AA School RIBA Part 3 – Design Management Workshop

Technical Director Simon England, and Senior Design Manager Janet Durkin, were delighted to be back at the Architectural Association giving a Part 3 lecture titled ‘Design Management for Architects’ last week. The lecture was followed by an interactive Programme Workshop where groups were tasked with creating a RIBA Stage 2 Route Map for a hypothetical commercial project in Central London.

A key point for discussion in the session was what type of project scale is appropriate to have dedicated resource to undertake Design Management on a project, whether internal or via an external consultant like Plan A. Ultimately, regardless of project scale it’s essential for Lead Designers to keep clients in the loop and maintain transparency. Regular updates on progress build trust, while flagging any changes that could impact quality or costs helps avoid surprises down the line. Beyond technicalities, embracing inclusivity, ethics, and collaboration ensures that we’re not just meeting professional standards, but also fostering a strong, partnership with clients. With effective design management, we stay aligned with these principles, ensuring projects run smoothly and clients feel confident every step of the way.

It was good to be back in the lecture room, and it was great to engage with students as they look to complete their final qualification.

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