Introduction to the Construction Industry

According to the Riba Plan of Work, there are 11 stages from appraising the client's requirements through to post construction.

A: Inception (Appraisal)

At the Inception stage a brief and instructions from the client describing his requirements including what the project is intended to achieve, its cost and program to the architect.

The architect will then

 Check if it's possible to accept the job. This includes satisfying himself that the client is genuine and has the resources to finance the project.

 Agree to the terms of the appointment. This includes responsibilities, fees, employment of the Quantity Surveyor (QS) and other consultants.

 Obtain initial details of the client's requirements and of the site.

 Initiate office procedures. This will include opening files, a job book, fees and other records, and deciding how the architect will organise his part of the job and who will be involved.

At this stage the architect's main financial concern will be to establish cost limitations. He will also discuss the tender procedure and form of contract to be used, appointment of nominated subcontractors and suppliers, and discuss what approvals under planning, building and other regulations with the client.

B: Feasibility (Strategic Brief)

At feasibility stage the design team is organised. The architect will establish whether it's technically possible to construct the building the client requires on the available site.

The Architect will have to obtain details on:

 Additional information on the client's requirements to that provided at stage A.

 Details information on the site.

 Information from ‘third parties' who may be involved with the proposed building.

 Information on costs.

A site investigation will be done to obtain information on the site. The brief is developed as fully as possible. The site, legal and other constraints are studied and alternative design options are considered. One of the important ‘third parties' involved with the scheme at this stage will be the local authority planning department. The architect will normally have an informal meeting with the responsible planning officer to establish whether planning permission is likely to be given. The client is advised about the feasibility of the project in functional, technical, financial and contractual terms. His decision is sought on how the project is to proceed. The architect will also need to confirm the appointment of the QS, engineer and other consultants and prepare for the next stage of the project.

The design team needs to be organised, with the roles of the members clearly defined and relationships between the design team and clients representatives established.

C: Outline proposals.

At this stage the things that will be happening are:

 Commence development of Strategic Brief into Project Brief

 Prepare Outline Proposal

 Provide an approximation of construction costs or

 Obtain Client approval to Outline Proposals and approximate construction cost

 Co-operate with Planning Supervisor where applicable

The architect with help of the other members of the design team will carefully analyse the client's requirements.

Expert advice will be obtained from the various consultants on the structural, building engineering services, and cost aspects.

After all the relevant information has be collected, the architect along with the other members of the design team will decide in outline, the best design solution and prepare the outline scheme drawings.

The QS will consider the cost limits of the project and the architect will help him in this assistance as required.

An outline pre-contract programme will be prepared so as to give the client an indication as to when building work will commence on site, and how long it will take to complete.

D: Scheme Design (Detailed proposals)