The Client and the
Architect
Giving the client more than they
ever dreamt of…
Design & Quality
‘Quality, above all, is about care, people,
passion, consistency, eyeball contact and
gut reaction. Quality is not a technique no
matter how good.’
Choosing a design team
• What looking for?
– Skill and experience
– Resources to match the scale of the task – Approach and methodology
– A relationship
• Special Requirements?
– Listed building – conservation architect
• How funding?
Design team members
• Architect
• Building Surveyor
• Quantity Surveyor
• Engineer
– Structural
– Mechanical and Ventilation
• Landscape Architect
• CDM coordinator
Appointing an architect
• Chartered architects
– Registered with ARB
– Member of RIAS; RIBA
– 7 year training
– Conservation accreditation
• Part of a team – depending on the
complication of the building (& cost)
• Early appointment
Selection
• RIAS Clients’ Advisory Service
– Online
• Interview more than one:
– List from General Trustees
– References
– Matching scale of project with staff
resources
– Fees
Relationships – a partnership
• Compatibility
• Common approach
• Communication
• Role recognition
• Mutual trust
• Appointment document
– Agreements in writing
Relationships – a partnership
• RIAS, RIBA & ARB – formal agreement
• ‘Architects should not undertake professional
work unless the terms of the contract have been recorded in writing as to:
• The scope of the work
• The fee or method of calculating it • The allocation of responsibilities • Any limitation of responsibilities • The provisions for termination
• Any special provisions for dispute resolution’
Relationships – Undertakings
• Architect
– Use reasonable skill and care in performing the services required
– Keep client informed of progress and on issues affecting time, cost or quality
– Cooperate with other appointments
– Have professional indemnity insurance
– Only make material change to the services or approved design with the client’s consent
– Only assign or sub-contract with the client’s consent
Relationships – Undertakings
• Client
– Provide requirements; accurate information; priorities (brief and timing, but….)
– Appoint other consultants (separate agreements) – Comply with Construction Design & Management
regulations (CDM)
– take decisions and respond promptly to approvals sought
– Instruct the architect about submissions for statutory and other approvals
– Pay fees and expenses within the time agreed – Employ a building contractor under a separate
contract
Before appointing a design team
• What is it you want to do?
• Why do you want to do it?
• Who is to be involved?
• What cost?
• When?
• How is it to be managed?
• We believe that every community needs inspiring places for worship, hospitality, rites of passage and creativity • Our buildings must be quality spaces that facilitate
relationships and which nurture people physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually
• We believe that our buildings must be open to all with a clear focus on the people who are most disadvantaged • To achieve this we must invest in buildings where there
is a shared local vision of church and community together
• We believe that every context is different and we are committed to different solutions in different places.
Options will include ownership, shared ownership and rental.
The brief
• The key to a good end result is a good brief
– Take time to get it right
• Who is involved in making the brief?
– The users
• Kirk Session/ Congregational Board • Congregation
• Other interested parties
– Potential users?
– Property convener (taking a maintenance view) – The design team as it develops