What does a design standards architect do?
The architect is hired by the owner to create design standards that establish the overall function, performance, and quality standards for the owner’s projects, programs, facilities, or campuses. Architects of record and construction contractors will contract with the owner for final design and construction of each project. The architect of record remains responsible for preparation of the construction documents, and related design and bidding phase services, and administration of the owner/contractor agreement on a project-by-project basis.
Will the design standards architect review design documents for conformance with the design standards?
Not as a basic services. Project-specific design standards conformance review is a supplemental service. If the architect will provide project-specific conformance review services, the parties elect this supplemental service at the time the agreement is executed.
Do the project-specific design standards conformance review services provided by the design standards architect conflict with the services provided by the architect of record?
No. The review by the design standards architect is for limited purpose of checking for conformance with the design standards. The review performed by the design standards architect is not for the purpose of determining the accuracy and completeness of other information such as dimensions, quantities, installation and built performance of materials, equipment, or systems. Further, the architects of record and engineers of record for individual projects will still need to ascertain if the documents are in accordance with applicable laws, statutes, ordinances, codes, rules and regulations, or lawful orders of public authorities.
When should an owner hire an architect to develop design standards?
The B271–2024 is suitable for use at any time an owner would like to develop standard design elements throughout their projects, programs, facilities, or campuses or any time an owner would like to refine their existing set of design standards.