The Basis of Design is created during which phase?

• A. Pre-design phase
• B. Construction phase
• C. Post-occupancy phase
• D. Design phase

Answer: (D)

The Basis of Design captures how the project will meet the owner's requirements by translating design goals into specific design intent, performance criteria, and system choices. This is created during the design phase, when the design team is making and documenting the key decisions that define how the building will function. It ties together the owner’s needs with the technical approach, codes, standards, and performance targets, and it serves as the reference for later construction and commissioning work. Creating it during design ensures the construction documents and commissioning activities reflect the intended performance, and it can be updated as design evolves. It wouldn’t be established in pre-design, construction, or post-occupancy, since those phases focus on planning, execution, or operation rather than defining the design intent.