Design-Build Construction in Underground Construction: A Contractor's Perspective

摘要

The Design-Build contract delivery method, where substantial portions of the final design are developed by the Contracting entity that is also responsible for Construction, rather than by a separate Design group hired by the Owner, has been around in some form for many years. However, the modern form of this approach emerged in the late 20th century, and began to become much more popular as well as more developed in the early and mid-2000s. This paper explores the original goals and drivers for the development of the modern Design-Build approach, reasons for the shift in underground contract delivery towards this approach, and how Design-Build has evolved in the underground contracting industry within North America, including its accommodation to some of the unique contract related challenges posed by underground project risk. It also discusses the effectiveness of this approach in achieving its original purposes since the modern version emerged in the late 20th Century, and provides a general perspective from the Contracting entity (the Design-Builder) on Design-Build, and recommended improvements going forward.