Designbyggaren

Designbyggaren is a Swedish term describing the design-build project delivery approach or the entity that performs both design and construction services in a single contract. The word combines design with byggaren, meaning builder. In practice, design-building assigns responsibility for both architectural/engineering design and construction to one firm or a tightly integrated team, simplifying the client’s procurement process.

Compared with design-bid-build, where design and construction are contracted separately, design-building offers a single point of responsibility and streamlined communications. The owner signs one contract with the design-builder, who handles or coordinates design services and then executes construction, often bringing in subcontractors under the same management. The process typically emphasizes early cost estimation, constructability reviews, and overlapping design and construction activities to shorten schedules.

Key features of designbyggaren arrangements include an integrated team structure, collaborative planning, early involvement of builders in design decisions, and a focus on value engineering. Potential advantages are reduced administrative overhead, faster project delivery, and improved cost control, though success depends on clear performance expectations, strong design leadership, and experienced management. Criticisms include potential limits on the owner’s independent control of design choices, risk of quality or value trade-offs if the design-builder prioritizes speed or cost, and the need for carefully selected contractors and contract language to align incentives.

Applications span commercial, housing, and public infrastructure projects where speed and coordinated delivery are valued. The concept aligns with broader trends toward collaborative contracting and is related to integrated project delivery and other single-source delivery methods.