Technological Management
Computing Facilities
The Design Collective’s extensive knowledge in IT technology and computing facilities increases promotion in:
- Customer Satisfaction
- Project Communications
- The Building Process
- The Performance of Completed Buildings
TDC are skilled in a variety of software. For consistency, accuracy and clear communication among different job roles TDC incline to use:
- AutoCad 2020
- Revit
- Sketch-Up
- BIM computer software
As a consequence of TDC having a large network of contractors, regularly appointed on specific jobs for clients, it is critical TDC have a large reliable server. The server is regularly updated and backed up on a daily basis. Regular routine maintenance checks are conducted by TDC’s reliable server company ensuring a minimised risk of work being lost.
All TDC team members are trained in BIM software, allowing all team members having a collective input and approach to each job the company encounters. TDC endeavor all individual skilled disciplines to have an input on each job whenever possible. Encouraging more team members from varied disciplines on jobs allows for more opportunity for fresh, innovative design decisions to be made. Teamwork is key.
TDC believe the BIM process opens potential for innovation across the company and in reflection leading to greater efficiency and greater insight into improving project quality. Another factor as to why TDC emphasis BIM is the software allows for facilitating green design, construction and sustainable outcomes. The tools the software provides enables the TDC design team to produce highly sustainable outcomes through energy simulation and prefabrication.
Awareness of Trends
The UK government has set a zero carbon target for the construction industry to meet by 2050.
- Green buildings are rapidly transforming the design and construction industry. According to the DQI UK, TDC are aware of a growing demand for high performance buildings that are sustainable, innovative and fit for purpose
- Solar power use in buildings is continuing to grow.
- Recognition of water issues indicates extreme weather events increase the awareness of flooding and storm water control. Green roofs and rainwater recovery systems can address this.
- Flat pack and prefabricated houses are high in demand and growing by the year. By 2030 the government have estimated over a quarter of the buildings constructed will be using this method of construction.
- As early as next year 2021 the restriction on building on green belt areas will be lifted. New curbs on resident’s ability to protest against new developments will be introduced; allowing less time to appeal and ensuring fewer cases face legal challenges. Rules allowing councils to authorise building on the green belt by designating other land will also be streamlined to encourage more building in areas given legal protection from development.
- TDC are aware that within the next 20 years resources used for construction will be short in demand due to minimal supplies. Therefore TDC are enthusiastic at introducing wind power as a form of construction.
Green Audits
TDC strive to design beautifully and functionally, however believe the environment to play a vital role. As a new fresh company TDC believe it is key to assess the success of their designs in anyway possible. Therefore TDC encourage Green Audit Assessments, allowing the assessment of energy in a building to be measured and evaluated. Not only does this service benefit the client but also indicates to our company the success of certain design and materials we can take on board for future and current projects. TDC do not charge for this service and is part of the legal bided contract the client has signed for before the design process began. The service is provided after the completion of the project.
Suppliers and Contractors
TDC offer a traditional procurement approach to contractors. We believe this method ensures quality design and quality construction. It is the role of TDC to provide and hand the client full documentation of the design scheme including drawings, work schedules and bills of quantities. Once this has taken place the contractor can be invited for tender. The documentation can then be passed onto the contractor.
TDC use the standard JCT contract, a contract familiar to all parties involved in the construction industry, and parties involved know what is expected of them by law. TDC ensures this contract protects the client against any faulty workmanship and any building contract failures. Once signed contracts will be legally binding under UK law.
Statutory Constraints
The Design Collective is a chartered practice running in accordance with the RIBA. TDC are bound by the document ‘RIBA Code of Conduct’ Issued January 2005. TDC perform duties with integrity, impartiality and responsibility. These duties will be carried out with a high degree of professionalism and competence.
Quality Assurance
TDC has certification to the following management standards:
- BS EN ISO 9001: 2008- Quality Management Systems
- BS EN ISO 14001: 2004- Environmental Management Systems
The standards above show TDC has appropriate policies, procedures and resources to ensure the consistent provision of design services.
Throughout TDC’s involvement in projects the client’s satisfaction of the quality of work produced is important. TDC corresponds with guidelines and legislation from:
- Euro code Construction Standards
- British Standard Codes of Construction
- Using products certified with British Board of Agreement
- Designing strictly in accordance with building regulations
- Government legislation
S.W.O.T Analysis
Attitudes to Carbon Reduction, Carbon Footprints and The Green Deal
As a new fresh innovative company TDC are aware that the demand for a ‘Green Building’ is increasing. Green buildings are rapidly transforming the design and construction industry. TDC strive to embrace this growing trend in current and future design schemes.
TDC are aware that the UK government has set a zero carbon target for the construction industry to meet by 2050. TDC believe the strong growth of the green building market encourages the use of BIM software allowing TDC to generate innovative designs nevertheless sustainable and helping the governments target in thirty years time.
TDC aim to reduce carbon emissions by controlling the design quality and encouraging excellent communications between all parties involved with TDC’s design schemes and projects. Communicating with team members from our extensive network allows discussions to take place regarding increasing energy efficiency; as a result carbon management will be evident leading to low carbon design. We believe that pursing sustainable design is not only the most ethical and in the long run the most economical design to consider but importantly the smart thing to do to make buildings look and perform better.
TDC choose local materials to site to work with wherever possible. This decision reduces the carbon emissions during transportation. When selecting materials the life cycle assessment approach is used. This consists of the material selection throughout the buildings life cycle to have the opportunity to be reused and recycled effectively. This approach to materials produces cost effective and sustainable buildings. The importance of embracing carbon neutrality should be inherit in in all work, social and living environments
According to the DQI UK, TDC are aware of a growing demand for high performance buildings that are sustainable, innovative and fit for purpose. With our approach to materials and awareness of carbon reduction TDC believe our company enhances and produces buildings of this importance.
TDC’s enthusiasm for sustainable buildings in our design work is enhanced throughout our office environment. Our work environment prides itself on reducing TDC’s own carbon footprint and includes: Sleep devices on all monitor screens; recycle bins for paper, general waste, cans and plastics; dimmed and controlled lighting.
