An effective working relationship between architects and trade/specialist contractors is central to a healthy and innovative construction industry. For this relationship to prosper, working processes have to be in place which provide positive incentives for both parties to collaborate with each other without wasteful interference. One reason why the UK construction industry delivers such poor value compared with its continental competitors is that the relationship between architects and contractors is compromised by flawed contractual arrangements. which distort the design process. and by a fundamental misunderstanding about the nature of the activity of designing itself.

Why should trade/specialist contractors devote time to working with architects at the early design stages to develop the construction design when the subsequent contractual arrangement during procurement allows general contractors to ignore this effort and appoint others who have made no earlier contribution to the project?

The contractors‘ answer is to promote design and build as a procurement method. But the majority of contractor-procured design and build examples show a woeful lack of construction design refinement. indicating a preoccupation with contractual and financial management rather than with construction design considerations.

The alternative is for architects to form better arguments in support of the fact that ‘good design pays’. We must become more effective in ensuring that this argument is understood by clients and by the industry. This involves challenging established processes and procedures. which are dominated by a misguided and counterproductive attitude to cost and risk management.

Only by adopting collaborative working methods. which enable trade/specialist contractors and architects to develop design solutions jointly at the beginning of a project. will the necessary improvements be achieved. Without such a change our industry will not hold its own in the 21st century.

Hans Haenlein www.haenlein.com