Types of Design Management Projects SP3 London Work On
Here at SP3 London, we work on diverse and exciting projects with different goals, requirements and needs, across a variety of sectors. We're accustomed to providing design expertise, project management and FF&E services at the highest standard across the board, whatever the purpose of the project. To best communicate our diversity and give an idea of what our work looks like for our individual clients, we've put together these profiles of some of our work to share with you what happens behind the scenes.
Project Barca
What was the overall project objective?
This one was a beautiful project for a wonderful family of 5, who wanted us to help them create a cosy home that worked better for their lifestyle. They needed their home renovation to allow for more storage and a better flow of space.
What did interior design look like across the project?
The home is beautifully spacious, light and airy and I would describe the result as a warm, cosy, space with neutral tones and well thought through lighting details. The curved walls add an extra dimension to the flow of the space and softened it. We ensured the flow of the home was complemented by the curved walls. There's a classy, elegant air to the space, whilst still being a real family home.
Which contractors did you oversee?
Our role in this project was to provide a turnkey service so we managed the main contractor, and worked with their supply chain to deliver the design details required. We had to ensure they fully understood the requirements, implementing our design vision as drawn.
Why were you brought onto the project?
The client wanted us to design and project manage it on their behalf, as they lived abroad. We were their main point person on the ground overseeing the works on site and keeping the client up to date with progress.
What was your role and responsibility across the project?
For the client, our role is communication and making sure we represent their best interests and keep them up to date; for the project, our role was Interior design, design management, project management and FF&E procurement. We offered a full turnkey service to ensure the highest quality of design and delivery.
What tasks required carrying out?
Like any project, it's always more complex than the role title sounds! Our principal involvement in this project was interior design, space planning, liaising with the building management to get the license, coordinating the M&E, recommending the relevant consultants needed, and overseeing the contractor. On top of that, there's the continued coordination required throughout the project and the the specification and procurement of FF&E, the final install, sourcing of artwork and managing the install and dressing of the space whilst also putting all the client's belongings back in place with the removal team so when they walked back in all their stuff was there, down to the final details such as toothbrushes in the bathrooms.
What was the most challenging part of the project for you?
We enjoyed rising to the challenge for this one, the main thing facing us was ensuring that the contractor built what had been designed and that the client ended up with the exact home they dreamed of as they were not around, it meant we were very aware of delivering the concept design they had signed off. Advocating for the client and maintaining a strong, honest relationship with the contractor produced excellent results.
What was the final result of the project?
The result was amazing! Most importantly, the client was super happy and that's our top priority; they're now clients for life. The programme was on track throughout, and the budget ended up going a little over due to the client's choices.
Anything else to add?
This was a full turnkey for us, which meant we did everything from start to finish. It meant we needed to make use of all of our services, and we noticed how much this helped keep down the consultants’ fees and also allowed us to be in control of design, programme and budget.
Project Adams
What was the overall project objective?
We were brought onto the project to renovate a client’s house after she suffered damage as a result of building works from next door.
Why were you brought onto the project?
Originally we were brought on as client advisors but then the client asked us to project manage the job.
What did interior design look like across the project?
This project was an amazing opportunity to dive into traditional detailing, restoring of architectural features and designing according to the period of the property. With the aesthetic in mind, we also had to prioritise function and interaction in the space to meet the requirements of this family of six.
Which contractors did you oversee?
Our role in this project was to oversee the entire project acting on behalf of the client. We worked closely with the design team consultants as well as the main contractor and the various sub-contractors.
What was your role and responsibility across the project?
Initially, we were brought in as a representative for the client, but over the course of the project, the role developed, and we ended up project managing the job and procuring all the FF&E too. We oversaw the project from conceptualisation to completion and installed all the FF&E. We also assisted with the design management of this project as the Interior designer was removed half way through. This was a great project and we were able to recommend a trustworthy consultant team to the client and we worked closely alongside the contractors to deliver the design intent.
What tasks required carrying out?
It was part of our job to liaise with the consultant team, contractor and the relevant external parties such as the insurers, as well as act as the main contact for the client. It fell under our remit to appoint the consultant team, to oversee the design and undertake the design management, which included arranging project meetings, site meetings and workshops, as well as ensuring the contractors had the correct information to build the perfect product.
What was the most challenging part of the project for you?
This project was a bumpy ride for a little bit when we lost two of the main consultants, and it fell to us to hold the project together. It involved a lot of extra work and was a big cause of stress, but we took the reins and held the project together to deliver the outcome for the client.
What was the final result of the project?
In the end, we're happy to report another really good result and a happy client. In spite of some M&E teething issues, there's a happy family in a beautiful home at Project Adams and we are now working with other members of the family!
Anything else to add?
This client was heavily involved and part of the process every step of the way - many clients prefer to take a step back, so Project Adams was a lovely change. She's still a valued client and we're now working with her son on doing his FF&E.
Project City Hotel
What was the overall project objective?
The goal for this one was to ensure more efficient and effective communication between the consultant team and the contractor. The aim was to troubleshoot issues in the design that were holding up progress on the site.
Why were you brought onto the project?
Our goal was to act as a liaison to resolve the design issues within the team so that the site could continue with the work.
What did interior design look like across the project?
We weren’t involved in the design for this one, because the designer on this project was responsible for that element. We were Design managers and our part in the design for Project City Hotel centred around implementation and delivery.
What was your role and responsibility across the project?
We acted as design managers for the client, which meant we were the advocate for the client with their needs and interests as a priority. We were assisting the contractor with any design issues that arose, so they could continue building. In essence, our job here was bearing the responsibility for the communication and getting relevant information over to the contractor.
What tasks required carrying out?
We held weekly progress meetings with the relevant parties and on-site workshops, as well as resolving RFIs and updating the trackers. We assisted with value engineering, in order to resolve issues with the budget being over, successfully finding suitable alternative products. It was also us who facilitated progress reports to the client to give them regular and transparent updates.
What was the most challenging part of the project for you?
There were problems in the project when we got there, as the project had been going for a number of years and all parties were tired of the difficult situation they found themselves in. It was getting everyone to the table to resolve issues that was the biggest challenge here.
What was the final result of the project?
The client asked us to extend our role for a further 9 months, as they needed our contribution on the project to get things moving.
Anything else to add?
This project is distinct because it was a full design management role within the hospitality sector. Design management in hospitality can be very different to in a residential context; it’s a full-time role and can mean being on the project for a number of years. On-site involvement is crucial in this context because a lot of issues occur here and it's at this point that the design consultants' involvement tends to diminish, as the main design is complete. The scale and duration of this particular project made our involvement even more necessary - it was our responsibility to keep communication flowing between such a huge team, and to resolve any issues in order to mitigate further delays.
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