8 Stages that your RIBA-approved architect is appointed to do.
Having a clear understanding of what your architects' services include is essential. You would think it's as simple as designing and building, right? But there is so much more to it than that! Your architect must follow these steps to make the overall project run smoothly, and everyone has a clear understanding of who is responsible for what.
Stage 0
Strategic Definition
Before any building work starts, the architect and the client define the project and prepare a brief. At Stage 0, the architect outlines and considers the client's priorities and goals. This process will involve overviewing the site's limitations and if it's possible to achieve the client's vision.
Additionally, taking a high-level view of the project. For example, is a refurbishment or extension, is a new build the most suitable resolution, does the client have a realistic timeframe and is the budget aligned with what the client wants to achieve?
When building a strategic definition, your architect should consider these fundamental elements and requirements.
Stage 1
Preparation and Brief
The architect will prepare a project brief using the information gathered from Stage 0. The brief will include the client's key objective throughout the project, the business case, and the rationale behind the project, possibly including financial appraisals and any other background information.
Additionally, to authenticate the likelihood of completing the project, a feasibility study may be carried out at this stage, consisting of economic, technical, legal, and scheduling considerations.
The architectural practice will allocate roles and responsibilities to team members at this stage. Pre-application dialogue with the planning authority might occur if applicable. Additionally, this stage requires the architect to review the client's requirements, budget, and timetable and "Check these careful question incompatibilities and agree to priorities".
Stage 2
Concept Design
The design team will prepare its response to the project brief, including the first drawings and design ideas. This will most likely be followed up with meetings and workshops to discuss the designs.
The project brief will continue to develop throughout this process, with a final project brief finalised. Both sustainability and construction strategy will be considered at the end of this stage. Preliminary cost information should also be prepared.
Stage 3
Developed Design
The structural design and building services systems should be prepared, collected, and coordinated at this stage. Followed by a developed design and updated cost information. According to the RIBA Plan of Work 2013 Overview, planning applications are typically submitted.
Stage 4
Technical Design
This stage is when the architectural, building services and structural engineering designs are further developed and refined to provide detailed technical information for the project to take the design to the point of construction issue drawings.
Some drawings may be further refined during the latter part of this phase and into stage 5 by specialist subcontractors, but by and large, by the end of this stage, the designs should be fully developed save for queries that might arise on-site during construction.
By the end of stage 4, any negotiation or tendering process with contractors is also complete. Throughout stages 2 – 4, depending on the procurement route, a negotiation or tender process will have taken place, such that by the end of stage 4, in a traditional procurement scenario, the building contract is ready to be executed.
Construction
As the name suggests, this stage comprises all construction works, including mobilisation through to practical completion. The principal output for this stage, in terms of design work, is the ‘as-constructed’ information. During this stage, the architect may also undertake a contract administration role which usually includes regular site inspections and reviewing the progress of the construction works.
Stage 5
Stage 6
Handover and Close Out
This stage includes the conclusion of the construction works and the building handover. The stage will include the final inspections post-practical completion of the works and, subject to the schedule of services, may also require the architect and other consultants to attend a feedback session and input into a review of the project as a whole.
Stage 7
In Use
This stage, which may not always involve the architect, focuses on using the project design information to assist with the ‘successful operation and use of the building’. This is effectively a review stage and looks to evaluate the design in practice. For some repeat clients, this stage may be part of stage 0 for the next development.
