Bending the role of the Architect

The role bending Architect is one that responds to the ongoing market developments by anticipating or accepting changes in their professional roles, in relation to client requirements. (Bos-de Vos, M. et al, 2018).

The decision to adapt and manipulate your professional skillset, as the role bending Architect, is typically defined by two options in order to better meet client demand, injecting value back into your role. These are as follows:

Reframing activities

Investing in specific expertise

“By reframing their activities in the project, role bending architects aim to serve the client and the project in the best way possible” (Bos-de Vos, M et al, 2018). Thus, meaning their day to day tasks will shift and change from project to project. If, for example, a specific project may need extra help and guidance throughout the planning application process, then the architect would bend its role to suit such activity. This approach applies to most project tasks such as consultancy work or BIM management. What is more interesting, however, is the investment in specific expertise. More specifically, that of off-site construction and DfMA (Design for Manufacture and Assembly).

In order to maintain the client-Architect relationship you engage with a DfMA approach to design for the next project, as specified by the client, in order to provide an overall time and cost reduction for the project, as shown in the diagram shown below [Fig.15]

“Overhead. Design contingencies. Risk. Change orders. It’s time for a new vocabulary when we talk about construction projects – early, fast, perfect fit, as-planned” (Autodesk, 2020)

Traditional Construction

Feasibility Funding Design & Engineering Site Preparation Constructiont

Design for Manufacture and Assembly

Feasibility Funding Design & Engineering

Site Preparation Manufacture

Assembly Fit-out & Finish Testing & Commissioning

Time

[Fig.15] Impact of DfMA on design and construction programme

Fit-out & Finishingt Testing & Commissioning

Time Saved

DfMA, as a tool for the empowerment of the future Architect, is also extremely relevant in today’s evolving construction industry. As mentioned prior, the value of the architectural profession lies in its value to the client, and DfMA is already a proven success within construction, providing high-level efficiencies. This also opens an opportunity for the Architect to regain its title of the master builder if engagement with this design approach is properly considered.

One of the major reasons that the Architect lost a considerable share of the market to large contractual firms is due to its unwillingness to manage risk and liability on large-scale projects, especially for the medium sized, 30-100-person practice.

Yet, if the Architect was to work with the client, designing for manufacture and assembly, there would be a drastic reduction in risk management required. This is due to modular elements being constructed off-site in controlled conditions, there is a reduction in error due to the intricacy of the BIM model used in the DfMA process, and material wastage would see significant reductions as there is no need for wet trades on site.

Higher quality and sustainability Lower Assembly Cost

Speed

This technology is already at the forefront of construction at present, which provides even more urgency for the role bending Architect to adapt their expertise to that of offsite construction. As seen in UK government policy, the opportunities outlined for the use of DfMA in the public sector have been outlined in the diagram below (Infrastructure and Projects Authority, 2018).

There is room for improvement, however, in the current application of DfMA in construction. It must be acknowledged that many architectural firms will acquire DfMA methods only to stay in business and meet client requirements, yet others will invest heavily in expertise and technologies to drive the future of construction through DfMA. Do you see a chance to pioneer the DfMA market?

Which would you choose to do?

Shorter assembly time

[Fig.16] Advantage of DfMA

Increased reliability Safety