Principal Designer

The role of the principal designer

The role of the principal designer is so much more than just design management. Crucial to the delivery of a safe design, the principal designer is also there to advise the client on all aspects of the design, both good and bad. This can be difficult if the role of principal designer is absorbed within the lead designer team as some form of management function.


Independence is key to effective delivery of the principal designer’s function. Time and again, Attis demonstrate incisive problem-solving within the role, as well as ensuring smooth communication between client and designer. Do not choose a ‘bolt-on’ principal designer service: choose one that leads the pack.

Attis as principal designer

We are registered with the Institute of Construction Management as a Level 6 principal designer – the highest level. This means that Attis have demonstrated due diligence in the role in some of the largest and highest-risk projects. But our experience would count for little if it were not also for the level of professionalism and commitment that we are able to demonstrate.


Our principal designer service goes above and beyond the minimum mandatory requirements by maintaining an independent and authoritative presence throughout the construction phase; a provision we call Principal Designer Plus (PD+).


We provide:

  • Assistance with forming a clear and concise statement of requirements
  • Independent safety and design advice
  • Design reviews to ensure it remains both functional and safe
  • Responsive and pragmatic advice throughout the construction phase
  • Assistance with project validation
  • High value and complex project support as an ICM PD Level 6 company
  • Both project-level and programme-level support packages
  • CDM advisory service for smaller or less complex projects

Project level support

All projects are different and clearly there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to the principal designer role. We fine tune our support package to suit the client for each project. This enables us to provide a cost-effective bespoke service.

Programme level support

Where several projects run concurrently in a programme, clients can become overwhelmed. A programme level approach ensures that there is a cohesive administrative structure to design safety and overall financial probity.

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