From integrated design to construction

Design & construction

“And who will build it?” This question arises as soon as a project idea becomes a concrete design. A good answer should do more than name a building contractor. It should also explain how the collaboration is organised and who takes contractual responsibility for which service.

Our model combines coordinated integrated design with optional support during construction. Design and construction are considered together, but commissioned through clearly separate contracts.

One contractual partner is responsible for design

You enter into a contract for work and services with Die Planungsgruppe for the entire agreed design scope. We provide the core specialist disciplines in-house and bring their work together.

If your project requires additional specialist design, we commission and coordinate the appropriate specialists within the agreed scope. You do not need to enter into additional design contracts for this.

Responsibility for the agreed overall design therefore remains with us — regardless of which individual discipline is provided internally or through additional specialists.

The building contractor is commissioned directly

If required, we introduce a building contractor suited to your project. You enter into the construction contract directly with that company.

That contract sets out the construction services and the associated prices and deadlines. In this model, Die Planungsgruppe is not your contractual partner for carrying out the construction work.

Design: Client ↔ Die Planungsgruppe.
Construction: Client ↔ Building contractor.

Why still coordinate through one central partner?

In the model we describe, separate contracts do not mean that you have to manage every design-related exchange between the construction site and design practices yourself.

We can provide communication, coordination, construction support and site supervision within the agreed scope. This allows us to coordinate the design and its implementation with the parties involved.

It is important to define this role specifically. A central contact providing support is not the same as a contractual partner for all construction services.

Four tasks during construction

Communication

Design queries from the contractor carrying out the work are discussed with the relevant specialist disciplines. We bring together the communication we have agreed to manage, rather than leaving you to handle every individual exchange yourself.

Coordination

We coordinate the interfaces between design and construction. Open questions are addressed with the parties involved, and the necessary design contributions are brought together.

Construction support

We support construction within the commissioned scope. We agree with you in advance which coordination activities and services this includes.

Site supervision

We provide the agreed professional checks on the construction work. The content, scope and associated collaboration are defined for each project.

Design costs and construction costs remain distinct

The costs fixed in the integrated design model relate to the agreed design services. They do not imply an overall fixed price for all construction work.

The direct construction contract determines which services the building contractor provides and at what price. Similarly, the construction deadlines agreed there must be distinguished from the design deadlines.

This distinction should also remain visible in quotations and project discussions. It prevents a clear benefit such as “centrally coordinated” from being confused with a single contract for the entire project.

What to clarify before moving into construction

What design stages have been completed? Which construction services are to be commissioned? Which support and supervision services will Die Planungsgruppe provide? And how will queries and decisions be organised between those involved?

The answers determine the specific working arrangements. This may involve a contractor we suggest or integrating one already selected. We discuss the appropriate organisation for each project.

A coordinated solution for your project

You can discuss the design with us and, if required, the organisation of construction as well. The contractual relationships remain clear: one design contract with us and a direct construction contract with the contractor carrying out the work.

Discuss design and construction together · Our model at a glance