Principal Designer Service provides independent Principal Designer services, embedded within the design process and aligned with current building safety legislation and 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 unusually broad range of 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 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.
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.
For professional background and experience, please see LinkedIn.