Skills Shortage
As Simon Foxwell points out in his peace for the RIBA Journal this month, the modern public sector client is advised by a myriad of design experts - both employed directly by the client and indirectly by advisory bodies and through the planning system - very few of whom design the final scheme. He estimates that more that 15 architects will play a part in a BSF (Building Schools for the Future) project before it gets to the Planning stage.
I’m clear that most clients expect architects to draw for their supper and do not always see the value of external advisors questioning the work of their architects... I certainly have some sympathy for this if the employment of the advisors is reducing the budget for the designers and builders to do the real work. The reaction of the development’s designers, as one might expect, is infinitely varied.... In general the response is positive: seeing advisors as either preparing the ground for a better project; as fresh eyes on a design helping them get the best outcome, or providing comfort to the client or planning authority on the merits of the scheme. Indeed, I was surprised to lobbied by a pair of architects (not usually known for breaking out in violent agreement) that I should be on the judging panel for designer’s appointments to all NHSScotland projects.... However others are less comfortable with the involvement of other design professionals in an advisory role, particularly if the advice provided questions their proposals.
For these reasons clients often look for the advisors to be unquestionably superior to the employed design team, either to ensure that the advice provided is authoritative or that their design team take heed of the advice... 
...personally, I’d prefer the best design hand to be holding the pencil...
