ABSTRACT
Developers and institutions are principals in building the office economy, and they are surrounded by a moderately sized army of ‘advisors’, or professions. These come in various and increasing numbers of forms. This chapter focuses on the roles of three in particular: architect, builder and surveyor. What is apparent from the early organisation of these professions is that the key drivers were more social and cultural than functional. The early professions were searching not only for functional identity but also for social position and respect. This is critically important because today’s built environment activities continue to suffer from some of these socio-cultural origins and constraints, manifested in a highly fragmented supply industry.
The chapter then explores two further aspects of mediation: first, market research, and secondly, the flexible space market. The market research described here is exemplified by the collaboration between DEGW and Stanhope Properties, with a focus on work in the City of London. Secondly, the flexible space market has been around since the late 1980s but has evolved rapidly since the Global Financial Crisis of 2008. It is now challenging traditional forms of contract in real estate and is likely to become a greater force in the years ahead.
