A specification says "European oak veneer, AA-grade, book-matched." The design intent says why that particular choice was made — because the tenant is a legal firm where the workplace must convey permanence, restraint and credibility to visiting clients, and the material palette needs to feel current in twelve years' time.
When a supplier proposes a substitute, when a VE option is considered, when a site decision needs making — the specification alone doesn't tell you whether the alternative serves the purpose. The design intent does. This document captures twelve intent items, each linked to the specification clauses it drives, the samples that evidence it, and the tenant decisions that confirmed it.
All twelve design intent items reviewed and signed off by the parties responsible for the design decisions they represent. This document becomes the reference point for all downstream substitution, VE and site decisions.
Disclaimer: This Design Intent document captures the rationale behind specification decisions as discussed and agreed during pre-construction workshops. It does not constitute a design brief, an architectural specification or an instruction to vary the contract scope. All design decisions referenced herein are documented in the Project Specification (NG-PS-001) and are subject to the competent review obligations of the appointed designers and the Employer's approval processes.