Events

Embracing the Role of the Principal Designer

The Building Safety Act came into effect in England in 2022. It is anticipated that a new Building Safety Act will be required for Northern Ireland in the future.

The role of the Principal Designer was first introduced under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, but the duties now required in England under the Building Safety Act 2022 differ significantly from those under CDM Regulations.

To assist members in furthering their understanding of the role of the Principal Designer under each set of regulations, RSUA have partnered with Joan McCoy to deliver this seminar.

Topics covered in this seminar will include:

• – Historical context of Building Safety regulations
• – Dutyholders under CDM Regulations
• – The Architect as Principal Designer
• – Duties of the Principal Designer under Building Regulations
• – Opportunities for the future

Speaker

Joan McCoy is a founding director of White Ink Architects, established in 2001 and which became Employee Owned in 2021. Her expertise spans both design for client teams and advice on design development, due diligence, risk and buildability for construction teams. Joan is a Past President of the RSUA, a former member of the Northern Ireland Building Regulatory Committee (NIBRAC), responsible for reviewing changes to the NI Building Regulations. More recently, Joan has represented RSUA on various Building Safety committees including the steering group for PAS 8671:2021 Framework for Competence of Principal Designers, the NI Building Safety Programme – Expert Panel. She is also an assessor for the RIBA Principal Designer accreditation and a co-presenter on the RIBA Principal Designer training programme. Joan is currently a member of RSUA Council, RIBA Council and on the Construction Professionals’ Council of Northern Ireland Board.