Originally this article was supposed to be on the two commonly used project delivery methods - Design-Bid-Build (DBB) also known as the traditional method and Design Build (DB) often referred to as the modern version of the ancient Master Builder. In fact both methods originated and developed overtime from the ancient Master Builder. In order to appreciate the differences between both methods and for personal reasons I decided to dedicate this article entirely to the concept of the Master Builder

1. 26 DALIA SPEAKS JUNE 2012 27
The Masterbuilder figure is a design-build • Cost and Time control due to single control over
Picture credit : John Morad Work team in site - Dezines professional, a multi talented maven, who has design and work execution , a lot of cutting
existed for about 7,000 years. The history of down in expenses and time could be smoothly
this profession extends all the way back to the managed , as in providing alternative less
buildings of Ancient Egypt and the world's first costly solutions before work proceeds with
civilizations, such as Mesopotamian, Babylonian, a eye on maintaining the artistic integrity of
Greek, Roman, Incan, Mayan, Byzantine and the aspired design. Minimal cost damage as a
Ottoman empires, Indus , Islamic and Persian result of conflicts of design and construction.
civilizations. The surprising datum is that the
Over the former six articles ,I have elucidated on vast majority of the history of architecture, and When considering these things, one is able to
the disciplines of all team players in the process its most substantial historical landmarks till the see why this highly-trained professional, the
of constructing your dream home such as The modern 19th century, were designed and built Masterbuilder, was very much respected in
Architect , The Interior Designer, The Landscaper by Masterbuilders. The most acknowledged society. He differs greatly from today’s architect
as well as The Contractor in all his various mesmerizing places carved in history whether or contractor, in breath, scope, and depth of
practices .I have highlighted the definition , temples, homes, arenas, palaces and even responsibilities.
the responsibility and the job expectation whole planned cities were conceived by this
of each one of the eminent practitioners. A wonder maker, who was responsible for the
clarification was also presented on the vital entire built protocol.
factors necessary to be fulfilled in choosing the
appropriate professional, the most successful THE PRIVILEGES OF THE
policy in dealing with them and broad rules of
calculating their fees. I have tipped on where to
MASTER BUILDER
best pinpoint the most eligible expert. The fields
themselves that these pros practice such as Back in time the visionary nations were
Architectural , Interior and Landscaping design farsighted enough to identify the benefits of
in addition to the area of Contracting have been this master mind such as ;
merely scratched at the surface simply to give a Stepped Pyramid of Sakkara, Egypt by Imhotep
broad idea to help you in your hectic quandary • Responsibility for design strong design
of turning your aspired wish into an existing mastering and drawing skills, profound
reality , since these fields sincerely deserve to be supporter my Father, whom I quote said" Build understanding of the utility of the building HISTORICAL CITATIONS
elaborated on in separate explanatory articles us a magnificent summer home" , and I didn't and the zoning of its spaces. The fact that *For thousands of years the name Masterbuilder
by themselves . quite grasp at first the word "build " which insightful knowledge of how buildings are has emerged in numerous historical
intended to be a design and build project under really built, how materials are administrated manifestations. The engravings on the Egyptian
the supervision of professional engineers .And and all elements of the built environment , temple walls glorified this legendary figure.
This article was intended to progress into
as an Architect , the process of design streamed deepens the design capabilities. Egyptology reveals one of the most fascinating
discussing a controversial topic about methods
smoothly ,but as the construction phase started characters in the intriguing history of Egyptian
of executing a project whether residential ,
I felt my week point surface. I was not at all • Responsibility for construction ensuring expert Architecture The World's first ever known
commercial or hospitality .The pros and cons
familiar with the knowhow of the procedures. craftsmanship in the building arts, knowledge Masterbuilder ,Imhotep 27th century (2650 -
of each method has been a worldwide debate
That personally frustrated me over the years , about how an atheistically appealing building 2600 BC) who served under the Third Dynasty
, a silent war between the orthodox method of
I realized that design was a dreamy concept in is built, as gained from actual construction King Djoser as Chancellor of the King of Egypt,
design bid build or the unconventional design
application, functionality and material detached experience and on-site project management Doctor, Poet, Philosopher, Astronomer, First in
and build approach. Let me give a short brief on
from the real life obligations and requirements involving leadership, organizing and line after the King of Upper Egypt, Administrator
THE
the definition of each.
in the process of execution that could easily supervising workers, financial oversight and of the Great Palace, Hereditary nobleman,
alter all aspects of design. sharp quality control. High Priest of Heliopolis ,Master Builder, Chief
The "design -bid-build" Known as DBB method
Carpenter, Chief Sculptor, and Maker of Vases in
is the traditional method used, where the owner
Chief .He designed the word's first monumental
MASTERBUILDER
would follow these steps; So I decided to dedicate this article to the • Complete and total authority on the
concept of Masterbuilder ,not just to mention building site authority over on-site design Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara, Egypt in 2630
that figure as a side note in an article about / construction decisions, authority over all – 2611 BC. He may have been responsible for
• Hire a designer , that would be an Architect, the first known use of columns in architecture.
Interior Designer or a Landscape Architect to methods of approaching the execution of a workers, unquestioned authority over the
project. The Masterbuilder is a worthy concept entire construction phase from start to finish He was credited with inventing the method of
prepare needed Designs. a stone-dressed building during Djoser's reign.
• Bids are prepared for all works. that was a landmark in my life , that overturned which in return eliminates point-fingering
it , when I plunged into studies of that honorable problems emerging between unlinked Imhotep became even more famous with his
• Hire a contractor to execute all types of death and was worshipped for 2,000 years
contracting . figure and his methods, that is almost extinct individual professionals.
afterwards by the Romans and the Greeks who
"Dalia Sadany ASK Magazine's design The "design & build" Known as DB is a method
that has falsely seemed to have emerged lately
now in its true sense.
according to their mythology associated him
with Asclepius the god of medicine, some even
consultant, Chief Designer & Founder of ,its implementation is as follows;
• Hire a single entity that performs both jobs of
As I mentioned above that the concept of DB
emerged and surfaced recently , the truth is
believed that he was Asclepius himself.
that concept has been the procedure used since
Dezines Architecture & Interiors, Managing The Design and The Contracting (The Build).
the beginning of time !!! So I will take you on a
historical trip that goes back more than 7000
Director & Partner of Divine Contracting As I was commencing to write about this
important issue in depth, it halted me that the years ago where that method was used then
embodied in the figure of The Masterbuilder.
application of the methodology of Design &
as well as the creator of the new furniture Build prevails the figure of The Masterbuilder ,
the individual capable of wearing both hats and THE DEFINITION OF THE
brand GUSH is dwelling into the world of mastering the elaborate tools of design while
conquering the strenuous skills of construction.
MASTERBUILDER
Architecture, Interior Design landscaping, It is a concept that altered my career track
The word "Architect " we use today is derived
from the Latin word " Architectus" which in return
and Contracting." since I was 18, when faced my first quandary
to execute my first project when my biggest
originated from the Greek word "Arkhitekton"
meaning Masterbuilder. Imhotep Hammurabi
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2. 28 DALIA SPEAKS JUNE 2012 29
Vitruvian Man by Leonardo Da Vinci 1952 Le Corbusier Unite d'Habituation
Sir John Soane
*Almost 9 centuries later , a legendary advocate *The figure of Masterbuilder remained to be
of the criteria of the Masterbuilder occurred dominant in the prosperous era of Renaissance
to be the first to document building codes, such as the brilliant Fillipo Brunelleschi (1377 -
Hammurabi (1792 - 1750 BC ) . He was the 1446 ) a Florentine Artist, Architect - Builder , is
first king of the Babylonian Empire extending noted in history of architecture for discovering
Babylon's control over Mesopotamia by winning the mathematical laws of perspective as well
a series of wars against neighboring kingdoms. as designing and constructing the breath taking
Gothic Cathedral of Florence (Duoma) . The
Hammurabi is known for the set of laws called innovative fact of his work is that he designed
Hammurabi's Code, one of the first written and manufactured the construction equipments
codes of law in recorded history. These laws that assisted in executing the genius work at the
were inscribed on stone tablets , standing over time , such as the revolving crane which definitely
eight feet tall (2.4 meters), they were discovered required extensive knowledge in theories of
in Persia in 1901. Owing to his reputation physics and mechanical engineering in addition
in modern times as an ancient law-giver, mastering the management of site from hiring
Hammurabi's portrait is in many government and supervising craftsmen and workers, and
selecting materials and specs adjustments. Artist Michael Angelo
buildings throughout the world.
Here are some of the most famed verses of these *An influential situation in the history of the
Masterbuilder surfaced at the time, initiated the *That disjunction was not officially materialized
codes highlighting a singular legal responsibility
segregation of the designers from the contractors except at the time of the Industrial Revolution
for design and construction as one entity ;
, when artists such as Michael Angelo , with no in the 19th century when a new category
background of the criteria of building science of a business figure known as "The General
229. If a builder builds a house for someone, and Contractor" emerged with the help of the
does not construct it properly, and the house started taking Architectural design jobs . As
*A substantial documentation of the solitary well as the writings of Leon Battista Alberti recognized Sir John Soane , he was titled "The
which he built falls in and kills its owner, then existence of a design and build individual is Father of Modern Architecture" who arrogantly
that builder shall be put to death. (1404-1472), how was in charge of rebuilding
the writings of renowned Roman author Marcus Saint Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican. His book and insistently stipulated that an Architect
Vitruvius as early as the 40 BC , Vitruvius the "De Re Edificatoria" was the first printed work should detach himself from a society demining
230. If it kills the son of the owner, the son of that foremost prominent Architect, is the author of occupation such as contracting .Several laws and
builder shall be put to death. on architecture of the Renaissance. His work
the famous book "De architectura " that is still a and writings helped to establish architecture creeds were drafted to legalize that separation
vital part of nowadays architectural universities' as a profession separate from the science of as well as independent establishments and
231. If it kills a slave of the owner, then he shall curriculums known as "The Ten Books On associations anchoring the individuality of each
engineering and the craft of building. *The Industrial Revolution had its reasons to
pay, slave for slave, to the owner of the house. Architecture". He elaborated on the essential persona whether for an Architect such as Royal
father that divorce between architects and
bond between design and actual competency in Institute of British Architects – 1835 and American
contractors;
232. If it ruins goods, he shall make compensation implementation , and forewarned " Architectus Institute of Architects – 1857 or for a contractor
for all that has been ruined, and inasmuch as he who relies solely on theory and ignores the such as American Society of Civil Engineers –
did not construct properly this house which he craftsmanship skill of building with his own hands 1852. By 1897 there were separate licensing laws • The new facilities of mass production and
built and it fell, he shall re-erect the house from follows a shadow not a reality " (P.S. Vitruvius for Architects, Designers and Contractors. the rapid nature of construction during
his own means. invented the Vitruvian man that illustrates human the Industrial Revolution required more
Leon Battista Alberti specialized design skills and breaking the
proportion that was accredited to the legendary
Leonardo Da Vinci who merely drew it ) production process down into basic individual
233. If a builder builds a house for someone,
tasks. And that could be handled by a single
even though he has not yet completed it; if then Industrial revolution architecture
mind that would so be responsible for design
the walls seem toppling, the builder must make
and its execution.
the walls solid from his own means.
• Because builders had to be on the site of
construction to monitor the swift building
processes and designers did not, there was
a move towards remotely located designers
communicating their design intent through
drawing and written instructions only.
• Builders needed large amounts of capital to
compete but designers had much lower
capital needs
• Architecture and design by definition is a
Marcus Vitruvius
risk free occupation. Because of the desire
of new factory owners to have advance
assurance of performance and cost, builders
became risk takers. That concept was
materialized by what is known as The Miller
Act – 1935 – This law requires a contractor on
a project exceeding over $100,000 to post a
performance bond and a labor and material
payment bond. Even the private sector has
followed suit with bonding requirements.
This need for capital presents a barrier to
design professionals offering construction
Fillippo Brunelleschi Florence Cathedral(Duomo) by Brunelleschi
services and cost guarantees.
Santa Maria Novella by Alberti
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3. 30 DALIA SPEAKS JUNE 2012 31
After the 1952 Egyptian Revolution, more
attention was given to economically constructed North Tower Casa Grande by Julia Morgan,
Heliopolis buildings,El Korba, Cairo, Egypt where she handcrafted some of its ornaments
buildings, lacking architectural vision , in addition
to vigorous needs for constructions of bridges,
factories. Subsequently higher demand was
for General Contractors than Architects which
demolished the necessity for the legendary
Master Builder.
The division of these two entities exists till the
modern day with some exceptions as Frank Lloyd
Wright (1867 - 1959) who was titled the greatest
American architect of all time. Another eminent
Masterbuilder is Julia Morgan in 1920s ,whom I
personally consider as a role model that I aspire
to trail her footsteps, Morgan was the first and
1970s buildings, Cairo, Egypt only documented female Masterbuilder who Frank Lloyd Wright
mastered both design and extensive contracting
abilities to the finest detail of craftsmanship.
Falling Water Villa by Frank Lloyd Wright
The same routine was locally re-acted in Egypt's Entrepreneur, Financier, Industrialist as well as
1952 revolution , where before the revolution, an Egyptologist, Édouard Louis Joseph, known
the Architecture in Egypt was globally as The Baron Empain ( 1852 - 1929).In 1906-
competing in essence, value and character 07 Empain's company proceeded with the
by the hands of world known Masterbuilders building of the new town of Heliopolis, in the
shown in constructions such as Down Town desert ten kilometers from the center of Cairo.
residential buildings, the Royal Opera House as It was designed as a "city of luxury and leisure",
well as the world famous Baron Empain Palace with broad avenues and equipped with all
that was designed and constructed by the necessary conveniences and infrastructure;
genius French Master Builder Alexandre Marcel water, drains, electricity, hotel facilities, such as By the 1980's a reverse direction in the leaves the comfort of his office and steps into
under the management of Belgian Engineer, the Heliopolis Palace Hotel. relationship between designer and builder the construction world. Most of the tradesmen
transpired. When it was solidly proofed that the look at an architect on the jobsite as the ivory
success of the production of any object whether tower thinker with no clue how to actually build
Tiring Building, Ataba, Cairo, Egypt a decorative item or a building depends on the design he created.
A picture of Arch. Julia Morgan
the designer's intimate familiarity with the
A post Egyptian 1960s building, State TV , Cairo, Egypt process of its creation. And eventually there In the same context Modern day general
Belgium Baron Empain
was a sensed detachments between the mere contractors left to make design field
pretty images in a designer's head that could changes will make those changes through
be pompous, unrealistic , over budget and a construction point of view, not solving the
Another example of post revolution building, Hearst Castle by Arch. Julia Morgan
Tahrir, Cairo, Egypt completely incoherent with the people's lives problem through a design vision. His design
and needs, while abandoning the upper hand in construction choices will typically be based
site and budget to the general contractor who is on how best to expedite the change without
notoriously condemned of seeking only making regard to the architecture. He will do it the
a quick profit. cheapest and fastest way, especially if it comes
Baron Empain Palace, Cairo, Egypt out of his pocket.
By Mid 90's more laws and creeds were altered
to legalize the existence of the Design & Build The relevant studies to be a true Masterbuilder
approach , that has prevailed by time and are far deeper and more complex, it is a
numerous years of defiance to be the more profession that is very distinct and different
convenient approach in bringing a visionary than anything known today in the 21st century.
design harmoniously and skillfully to life. It requires very intense knowledge of both
worlds as intermingling medias. Specialized
It's a drastic mistake to assume that the universities should be established for this
Masterbuilder is equal to today's Architect and intention. It is ironic that we need to examine
Contractor banded together in collaborating scrolls written 7000 years ago to be able to map
identities by fallaciously advertising " Turn-key out educational methodology to introduce this
solutions" that you read about all the time . A professional to the world. I am continuously
Masterbuilder cannot separate his design from gratified to be one of the few maverick
the construction , it is this driving passion that engineers who attempt to mimic the job of
leads him to excellence. It would be a great a Masterbuilder as closely as we possibly can
mistake to think that any qualified architect by using the design and build approach , but
can assume the role of a Masterbuilder unless for that to succeed a lot of time, experience
be committed to learn the construction trade, and effort is exerted to have the capabilities to
not simply sub it to a different identity under attempt to master both worlds skillfully.
his wings. There exists an entirely different You can reach me at my email
environment when the modern day architect daliaspeaks.ask@gmail.com
ASK JUNE 2012