting each of your favoured practicesin an interview situation will give you anindication of whether the chemistrybetween you is right. It will need to befor the project tosucceed. The interviewshould tell you how compatible their style,approach and personality are with your

own. Find out about their track recordand whether they have the designand management expertise to handleyour project.

Try to interview three to five firms enough to gauge the range of approacheson offer but not so many as to cloud theissue. Insist on meeting the key personnelwho would work on your project, allowingthem plenty of interview time and access(to the site and existing facilities) toanswer your questions fully.

The selection process


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06 07

Gainsborough Studios, London N1, Munkenbeck + Marshall. Morley von Sternberg www.vonsternberg.com

What to look forThe purpose of the interviews is tocompare and evaluate the candidatesdifferent approaches. Ask how they wouldresource the project, how they would

gather information, establish priorities andmake decisions. What do they considerto be the most important issues on theproject, and the biggest challenges?

Look for the best balance betweentechnical competence, professional serviceand, of course, design ability. Look for newideas and a fresh outlook on the project.Find a good fit between your needs andthe services offered. Do not underestimate,though, the importance of empathy,and of finding an architect that shares youraims and expectations for the project.

As soon as youve made your decision,inform all the practices included in theselection process. Be prepared to pay afee or honorarium to any firms that yourequested work from as part of the process.

Engaging an architect: guidance for clients toquality based selection (8.00), published bythe RIBA, offers advice on the best method ofselecting an architect. To order a copy, visitwww.ribabookshops.com or call RIBA Bookshopson 020 7251 0791.

The Construction Industry Council (which includesthe RIBA) publishes more detailed guidance onselecting architects and other professionals:A guide to quality based selection of consultants:a key to design quality (15.00) is available fromwww.cic.org.uk.

The selection process


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08 09

Hoyle Early Years Centre, Bury, DSDHA. Martine Hamilton Knight

The agreement you sign with your chosenarchitect must detail the scope and cost ofthe services you will need.

Together, you should discuss the demands

of the project, agree on whats expectedand put it in writing. You may find it usefulto formulate your brief first (see section10),to establish your vision of the project andwhat it entails.

On smaller projects, an exchange of lettersmaysuffice as a contract, as long as itcovers everything. For larger schemes,use a standard form of contract.

RIBA Appointment ContractsThese are flexible documents that canbe tailored tocover a wide range ofproject types and procurement paths,from restorations to new builds, fromdesign-and-build to managementcontracting. They include a Memorandumof Agreement or contractual letter, a

Schedule of Services and a Scheduleof Fees. If you make modifications tothe standard agreement, have themchecked by your legal advisor.

Whichprocurement path?Construction management? Design andbuild? Or the traditional route? There areseveral alternative procurement pathsopen to clients, and your architect can

advise you on the most effective for yourbusiness and project.

The RIBAs published policy onprocurement* recommends that theroute chosen provides:

_ the best value to the commissioningclient, present and future users,the public and society in general

_ a clear, collaborative and creative process_ an appropriate balance to be reached

between economic, social andenvironmental factors

_ an appropriatebalance to be reachedbetween conservation and innovation.

*To obtain a copy of the policy contact the

RIBA Practice Department on 020 7307 3749.

Appointing an architect


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10 11

Rolls-Royce, Westhampnett, Grimshaw.Edmund Sumner

The quality of your finished building willreflect the quality of your brief. This is thekey document defining your vision of thefinished building, and of how the project willbe managed. For your architect, it is the

central reference point that will guide thedirection they take and the services theyprovide.

How to get it rightWherever possible, your brief should beclear and unambiguous. It should enshrinea common understanding between you andyour architect.

Seek their help in formulating the brief.The process may foster a number ofdiscussions and help to establish thedialogue between you that the projectneeds. Above all the document shoulddescribe:

_Your motivations and expectations:what do you hope to achieve by this

project, in the short and long term, foryour organisation and others? An imagechange? A more comfortable or better-equipped working environment? An assetfor the community?

_ The functions of the finished project:who will use it, and what activities willthey be engaged in?

_A design direction: contrasting or inkeeping with existing buildings?Contemporary or traditional? Are therecertain materials, fixtures or finishes youfavour? Is sustainability an issue for you?

_Authority for decision-making: who willsign off decisions about design, aboutcosts and about day-to-day matterson-site?

_Timetables and budgets: when should

key stages be completed, how muchshould they cost, and how will theybe financed?

You maystill be uncertain about some ofthese issues, in which case your architectmay be able to carry out some preliminaryresearch or feasibility studies that will helpyou firm up your requirements.

The brief


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Advance Dental Clinic, Chelmsford, Richard Mitzman Architects. Nicholas Kane

It is vital to find the right architect to workwith. However, to be a success, yourproject will need the right kind of client too.

Have your own structure in place

The project will need to be properlyresourced and managed at your endas well as by the architect. It may benecessary to appoint a committee ofcarefully chosen people to share decision-making and review responsibilities.These might include areas such as:planning (deciding what or even whetherto build); scheduling; budgeting andfundraising; and cost control.

Make sure that one person becomesthe designated point of contact with thearchitect. They should carry authority asyour representative at planning sessionsand project meetings.

10 factors for successFinally, a checklist. In 2003, theCommission for Architecture and theBuilt Environment (CABE) published acomprehensive guide for clients on

creating excellent buildings*. Its list of thekey skills and attributes shared by clientson successful projects is reproduced here.Follow its advice and keep your projecton track.

_Provide strong client leadership_Give enough time at the right time_Learn from your own and other

successful projects_Develop and communicate a clear brief_Make a realistic financial commitment

from the outset_Adopt integrated processes_Find the right people for the job_Respond and contribute to the context_Commit to sustainability_Sign off all key stages

*Creating excellent buildings: a guide for clientscan be downloaded free of charge fromwww.cabe.org.uk/publications.

Being a good client


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For more help in selecting and appointing an architect,contact the RIBA Client Services office in your area:

RIBA Headquarters and London [email protected] 020 7307 3700RIBA East [email protected] 01223 566 285

RIBA East Midlands [email protected] 01522 837 480RIBA North [email protected] 0191 232 4436RIBA North West [email protected] 0151 703 0107RIBA South [email protected] 0118 969 8051RIBA South East [email protected] 01892 515878RIBA South West [email protected] 01752 265921RIBA Wessex [email protected] 01225 874700RIBA West Midlands [email protected] 0121 233 2321RIBA Yorkshire [email protected] 0113 245 6250

Scotland (RIAS) [email protected] 0131 229 7545Northern Ireland (RSUA) [email protected] 028 9032 3760Wales (RSAW) [email protected] 029 2087 4753

RIBA BookshopAll the latest books, guides and documentationon architecture and construction - everythingto help you select an architect and run asuccessful project - are available for orderat www.ribabookshops.com

Or call the Public Information Line on0906 302 0400, 10.00-17.00 (GMT), Mon-Fri.(Information line calls charged at 50p per minutein the UK. These lines cannot be accessed fromoutside the UK.)

Further information

Front cover: 30 St Mary Axe, London EC3, Foster and Partners.David Mark Soulsby/Arcaid

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