Who should manage design?

From a thread on LinkedIN dated 16 December 2011:

Design Management is very simple.

1)  Make a list of what design information is required to execute the contract

2)  Decide who is to produce what, particularily who is co-ordinating the design

3)  Decide when it is to be done by to allow sufficient time for procurement and construction to take place within the contract programme

4)  Decide who needs what information during the design process

5)  Do it

Architects are generally rubbish at this, which is why contractors employ Design Managers.

If Architects do not want to loose this skill set as well as having already lost Project Management, then Architects must take the responsibility as leader of the design team and effectively manage the design team.  It really is not that hard.

I am both a Chartered Architect and a Design Manager with many projects under my belt.

All the answers can be found in "Co-ordinated Project Information for building works, a guide with examples" published November 1987 (and in previous and later CPI publications).  There ain't nuthin’ new!

What UK building do you hate the most?

From a discussion thread on LinkedIN dated 16 December 2011:

Sorry, I do not "hate" any building, as I am not a 'Style Fascist'.  Why should I impose my aesthetic prejudice on others? I would however say that I am bored with flat roofed rendered buildings with a few garden sheds nailed up one side.  No, "hate" is what I exclusively reserve for politicians and bankers.

If we'd followed the "haters", the Palace of Westminster would have never been built.  Some prominent people of the time “hated” the Gothic Revival.

I admit that Park Hill in Sheffield is not to everyone's taste (and not to mine) but the point is that it is to someone's taste.  "Hate" is a very strong and dangerous word but I appreciate that this is just a bit of fun to while away the hours waiting for the economy to get better.

I am also so bored with Planners imposing their aesthetic prejudices on Architects.  That is probably why some buildings are "hated"?  Let Architects do what they are trained to do and let Planners colour in maps.

Please get my hometown Effin recognised

I love the classic IT stupidity of Facebook refusing to accept Effin as a place.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Please-get-my-hometown-Effin-recognised/187201111369125

Good luck with the campaign!

Savings Culture

Lord Hutton (Labour), him of the Pensions review, said in a recent BBC Radio 4 interview that the Government needs to encourage a savings culture.  Well here's an idea ...STOP TAXING SAVINGS!