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As a result of many factors, not least the obsession with concept design over all other disciplines throughout their long years of study, architects have increasingly squandered their leadership role in the building process.Decades ago architects really lived up to the dictionary definition of 鈥渕aster builder鈥�, inventing and executing their visions more directly.

Quantity surveyors emerged to manage budgets and project managers to oversee everybody, while contractors became the leaders and principal clients by novation in a design-and-build world. 

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However, as advances in technology provide designers with ever more sophisticated means of modelling their ideas and 3D printing evolves to realise them, will the future see control restored back into the hands of the creators? 

In a contemporary evolution of Antonio Gaud铆鈥檚 hands-on approach, the ability to connect design to delivery by way of programmes that digitally instruct the manufacturing, measuring and construction process potentially brings architects back to that long-forgotten role of 鈥渕aster builder鈥�.

The ability to connect design to delivery brings architects back to the role of 鈥榤aster builder鈥�

In the future, it won鈥檛 just be the 3D programme instructing the architect鈥檚 model-shop mockup, but the actual building component.

To get there, changes are required in the way we teach the future generation. Architects need more training on detail during their long study years.

This way, they can ensure that directly manufactured components for robot assembly on site are technically resilient and fit for purpose, while manufacturers and technicians will seize this leadership from architects as an opportunity to deliver high-quality buildings with greater speed and efficiency.

Dexter Moren is director of Dexter Moren Associates