Overview

As appointed Principal Designer under the Building Safety Act 2022, studioHA ensures that all design decisions across RIBA Stages 1–4 integrate robust safety, buildability, and compliance strategies — protecting clients, occupants, and future maintainers throughout the life of the building.

Our PD services are tailored for high-value, complex projects over £10M in construction value and are fully aligned with the statutory dutyholder framework introduced by the Building Safety Regulator.

Scope of Services

1. Statutory Duties (BSA 2022)

Act as the BSA Principal Designer (distinct from CDM PD), appointed in writing by the client.

Coordinate all designers to ensure that building safety and compliance with building regulations are considered from the outset.

Ensure that design work does not compromise building safety or regulation compliance.

Lead and manage the Golden Thread of Information, ensuring accurate, structured design data is captured and maintained.

2. Strategic Risk Leadership

Conduct Pre-Design Safety Risk Reviews (Stage 1) and identify “major hazards” and fire/life safety risks.

Chair regular Design Safety Coordination Meetings to ensure ongoing regulatory alignment across disciplines.

Provide design-stage input into the Fire Statement, Planning Gateway One, and Building Regulations applications (Stage 2–3).

3. Gateway Submission Support

Prepare and collate necessary documentation for Gateway Two submission, including:

Safety case report input

Design risk register

Compliance matrix and building regs audit

Coordination evidence for all design team members

Coordinate consultant input to produce a full Regulatory Gateway Submission Pack.

4. Digital Golden Thread Leadership

Set up and maintain a common data environment (CDE) for safety-critical design info.

Oversee and verify structured data formats (e.g., IFC, COBie, Uniclass) for traceable, compliant design records.

Assist with developing digital templates and systems to enable effective handover to the Principal Contractor and future Accountable Person.

5. Handover & Ongoing Oversight

Provide design assurance for Stage 5 construction queries (as optional add-on).

Provide structured design closeout packages aligned to Gateway Three and handover.

Deliverables

Project-specific Design Safety Management Plan

Live and version-controlled Design Risk Register

Gateway 2 submission coordination documents

Digital compliance tracker and audit trail

Coordination logs with designer responsibilities

Design sign-off templates for each discipline

Golden Thread design information hub (CDE)

Fee Structure

Typical Fee Range

£75,000–£150,000+ depending on project complexity, number of design team members, procurement route, and programme.

Inclusions

Based on a 24–36 month design programme

Includes fixed number of workshops/reviews per stage

Excludes CDM PD role (can be provided as a separate scope)

Optional Add-Ons

CDM Principal Designer services

Safety case development (with fire engineer)

Digital twin / BIM strategy support

Interim project compliance audits

Support in developing internal PD systems for repeat developer clients

Why StudioHA

Proven expertise in managing complex design coordination across heritage, high-end residential, and commercial schemes

Strong leadership in risk-informed design and buildability strategy

Collaborative approach that reduces rework, aligns stakeholders, and builds regulator-ready documentation from the start