DESIGN MANAGEMENT & DOCUMENT CONTROL
INTRODUCTION
Westgreen’s early engagement with clients and designers, supports successful outcomes across our diverse range of exquisite-quality projects. Our team of experienced architects, design managers and document controllers provide a skilled and friendly interface to successfully navigate the design delivery process.
The expertise of our handpicked team, many from some of the UK’s most respected designers, is a point of reassurance to clients and their advisors. Westgreen have the privilege of building for some of the world’s more decorated architects, designers and artists and, with our discerning clients’ requirements, we welcome challenges which promote innovation and continuous improvement in all we do.
Since 2006 Westgreen have employed in-house qualified architects. First prompted by a need for support with our private developments and specialist fabrications for artists and galleries, their activities now almost exclusively provide design management support across all our ’traditional’ building projects, many including complex contractor design portions. We do not offer principle architectural services in competition with our client’s architects and designers, but are available to support technical design where invited.
Our collaboration with client and design teams in the management of the design process at an early stage is now seen as an essential and integral element to the overall success of our projects.
Whether a new build or redevelopment project, or the care and attention required when undertaking specialist works packages within Listed properties, our team is here to help delivery solutions to streamline production.
James Titchner
Head of Design Management & Document Control
Our Services
At Westgreen, our design management services have evolved out of problem solving, supporting and managing the transition of the detailed design and production design information. This is particularly pertinent where specialist sub-contractor design information has been required to complete the design consultants’ design intent. We pride ourselves in delivering high quality and complex designs through working closely with the architect.
Who Do We Support?
We only carry out design management services for architects and clients directly and our role is separate from that of project managers. It is never our intention to compete, replace or substitute the role and activities of the lead design consultant, but to work seamlessly alongside them. The aim is to support the design team and specialists in delivering integrated buildable solutions that reflect the design brief, the cost and the quality expectations of the project.
Supporting Design Process & Environments
We aim to support creative environments and achieve the best design outcomes by removing unnecessary administrative burdens and overlapping processes. This is actioned by facilitating technical support from subcontractors and finding the optimum efficient way to ensure the design brief is achieved and delivered for the best price, timeframe and to the quality required. We remove conflict and work to coordinate and collaborate.
We Are Not Designers
Through our skilled resources and understanding of design and delivery processes, we seek to build consensus and provide management throughout the project lifecycle to find the most efficient ways to complete production information without acting as the designer ourselves.
Communication Hub - A Platform For Success
We provide a platform for good communication and an environment of collaboration to make the planning and coordination of an integrated programme of design development and production information, flow as smoothly and effectively as possible.
Design is iterative and we aim to assist the design process with a structured set of procedures to allow optimum decisions to be made, ensure outcomes satisfy objectives and make sure that quality is achieved for the planned programme and cost.
‘During pre-construction stages, we use our extensive experience to identify scope gaps and find solutions to de-risk the design process, turning issues into solutions’.
Collaborative Environments, ‘We Can’t Do This Without You!’
As contractor responsible for the construction delivery, we recognise that successful project outcomes rely on collaboration with designers and subcontractors to help us get there together. Towards this end we build a working environment where common objectives are established and a shared design culture engendered. We work to ensure there is ‘buy-in’ and agreement to the approach and where traditional conflicts are removed, lead to successful outcomes.
When Do We Get Involved?
We can bring expertise to help the designer to realise the best technical solution and are used to becoming involved early in the design process. Many specialised assemblies become the product of collaboration between the specialist sub-contractor or manufacturer and the architect designer.
Our Tradition Is Our Success
Westgreen has a tradition of delivering high-quality designed buildings by leading architects. As a contractor, we do not offer design and build solutions. Predominantly our projects for clients are delivered through traditional forms of procurement.
As a contractor, we are responsible for delivering the built form and act as custodians in executing the design brief to the level of quality and timescale intended by the client and the design team.
Design Management Is The Natural Extension Of What We Do
We see our role in design management as a natural extension of our role as the contractor and in providing an integral support function to the design team. Support is there to aid the design team as they navigate the detailed design stages, deliver production information and manage the design input process from the team during the pre-construction stages of design.