Third party Construction Supervision services

Among the Construction Supervision tasks that involve checking and confirming whether a building has been constructed according to the design documents, Construction Supervision of buildings designed by other companies is called "third-party Construction Supervision."

To put it simply, the job of "Construction Supervision" is similar to that of an orchestra conductor, although this may not be an accurate description. A conductor conveys the optimal performance to the audience by accurately instructing the performers on their interpretation of the music, its dynamics, and tempo. However, a different conductor will result in a different performance method and expression, resulting in a completely different performance of the same piece of music. In the same way, the quality, finish, and usability of a building will depend on how the Construction Supervision reflects the design intent in the construction and how they verify it.

建築基準法で一定の規模以上の建物には工事監理者を置くことが定められており、通常は設計した会社がそのまま監理を担当します。しかし、デザインビルド（設計・施工を一括でゼネコンに発注する方式）のプロジェクトでは、そのゼネコンではない、第三者に監理を依頼するケースが増えています。発注方式が多様化する昨今ならではの仕事です。

From the client's perspective, if the same company is responsible for design, construction, and Construction Supervision, there may be concerns that the company may be "too lenient" or "too lax" with regards to quality control and costs. In recent years, this third-party Construction Supervision has accounted for approximately 10% of our Construction Supervision cases, and the number has been increasing year by year.

We are able to participate in projects because we are not a construction company, but an "organized design firm with a proven track record in Construction Supervision work." This can also be seen as a business opportunity as design-build projects become more common.

例えば、これまでずっと当社が校舎などの設計を手がけてきた成蹊大学の新校舎建設プロジェクトでは、昨今の時流を受けてデザインビルドのコンペが実施されました。その結果、ゼネコンが実施設計・施工を行うこととなり、基本設計・CMに加えて第三者監理業務を当社に発注いただきました。現在、私はこの現場を担当しているのですが、長年携わってきたキャンパスでのプロジェクトなので、既存施設との調整や、施工上の助言なども含め、第三者監理として多いに役立っていると自負しています。

Third-party Construction Supervision is now considered an important job that is also part of developing new clients, but in fact, in the past, it didn't have a very good image at our company. The idea was that "design and Construction Supervision go hand in hand," so when we couldn't get a design order, we would at least Construction Supervision. However, with the diversification of work and the expansion of client needs these days, third-party Construction Supervision can sometimes serve as a stepping stone to new design work.

When they see our Construction Supervision work, they think, "If we ask this company to do the design, they'll do an amazing job," and approach us for another new construction project. We are actively working to respond to such developments.

One large-scale redevelopment project I'm in charge of is a project in which our company and another design firm are jointly responsible for concept design, schematic design and Construction Supervision, while a general contractor is responsible for design development and construction. The building is about 40 stories above ground and has a total floor area of about 200,000 m2, and apart from the design (which is handled by another design firm), the structural, electrical, and mechanical Construction Supervision is each handled by two or three people. In addition to Construction Supervision, we have also been commissioned to provide design supervision, and I think we may see more of this type of scheme in the future.

Of course, we are committed to quality, but I also believe that neutrality and fairness, which are essential elements of third-party Construction Supervision, are also our strengths. This is our motto when working on our own design projects, but it is something we are even more conscious of when working on third-party Construction Supervision.

For example, if you want to "ensure third-party involvement in construction projects," there is also the role of CM/PM, who are involved from an upstream perspective to support the client. However, the choice to have third-party Construction Supervision in a project is likely based on requests for "greater transparency" and "quality confirmation with more specialized technology closer to the site." In general, I hear that the adoption of third-party Construction Supervision is increasing in production facilities and apartment complexes, where design-build projects are on the rise.

When the designer, builder, and Construction Supervision are all in the same company, it seems like they have different positions within the company and it can be difficult to speak up. If we feel that a discussion is necessary, we will clearly point that out. However, that can sometimes make us feel a bit "out of place" during regular on-site meetings on design-build projects (laughs).

I feel that way (laughs). Although we are the same as CM/PM in terms of supporting the client, we are in a slightly different position because we work closer to the site. However, by giving objective opinions in meetings, we can sometimes convince both the client and the contractor and smoothly resolve issues. I think it is an important role.

The other party may be a much older site manager, so they may lack knowledge about construction, but I believe that if they are serious about the project as a third-party Construction Supervision, they will understand and respond to me with care.

No matter how good the design, it doesn't necessarily mean that a good building will result. A wide variety of perspectives is essential at key points along the way. From the construction ordering stage to Construction Supervision stage during construction, it is important for people from various positions to be involved in reviewing design documents and construction drawings, as well as on-site inspections, and to exchange opinions. It is no exaggeration to say that this process determines the quality of the finished building.

One of the benefits of design-build, in which the builder is involved from the design stage, is that it allows for the creation of buildings that are rational in terms of construction time and cost. On the other hand, reports solely from the designer and builder can sometimes lack transparency when it comes to things like on-site quality and increases or decreases in construction costs due to design changes. By checking these from a neutral standpoint through third-party Construction Supervision and reporting them to the relevant parties, we can contribute to the project.

In such cases, if the property is designed and Construction Supervision by our company, we can provide input into the design because the quality standards are the same, but this is a little more difficult with third-party Construction Supervision. Construction Supervision respect the designer's opinions regarding the design content and design. However, our company has the know-how we have cultivated over the years, so if there are concerns about usability, safety, or quality assurance, we may provide advice to the client or designer.

In the end, if the design is excellent or the building is easy to use, the designer will be praised, and if a high-quality building is produced, the builder will be praised. Of course, Construction Supervision are often praised as well, but I sometimes think it's better to stay out of the spotlight and stick to being the silent supporter. I'm like the organizer of a drinking party; I care about whether everyone is having fun, and the most important thing is that everyone is satisfied. After all, our ultimate goal as Construction Supervision is to increase the satisfaction of everyone involved in the construction, including the client, with the completed building.

The first project I was in charge of supervising a construction project from start to completion was Construction Supervision Construction Supervision. Later, when I was in charge of designing and Construction Supervision a property for my own company, I was surprised at how difficult it was to coordinate within the company. In a sense, third-party Construction Supervision allows you to focus purely and dryly on ensuring quality. However, in my own company's design projects, if there are any inconsistencies in the design, you have to work with the designer to correct them, which takes time. Construction Supervision work is basically about starting with a broad but shallow knowledge, and your knowledge increases as you delve into the details, so I think that actively participating in third-party Construction Supervision is a shortcut to improving your technical skills.

Third-party Construction Supervision was originally introduced by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in the early 2000s. By outsourcing Construction Supervision to a third party other than the designer, not only was quality ensured, but the aim was for designers, third-party Construction Supervision and contractors to improve their skills through friendly competition, so I feel there is definitely a synergistic effect.

Other companies' designs have their own colors and work styles that are different from ours, so it can be confusing at first. However, they are often very helpful, and they can help us realize our company's characteristics and areas of expertise. As I mentioned earlier, I think our attention to post-completion defects and the usability of the building is one of our company's colors.

I think it's their deep knowledge of future upgrades after completion in particular. They plan the routes for bringing in large equipment with an eye toward equipment upgrades, and where to place cranes during renovation work. This is also the accumulated know-how from their time at Mitsubishi Estate, and for people like Mr. Shirasaka and I who have experience in Renovation design department, we understand firsthand the difficulties that come with upgrades and renovations.

As I mentioned earlier, I think there is a lot to learn from the rational planning of the design-build approach. I am often impressed by the designs that truly consider the efficiency of construction, such as the technology to build a new building while utilizing the underground structure of an existing building, and the floor plan that takes into account the plans for temporary scaffolding and construction elevators.

The knowledge gained through this third-party Construction Supervision work is shared horizontally through internal working groups and the like. Recently, especially in the early stages of construction projects, and in some cases even from the planning and concept stages, Construction Supervision have been involved in front-loading work to provide management and advice on construction, and this knowledge is put to good use in such situations. Today, the demand for third-party Construction Supervision work is on the rise. It can be said that it is already one of the most important tasks in the construction industry.