Contributions of designers to improving buildability and constructability

This paper highlights that design teams should take the lead to enhance the buildability and constructability of their projects. Through a questionnaire survey, the significant factors affecting buildability have been identified and classified into those related to the design process and design outcome, respectively. Results show that efforts in (i) carrying out thorough site and ground investigations prior to design; (ii) coordinating design documents, components, and working sequences; as well as (iii) designing for standardisation, repetition, safety and ease of construction, would enhance buildability and constructability for any given projects. The ANOVA statistical technique has also identified 3 buildability attributes associated with (a) below-ground works on nearby buildings, (b) imports of materials and (c) working space on site, which had statistically significant differences among the perceptions of Clients, Consultants and Contractors.