Procurement is a vast and highly complex subject area, of which this column will barely scratch the surface. But the legal agreements architects sign or advise on are one of the key determinants of their role on a project. Diversification of procurement routes over recent years has been one of the most significant catalysts in the evolution of an architect’s place within the construction industry.

Traditional procurement routes (46% of contracts, according to the National Contracts and Law Survey Report 2018), where the design and construction are completely separated and the construction is managed by a contract administrator (often the architect), have seen a sharp decrease in popularity (down from 72% of contracts in 2011). While giving great control over the quality of the works, the lack of time and cost certainty – as well as the perception that the contract form is unsuited to large complex projects – is behind this decline.

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