The design/build delivery system often references the original 'Master Builder' model used to construct most pre-modern projects. Under the Master Builder approach, a central figure, the architect, held total project accountability. From inception to completion, the master builder was the key organizational figure and strictly liable to the owner for defects, delays, and losses. The design/build system represents a return to some of the fundamentals of the Master Builder approach, particularly relevant for bespoke home design. For nearly the entire twentieth century, the concept of Design-Build was classified as a non-traditional construction method in the United States, which is the last country to still embrace the old standard of Design-Bid-Build.
Design-build emphasizes the integration of design, permit, and construction schedules to enhance the traditional design-bid-build environment. Typically, the hallmark of a Design/Build project is that one organization is responsible for both design and construction. If this organization is a contractor, the process is known as 'Contractor-led Design-Build'. If the organization is a design firm, it is referred to as 'Design-led Design-Build'.
It is important to note that the design-build method, while not primarily focused on saving the owner construction costs, often leads to savings on the overall project. The combined effects of carrying a construction loan (which usually carries a higher interest rate than permanent financing) and an earlier useful online date often yield considerable overall value to the project, transforming seemingly unfeasible projects into genuine opportunities for energy-efficient construction.
Compression is a critical aspect of implementing this system. Other potential benefits include enhanced communication between the service provider and the client, increased accountability by the service provider, a single source project delivery, and a value-based project feedback system, which can also be beneficial for technical structural repairs.