"You must know how to Build it to Design it"

Designer-Builder is a construction delivery method that provides owners with a single point of contact (the Architect) for both the design and construction phases of a project. One entity holds single-source responsibility and contractual risk for every aspect of building a building — from estimation, assessments and pre-construction to architecture, engineering, subcontracting, construction, and post-construction. This entity, the Designer-Builder, manages all contracts with companies, such as subcontractors, equipment vendors and materials providers.

The designer-builder integrated method of construction provides a single point of contact dramatically reducing the need for change orders, minimizing additional costs and schedule delays. From an exchange of information perspective, dealing with one firm always reduces time and complications compared to dealing with multiple contacts.

Architect as provider of extended services: Contracted to the owner, the architect extends his or her services beyond the design phase, taking responsibility for managing the subcontractors on behalf of the owner. The architect bears similar risk but has more control over the project than in the traditional approach or on contractor-led design–build projects.

Architect as primary party in architect-led integrated project delivery (IPD) working together in a joint venture, both coordinating the subcontractors to get the project built. The building owner has a single contract with this joint venture. This time, the architect leads the joint venture so in supervising the subs, the contractor might defer to the architect. The architect might bear more risk than they do in the traditional approach but risk is shared with the owner and the contractor, as outlined in their agreement.

The traditional approach for design-build construction projects is the appointment of a general contractor to hire the architect and/or engineers as the single point of contact. The designer–builder procurement route changes the traditional sequence of work via a contractor, but keeps the designer in the construction management role. As it answers the client's wishes for a single point of responsibility in an attempt to reduce risks and overall costs, this delivery method keeps the designer in the role of construction manager where the designer provides direct interaction with the subcontractors performing the work.  

The architect's role shifts during the project, from designer to site supervisor (effectively taking the role of a general contractor), but monitors the project vision, schedule, and budget, and is able to call upon subcontractors' construction expertise throughout.