Who is responsible for completing design in accordance with the Owner's performance requirements?

• A. Architect
• B. Owner
• C. Contractor
• D. Design-builder

Answer: (D)

In design-build, the party that has to complete the design so it satisfies the Owner's Performance Requirements is the design-builder. The Owner specifies performance goals and criteria—like function, reliability, energy use, and schedule—in the Owner’s Performance Requirements (OPR). The design-builder then takes responsibility for designing and coordinating the project to meet those requirements within the agreed budget and timeline. This creates a single point of accountability for both design and construction, which helps ensure the final project truly achieves the owner’s stated outcomes.

The owner provides the OPR and funds the project, but does not carry the design responsibility under this delivery method. The architect contributes to the design as part of the design-build team, but the overarching responsibility to meet the OPR rests with the design-builder, not with any individual designer or the owner.