Grenfell Tower Enquiry - The Case for an Architect Client Adviser

12th October 2020

In an article published on 9th October 2020, Building Magazine focuses on the ‘appearance’ that the Grenfell Tower client TMO lacked the expertise to make the necessary design decisions in respect of the Grenfell project Building.co.uk publication. In his evidence, Neil Reed of consultant Artelia UK described being surprised by the number of inappropriate design queries he received from the client. The inference is that the appointment of an adviser at relatively modest cost to support the TMO on design matters could have made a material difference to the robustness of client decision making.

This may or may not prove to be the case. However, it does serve to highlight some of the challenges facing client teams in our industry today. While it is clearly important for clients to make effective, fully informed design decisions, it is equally important that they are also able to demonstrate that they have done so when - as in this tragic case – they are called to account.

The use of expert architect advisers on the client side, independent of the design team (…not Designing but Advising…), supports clients to be accountable for their decision making on design matters, strengthening their assurance, and creating transparency and auditability. The availability of such skills is not widely understood, and often confused with design services.

The new RIBA form of professional services contract for Client Advisers now makes it easier for client teams who do not maintain this specialism internally to procure design-specialist expertise in an auditable and cost effective manner. The RIBA holds a register of experienced architects accredited by them as specialists in client advisory services.