The Modern MasterBuilder A Brief History
By Dalia Sadany Creations
In the MasterBuilder approach to construction, the architect was responsible for the entire project from concept, design through to construction and handover.
The MasterBuilder was an Artist driven by his passionate dedication for excellence.
MasterBuild Project: The Duomo, Florence completed 1436 by Filippo Brunelleschi
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In Ancient Times well into 19th Century the MasterBuilder worked with the Project Owner providing both design and construction as one seamless service . To perform one without the other was unheard of.
Imhotep, architect of step pyramids is the first known MasterBuilder
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Although some craftsmen like Michel Angelo took on separate design contracts and others like Leon Battista Alberti (Italian Architect and Author) wrote about establishing the art of architecture as a profession distinct from construction and engineering, it wasn’t till the Industrial Revolution that the separation was made possible. Leon Battista Alberti (1404 – 1472)
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The reasons for separation between design and construction during the Industrial Revolution included the continual increase in construction products, methods and technologies as well as the trend towards specialization and division of labor.
Industrial Revolution
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This was supported by the emergence of professional societies such as the American Institute of Architects (AIIA) in 1857 as well as formation of architectural colleges and passing of architectural licensing laws in 1897.
19th Century Architect
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The separation was made absolute in 1935 with the passage of the Miller Act which required contractors on US federal government projects exceeding a certain amount to post performance and payment bonds.
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The implication was project Owners from then on had to contractually engage the services of an architect to perform design services and a contractor to perform construction services resulting in what is commonly known today as the Design-Bid-Build project delivery method.
Design Team
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The late 20th century witnessed renewed interest in reviving the MasterBuilder method to address some of the flaws in Design-Bid-Build. A modern version emerged whereby an integrated team of design and contracting professionals provide both design and construction services under one contract in what is commonly known today as the DesignBuild project delivery method. Design-Build Team
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About the Author Dalia Sadany is an Egyptian architect and interior designer with extensive background and experience in Design-Build turnkey solutions. She has been a lifelong advocate of the ancient Master Builder approach to construction. Following in the tradition of the Master Builder, in 2005 Dalia Sadany developed a group of partnerships operating under the umbrella of Dezines and management of Dalia Sadany providing full service turnkey solutions to residential and commercial clients. The group consists of - Dezines a design house providing architecture, interiors & landscaping design services; DECON - a general contractor specialized in high-end interior finishing; and GUSH - a bespoke furniture designer maker. Quoting from Marcus Vitruvius - the architect who relies solely on theory and ignores the craftsmanship skill of building with his own hands follows "a shadow and not reality."
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