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Design
Management

We bring structure and direction to the construction design phase, aligning teams, outputs, and expectations so the project progresses with clarity and control, resulting in a well organised design process.

500

Projects managed
and delivered

Our role is to connect design ambition with commercial reality, technical requirements, and programme commitments.

By efficiently managing the process behind the design, we ensure consultants work in sync, decisions are made at the right time, and the outcome is compliant, fully documented, and ready to move forward with confidence.

What we do

‍Develop Design Management Plans (DMP) and Design Responsibility Matrices (DRM)

Define scope, deliverables, milestones, and approval gateways
Coordinate architectural, structural, MEP, façade, interior, landscape and specialist disciplines to support efficient construction delivery
Manage design programmes, risk registers, and change control processes
Oversee compliance, buildability, sustainability, and technical quality reviews
Control documentation, submissions, and digital platforms (Aconex, Procore, BIM360, Asite, etc)

Output‍

A coordinated, commercially aligned design which is delivered on programme, responsive with budget drivers, and carefully packaged, ready for procurement and construction.

How We Work

A disciplined design management framework built for architects, developers, and multi-disciplinary consultant teams.

Why do we need Design Management?

Where the architect is appointed as Lead Design Consultant, they take responsibility for coordinating structural, MEP, façade, interior, landscape, and all specialist consultants while protecting design integrity and meeting contractual deliverables.

Without a managed process, coordination risk builds quietly, key decisions and client-instructed changes can be missed, conflicts arise between disciplines, programmes drift, approvals are delayed, and potential damages can ensue. The design is not fully coordinated before construction begins.

Design Management reduces that risk.
We manage stakeholders, interfaces, dependencies, workflows, and compliance so architects can focus on design quality while we protect alignment, programme certainty, and technical integration.

When structured effectively, the result is:

Clear design direction
Strong consultant alignment
Predictable programme delivery
Higher-quality, approval-ready documentation

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When should we engage Carter Hones Associates?

The earlier the better.

Early engagement allows us to define the design roadmap, establish responsibilities, structure milestone sequencing, and align expectations from the outset.

We also support projects mid-stream, stabilising complex design phases, re-aligning consultant teams, and implementing stronger coordination and reporting controls where required.

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Can we combine disciplines?

Yes.

Design Management integrates seamlessly with our Project Management and Cost Management services, ensuring that design decisions remain programme-aware and commercially grounded.

Where required, we can act as an extended Lead Design Manager, facilitating stakeholders, overseeing risk and change processes, managing documentation platforms, and protecting design intent through tender and construction stages.

One accountable team. From strategy to handover

Working with Carter Hones Associates was smooth and reassuring from start to finish.

Their team was organised, approachable, and always ready to answer questions or offer guidance. We felt supported throughout the entire process, and they made what could have been a stressful experience feel simple and manageable.

Seth Matson, Accor

Senior Vice President Design & Technical Services IMEAT

Their approach goes beyond project delivery.

Working with the Carter Hones team has been a pleasure. They are professional, proactive, and genuinely committed to understanding our brand and delivering with care. Their approach goes beyond project delivery to focus on end-user needs and overall customer experience. They’ve become a key part of our team in the UAE, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration.

Gavin Beesley, Big Mamma Group

Global Construction Director

We couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome.

Carter Hones Associates provided us with complete support throughout our fit-out journey, allowing us to focus on what matters most – our business. Our clients and business matter most to us, having Carter Hones Associates in our corner to oversee our office renovation meant we could keep our focus where it mattered most. An office renovation like ours was never going to be easy, but with the support and guidance of Carter Hones Associates, we were able to navigate the process with relative ease and couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome.

Alexandre Mussallam, MAF Dalkia

CEO

The team helped progress a difficult fit-out contract to a successful outcome.

It was a pleasure working with Carter Hones Associates on our high end luxury concept store in Dubai. We found them to show the same professionalism we expect and their local network of consultants and team helped progress a difficult fit-out contract to a successful outcome.

Nick Hanigan, Paspaley Pearls Properties P/L

Director

Professionalism and diligence.

Carter Hones Associates have played an integral part in successfully expanding the banks operations in the UAE over the last 5 years, from planning the premises strategy with the senior management team to organising and managing our branch network expansion and our new head office. Their professionalism and diligence across all elements of the project management sphere and beyond have been fundamental to achieving our business objectives.

Paul Trowbridge, United Arab Bank

CEO

The team at Carter Hones Associates were friendly, attentive, and easy to work with.

They took the time to listen, understand what we wanted, and then turned our ideas into reality. The process felt clear and straightforward, and the end result was exactly what we hoped for.