MCBAINS COOPER
PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANCY
NEWS FEATURE
November 11, 2010.
POST-CSR: STOP MUTTERING, START TALKING.
Mark Leeson, a director of interdisciplinary property and construction consultancy McBains Cooper, says that the design and construction industry, post-Comprehensive Spending Review, needs to stop muttering and make itself leaner, meaner and more creative. How? By getting all branches and disciplines in the sector to talk more, and talk more often. But there may be an art to it.
“Architecture has long been defined as both the art and the science of designing and constructing buildings, and that definition has now also been widely adopted and embraced by the structural engineering community.
“There is natural symbiosis between architecture and structural engineering, resulting from a desire within both professions to marry form and function together into one harmonious composition. But what of the other disciplines and strands that make up the now well recognised ‘supply chain’?
“If we start with mechanical and electrical engineer (building services), the relationship between form and function has always been a difficult one. There are as always, some exceptions – Pompidou, the Lloyds Building to name two. Here the collaboration between architect, structural and services engineers resulted in some of the most iconic and provocative buildings since the turn of the century. So, given the now critical input of the services engineer, why do we not see more Pompidous?
“What about surveyors? Where is there within their training and professional development the opportunity to hear about, consider and understand design in its widest sense? How can a surveyor advise clients on value, without considering the wider aspects of this most difficult, yet most important aspect of property consultancy? The Value Handbook offer excellent advice for public sector clients, but where is the equivalent advice for the private sector?
“What about contractors? This is less clear. Great strides have been made following Latham and Egan in raising awareness of the importance of collaborative working within the contracting arena; however, there is still mistrust of consultants. There is still a real sense that it might be better to keep everyone at arms length – that true collaboration carries more risk than token efforts.
“My own view is that the education system and relationship between the professions is in such disrepair, that communication, never mind collaboration, seems to be actively discouraged rather than encouraged. Where do architects, engineers and surveyors get the chance to meet, debate, discuss and engage with one another? As an industry we remain fragmented, disjointed and locked in disciplinary cells, with most not seeking a way out.
“We now face cuts in government spending, many initiatives are under threat. There is only one cross-industry body striving to bring the professions together – Constructing Excellence. Is this enough to really change the industry? I would argue not. At risk of sounding like I’m fishing for a commercial plug, I’ll say that at McBains Cooper our aim is to change the industry and the way property consultants approach the design and delivery of buildings and places.
“We offer a place where professionals from across the construction industry spectrum come together because they want to collaborate – not once, on one project, but continuously, relentlessly – blurring the boundaries between disciplines, so the best elements of each profession rubs off on the neighbouring professions not just for the benefit of the individual, but for the wider industry as a whole.
“So, to come back to the title – the art and science of interdisciplinary design – what does this mean and how can we turn this ancient idea into a meaningful guide to the approach we should take to move the industry on? Well, art is often inaccessible to all but the most open minded – yet design has to have art at its core. Without art, there is no meaning, without meaning, projects are hollow, they lack impact. So we need to spend time communicating our art in ways that are understood by all. Science is better understood in the round, but the ‘why’ is often not well communicated by those that do understand it in detail. Communication again…
“So actually bringing art and science together is really about communicating – and any advantage we can gain in the aftermath of the CSR is an advantage worth having. A well-designed and perfectly executed project is always as a result of excellent communication between project team members. The architect is able to explain his ideas in a way that allows the engineering disciplines to complement, support and frame the design, the surveyor understands the inherent value that the design is creating and can explain this (with the architect) to the client, and the contractor knows how to build it, and buys in to the concept and wants to deliver the design to the best of their ability. An industry in harmony. So let’s start talking.”
Ends
Further information:
Iain Macauley
07788 978800
Notes.
McBains Cooper.
McBains Cooper is an international inter-disciplinary property and construction consultancy, one of the most successful in its sector.
Driving and supporting projects ranging from minor works to major contracts worth more than £100 million, McBains Cooper operates across a variety of sectors throughout the UK, Europe and Latin America.
McBains Cooper is committed to environmental, social and economic sustainable development, and its integrated approach means it can deliver effective, award-winning solutions to its clients.
The business is involved in professional consultancy in property, infrastructure and construction, offering a wide range of consulting and design services including architectural, aesthetic or technical design, problem solving, budget management, facilities management, health and safety, sustainability consultancy and on-the-ground civil engineering.
The group employs 150 people. McBains Cooper has regional headquarters in London (head office), Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Oxford, Windsor, Athens (Greece,) Lima (Peru), and Monterrey (Mexico), Mexico City and Miami, with associate offices in Belfast and Dublin. www.mcbainscooper.com
