Become a Client Design Advisor

The need for CDAs

First-time and occasional clients have always needed advice and assistance in the early stages of projects to:

  • help define and set up projects 
  • ensure design quality is achieved.

This is particularly important in the public sector where new methods of procurement have been introduced. These effectively separate clients and end users from designers during the development of proposals. The RIBA believes that high-quality architects and other professionals are needed to carry out the CDA role, to ensure that good design is an integral part of the public sector procurement programme, particularly the 'Building Schools for the Future' programme.

How can a CDA help? 

With new forms of building procurement, such as Design-Build or Private Finance Initiative (PFI), clients and users do not have the traditional relationship with, or direct access to, architects and other members of the design team. Unless the client is experienced in commissioning building projects, both they and the project will benefit from independent advice on issues of design, procurement and the means of achieving high quality delivery.

In public sector procurement, bidding and contract procedures frequently exclude a close relationship between clients and users. In these cases the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) strongly recommends the use of a CDA, as does the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE).

What is the role of a CDA? 

The role of a CDA is to use their own extensive experience, gained in designing and delivering equivalent projects, to help ensure that the best quality result is achieved from the procurement process.

They do this by:

  • assisting the client organisation in strategic decision making
  • stakeholder consultation
  • developing the brief
  • feasibility studies and appraisals
  • acting as a champion of quality design
  • act as the client’s agents to monitor both the design and construction processes.

See a full list of the CDA role and requirements|.

Although a CDA may be well qualified to design the project themselves, that is not their role. They are there to help the client through an increasingly complex set of procedures and to help them achieve better outcomes.

When should a CDA be used? 

CDAs should be appointed as early as possible in any project. Critical decisions are taken at the start of the process when the strategic advice of a CDA can be most effective.

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