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- Discussion Paper 1: Working Internationally
- Discussion Paper 2: Restoring Grand Hotels
- Discussion Paper 3: The Science of Hotel Operational Planning
- Discussion Paper 4: The Architect’s Role On-Site
- Discussion Paper 5: What do Six Stars Really Mean?
- Discussion Paper 6: The Benefit of a Specialist Architect
- Discussion Paper 7: Resolving Design Issues Prior to Construction
- Discussion Paper 8: The Architect: The Rightful Custodian of the I.D. Implementation
- Discussion Paper 9: The Road to ISO 9001:2008
The Road to ISO 9001:2008
By Shane Cosis, Associate
Over the past year, I have become something of a crusader. While my colleagues were dealing with the real and present challenges of life on a busy construction site, or the pressure of designing buildings as they were being built, or co–ordinating multi–national teams across myriad time zones, I have been playing a careful balancing act. On the one hand, I have been helping to complete ReardonSmith's restoration of The Savoy, whilst on the other deciphering and formalising our systems to optimise value for our clients and ourselves out of everything we do. In other words, undertaking the process of qualifying for ISO 9001:2008 certification.
Not so long ago, I would imagine, such a procedure would have been an anathema to most architectural practices. Even today the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) neither requires nor, as far as I am aware, actively encourages its members to become certified. So, why should architects – usually quite small owner–managed businesses – bother with a concept originally spawned a 100 years ago in the electro–technology field and then adopted by the manufacturing and service sector conglomerates of the West? Self–interest in an evermore competitive world, I would argue!
It's not that architects have been doing anything terribly wrong but we have to recognise that there is another, increasingly common conversation going on out there in which our clients and professional project partners are partaking. It is a conversation which overcomes language barriers by setting core standards that are applicable everywhere in the world and by making the process – in our case of design – so much more transparent for everyone involved.
For architects, there are inherent benefits that arise out of the implementation of ISO 9001. In particular, the use of a Building Information Modelling (BIM) tool such as Revit which allows us to design with both 3D modelling and 2D drafting. Let's face it, how often in the past has it been convenient for practices to believe that their clients understood their 2D plans and could visualise 3D in their mind's eye and then down–the–line blame expensive changes to the design on the client's inability to understand drawings or on another member of the project team. The new generations of drawing software have put an end to this convenient myopia. Now, all project team members, architectural, structural and mechanical, have access to exactly the same model and can work on it simultaneously. And, clients can understand it. The reduction in time, costs and, I would suggest, stress associated with any project, but particularly one overseas, is clear to see.
In my experience, ISO 9001 ensures that there is a process by which the client gets the best of what he or she needs, when it is needed. It also helps us, the architects, to track, review and learn from each project. Because the system is transparent, flaws in the plan can be identified at an early stage and eliminated before they become entrenched and, last but not least, the system actually releases creativity rather than stifles it by giving architects clarity, confidence and a more collegiate communications platform.
Email scosis@reardonsmith.com to respond
