The practice of Billard Leece Partnership is founded on a commitment to quality in design. Architectural expression and urban design emerge out of a considered, comprehensive and correlated assembly of building forms and components.
Design is about finding a best-fit rationale that addresses and reconciles the imperatives of cost-effective construction, the vicissitudes of the client brief and the over-arching commitment to an Australian architectural heritage. We provide specialist services in the areas of multi-unit housing, education, health and urban planning to a select group of clients. Our specialist knowledge gives us insights into possible economies in the design and planning of complex projects.
We make a rigorous search for dualities: areas that can take on two or more functions, and convergences - organisational functions with similar requirements that may be consolidated. In this way the project budget is handled judiciously, adding value to the final outcome.
To implement our projects, BLP operates state-of-the-art CAD technology, in a fully networked office. We have been at the forefront of developing CAD technology in 3D documentation, working closely with the software developers. We use 3D modelling as a design tool, as a means of presentation, and in the production of construction documentation.
Founded as a partnership: in name and practice, BLP began with recognition between the partners, Ron Billard and David Leece, that their complementary skills would together form the backbone of the practice. This ethos is carried through in our recruitment and development of staff, our willingness to participate in multi-disciplinary teams outside the practice, and in our nurturing of long-standing client relationships.
Partnership is an ethos that emphasizes the team over the individual; therefore, teamwork over individual talent. It challenges the myth that teamwork is not the basis for the creation of architecture. At BLP diverse strengths, skills and knowledge are found throughout a professional staff of more than 50, which can be quickly assembled into various-sized teams according to the needs of a project.
Our sense of partnership extends beyond the office with a willing attitude to participate in multi-disciplinary teams, design workshops and charettes with clients, users and architectural colleagues. BLP is committed to sustainable profitability of the business, a safe and amenable working environment and an office culture that nurtures creativity and encourages innovation.
BLP is committed to improving its management systems, and quality principles which reflect changes in the regulatory environment, federal and state, with particular regard to occupational health & safety and the environment. Our commitment to improving our integrated management systems is reflected in our continuing reference to the principles and objectives of the following standards: AS/NZ ISO 9001–2000 Quality Management Systems AS/NZ 1401–2004 Environmental management systems AS/NZ 4801–2001 Occupational health and safety management systems
Technology has been integral to the practice from the beginning. Our policy is to lead the profession rather than to keep pace on the basis of need. Our invited participation on the international review committee of the software developer, Bentley, is testament to our leadership in Australia. It is BLP’s experience and industry leadership in the use of CAD that gives our medium-size practice of 55 staff the capacity to efficiently implement projects of scale and complexity. Moreover it allows us to remain at a size conducive to a comprehensive, personal and exemplary service to our established client base. In the past 10 years the benefits of 3-D design and documentation to our clients have been proven.
Efficiency is seen in the speed of our response to accelerated procurement programs, and in the agility of our subsequent responses to design changes. In the design phase, the 3-D constructed digital model makes possible real-time 3-D visualisation of exterior and interior as the design develops. The visual implications of design changes can be reviewed in 3-D concurrently and drawings generated and communicated, often within hours. Basic real-time walk-throughs of any part of a project are possible at any time during design development.
Currently BLP is supporting the evolution of a multi-discipline 3D modelling system, where all consultants contribute to a single project model that streamlines coordination and production of documentation. This system provides a fully coordinated digital 3D model to the building owner and/or client, incorporating architectural, structural and mechanical components, for continuing asset management.
During the construction documentation phase, 3-D documentation makes possible a fully coordinated and integrated digital model of structure and services. Contractor’s queries can be answered with drawings quickly generated from the source model with the complete confidence that new drawings are fully coordinated and correlated because they are all sourced from the same digital model.
Detailed information for construction can be derived from the digital model, and in many cases quick responses are only possible because of the model. It is of course the people at BLP that drive the potential of this technology and our commitment to on-the-job training is repaid with the application of advanced skills above the industry norm.