RIBA Working Stages
You may have heard the phrase ‘RIBA Working Stages’ used in the architecture industry and on our instagram story. The topic is very likely to be introduced to you through a technical module at University and later on in practice, where you can see the stages applied to a project. But what actually are the RIBA working stages or otherwise known as the RIBA Plan of Work?
This week’s post briefly summarises the RIBA Plan of Work stages in a condensed format to give you a brief understanding. It has been created as a form of guidance from feedback in the industry, used to set up projects. The 8 stages cover the whole process of a project from approval, design and detailing to construction and maintenance. Some of the project strategies may include project risk, cost, spatial requirement, fire & safety, sustainability and inclusive design, each being considered at different levels of detail at each stage. The official RIBA documents explaining the working stages can be overwhelming, so you can use this post to reference back to when in need of a reminder of what each stage is about.
0. Strategic definition
(The best means of achieving the Client Requirements confirmed)
Stage 0 focuses on practical decisions and the client/s, rather than the design or technical details. In the duration of this stage, factors such as risk, budget, advantages and disadvantages of the project might be discussed and considered, whilst reviewing options for the project inline with the client requirements.
Stage 0 isn't always necessary as the information in this stage can be found indirectly within the upcoming sections or sometimes the outcome of this section may be the decision to simply begin a project.
1. Preparation & Briefing
(Project Brief approved by the client and confirmed that it can be accommodated on the site)
Similarly to Stage 0, Stage 1 does not require a design team. Preparation & briefing focuses on preparing a project brief based on the client’s requirements, discussions on a budget, sourcing site information using a surveyor and producing a project programme to assist the project execution plan. At this stage of the project the client requirements will be thought about in more detail specifically inline with the site. This may include many briefings with the client in order to gage a detailed understanding of their wants and how you can make this work for the proposed space on site. The information gathered in Stage 1 will be used by the design team in the upcoming stages.
For example, a report at Stage 1 might include illustrations/photographs of the site context, the survey drawings & photos, maybe some really early initial diagrams of a few ideas (internal & external), reference images from other projects, planning context & policy, a vague cost sheet etc. The cost sheet will support the information provided by the survey which informs us on the spatial requirements of the project. At this stage, the design team might not be involved, this cost sheet will be an estimation based on the typology of each individual space i.e living room, GF bathroom, FF bathroom rather than a costing concluded from materials.
“Stage 1 is about developing the detail of the brief and making sure that everything needed for the design process is in place before Stage 2. This includes ensuring that the brief can be accommodated on the site.” - RIBA Plan of Work Overview
2. Concept design
(Architectural Concept approved by the client and aligned to the Project Brief)
In Stage 2, the design team works with the client team and other necessary roles needed to finalise a design concept that is aligned with the project brief. The concept of the project will also be harmonious with a fire and safety strategy and risk assessment. In the RIBA guidance it states that the concept which incorporates strategic engineering requirements should be aligned with the budget plan, specifications, reviews and the design programme.
“Stage 2 is about getting the design concept right and making sure that the look and feel of the building is proceeding in line with the client’s vision, brief and budget” - RIBA Plan of Work Overview
3. Spatial Coordination
(Architectural and engineering information Spatially Coordinated)
Stage 3 overviews and checks that the architecture concept and engineering data at Stage 2 is spatially coordinated before the next stage. This review is done through a detailed design study and engineering analysis, which when completed allows the team to move onto creating a design programme specifying which tasks need to be undertaken. Stage 3 is completed through mainly the lead designer and the design team, however the clients are still involved with making preference decisions, Stage 3 is where the design and planning documents are developed. At some point, the construction team or other individuals i.e. the contractor may also become involved. Once this is all complete to a sufficient level and the client is satisfied, a planning application can be submitted.
“The purpose of Stage 3 is to spatially coordinate the design before the focus turns to preparing the detailed information required for manufacturing and constructing the building. The information at the end of this stage needs to be coordinated sufficiently to avoid all but the most minor of iterations at Stage 4 and to make sure that the planning application is based on the best possible information.” - RIBA Plan of Work Overview
4. Technical Design
(All design information required to manufacture and construct the project completed)
Stage 4, focuses on the technical drawings and detailed information which is required to construct the building. This includes drawings specific to specialist subcontractors i.e. technical drawings mapping out electricity, plumbing etc. Therefore the individuals active in this stage are the design team, specialist subcontractors and the contractor in order to complete the design. This is also the stage where a building regulations application needs to be made and any pre-existing planning conditions need to be discharged before construction on site can begin. It is crucial to view the responsibility matrix, completed in the previous stages, so it is clear when moving forward who is producing the different sets of information (i.e. for the manufacturers and the construction team)
“Stage 4 is about developing the information required to manufacture and construct the building. This requires information from the design team and the specialist subcontractors employed by the contractor, regardless of which procurement route is used.” - RIBA Plan of Work Overview
5. Manufacturing & Construction
(Manufacturing, construction and Commissioning completed)
Stage 5 is pretty self-explanatory and mainly includes the construction team. Manufacturing and construction is the process of the design being built on site and coming to life. It includes creating a construction programme, to avoid penalties & extensions to the construction period and help keep track of what's been completed and what’s next. It also includes inspecting construction quality and answering site queries.
It is likely that Stages 4 and 5 might overlap, to which the amount of overlap will be dictated by the Procurement Strategy and the Project Programme. The construction of the project should be finished by the end of Stage 5.
6. Handover
(Building handed over, Aftercare initiated and Building Contract concluded)
Stage 6 starts with the building being handed over to the client, a plan for use strategy being prepared and the building contract concluded. The construction team and those responsible for administrating and closing out the building contract complete the project in Stage 6. The project team will be required for a project performance session.
“By Stage 6 the building will be in use and the emphasis of the project team will have switched to closing out any defects and completing the tasks required to conclude the Building Contract.” - RIBA Plan of Work Overview
7. Use
(Building used, operated and maintained efficiently)
Stage 7 starts concurrently with Stage 6 and it covers the ongoing use of the building for many years after the completion.
We hope this post has been informative in getting you familiarised with the RIBA Stages of Work, which can be used as guidance for your architectural project. You can check out the RIBA Plan of Work Overview and Template here for more information and a much more detailed breakdown of each stage, the outcomes, and common misapplications. Make sure to follow us on Instagram @archidabble to see more content from us!
