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architects nottingham

MO Architects - Competency Statement

(Principal Designer – Building Regulations & CDM 2015)

Practice Overview

MO Architects is a residential architectural practice based in Nottingham, established in 2008. The practice has delivered over 350 projects across Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and the East Midlands.

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The practice specialises in:

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  • House extensions and alterations

  • Residential conversions

  • Bespoke dwellings

  • Heritage and listed building projects

  • Planning-led design and strategy

 

MO Architects does not undertake Higher Risk Buildings (HRBs) and will not accept appointment on such projects.

Scope of Services

Principal Designer – Building Regulations
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MO Architects is competent to undertake the role of Principal Designer under the Building Regulations, including:

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  • Planning, managing and monitoring design work to ensure compliance

  • Coordinating designers and consultants

  • Ensuring dutyholders understand their responsibilities

  • Managing design information and compliance

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Principal Designer – CDM 2015

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MO Architects is competent to undertake the role of Principal Designer under CDM 2015, including:

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  • Planning, managing and monitoring the pre-construction phase

  • Coordinating designers to ensure compliance with their duties

  • Identifying, eliminating and controlling foreseeable risks

  • Assisting the client in preparing Pre-Construction Information (PCI)

  • Liaising with the Principal Contractor

  • Preparing and/or contributing to the Health and Safety File

Competency Framework (Skills, Knowledge, Experience, Behaviours, Organisational Capability)

Skills

 

MO Architects demonstrates:

  • Design coordination across multidisciplinary teams

  • Risk identification, elimination and control

  • Technical design and regulatory compliance

  • Clear communication with clients, consultants and contractors

  • Programme and project management

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Knowledge

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The practice has working knowledge of:

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  • Building Regulations and Approved Documents

  • Dutyholder responsibilities under current legislation

  • CDM 2015 requirements and H&S risk management

  • Construction methods and sequencing

  • Planning policy and heritage constraints

 

Ongoing CPD ensures knowledge remains current.

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Experience

 

MO Architects has extensive experience in:

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  • Residential extensions and alterations

  • Complex planning and constrained sites

  • Heritage and listed building projects

  • Coordination of consultants and project teams

 

The practice has delivered over 350 projects and routinely manages design coordination and risk through all stages.

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Typical project scope:

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  • Domestic residential projects

  • Small-scale developments

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Behaviours

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MO Architects operates in accordance with:

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  • ARB Code of Professional Conduct

  • Ethical and transparent working practices

  • Clear communication and accountability

  • Proactive risk management

 

The practice will only accept appointments where it has the competence and capacity to deliver.

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Organisational Capability

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MO Architects maintains systems and procedures to ensure:

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  • Effective project planning and delivery

  • Internal review and checking processes

  • Resource management and workload monitoring

  • Coordination of consultants and information flow

 

Design information is managed to ensure clarity, traceability and compliance.

Design Risk Management (CDM & Building Regulations)

MO Architects adopts a structured approach to risk:

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  1. Identify foreseeable risks (design, construction and use)

  2. Eliminate risks through design where possible

  3. Reduce and control remaining risks

  4. Clearly communicate residual risks to the project team

 

This includes consideration of:

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  • Structural and fire safety

  • Buildability and construction sequencing

  • Access, maintenance and use

  • Site-specific hazards

 

Risk is reviewed throughout all project stages.

Coordination of Designers and Dutyholders

MO Architects will:

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  • Ensure all designers are competent and understand their duties

  • Coordinate design work across all disciplines

  • Monitor compliance with Building Regulations and CDM duties

  • Facilitate communication between client, designers and contractor

Pre-Construction Information (CDM)

Where acting as Principal Designer, MO Architects will:

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  • Assist in the preparation of Pre-Construction Information

  • Identify relevant site and project risks

  • Ensure information is issued to designers and contractors

Health and Safety File (CDM)

MO Architects will:

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  • Prepare or contribute to the Health and Safety File

  • Ensure information is accurate, relevant and structured

  • Support handover to the client at project completion

Information Management (“Golden Thread”)

MO Architects ensures:'

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  • Structured and coordinated design information

  • Version control and document tracking

  • Clear communication of decisions and changes

Limitations of Appointment

MO Architects:

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  • Does not act on Higher Risk Buildings (HRBs)

  • Will not accept projects beyond its competence or capacity

  • Engages specialist consultants where required

Evidence of Competence

MO Architects will supply these on request.​

Insurance

MO Architects maintains appropriate Professional Indemnity Insurance, details available on request.

Declaration

MO Architects confirms that it has the skills, knowledge, experience and organisational capability to undertake the roles of:

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  • Principal Designer under the Building Regulations

  • Principal Designer under CDM 2015

 

for projects within the defined scope, in accordance with current legislation.

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