Structuring Design Contracts
The appointment of an architect is not only a design decision, but a critical commercial agreement that shapes how a project is delivered. Poorly structured contracts often lead to misaligned expectations, scope gaps, fee disputes, and costly variations during the design process.
Having spent over 20 years in senior commercial roles within leading architecture practices—regularly drafting and negotiating appointments with developers and clients—I bring an insider’s understanding of how architects interpret, price, and respond to contractual obligations.
I work alongside developers’, contractors’, and investors’ existing legal advisors, complementing their expertise by providing industry-specific insight into how architecture firms operate. This ensures that contractual agreements are not only legally robust, but also commercially realistic and aligned with how architects actually deliver their services.
This combined approach enables more effective, informed, and collaborative contract drafting and negotiation—reducing the likelihood of disputes, cost overruns, and programme delays.
Ensuring clarity and completeness of scope to minimise ambiguity, gaps, and future variation claims.
Scope definition and alignment
Fee structure and commercial terms
Advising on fee models, payment structures, and commercial provisions that align incentives and reduce risk.
Risk allocation and responsibilities
Structuring contractual responsibilities to ensure appropriate and realistic allocation of risk between parties.
Defining clear expectations around design deliverables, timelines, and milestones to support effective project delivery.
Programme and deliverables
Change management provisions
Establishing robust mechanisms for managing variations, scope changes, and additional services.
Negotiation strategy and approach
Supporting constructive, informed negotiations that reflect how architects think and operate, enabling more efficient and collaborative outcomes.