• Corporate Architecture
  • Commercial Architecture
  • Residential Architecture
  • Industrial Architecture
  • Landscaping
  • Alterations and refurbishments
  • Additions
  • Development
  • Project Management
  • Municipal approvals
  • Conceptual design

 

The work stages of the architectural process:

Architectural work is characterised by a sequential or staged flow of activities. This flow comprises 6 stages that feature prominently in project planning and apportionment of fees.

They are:

  1. Inception
  2. Concept and Viability
  3. Design Development
  4. Documentation and Procurement
  5. Construction Contract Administration
  6. Close Out

 

The responsibilities broadly associated with each stage along the flow of work trajectory are listed below. It is significant that all architectural work, from the smallest and simplest, to the largest and most complex, can - and should - be managed according this flow of work and its elemental stages.

The standard architectural professional's scope of service and the architectural professional's functions in performing this service for each work stage are set out below.

Standard Service

STAGE 1 : INCEPTION

  • Assist in developing a clear project brief
  • Advise on the procurement policy for the project
  • Advise on rights, constraints, consents and approvals
  • Advise on the other consultants and services required
  • Assist in defining the consultant's scope of work and services
  • Determine availability of data, drawings and plans relating to the project
  • Provide necessary information within the agreed scope of project to the other consultants
  • Assist in developing a project programme

STAGE 2 : CONCEPT AND VIABILITY

  • Agree the documentation programme
  • Prepare concept design based on the client's brief
  • Consult with the other consultants and incorporate their input
  • Discuss design concept with local authorities
  • Clarify and confirm the project space norms to optimise functional and operational efficiency in terms of scale and relationships of area
  • Co-ordinate design and cost interfaces with the other consultants
  • Select general construction materials and intended finishes
  • Prepare and submit the site development plan to the local authority for approval where applicable
  • Liaise, co-operate and provide necessary information to the client, other consultants
  • Review anticipated costs of the project
  • Review project programme

STAGE 3 : DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

  • Review the documentation programme with the other consultants
  • Incorporate the client's detailed requirements into building design
  • Incorporate and co-ordinate the other consultants' designs into building design
  • Liaise, co-operate and provide necessary information to the client, and other consultants
  • Obtain detailed project specific requirements of the local authority in order to ensure understanding thereof
  • Prepare design development drawings {including draft technical details) and outline specifications
  • Provide sufficient drawings and information to the quantity surveyor for the completion of detailed estimates of construction cost where applicable
  • Review the design, costing and programme with the other consultants
  • Confirm the scope and complexity
  • Review the design and consult with local and statutory authorities
  • Develop the design, construction system, materials and components
  • Incorporate all services and the work of consultants

STAGE 4 : DOCUMENTATION AND PROCUREMENT

  • Obtain clients authority to prepare and submit drawings to local authority for approval
  • Prepare specifications for the works and agree preambles with the quantity surveyor when applicable
  • Co-ordinate services and prepare necessary services co-ordination drawings
  • Review cost estimate with the quantity surveyor
  • Provide working drawings
  • Liaise, co-operate and provide necessary information to the other consultants
  • Complete construction documentation and proceed to call for tenders
  • Obtain the client's authority to prepare documents to procure offers for the execution of the works
  • Obtain offers for the execution of the works
  • Evaluate offers and recommend on the award of the building contract
  • Prepare the contract documentation (and arrange the signing of the building contract)

STAGE 5 : CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION

  • Contract administration
  • Hand over the site to the contractor
  • Issue construction documentation
  • Initiate and/or check sub-contract design and documentation as appropriate
  • Inspect the works for conformity to the contract documentation
  • Administer and perform the duties and obligations assigned to the principal agent
  • Receive, comment and approve interim payment valuations
  • Witness and review all tests and mock-ups carried out both on and off site
  • Check and approve subcontract shop drawings for design intent
  • Update and issue the drawings register
  • Issue contract instructions
  • Review and comment on operations and maintenance manuals, guarantees, certificates and warranties
  • Inspect the works and issue practical completion and defects lists
  • Assist in obtaining statutory certificates

STAGE 6 : CLOSE-OUT

  • Inspect and verify rectification of defects
  • Receive, comment and approve relevant payment valuations and completion certificates
  • Prepare and / or procure operations and maintenance manuals, guarantees and warranties
  • Prepare and / or procure as-built drawings and documentation
  • Issue the works completion certificate