Small Projects Handbook

This hands-on, no-nonsense guide to running smaller projects – most under £250,000 in value – will become your 'bible' in day-to-day practice. Smaller practices often find it hard to turn a profit as they spend too much time and money, especially on the design stages, trying to compete and are unsure as to what they can safely dispense with whilst still being rigorous and delivering quality. This book provides reassurance as to how to achieve great results on a budget, utilising stripped-back and efficient solutions, while following the principles and stages of the RIBA Plan of Work. Each chapter provides: • simple step-by-step guidance to the key tasks in that stage of the Plan of Work including inputs, outputs, stage activities and sustainability checkpoints • in-text features which break down complex tasks and highlight best practice with pragmatic, real world advice including 'tips', 'warnings' and guidance on forms and templates • inspiring case studies of small projects that document the architect's experience of the process • guidance at each Plan of Work stage on the relevant practice issues that will help you to run your small project more effectively. Designed as a project handbook for smaller and medium sized architectural practices, it is also invaluable for Part 3 students getting to grips with how projects are run within the RIBA Plan of Work framework. Everybody in the project team – including clients, contractors and consultants – will find this a handy guide to the project process, full of useful insights and solutions. This hands-on, no-nonsense guide to running smaller projects up to GBP1m in value will become your 'bible' in day-to-day practice. Smaller practices often find it hard to turn a profit as they spend too much time and money, especially on the design stages, trying to compete and are unsure as to what they can safely dispense with whilst still being rigorous and delivering quality. The author provides reassurance as to how to achieve great results on a budget, utilising stripped-back and efficient solutions, while following the principles and stages of the new RIBA Plan of Work 2013. Each chapter provides; simple step-by-step guidance to the key tasks in that stage of the Plan of Work including inputs, outputs, stage activities and sustainability checkpoints. in-text features which break down complex tasks and highlight best practice with pragmatic, real world advice including 'tips', 'warnings' and guidance on forms and templates inspiring case studies of award-winning and iconic small projects that document the architect's experience of the process guidance at each 'Plan of Work' stage on the relevant practice issues that will help you to run your small project more effectively. This book is designed as a project handbook for smaller and medium sized architectural practices but will also be invaluable for Part 3 students getting to grips with how projects are run within the framework of the new Plan of Work. However, everybody in the project team - including clients, contractors and consultants - will find this a handy guide to the project process, full of useful insights and solutions. Cover Title Page Copyright Page Contents Foreword Introduction About the author and acknowledgements RIBA Plan of Work 2020 Section I Developing the Brief Stage 0 Strategic definition Stage 1 Preparation and briefing Section II Design and Coordination Stage 2 Concept design Stage 3 Spatial coordination Section III Preparing to Build Stage 4 Technical design Procurement Section IV Construction, Handover and Use Stage 5 Manufacturing and construction Stage 6 Handover Stage 7 Use Further reading Index Image credits