Ontwerpbuild

Ontwerpbuild is a term combining the Dutch word ontwerp (design) and the English build, used to describe an integrated procurement and delivery approach in which design and construction services are contracted together. It parallels the international design–build model in which a single entity bears primary responsibility for both designing and constructing a project, reducing fragmentation between architect and contractor.

The approach emphasizes early collaboration, single-point accountability, and concurrent workflows. Project teams typically include designers, contractors, and specialist consultants working under unified contracts or alliance agreements. Common practices include early contractor involvement, shared risk allocation, and the use of digital design tools such as building information modeling (BIM) to coordinate disciplines and compress schedules.

Advantages attributed to ontwerpbuild include streamlined communication, faster delivery through overlapping design and construction phases, clearer cost control, and simplified dispute resolution due to a single contractual counterpart. Potential drawbacks include reduced owner control over detailed design decisions, possible conflicts of interest if a contractor influences design toward cheaper construction solutions, and the need for robust procurement and contract management to protect public-interest or complex technical requirements.

Ontwerpbuild is applied across sectors including housing, commercial buildings, infrastructure, and renovation projects. Its suitability depends on project complexity, owner capacity to define requirements early, regulatory frameworks, and market maturity. In regions where Dutch is used, the term may be preferred in practice discussions about integrated delivery methods.