Why early structural decisions protect vision, budget and carbon
Every project starts with ambition – a vision of what the finished building could and should be. But between the first spark of inspiration and the delivery of a completed project, countless decisions shape the outcome. The most important of these are the ones made right at the start.
Clarity at Stage 1 is the foundation of a successful project. Without it, even the strongest architectural concept risks being diluted by late-stage compromises, escalating costs, and unnecessary carbon. A study by the Construction Industry Institute (CII) highlights the stakes: design changes contribute to average cost overruns of 10–15% and delays of 20–25%. For clients, that translates into wasted time, wasted money, and wasted materials. For the planet, it means wasted carbon.
Stage 1 is the moment to protect vision, budget, and sustainability commitments – and the earlier structural engineering is part of the conversation, the stronger those protections become.
Why Stage 1 decisions matter
Structural choices around retention or demolition, spans, grids, and materials set the course for a project from the outset - these early decisions will determine not just how a building stands, but how much it costs, how it performs environmentally, and how faithfully it holds to the original design intent.
Anyone involved in construction knows that there’s no such thing as a ‘perfect site’ - there are always considerations to be made around access, occupancy, the land surrounding a building, restrictions on the building itself, even the weather plays a part! So starting with a clear understanding of all the constraints, quirks, and opportunities alongside the architectural vision and client priorities, allows the most effective plan to be put in place.
Early collaboration also gives stakeholders confidence that the project is in safe hands. Having upfront, honest conversations with clients, architects, and contractors provides clarity on what the project will demand in terms of cost, sustainability, and delivery, reducing the risk of any nasty surprises later on.
What’s the cost of getting it wrong?
Delaying or overlooking structural decisions can have a serious impact on the whole project, either stopping progress completely or resulting in costly and time consuming redesign work. Late-stage changes can impact a project in terms of:
● Budget: redesigns mean wasted professional hours and higher construction costs.
● Carbon: rework consumes extra materials and energy, undermining sustainability. targets.
● Programme: delays frustrate stakeholders and push back completion dates.
● Reputation: stakeholders lose confidence in the team’s ability to deliver.
Fixing a problem late is expensive – financially, environmentally, and reputationally.
Build less, save more
One of the most effective ways to safeguard vision, cost, and carbon is to build less, which could mean rethinking what’s “essential” and letting go of a bias for the “perfect.” Existing structures, although perhaps not flawless at first glance, perform just as well and can deliver significant savings when reused or adapted.
This shift in mindset - away from overbuilding and toward thoughtful reuse - requires both clients and engineers to challenge assumptions. At Bailiss & Co, we see it as part of our responsibility: to guide conversations early, test ideas against reality, and help unlock solutions that protect budgets and reduce carbon without sacrificing quality.
The Bailiss & Co approach
Our principle of “honest but ambitious engineering” comes into its own at Stage 1. By engaging early, we work collaboratively with architects, clients, and cost consultants to stress-test proposals, identify risks, and simplify wherever possible.
A recent project at St Thomas’ Hospital demonstrates this. Appointed at a stage where a complex scheme was already in motion, our team took the time to revisit the original problem and the building’s unique context. By challenging assumptions and exploring alternatives, we identified opportunities to simplify the design, reduce construction work, and cut risk - all while protecting the architectural intent. Kate Ball, Senior Associate at Rider Levett Bucknall, who worked closely with us throughout the project, commented:
“The team at Bailiss & Co took the time to consider the original problem and nature of the building; through challenging the scheme as it stood when appointed, they found multiple opportunities to simplify and improve the design. These included reducing the overall amount of construction, risk, cost and materials – which, in a site at the top of a tower block hospital above the ICU, was both critical and transformative.”
Get it right from the start
Engaging structural engineers early pays dividends throughout a project’s lifecycle. The right Stage 1 decisions protect architectural vision by reducing the need for compromise, through locking in clarity around cost from the outset, and enabling smarter material and reuse strategies.
Every project begins with ambition. Protecting that ambition - while respecting budget and sustainability goals - requires clarity at Stage 1.
Our team specialises in making the right early decisions, providing peace of mind for stakeholders and ensuring a project’s successful delivery. Get in touch to find out how we can help reduce risk and protect your vision on your next project.