The BSBG approach to highly efficient lead consultancy

MT: Can you give us an example of a scenario you might face as a Lead Consultant during the early design stages, in terms of providing a specific result for the client that moves beyond just delivering the concept drawings?

AB: “The client might say: ‘We want a residential building that achieves an efficiency of 85% so we can get maximum value from the project, and we need you to do the most cost-effective, co-ordinated engineering design on the façade, structure and MEP that reduces the overall build cost.’ The Lead Consultant has quite a challenging set of parameters there, and sometimes there may be a misalignment between the design aspirations and the budget. It’s about managing and maximising the available budget so the client can see they’re getting value for money; the structure is efficient, the MEP is efficient, but as well as that, the building has a great quality aesthetic and optimal use of space.”

MT: It helps to be well-versed not only in architectural design, but in structures and MEP as a Lead Consultant...

AB: “Yes, and this is what we’ve brought to the Lead Consultant role for four decades. There are countless examples of projects where we’ve come onboard and found a separate architectural package, a structural package and an MEP package. The first thing we do is to fully co-ordinate these packages to ascertain at an early stage whether the client objectives can be achieved.”
 

MT: How easy is it to manage designers, consultants and contractors from completely different companies, with differing working methods, different values and mentalities?

AB: “There’s a huge emphasis on respect, attitude, drive and personality. Because if you’re the captain of the ship and nobody wants to work with you, how are you going to drive the ship forward? You can stand on the bridge and shout and bang the drum as loud as you wish, but if you’re not approachable, or you don’t understand the value everyone brings to the table, you’re likely to find that the deliverables won’t be presented to you on time. It’s as much about developing a solid working relationship with all the contributing parties as it is about co-ordinating drawings and plans.”

KH: “I think what has differentiated us over the years is that we constantly strive to embody everything a Lead Consultant should be; co-ordinating the stages properly, understanding the client’s key requirements and fulfilling those, and driving the team forward in a positive, energetic fashion. It’s not an easy job (to be a Lead Consultant), pulling together all the different pieces of the puzzle and presenting the complete jigsaw to the client, however our experience over the years, especially working in the culturally diverse and challenging markets we are used to, puts us in a great position to deliver successfully.”

AB: “It’s something we’ve done on countless fast track projects internationally. We’re able to pool all of our resources, all of our experience to deliver co-ordinated packages of information that the client knows will get the end result they want. Our aim is to continually add value to projects. With our leadership in BIM, our construction documentation capabilities and our experience in co-ordinating some of the most complex projects you’re likely to see, I think we will continue to advance the process of efficient design and construction - not only in the Middle East, but in the Asian and European markets too.”