25powerful in what it can do - well done thevendors, keep it up. What about the 'other M'?I imagine the enthusiast, the well read onthe subject, has mused from what they haveread so far, 'this author is the kind thatconstantly refers to BIMM rather than BIM'(where the other M stands for 'andManagement'). The disinterested probablyisn't reading this anyway but if they arewould be thinking; 'isn't 'BIM' enough, whydo we need another M?' and the 'scared' aregetting more scared and wishing they hadn'tstarted reading at all. I frankly have a bit of a problem with theacronym in its entirety. Firstly it isn't justabout 'buildings' unless we accept that we'build' roads, bridges railways etc. so'building' has to be the irregular verb - tobuild which is not how most peopleunderstand it in 'BIM'. 'Information' is thereally important bit albeit that we also often,and erroneously, interchange it with theterm 'data' once we get into the computingenvironment. If I'm allowed only one M then themanagement of the information is actuallywhere the big win is. In terms of ultimatelyimproving the product (of construction) thebest advice here has been pretty constantsince long before the coining of 'BIM' andwhere one way of managing it is into formsthat can create the third dimension in ourgraphics and to which data sets to createother information can attach: which thenequals a Model. However I happen to thinkthe extended acronym looks ugly and rarelyuse it and, rather like the way most peoplemispronounce 'Southampton' and'Northampton' by using the 'h' twice (forthe 'th' and for 'ha') I tend to just let the one'M' mean either/both.So it is time to start to try to reassure thescared. I have no aptitude at all for learningsoftware applications and one of the thingsthat surprises me about many BIMenthusiasts is that they have the capacity tolearn the software and 'drive' it mostexpertly but with much less grasp of why orto what end. So, having said that it is notabout drawings per se, here follows a quote Ihave used for near enough 30 years. A littleover 100 years ago Edwin Lutyens said 'Aworking drawing is a letter to a buildertelling precisely what to build and not apicture to charm (the client)' - my bracketsas it applies to 'charming' anyone withdrafting finesse and artistic/architecturalmerit (not to be scoffed at but just not thepoint). Remembering what lies behind this100 year old wisdom still provides thebiggest wins and what the scared mustunderstand is that the BIM dimension is theicing on the cake not the cake itself. The list of things at the beginning that Isuggested that the enthusiast was perhapsregularly doing was actually planted to scarethe self proclaimed enthusiast not thealready scared. To perhaps put a bit ofdoubt in the minds of those who say 'I'mdoing BIM' simply because they haveshelled out for the software and can createnice images. Sorry, if it stops there it is jollyimpressive 3D but not BIM just because itsays BIM on your software box/start upscreen and you can twirl the result like DrWho's Tardis. If it goes a bit further (as it invariably wouldusing the software) so that 'objects'graphically created relate intelligently toeach other (ie a column knows it has toremain attached to a floor if dimensions arechanged) .it is still 3D not BIM. If someof the object attributes (some specificationfor example) have been attached then youare getting there. However the disinterested and/or scaredwith a full set of integrated and coordinateddrawings (CAD or manual) with noinformation missing in terms of attributeslike position, orientation, shape, size,components, fixings, proximities andcomposition, and backed up by fullyreferenced and comprehensive spec-ifications is arguably closer to BIM idealsand probably, with a bit of softwaretraining, more likely to make the jump toreal BIM.BIM for the whole life of buildingsWhen did you ever see a job where all thedrawings, specifications and bills wereperfect - ie absolutely complete, com-prehensive and accurate? Real BIM starts todemand this and shines a light on where itisn't, so with all of this information tomanage I'm afraid it is inevitable thatcomputers have to be involved; and thedisinterested and scared will have to join ineventually. Also my example of the exemplary'traditional' set of production informationitself doesn't start to service the extendedbenefits of BIM such as taking the data (callit 'the Model' if you must) and using itintelligently for project execution purposes,and into the whole life of the building (tobe trendy you have to call it 'asset' now) foroperations and maintenance.So I hope I have at least in part reassuredthe scared, sparked a bit of interest in thedisinterested and given room for new ideasto the enthusiasts.'A working drawing is aletter to a builder tellingprecisely what to build andnot a picture to charm'.Edwin LutyensTECHNOLOGYBIM isn't aboutdrawings - theyare something youproduce from it -and it especiallyisn't about façadeand interiorrenderings andvisualisations ATSEPTEMBER/OCTOBER2011

26 ATSEPTEMBER/OCTOBER2011When a Chartered Architectural Technologist isappointed, partial or full services may becontracted, and these duties may includeassessing the development feasibility, preparationof initial and detailed designs for clients'approval and preparing and submitting plans forthe purposes of obtaining statutory approvals(including planning approval, buildingregulations, and conservation approvals) torunning the project which could extend to fullcontract administration. Looking beyond the traditional work stages,misunderstandings between the CharteredArchitectural Technologist and the clientsometimes arises regarding the nature of theoverall role(s) being undertaken on any particularproject. This article aims to clarify the maindistinctions between the different roles thatcommonly arise. For example, we will look at thedifferences between acting as a:.Lead Designer/Lead Consultant.Contract Administrator.Consultant with 'an inspection role'.Consultant with 'a supervision role'.Project ManagerHaving a clear understanding of each of theseroles will assist both the Chartered ArchitecturalTechnologist and client in documenting thenature of the services that have been contracted.It will also manage the client's expectations as towhat can be expected from the CharteredArchitectural Technologist.Lead Designer/Lead ConsultantThe Chartered Architectural Technologist actingas the lead designer/lead consultant is thenormal basis of appointment and he will betasked with coordinating and integrating thedesigns produced by all the designers engagedfor the project. In terms of coordination and leading the team,the lead designer/lead consultant may beexpected to produce a design programme andtake steps to see that the other consultants (forexample, quantity surveyor, services consultants,structural engineers, etc) adhere to it. The rolecan involve coordinating the designs of specialistsub-contractors including checking sub-contractors' tenders, although it should be notedthat the appointment of such consultants and/orsub-consultants are the responsibility of theclient and are separate to that of the LeadConsultant who would not be expected to beliable for their work. In relation to integration, the lead designer/leadconsultant may be expected to take care to seethat their own design is compatible andintegrated with the designs of the remainder ofthe design team and specialist sub-contractors.The obligation might extend further - to ageneral duty to see that the designs produced forthe project are compatible with each other. Asever, which position applies will depend on theterms of the appointment.The role of the lead consultant, but not the leaddesigner, can often involve duties to advise onthe need for other consultants, sub-contractorsand specialists and the scope of their services,procurement matters and managing significantchanges to the design.In order to limit liability, a lead designer/leadconsultant usually seeks to ensure that theirappointment agreements include a clause tomake it clear they do not accept responsibility forthe designs of others. A check should be madeto ensure there is a positive obligation in theother consultants' agreements, which places theonus on them to cooperate with the leadconsultant/lead designer and to integrate theirdesigns with the designs of the other consultants,specialists and sub-contractors. It is also usual toincorporate provisions to exclude liability on thepart of the lead designer/lead consultant for anywork, materials or goods or workmanship carriedout by any of the other consultants and/or sub-contractors. Contract AdministratorThe client may appoint the CharteredArchitectural Technologist to carry out thefollowing duties:.Preparation and/or collation of tenderdocuments and contract documents;.Issuing instructions to the contractor; .Issuing certificates under the building contract- for example payment certificates, practical orpartial completion certificates and the finalcertificate;.Valuing the works and agreeing the final amount(where there is no quantity surveyor);.Dealing with contractors' applications forextensions of time and extra payment; and.Inspecting the works at stages during theconstruction and preparing defects lists atpractical completion and at the end of thedefects rectification period. This is not a duty tosupervise the works unless the contract administ-rator is expressly appointed for this role and isaware of their additional responsibilities andduties. (See section on site supervision below.)When issuing payment certificates, there are twokey strands to the contract administrator's role:.They must take reasonable steps to ensure thatthe work which is to be the subject of thecertificate has been properly carried out incompliance with the building contract. What is'reasonable' will depend upon the size, natureand complexity of the project..They must take reasonable steps to ensure thatthe work is properly valued ie that claims forpayment are reasonable and justified by the workdone at the time, both in terms of quality andamount.When issuing a final certificate, particular cautionshould be exercised. There is a danger that, inthe absence of wording to the contrary, a Courtwill normally view a final certificate as conclusiveevidence as to the quality of workmanship andmaterials.As such, if a contractor is in possessionof a final certificate, it may be difficult for theclient to get any redress from the contractor ifdefects arise after the certificate has been issued.In thesecircumstances the client would inevitablyseek to claim solely against the consultant whoissued the certificate. The wording of thebuilding contract should always be checked toguard against this outcome.The ContractAdministration forms issued by CIAT providefor such eventualities. Inspection/Site SupervisionInspection and Supervision are two distinct roles.InspectionA contractual duty to carry out periodicinspections and/or visits to the works involves areduced scope of service compared with acontractual duty to supervise. Nevertheless, thefollowing guidelines should be borne in mind,which have arisen as a result of case law on theduty to inspect. (Continued overleaf) Role modelsOn appointing a Chartered Architectural Technologist, clients need to understand theextent of the Member's role. Jonathan Henney and Andrew MacLeod of Robin SimonsLLP Solicitors look at those roles and highlight some common misunderstandings aboutthem.PRACTICE