Collaboration: clues to the successful architect/engineer relationship

Abstract

In this report I propose that neither the engineer nor architect is qualified to solely run a project. I believe both professions are required to collaborate. This leads me to ask 'What factors contribute to the quality of collaboration between architects and the engineers?' To answer this, the report starts with a literary review to provide a background for discussion. This outlines issues discussed by academics in the fields of engineering and architecture. The review covers material obtained from an extensive search around the topic of collaboration. This material is analysed and refined into five main issues. The ideas drawn from the literature review are the basis for analysis of the survey in the following chapter. The survey provides a qualitative test for this information. The data from the survey is analysed and again, summarised into five key issues. The two sets of data are compared and the following conclusions are drawn: 1) Specialisation of professionals is occurring too early. 2) Poor communication is a result of different modes of thought, which create different ways of interpreting the same problem. 3) There is a lack of industry training to educate young professionals about collaboration. 4) Engineers are being used too late in the design process. 5) Collaboration is a skill that develops over time. These conclusions lead to recommendations in the final chapter and suggested areas of further study.