The information is collated into a formal document, which sets out your requirements and is
called The Brief.
Working with an Architect: An architect is essential in formulating a successful brief. Time spent
at this initial stage is invaluable as a design is only as good as the brief. A good brief, in turn, has
a major influence on the quality of the finished building.
The Brief is developed through a number of stages from an initial Statement of Need and
Preliminary Brief to the Strategic Brief and the Design Brief:
Statement of Need: the basic document, which defines the clients objectives.
Preliminary Brief: gives consideration to financial resources, accommodation requirements, site
availability, timescale and other factors likely to affect the project.
Strategic Brief: brings together the Statement of Need and the Preliminary Brief. It sets out the
broad scope and purpose of the project and the key parameters of the preferred options
including budget and program.
Design Brief: the full statement of the clients functional and operational requirements
for the project. Following initial design work, the Strategic Brief is translated into the
Design Brief.
There are many possible design solutions for each project and a detailed brief will
enable your architect to identify and develop the most appropriate solution for your
needs.
2. DESIGNING THE PROJECT
The client shall review all stages from on to five
2.1 Initial Design / Concept
The architect will analyze the brief requirements and present initial design proposals.
The design may still change at this stage or your architect may provide you with a
number of alternative proposals in form of drawings, sketch designs and schematics
for example of space allocation.
You and your architect are likely to have several discussions about these proposals.
Drawings can be sometimes difficult to understand but this is an important stage in
the design. It is a two-way process into which you must feed your concerns and
requirements.
There is no electrical details in this stage.
Having translated your brief into a design, project architect will develop the
initial proposal into a more developed design. At the developed design
stage, your architect will need to finalize the layout of spaces, the materials
for construction and incorporate the work of any specialist consultants, such
as a structural engineer who will advise on the structure. You will also need
to decide on the renewable energy sources (i.e. solar panels) you wish to
use, as they impact on the design. Your architect will present the developed
design to you and discuss its implications, for example on timescale and
project cost.
Documents presented at this stage will include: Site Plan, Floor Plans, Key
Elevations and Sections, Renderings or Model.
Project design architect will deal with the complex legal framework of
Building Regulations, health and safety regulations, disability,
accessibility and planning laws.
Planning Permission: the designer shall prepare the drawing package and
make the application on your behalf.
The package shall include detailed load estimation, all electrical design
criteria, demand factors, all systems to be used, , all codes and standards to
be followed,..,etc.
Renewable energies,
HVAC control,
Lighting control,
Energy monitoring and control,
Electrical distribution,
Critical power availability and reliability,
IT and server room management
Telephone and data,
IP TV
MATV,
Access control,
Video security surveillance and analytics,
Standards
Are guidance documents developed by groups that have (hopefully) studied the area and are making
recommendations. Thus, standards are not legal requirements unless something or someone else has
made them a requirement.
Legislation & Regulations
Is a law and thus the subject matter covered is required legally. Legislation must be passed by some
governmental authority to be a law. Often legislation is somewhat vague and the manifestation or full
explanation of the requirements must be written in "codes". Laws are passed leading to regulations
Codes
Are the manifestation (or written legal requirements) of legislation.
Different International Codes, Standards, Regulations & Specifications
- Saudi Building Code - Electrical.
SCECO: Saudi Consolidated Electric Company Distribution Standard.
SASO: Saudi Arabian Standard Organization.
- Local Civil Defense Regulation.
- International Building Code (IBC).
- International Fire Code (IFC).
- International Energy Conservation Code.
NEC (NFPA-70): National Electrical Code.
NFPA-72: National Fire Alarm Code.