Built Environment Professional Practice

This second assignment continues simulation of the procurement of a building construction project. For this purpose, you will be divided into teams of 4 for this project.

This assignment will involve forming teams, taking the project through the process of negotiating and preparing documentation for Development Approval (Planning Permission) and then deciding upon a suitable construction procurement process for the proposed project.

Study class material that relates to business structures/setting up of a practice.

Part 1: Team Organisation

In this session, you will be divided into teams of 3 to 4 students.

Firstly, each new team has to agree on a structure for their new organisation.

For this session, consider the suitable options (e.g. partnership, company, unincorporated association or sole practitioners, joint venture, etc.) and decide upon which would be appropriate.

Consider practical, legal, ethical and any discipline-specific implications in your discussion

Also consider other aspects that would be necessary for a new organisation (registration requirements, accreditation requirements, insurances, location, office space, hardware, software, personnel, etc.)

It is assumed for this project that you have an ongoing fee agreement with your client, but re-familiarise yourselves with Unit Notes on Fees and Services.

From your discussion, the team should study the documentation provided for the project; consisting of site information and drawn documentation for the proposed project. You should note that the project represents a stage in a larger development, so study the site and layout of previous stages as part of your preparation (Documentation will be provided on CloudDeakin)

As you did in Assignment 1, locate relevant Planning Scheme and note zoning and relevant Overlays (these will be partially be included in the on CloudDeakin with some further explanations provided in the Unit Notes).

Important Note: While the project is readily identifiable, please do not approach the site or the local council to gather information.

Part 2: Development Control for the Ongoing Project

( Documentation of the Site/Building Layouts are provided on CloudDeakin.)

Each team is to consider how to proceed to a Planning Application for this project, based on the documentation provided. Note that both parties ( Client and Team) if possible, should aim for a relatively quick planning process without having to go through an appeals process (VCAT).

• Consider the likelihood of the proposal obtaining a planning permit. This consideration should include understanding of the relevant Planning Scheme and its relation to the proposal.

• Consider in particular which ‘Clauses’ in the Planning Scheme pertain to the type of project and its location.

• Consider also whether Heritage, Environmental and Broader State-level Planning requirements might apply to the proposed project.

• Are there elements that might need to be added, removed, altered, reduced, relocated in relation to the design in order for a planning permit to be obtained?

Undertake a graphic analysis of the drawings as provided, diagrammatically representing/calculating gross floor areas, site coverage and other aspects highlighted by the relevant Clauses in the local Planning Scheme.

This analysis should help the Team to consider any modifications that may need to be made to their design before applying for formal Development Approval.

CLICK HERE TO PLACE YOUR ORDER

Each Team should then prepare a letter to the local (Australian) Government Authority as the written part of a Development Approval (Planning Permit) Submission.

Discuss the following in relation to your team’s draft letter:

• How you have described and analysed the Existing Site (including previous Stages of this project) and its Surroundings?

• How you are explaining the Design Response, in particular how it responds to each of the relevant Clauses/Standards outlined in the relevant Planning Scheme?

• Have you have provided explanation or justification of elements of the project that may be ambiguous or contravene guidelines outlined in the relevant Planning documents (if any)?

• Have you have considered the project in relation to possible Heritage and Environmental considerations?
• Have you have considered how the design responds to any other relevant criteria (e.g. State-based Strategic Plans) that might be helpful in supporting the submission.

Built Environment Professional Practice

Part 3: Procurement Strategies

Your client is keen to commence the build as quickly as possible after the approval of the Planning permit. They have asked you to put some thought to how the procurement of the building might be advanced in the meantime, in order that a builder is in place to start the works ASAP after the permit is issued. Consider that whatever the process you choose, the design Team (your organisation) wishes to administer the construction of the project.

Discuss and minute the Team Procurement Strategies meeting:

• Consider traditional & non-traditional procurement methods, for example, “management contract”, “design & build” etc.

• Consider appropriate building contract types. Refer ABIC Australian Building Industry Contracts. http://architecture.com.au/services/abic

• Consider what forms of construction procurement would be suitable for a project of this scale and type of project.

• Consider which forms of construction procurement would be suitable for a project at this stage in its process (Design Development almost completed/almost ready to submit to the local authority for a Planning Permit).

• What contract type would be most appropriate in terms of the procurement process selected?

• Would you construct the project as a single package or break it down into a series of smaller packages?

• For each possible contractual type, consider the advantages and disadvantages of using it for this project.

• What risks would be the responsibility of your team (as administering architects), of the client and of the constructor(s) in the procurement/contractual process?

Built Environment Professional Practice

Note: When reading suitable proformas/templates (e.g. those found in ACUMEN) look at their important elements in relation to roles and responsibilities. Look most closely at clauses/sections that relate to insurance, liability, processes of adjustment of scope or time, methods of dispute resolution, methods of pricing, how payments are processed) when considering suitability of particular proformas/templates.

Part 4: Letter from Team to Client about Construction Procurement

Having researched and discussed procurement options for this project, you now wish to communicate to the Client your recommendations.

Write a letter from your Team to the Client about the Construction Procurement process, outlining:

• An explanation of which form of construction procurement you would recommend ( it’s advantages over alternative forms of construction procurement).

• Your recommendations for a suitable contractual process for the construction of the project (in anticipation of the project proceeding to construction after Planning Approval is granted).

• An explanation of roles and risks as administering architects, as well as that of the client and the constructor(s) in your chosen procurement/contractual process.

• List other approvals, licenses & permits (over and above Development Approval) will be required before commencement of works on site?

• List what is required, in terms of drawings and supporting documentation, to be supplied for each of these approvals/licenses/permits?

• How your team will, on behalf of the client, set about engaging a builder for this project?

• In considering potential builders for the project, what abilities/qualities need to be taken into account?

There is no set length for this letter, but to cover all relevant aspects 1-2 A4 pages ( or /± 1000 words ) should be sufficient.

Built Environment Professional Practice