Revealing and exploring the insider/outsider role of the building control officer in England

Relatively few studies to date have focused on the role of the building control officer in England and their relationship with the design team. The research reported in this paper addresses this gap. Key studies in the field were reviewed to identify the most salient points related to the role and relationships between the building control officer and members of the design team. Interviews were then held with 10 experienced professional actors to explore these points. The interviews highlighted three key findings. (i) The building control assessor role currently straddles an internal/external position: as an internal member of the design team as well as an external policing, checker or referee role. (ii) This position and the perceived success of this role is partly the result of different relationships between the building control officer and key actors in the design team. (iii) Part of the building control officer's role is not constrained to a specific individual, but is also acquired as a 'voice in the designer's head'.Relatively few studies to date have focused on the role of the building control officer in England and their relationship with the design team. The research reported in this paper addresses this gap. Key studies in the field were reviewed to identify the most salient points related to the role and relationships between the building control officer and members of the design team. Interviews were then held with 10 experienced professional actors to explore these points. The interviews highlighted three key findings. (i) The building control assessor role currently straddles an internal/external position: as an internal member of the design team as well as an external policing, checker or referee role. (ii) This position and the perceived success of this role is partly the result of different relationships between the building control officer and key actors in the design team. (iii) Part of the building control officer's role is not constrained to a specific individual, but is also acquired as a 'voice in the designer's head'.