Building safety, digitally delivered

Project: Lion Homes – Embedding the Golden Thread

In the wake of evolving building safety legislation, Lion Homes approached Architecture by Design to support their mission to lead, not follow. The brief: embed the Golden Thread of information into their development and delivery processes—not as a bolt-on, but as a fundamental principle of design, documentation, and compliance.

Our response was not only strategic, but deeply technical. We brought together digital tools, role definition, and compliance mapping to deliver a futureproof framework that goes beyond checklists.

Designing Compliance from the Inside Out 

We began by defining clear roles and responsibilities aligned to the Building Safety Act. This included:

• Identifying and supporting the appointment of a BSA Principal Designer

• Advising on document controller integration

• Realigning contracts to reflect robust Employer’s Requirements (ERs) and Information Requirements (EIRs)

This set the foundation for embedding the Golden Thread early—before design freeze, before procurement, and long before construction.

From Field to Cloud: A Digital Feedback Loop 

One of the key innovations was the development of a custom mobile application. This tool enabled Lion Homes' site teams to:

• Log photographic evidence of critical details (e.g. cavity barriers)

• Complete on-site quality checklists in real time

• Geo-tag evidence by plot and sync directly with the client’s Common Data Environment (Autodesk Construction Cloud)

This digital loop meant issues were resolved early, data was centrally stored, and the client could demonstrate compliance without delay or duplication.

Approvals at Every Gateway 

We mapped Lion Homes’ project lifecycle against the new Gateway process:

• Gateway One: Design input on fire safety during planning

• Gateway Two: Compliance checks and sign-off prior to construction

• Gateway Three: Final approvals before occupation

Using ACC’s issue tracking and approvals workflow, we embedded this sequence into the design process, aligning documentation with regulatory requirements and client oversight.

From Regulation to Reputation

By embracing the Golden Thread, Lion Homes has not only met the regulatory baseline but positioned itself as a progressive, transparent, and trusted developer.

This case study demonstrates the Architecture by Design approach: turning compliance into confidence, and regulation into reputation.

Impact Summary:

A digital-first approach that turned regulation into a competitive advantage for a progressive housing developer.