Stage 2 - Concept Design

Intro

The RIBA Plan of Work is published by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and sets out the key stages of a building project.

Architects and construction professionals use RIBA work stages to denote stage payments and identify team members tasked with different responsibilities.

The RIBA Plan of Works is split into 8 key stages.

It is important to clearly specify what activities fall within which stage, and what level of detail is required in order to prevent any confusion.

Stage 2 - Concept Design

Concept design generally takes place after feasibility studies and options appraisals have been carried out and a project brief has been prepared.

The concept design represents the design team's initial response to the project brief.

Concept design consists of the initial design ideas and then developing these taking on board more functional and practical considerations.

Concept design is followed by 'detailed design' during which all the main components of the building and how they fit together are described.

Depending on the project, the following are some elements that may be developed at the concept design stage:

• Design concept
• Outline specifications
• Schedules of accommodation
• A planning strategy
• An outline cost plan
• Procurement options
• Programme and phasing strategy
• Buildability and construction logistics

At this stage, the concept design may be represented by 2D and 3D massing diagrams with some critical elements developed in more detail.

It can also be useful at this stage to generate presentation material such as CGI visualisations and 3D walk-throughs that help facilitate employer assessments and consultations with users, local authorities and other stakeholders.

At the end of the stage, the principal design of the building appearance, internal layout, building programme, management strategy, costing and programme should be established.

The project brief will continue to develop as the concept design is prepared, but is then frozen at the end of the concept design stage and change control procedures are introduced.

An application for planning permission might be made during the concept design stage.

This is likely to be an outline planning application if made at the beginning of the stage or a detailed planning application if made once the concept design is complete.