What It Is and How It Works

A Construction System

Design/Build is one way of constructing a project. As such, it differs from Design/Bid/Build.

In Design/Build (D/B), both the design and the construction of a building/s are the responsibility of one professional or one company. That professional may be a general contractor, an architect or an engineer. In any case, s/he manages every aspect of both the design and the construction of a project. This creates a team approach. The designer and the builder work together to optimize each step. Since both share the responsibility they generally work better together. In general the project will move faster and be less complicated with the better communication.

By using D/B, an owner can retain more control, minimize the risk of something going wrong and shorten the construction time, since the design phase and construction phase may overlap. The owner also has the option of making changes that are only seen as the project progresses. This can save much time and trouble.

History

The governing principles of today’s D/B date back to the “Master Builder” system in which the master builder was solely responsible for a project from its beginning to its completion.

For most of the twentieth century, D/B was classified as a non-traditional construction method in America — the last country to still embrace the old standard of Design/Bid/Build.

Overview of the Process

Generally, Design/Build combines the design, permit and construction schedules to streamline the traditional Design/Bid/Build process. This does not shorten the time it takes to complete the working drawings and specifications, to acquire permits or to construct the building. Instead, the D/B firm brings professionals together so that tasks overlap and construction can actually begin while the building is still being designed.

^{References: David B. South, President of Monolithic; Wikipedia, June 16, 2009}

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: Design Build