News & insights

The industry has a habit of chasing silver bullets. Platforms promise efficiency, but without the rule books that govern their deployment, they rarely scale. Conversely, rule books without visible platforms gather dust. True modernisation lies in mastering both: building the systems that make buildings and writing the rule books that make them work at scale.

Many construction innovations fail not because the technology does not work but because the market is not ready. Factories are built before demand, and products are pushed where pipelines do not exist. Success comes when systems match the right segment at the right time. By aligning solutions with real market needs, leveraging existing supply chains, and building flexibility and trust, construction can cross the chasm from early adoption to mainstream acceptance.

In an industry chasing speed and scale, By Design takes a different path. For us, design is intention. Every detail, every system, every decision is purposeful, because when you build with purpose, you build better. Our collective of specialist disciplines unites under one philosophy: design that creates smarter systems, stronger structures, and outcomes that endure.

Construction does not need more jargon. It needs clarity, responsiveness, and the right solution at the right time. Agile design is about adapting to context, whether housing, healthcare, education, or hospitality. By working with the supply chain and focusing on value, projects can be delivered faster and smarter, cutting waste, reducing cost, and strengthening quality

Architecture is not only about bold ideas on paper. It is about whether those ideas can actually be built. Designing with the supply chain in mind means aligning creativity with reality: components that manufacturers can produce efficiently, details installers can deliver safely, and materials suppliers can provide reliably. The best design does not fight the supply chain; it works with it to unlock cost, speed, and resilience in delivery.

Dare to Think Different challenges the industry’s obsession with “one-size-fits-all” solutions. Instead, it highlights how success comes from matching design intelligently to context — whether in rapid housing for refugees, modular healthcare facilities, or adaptable schools. The piece argues that capacity alone does not build trust; only design with purpose and intent does. It positions architecture as leadership when it is precise, bold, and collaborative, showing that real

Billions are being invested in retrofit, but scaling remains the challenge. What works in pilots too often collapses in delivery. PAS 2035 was designed to bridge this gap, yet design intent is still being lost. Retrofit by Design ensures the golden thread is protected, turning intent into consistent delivery.

Lowest cost is not best value. Retrofit procurement too often rewards cheap contracts at the expense of quality, compliance, and resident well-being. PAS 2035 offers a clear framework; if procurement is aligned with design-led delivery, we can unlock lasting savings and healthier homes.

Out-of-date drawings cost time and money. Our new Revit plugin solves this with a simple scan: QR codes in title blocks that link directly to Autodesk Construction Cloud. One quick check, and you know if your drawing is current (green) or outdated (red). No training, no extra apps - just certainty on site.

By linking Revit directly to manufacturing, Digital by Design turns walls into workflows. In seconds, a simple sketch can generate fabrication drawings, cutting lists, and CNC-ready data, closing the gap between design and delivery. It’s automation built for your system, your factory, and your supply chain—bringing speed, certainty, and scalability to every project.

Lowest-cost tendering often delivers buildings that are expensive to run, hard to adapt, and quick to fail. Value-based procurement asks a better question: what delivers the most value over time? Good design shapes that answer by reducing whole-life costs, enabling adaptability, and improving wellbeing. When procurement values more than price, design can deliver more than buildings. It can deliver outcomes that endure.

Architectural fees vary, but the value behind them is clear. This blog explains typical pricing models, what fees cover, and why investing in design early often reduces cost, risk, and complexity later.