Jack Pringle this week put PFI at the top of the RIBA鈥檚 agenda before taking up his presidency in September

Pringle hosted a seminar, attended by 40 industry members, called 鈥淪marter PFI鈥�, at the RIBA on Monday morning. The plan was to work out ideas to improve the design process in PFI projects and reduce bid costs. The proposals would be presented to the government after consultation within the industry.

Speakers at the seminar were Pringle, Sunand Prasad of CABE and the RIBA, Andy Friend, chief executive of John Laing, John Cole, head of estates and planning at Health Estates in Northern Ireland, and Ty Goddard, managing director at School Works.

Representatives from across the industry attended, including architects, contractors, engineers, clients and quantity surveyors. Paul Morrell, partner at quantity surveying firm Davis Langdon and president of the British Council for Officers, and Bill Murray, chairman of NHS Estates, were part of the group.

Pringle said the group had agreed on three possible models to take to the Treasury. 鈥淭here was a consensus about the need for design teams to get closer to the client, and the need to cut bid costs to allow more competition and to speed up the process.鈥�

He did not expand upon the specifics of the three models but said: 鈥淓veryone agreed that innovation occurs when there is a good client who understands the issues and establishes a close relationship with a good design team. All three models are designed to achieve that.鈥�

One of the key concerns of the industry, which has been raised by the Major Contractors Group, centres on wasted design, resulting from unrealistic client objectives and changes to projects.

A spokesperson for the MCG said it would be happy to consult with RIBA on improving the PFI process, although it had not yet been approached.

There was a consensus about the need for design teams to get closer to the client and to cut bid costs

Jack Pringle, RIBA president-elect

Pringle said the consultation process would take 鈥渨eeks, not months鈥�, and that bodies including the MCG would be involved. Once a consensus has been reached, the RIBA will draw up a Charter to be taken to the Treasury.

He added that although the initiative would be led by the RIBA, it was 鈥渘ot about making life better for architects鈥�.

He said: 鈥淲e are at pains to make sure it is not an architect monoculture.鈥�

Pringle added: 鈥淲e are at an extraordinary moment in time when the government is spending billions of pounds on rebuilding the public estate. We have a great opportunity and responsibility to make sure it is designed to the best possible standard.鈥�

  • How would you improve the PFI? Email your ideas to building@cmpinformation.com

PFI on the RIBA agenda

  • The problem: PFI is here to stay but need to lower bid costs and create quality design

  • The solution: Create an optimum model, possibly where design teams meet the client at an early stage and work more closely together

  • The plan: RIBA will consult with the wider industry, and present a preferred model to the Treasury