Architecture + Design Scotland

Enabling: working to assist client organisations

An introduction and explanation

Architecture and Design Scotland is working with clients, primarily in the public sector, throughout Scotland to deliver a better built environment though our Enabling Programme by:

• Raising the aspiration for better designed buildings, spaces and communities,
• Helping to build skills and confidence to deliver strategy and policy, and to procure buildings, masterplans and urban and rural developments.

What is Enabling?

Enabling seeks to explore key design issues with stakeholders and gives hands-on advice to client bodies. It entails offering tailored advice at an early stage in order to embed the qualities of good design into the subsequent project development. Key characteristics of an Enabling Programme are:

• The provision of one-to-one impartial advice to client bodies charged with the delivery of built environment projects, policy development and implementation,
• The provision of advice and support over a dedicated period of time so as to raise client aspirations for design quality as well as to impart skills and capacity for future use,
• The drawing out of key lessons in terms of policy and practice,
• The dissemination of lessons learnt through publications, training events and seminars, and
• The provision of support and feedback to those setting policy.

Who carries out this work?

Enabling is undertaken by members of a dedicated panel of experts; built environment professionals appointed for their experience and commitment to quality. This panel forms a ready pool of resources from which A+DS can select the person, or group of people, with the skills best able to meet the client's needs.  This panel is used under negotiation and management of A+DS staff.

How can Enablers work on a project?

Enablers do not replace the need to appoint appropriate design professionals or technical advisors.  They are not in a position to write the brief or design the building. Their role is that of the critical friend, helping the client to identify the difficult problems and to find the solutions. Typical activities that can be undertaken during an Enabling project include:

• Raising stakeholder awareness of  the importance of good design;
• Providing advice and support on the client management of the design process;
• Providing advice and support on the preparation of design briefs;
• Providing advice and support on the selection and management of a design team;
• Providing advice and support on the necessity for, and role of, a client design advisor, including their appointment; and
• Providing general advice and support through the procurement and policy preparation processes.

What do clients have to bring to the process?

A+DS is an advisory body, and therefore we cannot insist that clients take regard of the advice that is offered. For Enabling to work clients must be willing to communicate openly with A+DS staff and the Enabler appointed to the project, and to fully consider their comments.  This openness and commitment should be at a level of seniority that allows influence over the project throughout its development.