Already Global Standard Abroad…Urgent Need to Reform Domestic Laws

Institutional Background & Current Status: Design Intent Implementation Services

“Design Intent Implementation Services” allow architects to participate in construction phases to bridge the gap between their initial renderings and the finished building. Although mandated for public projects under the 2013 Building Services Promotion Act, it remains largely unused in the private sector. Korean architects’ roles end at schematic and detailed design, while builders often alter materials, colors, and layouts after groundbreaking. This service is deemed “the minimal safety net” for preserving original design integrity. 사무실 인테리어

International Practices

Germany and France allocate nearly half of design fees to construction-phase involvement. Germany divides architectural services into nine phases, mandating on-site supervision and contractor coordination. The U.S. delineates 68 distinct tasks for architects, many in the construction phase. Japan’s 2009 fee revision officially recognizes “construction-phase detailed design” as an architect’s core duty. These countries legally ensure architects preserve design quality and construction safety by embedding their roles into regulation.

Domestic Challenges & Solutions

Domestically, the service remains advisory with no enforcement mechanism; architects’ involvement is not guaranteed. A mid-sized firm principal argues, “It’s not a lack of contractor capability but insufficient legal and collaborative frameworks.” He calls for mandatory participation clauses and real penalties for non-compliance. Experts propose allocating fixed fees for each design phase in private projects, mirroring public practice, and introducing fines or sanctions to ensure architects can safeguard design intent.benefit payment