Almost 35 years ago when I started my career in design and construction industry, most if not all clients had an Owner’s Representative on their team. These were not large corporate PM/CM firms but rather individuals or small boutique firms who usually possessed special skills, the most notable being their experience and wisdom. Their years of experience in the field and their insight and guidance allowed them to bring a unique angle to the development process assuring that the Owner’s best interests are always the prime consideration for every decision throughout the development process.
Over the years, many clients started to exclude the role of Owner’s Representative from the design team. As clients started to build in-house expertise, they felt that they were able to manage those tasks typically handled by an Owner’s Representative internally or even better, they asked what an Owner Representative can do for them that the team of project consultants they had assembled could not. In many cases they were right. They realized and enjoyed the initial cost savings for the development process, but what they did not appreciate was the long-term cost, or downside, resulting from elimination of this vital role. From experience I can tell you that the absence of this vital team member has taken its toll. The design process has drifted from a well-managed effort into disorder. Project teams have become dominated by personalities. The communication has deteriorated and coordination has suffered resulting in changes and conflicts and additional incurred cost of construction and professional fees to the owner. So at the end, what was really saved by the client? Hamid Kia AIA RIBA Managing Director |
Hamid Kia is the founding principal and the Managing Director at KMC.
Formerly the Development Director at John Buck International – A Mubadala Company, Hamid Kia ran the design and planning operations for the firm’s development portfolio for the twofour54 project and the Central Plaza development in Abu Dhabi and was responsible for directing and coordinating activities consistent with the company's established objectives for real estate development and the implementation of strategic projects. From 2007 to 2009, Hamid served as the Group Director at RMJM, An international architectural practice firm specializing in Commercial, Residential, Transportation, Hospitality, Education & mixed use projects in the region. In his capacity, Hamid Managed large, complex projects and coordinated a sizeable project teams and made significant achievement in developing and implementing the company's marketing strategy in the Middle East. From 2006 to 2007 Prior to the merger of Hillier Architecture and RMJM, Hamid served as the Director of Middle East operations at Hillier Architecture An international architectural practice firm where he establish the firm’s presence in the Middle East and North Africa Market. As the Director of Middle East Operation and Managing Director of Dubai Office and central point of contact with clients, Hamid was responsible for regional leadership, business development, Revenue enhancement, New Business structuring, delivering growth and enhancing market share and profitability. Prior to joining the Hillier/RMJM, from 2002 to 2006, Hamid was the Managing Director of Washington DC Office of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP and Director of Middle East Operations, A leading US based architectural and engineering firm formed in 1936 where he managed numerous global architecture and urban design projects assisting clients in developing architecturally significant; functionally efficient; contextually appropriate; flexible and long lasting projects and thereby value added to their real estate portfolio. From 1984 to 2002, Hamid worked in the New York office of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill LLP where he made significant contribution in leading, managing, & implementing a range of diverse and award winning projects from conception to completion, throughout the Middle East, North America (USA), and Asia Hamid is a seasoned global executive skilled at working with multinational teams and establishing collaborative, knowledge-sharing cultures and has been responsible for management and leadership of projects from establishing and implementing a business plan to developing and managing staff and working with clients, providing leadership and innovation in the enhancement of organizations operations and service delivery, identify measures to bridge gaps and improve performance and service. Hamid is a US qualified professional with degrees in both MBA & Architecture, offering 33 years of accomplished experience, including 22 years international experience. He is a Registered Architect in the State of New York and member of American Institute of Architects (AIA) and chartered member of Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). |