The architectural concept is the architectural vision for a project, developed during RIBA Stage 2 (Concept Design). It may start as several options that are tested against the project brief. As the initial ideas settle, following design reviews with the client and other stakeholders, strategic engineering requirements are incorporated, and the agreed concept forms one of the key outputs at the end of Stage 2.
For the QS, the architectural concept is the first design information firm enough to support a more detailed cost estimate. Under NRM 1 the order of cost estimate prepared at earlier stages is developed into a formal cost plan as the concept is fixed. Testing each option against the cost limit at this stage helps the client choose a concept that is affordable before design effort is committed to it.
Related terms: concept design, design reviews, project brief, formal cost plan.
