"Standard Model" approach to building projects in the UK and potential role of project team to mitigate any local difference~from international developer's perspective

In order to improve the sustainability and smart construction, it is discussed arguably that developing and applying consistent "standard model" to plan business, design, construct and operate a building is considered to be one of the effective and efficient approach. The scope of this article is to examine, from the international developer's perspective, the "standard model" approach of a hotel brand to building projects in the UK, and also to explore potential role of project team to mitigate any local difference at the project level. These projects are developed by the same developer adopting the same business plan, design and operation to each project. In order to clarify the actual and likely difference in construction results, reference is also made to those building projects located in other geographical markets including Japan, Germany and USA, and focus is given on the analysis of its programme and cost. Principle findings are that there exists geographical difference especially in environmental and planning system, and that major local difference is found at least in the programme at the design stage. In contrast, the difference in the building cost itself may not be necessarily considered major if currency exchange rate being taken into account appropriately. It is also observed that there were cases where any difference in the programme was mitigated by taking different approach to procuring and defining roles of management and professional team at the project level. In conclusion, from the international developer's perspective, the geographical difference of the "construction system" surrounding building projects can typically lead to major prolongation of programme, however, these different construction results could be mitigated at least to a certain extent by introducing appropriate changes to the role of project team.