CPPBDN5006
Consult with clients to produce approved small-scale building project design briefs


Application

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to consult with clients to identify and clarify parameters for new small-scale building projects covered by the Building Code of Australia (BCA) except construction Type A buildings, such as their vision for service level and requirements, preferences and budget. It involves researching and presenting information that may affect clients’ requirements, preferences and budget; applying knowledge of construction materials and methods; offering and negotiating creative design solutions; and developing a client-approved design brief for the new building design project.

The unit supports producing approved small-scale building project design briefs for a new building design project, including alterations and additions, heritage restorations, and new buildings, including houses, factories, motels, offices, restaurants, retail and service outlets, and warehouses. It applies to designers who consult with clients to prepare finalised and approved design briefs for small-scale commercial, industrial and residential building design projects.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit of competency in some States. Relevant state and territory regulatory authorities should be consulted to confirm those requirements.


Elements and Performance Criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions.

1.

Prepare for design brief consultations.

1.1.

Preliminary data for small-scale building design project is gathered, and documentation and files are created according to workplace procedures.

1.2.

Preliminary data is reviewed to identify broad project parameters.

1.3.

Parameters are considered and information is gathered to assist communications in design brief consultations with client.

1.4.

Individuals to be involved in deciding and approving the project design brief are clarified with client, and consultations are scheduled.

1.5.

Strategies to establish and maintain client trust and respect are developed.

1.6.

Files and organisational marketing material for consultations are prepared.

2.

Consult clients to develop draft design brief.

2.1.

Basic understanding of building design project objectives and ability of own organisation to fulfil design role are demonstrated to client.

2.2.

Details about vision, preferences and budget for building design project are elicited from client, and notes are taken to inform next stage of consultation.

2.3.

Questioning techniques and sketching skills are used to expand notes and clarify details of client’s design requirements.

2.4.

Budgetary constraints are explored with client and innovative design ideas are proposed.

2.5.

Details of draft design brief are reviewed with client and level of service and associated fees are discussed.

2.6.

Approval to proceed with finalisation of design brief is obtained from client, or deferral or termination of services is confirmed.

3.

Finalise design brief.

3.1.

Design consultation notes are reviewed and requirements challenged in relation to design constraints specific to location of project.

3.2.

Design brief is formally documented according to workplace procedures.

3.3.

Details of design brief are presented to and negotiated with client, and modifications are accurately documented.

3.4.

Approval of final design brief is obtained from client.

3.5.

Fee structure and terms and conditions of service are established and agreed according to workplace procedures.

Evidence of Performance

A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy the requirements of the elements, performance criteria, foundation skills and range of conditions of this unit.

The person must also produce design briefs for three different projects consisting of:

one Class 1 residential building of three storeys

one residential extension of at least 50 square metres

one of the following non-residential projects, which must be of a maximum area of 2000 square metres:

incorporating Classes 2, 5, 6 and 7a

incorporating Classes 3 and 9c

incorporating Classes 7b and 8.

In doing the above, the person must:

prepare for client consultations, including:

gathering and reviewing required information

confirming stakeholders to be consulted

consult successfully with clients, including:

establishing rapport with clients

using fine hand drawing to produce preliminary concept sketches

explaining budgetary constraints

obtaining sufficient information to produce design briefs that clients approve

explaining service fees

winning contracts for design work

develop and finalise design briefs

complete client service agreements.


Evidence of Knowledge

A person demonstrating competency in this unit must demonstrate knowledge of:

building designers’ duty of care to ensure quality and safety of designs

structural engineering principles sufficient to interpret and apply the requirements of the National Construction Code (NCC)

construction materials and methods applicable to clients’ projects

creative, practical and sustainable design principles

design constraints and opportunities relating to particular types of building design projects and locations

information to be elicited from clients in order to produce comprehensive design briefs

organisational protocols and procedures for interaction and negotiation with clients

range of organisational services and nominal fees.


Assessment Conditions

The following must be present and available to learners during assessment activities:

equipment:

computer with internet access and building information modelling (BIM)-capable building design software

materials:

project information specified in the range of conditions for projects required in the performance evidence

specifications:

environmental and planning requirements for the projects’ locations

client’s design brief

relationship with client:

client consultation is required.

Assessor requirements

As a minimum, assessors must satisfy the assessor requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) current at the time of assessment.


Foundation Skills

This section describes the language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills essential to performance in this unit but not explicit in the performance criteria.

Skill

Performance feature

Learning skills to:

identify reliable sources of information on construction materials and methods suitable for clients’ design concepts.

Numeracy skills to:

evaluate cost-effectiveness of construction materials and methods

interpret and apply budgetary constraints.

Oral communication skills to:

interpret clients’ verbal descriptions of design concepts to inform production of sketches

apply active listening and questioning to build trust and rapport with clients and other project stakeholders

present design information to clients in an accessible manner.

Reading skills to:

interpret complex technical content in environmental and planning requirements.

Writing skills to:

prepare formal design briefs

take detailed notes of design requirements during discussions with clients using technical terms and common abbreviations used in building design.

Initiative and enterprise skills to:

apply creative, practical and sustainable design principles to clients’ design visions

visualise clients’ concepts to inform production of sketches.

Planning and organising skills to:

manage documents

manage time, including planning and prioritising work.

Self-management skills to:

behave with professional integrity in dealings with clients.


Range Statement

This section specifies work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below.

Preliminary data must include:

brief prepared by clients prior to consultation, if available

communication with clients

documentation from past projects for same client, if available

information relating to location of project.

Parameters must include:

budget

functional analysis of building use

level of service requested, including one or more of the following:

concept sketches only

design drawings for planning approval

working drawings for construction approval

contract administration

location

size and type of project

timelines.

Information must include basic details of:

budgetary opportunities and constraints

environmental requirements

planning limitations.


Sectors

Building design