About

Principal Designer Service provides independent Principal Designer services, embedded within the design process
and aligned with relevant building safety legislation and applicable government guidance.

Our focus is on proportionate coordination, clarity of responsibility, and supporting compliant design
development—without disrupting established professional roles.

Experience and background

The practice is led by Thijs Knapper, who brings over three decades of experience across the property industry.

This experience spans multiple roles, project types, and delivery contexts, providing a well-rounded understanding
of how design, risk, regulation, and construction intersect in practice. This breadth of experience is particularly
well suited to the Principal Designer role, which requires oversight, judgement, and coordination across disciplines
rather than a narrow technical focus.

Principal Designer competence

Thijs has completed the RIBA Principal Designer course and is currently undertaking the RICS Principal Designer
course, reflecting an ongoing commitment to maintaining and evidencing appropriate competence for this evolving
statutory role.

This training supports a structured, evidence-based approach to planning, managing, and coordinating design work
in relation to building safety and regulatory compliance.

Ongoing development

Alongside professional practice, Thijs is currently undertaking an AI course at Bournemouth & Poole College
(University department).

This work focuses on understanding how emerging technologies can support information management, coordination,
and decision-making within the built environment, and how they may responsibly support professional roles rather
than replace them.

Advisory support

The practice is supported by a small group of recently retired industry professionals, including an architectural
practice leader and a building surveyor, who act as advisors to the business.

Their role is to provide independent perspective, challenge assumptions, and support the ongoing development of
the Principal Designer service in response to evolving legislation, guidance, and industry practice, without
assuming any statutory dutyholder role.

This advisory input helps ensure that the service remains grounded in practical experience while responding
appropriately to the demands of this emerging and critical role.

How we work

We work alongside existing design teams rather than around them.

Architects, engineers, and other designers retain responsibility for their own work. Our role is to provide
coordination, oversight, and assurance in relation to design risk and compliance, allowing others to focus on
their traditional professional duties.

This approach reflects current guidance and supports collaborative, well-managed project delivery, consistent
with the intent of the dutyholder regime.

For professional background and experience, please see
LinkedIn.