Design-Build contractor The design-builder is usually a general contractor, but in many cases it is also a design professional (architect or engineer). Design and build contractors employ professionals from the design and construction sector. Where the design-builder is a general contractor, the designers are typically retained directly by the contractor. Partnership may be created on a long term or for one project only.
Until 1979, the AIA American Institute of Architects' code of ethics and professional conduct, prohibited their members from providing construction services. However today many architects in the United States and anywhere else aspire to provide construction services, and one approach towards this goal is design-build. The AIA realised how design-build is becoming one of the main approach to construction; in 2003 the AIA endorsed "The architect's guide to design-build services"[3] which was written to help their members acting as design-build contractors. This publication gives guidance through the different phases of the process: - Design services - Contracts - Management - Insurances - Finances -
Criticisms of Design Build
Design-build limits the clients’ involvements in the design. The contractor is deciding on design issues as well as issues related to cost, profits and time exigencies. When the traditional method of construction procurement dissociates the designers from the contractors’ interests, design-build does not. On this ground it is thought that the design-build procedure is poorly adapted to projects that require a complex and elaborated design for aesthetical or technical purposes.
A notable design-build project that received significant criticism, not only for excessive cost but for environmental issues, was the Belmont Learning Center. The scandal involved alleged contaminated soil that caused significant delays and massive cost overruns[4] In Los Angeles, District Attorney Steve Cooley, who investigated the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Belmont project, produced a final investigative report, released March 2003.[5] This report concluded that the design-build process caused a number of issues relating to the Belmont scandal:
- Design-Build does not make use of competitive bidding where prospective builders bid on the same design.
- Criteria to select contractor is subjective and difficult to evaluate and to justify later.
- The design and price selected arouses public suspicion, true or not.
- This can lead to loss of public confidence.
It concluded the “design-build” approach and “mixed-use concept” together caused controversy, uncertainty, and complexity of the Belmont project which helped increased the potential for project failure.
While the Belmont investigation cleared the Los Angeles Unified School District of any criminal wrongdoing, the task force recommends strict oversight, including written protocols, a vigorous Office of the Inspector General, and other recommendations if it decides to continue to use the design-build approach.
As of 2009 and on, the Los Angeles Unified School District has vigorously started a campaign to use design-build approach in many of their projects, led by their Chief of Facilities, James Sohn.[6] It is also important to note that during this time, the Superintendent of LAUSD, Ramon C. Cortines, working with the LAUSD Board of Education, actively tried to cut the Office of Inspector General by 75% (compromising on 25%) and subsequently removed the Inspector General Jerry Thornton after he produced critical audits that showed misuse of construction funds.[7]
References
- ^ “Construction Contracts: Law and management” by John Murdoch and Will Hughes, published in 2007 by “Taylor & Francis E-library”, fourth edition, United Kingdom ISBN 0-203-96574-4 simultaneously published in USA ISBN 978-0-415-39368-3 and Canada ISBN 978-0-415-39369-0
- ^ "Design-Build Contracting Handbook", by Robert Frank Cushman & Michael C. Loulakis, published in 2001 by Aspen Law & Business, USA ISBN 0-7355-2182-4
- ^ "The architect's guide to design-build services" By G. William Quatman & Ranjit Dhar, published in 2003 by John Wiley & Sons Inc., USA ISBN 0-471-21842-1
- ^ [1] Belmont scandal
- ^ [2]] Los Angeles DA, Steve Cooley final Investigate report on Belmont
- ^ [3] James Sohn, Chief of Facilities discussing future of LAUSD Construction
- ^ [4] Daily News - LAUSD watchdog office to be cut by 25%
Design-Build contractor
The design-builder is usually a general contractor, but in many cases it is also a design professional (architect or engineer). Design and build contractors employ professionals from the design and construction sector. Where the design-builder is a general contractor, the designers are typically retained directly by the contractor. Partnership may be created on a long term or for one project only.
Until 1979, the AIA American Institute of Architects' code of ethics and professional conduct, prohibited their members from providing construction services. However today many architects in the United States and anywhere else aspire to provide construction services, and one approach towards this goal is design-build. The AIA realised how design-build is becoming one of the main approach to construction; in 2003 the AIA endorsed "The architect's guide to design-build services"[3] which was written to help their members acting as design-build contractors. This publication gives guidance through the different phases of the process: - Design services - Contracts - Management - Insurances - Finances -