Lead - Design(Civil and MEP Architect)

The Lead Design leads all architectural design, technical documentation, and statutory approval activities for school building projects. This role is responsible for translating client educational requirements into functional, safe, compliant, and aesthetically considered school designs covering civil/structural architecture, MEP system design, interior specifications, and landscape. Leading the civil architect and MEP architect, the Associate Lead Designs ensures complete and construction-ready design packages are delivered on schedule to support site execution while also managing all statutory approval processes specific to school buildings.

Design Leadership & Educational Space Planning

• Lead the design development process for all school building projects: interpret the client's educational brief (number of classrooms, lab types, library area, sports facilities, hostel, administration block) into a coherent architectural scheme.
• Develop space planning, block layout, and zoning concepts compliant with NBC 2016 (Educational Occupancy provisions), CBSE/ICSE space norms, and State Education Department design guidelines.
• Ensure school designs meet statutory requirements: minimum classroom dimensions, corridor widths, staircase norms, fire escape requirements, barrier-free access (Harmonized Guidelines 2021), and natural light/ventilation standards.
• Develop master plans for greenfield campus projects: building placement, landscape, sports facilities, parking, utilities, and future expansion provisions.
• Lead concept design presentations to school management committees and trust boards present design options, recommend optimal solutions, and obtain client design approval.
• Review and approve all design deliverables from the Manager – Architect Civil and Manager – Architect MEP before issue for construction.

Statutory Approvals & Regulatory Compliance

• Lead preparation and submission of building plan approval packages to municipal corporations, local development authorities, and education department bodies.
• Manage approvals from all statutory authorities: local planning authority (building plan sanction), fire department (NOC), structural design approval authority, and airport authority (if applicable).
• Ensure designs comply with RERA requirements (where applicable for private school developments), environmental clearance conditions, and tree preservation orders.
• Manage responses to authority queries on submitted plans — prepare revised drawings, compliance notes, and undertakings as required.
• Track approval timelines across all projects and flag delays affecting the construction start schedule to the Head of Projects.
• Oversee preparation of Completion Certificate and Occupancy Certificate applications upon project completion.

Design Coordination & BIM Oversight

• Coordinate the integration of civil/architectural and MEP designs: resolve conflicts between structural elements, architectural finishes, and MEP system routing.
• Oversee federated BIM model management: ensure all disciplines maintain updated Revit models, conduct periodic clash detection, and resolve identified conflicts before construction.
• Review RFIs from the site team — prepare Architect's Instructions (AI) that resolve design issues without compromising the educational function or statutory compliance of the school.
• Review and approve material submittals, shop drawings, and mock-up approvals from contractors for all architectural elements.
• Manage design milestone delivery schedule: ensure drawings are released to site in alignment with the construction programme to prevent execution delays.

Consultant Management & External Design Coordination

• Manage external structural, geotechnical, and MEP consultants engaged for specific projects — define deliverable scope, review submissions, and coordinate integration.
• Coordinate with interior designers (if engaged externally) for principal spaces: school library, auditorium, reception/lobby, and special learning centres.
• Coordinate with landscape consultants for campus master planning, outdoor sports areas, and green space design.
• Conduct design review meetings with all consultants: track open design items, set resolution deadlines, and escalate critical unresolved items to the Head of Projects.