Architectural Design Division
The MISE Architectural Design Division (MISE ADD), also known as Technical Design Services (TDS), comprises of seven members, including a Senior Architect (Vacant), Architect (Vacant), Draughtsman, and four assistant draughts-men. At the beginning of 2024, the Civil Draftsman shifted from the Civil Engineering Division to the Architectural Design Division as part of the MISE restructuring. While maintaining their primary focus on Civil design, they are also obligated to provide assistance with building designs from time to time.
MISE Arch's primarily offers services such as concept design development, preparation of construction documents, and construction administration for government or donor-funded projects, renovations, and more. Additional services include feasibility studies, architectural programming, and project management. Depending on the requested level of service, either the architect or technical consultants typically provide the following:
- Project Inception: This marks the initiation of project planning, where the client collaborates with MISE ADD to discuss project needs, ideas, and goals.
Schematic Design: The architect creates preliminary design sketches and concepts based on client requirements and budget, exploring, and illustrating various options. Client input is considered, and pros and cons are discussed.
- Design Development: After agreeing on a schematic design, the design development phase begins to define the project's scope and quality. Cost projections help assess adherence to the preliminary budget, and adjustments may be made.
- Construction Documents: Working drawings and specifications are developed during this phase, necessary for obtaining building permits and soliciting bids from contractors.
- Bidding and Negotiation: MISE ADD advises on contractor selection by evaluating competitive bids. The architect or contract administrator assists in bid evaluation and contract preparation between the client and the contractor.
- Construction and Contract Administration: The architect or contract administrator consults with the client during construction, making on-site visits to ensure adherence to construction documents and design intent. They also assess materials and workmanship standards.
Regarding Civil design works, their responsibility includes the preparation of drawings and topographical maps essential for civil engineering projects. These projects encompass a wide range, including the construction of bridges, highways, coastal developments, airfields, roads, and various other on-land civil structures.
MISE ADD does not offer building design assistance to private individuals or commercial enterprises. But as for seawall design, private or commercial enterprises can be provided with a standard design.
Besides design and drafting, the division handles site planning, analysis, master planning, site surveying, 3D computer modeling, and building & civil renovation design. Additionally, Mise Arch's is incorporating Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) principles in response to climate change, global warming, and sea level rise, tailored to the Kiribati context.