Five firms - Capita Architecture, Lewis & Hickey, Space Solutions, Todd Architects and ttsp - have been appointed to an innovative Architect's Framework to deliver refurbishment projects for Mapeley Estates, one of the UK's leading commercial landlords.

The Framework Agreement - an eagerly-awaited announcement in the architectural sector - will involve the firms working on a collaborative basis with other consultants and contractor disciplines on two overall Framework Agreements for Mapeley Estates over the next four years.

It is anticipated the Framework, covering both the private and public sector, will comprise up to 200 Mapeley projects in the UK during 2009.

Mapeley Estates has created individual Framework Agreements with Architects, Contractors, Engineers, CDM-C and Asbestos Surveyors allocated across regions of the UK to handle each element of the refurbishment programme.

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The regional split for the Architects Framework are: Scotland - Space Solutions and North West; London, South East, East of England - ttsp; Wales, South West, Yorkshire & Humberside, North East - Capita Architecture; East Midlands, West Midlands - Lewis & Hickey; Northern Ireland - Todd Architects.

Each of the appointed firms participated in a comprehensive and lengthy tender submission, as well as a formal interview and presentation.

The Framework Agreements have been designed by Mapeley Estates to use the same supply chain for both private and public sector projects.

This innovative concept eliminates the need for transactional working (ie 'mini tendering') and promotes the advantages of continuity of the supply chain including planning of workload, input into design, creation of savings, shared learning and continual improvement.

The frameworks will be based around collaborative/partnership working, including open book with incentivised schemes, and enhanced health and safety standards. The public sector framework has been set up as a central purchasing body and is fully OJEU compliant, as well as being open for use by other public sector bodies.

Work on the first collaborative project under the Framework Agreement is expected to begin immediately.

(GK/JM)