#11. Why you need a Principal Designer

With an abundance of titles flying around the architecture and design industry, we thought it best to break down exactly what a principal designer is, and why they are so important to your project.

In any project there is always going to be a level of risk, whether that is during the design or during the construction phase.  The role of principal designer is to maintain lines of communication between the general contractor, designers, and client, ensuring that all possible risks are eliminated, or managed and minimised throughout the project.

There is also a legal requirement for the principal designer regarding their competency in fulfilling the role. They must understand the technical framework of compliance, be it codes of practice and standards, and be able to perform their role in relation to the law, ensuring all design work is compliant with the building regulations. Continued professional education is also key, as it demonstrates continued competence and development in the role.

Furthermore, this focus on compliance is key, as the principal designer must manage other designers on the project to ensure that they are successfully adhering to the building regulations. This communication is an instrumental part of the role as it ensures the legal and risk requirements are met and maintained.

If you have any questions, or wish to chat some more, feel free to drop us an email or fill out the enquires form on our website.