The Design Build Architect Conference

The Design Build Architect Conference is a program developed for architects by architects. The conference strives to motivate design professionals to achieve greater degrees of success through the addition of deliverables. Incorporating ‘build’ services into an existing design practice has the potential to better serve the client, fortify the practice, and revitalize the role of architect.  The industry is moving away from traditional project delivery methods. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has developed a broad-brush instructional program for Integrated Project Delivery, stressing a more collaborative effort between design and build services. Clients recognize the value of single source responsibility and are increasingly incorporating philosophies of design build into their Requests for Proposals. It is during this time of transition in industry practices that Architects have the greatest opportunity to redefine their role and revolutionize their company.

Traditionally, clients hire an architect to design a building and a contractor to build the design. This contractual arrangement expects the client to assume a great deal, and often an undesirable amount, of responsibility. The disconnection between designer and builder diversifies accountability and generates conflict. A simple omission in drawings by the designer or undisclosed value engineering decision by the builder may spawn a dispute with significant litigious potential. In architect led design build projects, the client vests all interests into a single source of responsibility. The architect acts as the client’s advisor to keep the project’s goals, schedules and budget the top priority. Many clients like that design build ventures can provide a guaranteed cost of construction and shorter project delivery timelines. This teaming of client and architect enables better coordination of services, prediction of complications, and development of resolutions without conflict.

An Architecture firm’s potential for success often correlates to the strength of the economy.  In an economic down swing clients build and spend less forcing architects to scramble for work. Many design professionals recognize their vulnerability and are seeking alternative, proactive methods to fortify their company and its future. Through the diversification of services a design firm may generate business from multiple branches of the company, each working with and occasionally helping to support the next. Design build firms stand out from their competition as a value added enterprise and potentially creating new business relationships. Developing additional engineering and construction services within a design firm creates opportunity, enhances profit and provides financial security.

Architect led design build asks architects to realize the ‘Master Builder’ ancestry of the profession. Once responsible for all aspects of building design and construction, the architect is now typecast into the narrowing role of designer and removed from project realization.  In traditional design bid build practice, many construction and budgetary decisions do not involve the architect. This disconnection of services allows for the fleecing of an original design.  When leading design build, the architect may more openly experiment with ideas and explore innovative design concepts with the client. Opportunities for unique, design-oriented value engineering are plentiful. For example, Tom Fernandez, a Registered Architect and Designer of The Design Build Architect Conference, opted to use buffed muffler piping for the handrails of one design build project. By doing so, Mr. Fernandez achieved a sleek metallic look at a fraction of the originally estimated price. Design build encourages such ingenuity and challenges architects to think holistically. A fluid dialogue between client and designer and increased level of architect involvement provides the framework for a higher degree of design.

Design professionals are not taking full advantage of the changing industry. A recent study by the Design Build Institute of America (DBIA) reports only 13% of design build projects being completed in the United States are by designers, 54% are by contractors, 28% by Integrated Design Builders and the remaining 5% are by joint venture. Over half of the Design Build professional resources available to clients today are led by Contractors with limited design credentials. Prepared with years of design education and a thorough knowledge of construction sciences, Architects have the most in-depth understanding of buildings. They are the most qualified to bridge the fields of design and build. Despite this, Architects are failing to provide this additional service to clients. An informal study of the AIA estimates the ratio of construction profits to design profits to be greater than 4:1. Architects are missing out on both the capitalization of new business and involvement in the future of project delivery.  

The Design Build Architect Conference series was designed to identify and empower professionals with the tools to navigate the changing architectural climate.  The daylong conference will be led by three practicing design build architects interested in sharing the experiences, pitfalls and successes they encountered while diversifying their design firms’ deliverables.  They will include case studies of various design build projects with complete transparency. Proposal materials, contracts, goals, schedules, budgets, and progress logs will be introduced and analyzed with the audience.  These and other materials will be given to each participant in a workbook to be kept for future reference. A local lawyer will discuss the legal nuances that exist between various standard client design build contracts and a local Insurance Agent will compare the benefits, costs and liabilities associated with expanding services.  It is the intention of The Design Build Architect Conference to provide attendees with the knowledge and tools to take their first step toward incorporating design build services to their current practices.