What is the Canadian Design-Build Institute?

With the significant emergence of design-build as a project delivery method the Canadian Design-Build Institute was established as a Special Committee of the Canadian Construction Association. CDBI is the voice of Canadian Design-Build practitioners and by operating on a national level it is able to connect all its members across Canada.

The Institute was formed in 1998 to serve the interest of a very diverse group of practising individuals. Membership in CDBI is open to any one who has an interest in design-build, however, the policies are set by a core group of members who represent a number of industry sectors, namely: owners, consultants, contractors, and providers of allied services such as insurance and bonding companies, financial institutions and law firms.

The Philosophy

  • To promote the use of the Design-Build method of contracting where suitable;
  • To educate the industry in the proper utilization of the Design-Build method of contracting;
  • To recommend "best practices" policies and procedures to support Design-Build utilization;
  • To provide a forum for Design-Build practitioners to meet for the purpose of receiving and exchanging information on the Design-Build method of contracting; and
  • To communicate the activities of the CDBI to the industry at-large.
Vision: "It is the vision of the CDBI to be the recognized voice of design-build practitioners in Canada on all matters of national and international concern."
Mission: "It is the mission of the CDBI to promote and enhance the proper utilization of the design-build method of contracting."

CDBI’s products are vetted by a diverse group of practitioners and this is actually its strength. Once a policy is adopted or a standard is established, it is endorsed by a group of individuals from different communities - whether it is the architectural, the engineering or the contracting community. This requires a lot of co-ordination work and effort. The Institute also serves as an ideal platform for design-build practitioners to meet and discuss issues of common interest. Here are some examples of CDBI’s policies.

Copyright
1. Copyright of the design and drawings prepared by or on behalf of the Design-Builder belongs to the Consultant or other consultants who prepared them.
2. Payment of compensation for design preparation and submission does not automatically transfer copyright ownership to the Owner.
Honoraria
1. Owner should provide valuable consideration to proponents who meet the mandatory requirements of the invitation.
2. The valuable consideration should reflect the effort required for the submissions.

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The Focus

Some of our involvement’s include: Newsletters, Practice Bulletins, and a Member’s Directory. Also the Institute has produced a Design-Build Practice Manual for the Industry’s use.

CDBI also has had direct input in developing the Standard Design-Builder/Consultant Contract, know as Document 15 to complement CCA, CSC and RAIC’s Document 14 the Design-Build Stipulated Price Contract which were greatly needed in the industry.

CDBI were fundamental in creating a special joint Industry and Federal Government Design-Build Task Force that produced guidelines and policies on a national level.

CDBI also speaks for its members on an international level. With joint Conferences with both the Design-Build Institute of America and the American Institute of Architects we have achieved widespread recognition as an important force in the design-build industry at large. We have been tasked to help create an international organization, and are very excited about meeting with and exchanging ideas with our international counterparts.

Educating the Industry

CDBI has made excellent progress towards educating the industry and it’s members on best practices for design-build. It has been able to achieve this ongoing goal through Seminars, Conferences, Open Forums and Workshops.

There is still a lot more to come with new programs and initiatives to launch. CDBI is a very vital & rapidly growing organization.

Theory and Application. Design and Build.

Why Become Members?

  • Reduced fees for workshops, seminars & conferences;
  • Reduced price for the Design-Build Practice Manual;
  • Access & input into current Canadian design-build policies & practices;
  • Input in CDBI documents i.e. : Design-Build Practice Manual;
  • Networking opportunities with your peers;
  • Can join any of our 6 committees, (Communications/Education, Standards of Practice, Membership, Owners, Trade Contractors, Risk Management), and have direct input in the Institute and the various other publications it puts out;
  • Your contact information on our web site, with linkage to your own web site, and a section on design-build projects;
  • And many other first hand information on the latest design-build issues & practices.

How to Become a Member?

Please click here for further information or contact our office directly.

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© Canadian Design-Build Institute 2003