After defining Architect-Led-Design-Build last week through a case study of the company who pioneered this process, I would like to delve deeper into the practicalities of ALDB as it relates to quality and efficiencyof work. This will be a shorter post, in preparation for some real world discussions of the role of the architect in the construction process through some site visits and interviews.

To be able to effectively discuss these topics, it is important to first discuss what “quality” means in reference to architecture and construction:

What Makes Good Architecture and Construction??

The question of what makes “good” architecture is very difficult to answer. Ideas about this have varied across time and throughout different cultures. However, some ideas are ubiquitous, it is these that I would like to discuss.

Good architecture can be analyzed based on theory and it’s response to innovations. One of the most widely accepted theories is that of Vitruvius, a Roman author, architect, and engineer who said essentially that a structure must exhibit equally the three qualities of “firmness, commodity, and delight” (“firmitas, utilitas and venustas” in the original Latin). What does this mean?

Firmness, or sturdiness indicates the quality of construction. Today this would indicate the construction itself and the environmental impact of that activity. This is the aspect of architecture which makes it timeless in the sense that it will remain intact and functional for many years to come.

Commodity, or functionalism indicates the usefulness of the architecture. This means both its general use and if that use is achievable through the architecture. For example something that would not satisfy this condition would be if you were constructing a gymnasium, but the architect designed it to have a column right in the center of the basketball court. 

Finally, Delight is the poetic and ephemeral sense that we have of a space. This cannot be quantified, only felt. The space either works or it doesn’t, in a sense of feeling, not function. All good architecture must evoke a sense of satisfaction with it’s users. This is what makes people enjoy or dislike a space. 

Defining “good” construction is somewhat more quantifiable. This is because you can see, touch and measure the results. Typically, good quality construction is thought of as adhering to the design documents with a high level of fidelity and complying with the quality level specification set by the owner. This means crafted details, and flush and level construction. This is achieved by double checking all drawings before completing work and hiring competent subcontractors or employees (if self-performing). Additionally, good contractors work to ethical conditions and are as efficient as possible, wasting little time and resources.

Additionally, there are 10 general categories that a project should respond to in order to be considered “good” today. In brief, they are as follows:

What is a Quality level? Where is it Specified?

What is harder to do is to define what determines a particular quality level, to which the construction work must comply. In RS Means for example, especially in the data charts used for preliminary estimating, they define project costs in terms of high medium and low quality. But what does this mean? 

I will come back to this post later to discuss the definitions of the quality levels utilized in RS Means (low, medium, high) that determine project costs. I also will get copies of wordings used in contracts that dictate the quality level expected for a job. Further research and discussion is needed.

What’s Next?

So, now that I have defined ALDB (through the case study last week) and what quality means in both design and construction I will be able to effectively discuss the architect’s role in construction and their influence on quality and efficiency of projects. While this will be my main theme I will also digress to discuss certain other aspects of construction management.

A final note that I want to make to ensure that future discussions are clear: When I speak of the architect’s “role” in the construction process I am referring to the architect’s responsibilities, both physical and financial, typical tasks they complete, and how they fit into the professional hierarchy of a piece of work.