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**1. Design–Build Overview:**
– Design–build contractor often a general contractor
– Partnership or joint venture between design and construction firms
– Single entity responsible for design and construction
– Overlaps design and construction phases
– Design–build used in about 40% of non-residential construction projects in the US in 2010
– Design–build delivery steadily increasing in the US public building sector
– European countries have used design–build delivery longer than the US

**2. Project Management Models:**
– Contractor-led design–build projects
– Owner works directly with contractor
– Architects contribute in various ways
– Architect as employee of contractor
– Architect as subcontractor
– Architect-led design–build projects
– Architect works directly with owner
– Acts as designer and builder
– Architect as provider of extended services
– Architect leads joint venture

**3. Benefits and Advantages:**
– Design–build saves time and money for the owner
– Unit cost 6.1% lower in design–build projects
– Design–build projects delivered 33.5% faster than design-bid-build projects
– Design–build reduces administrative paperwork and minimizes litigation claims
– Suited for less prescriptive architectural projects
– Efficient for design-driven or visionary goals
– Recursive knowledge sharing among subcontractors and architects

**4. Criticisms and Challenges:**
– Contractor deciding on design issues may lead to conflicts of interest
– Not suitable for projects requiring complex designs
– Greater business and financial risks associated with architect-led design–build
– Issues with competitive bidding, subjective criteria, and loss of public confidence
– Notable project criticisms like Belmont Learning Center

**5. Resources and Industry Recognition:**
– Key Books on Design-Build Contracts
– Prominent Organizations in Design-Build
– Industry Reports and Studies
– Design-Build Awards and Recognitions
– Media Coverage and Publications