What is integrated design?
Integrated design is a way of working in which all the disciplines involved work on a single design together from the start. The architect, structural engineer, services consultant, building physicist and sometimes the contractor coordinate their choices, instead of working one after another. The aim is a building in which architecture, structure, services and use fit together seamlessly.
Why integrated design?
In the traditional, sequential approach each discipline first finishes its own part, so problems only come to light later. Integrated design prevents that:
- Fewer failure costs — clashes between, say, pipes and beams are resolved early, not on the building site.
- Better performance — energy efficiency, comfort and maintenance are weighed from the start.
- Faster decisions — choices are made together, with less redesign afterwards.
How does it work in practice?
Integrated design relies on good coordination and shared information:
- Project team — client, designers and contractors work together in one team.
- BIM — a digital 3D model in which all disciplines bring their information together makes clashes visible.
- Early choices — key decisions about layout, structure and services are taken in the preliminary design.
The approach calls for more coordination at the start, but usually delivers a better thought-out, more buildable and more sustainable building.
Related terms
- Project team
- BIM
- Building process
- Detailed design
- Conceptual building
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