AIA Releases 2017 Construction And Design Agreements

At the end of last month, the American Institute of Architects ("AIA") released several revised documents including the primary agreements between the owner and contractor and the owner and architect. 1 Many of the revisions are attempts to clarify existing provisions. A number of changes, however, are more significant. This update summarizes some of the significant changes in the 2017 release.

General Conditions of the Contract for Construction (A201)

Building Information Modeling and Digital Data. The use of AIA Document E203–2013 to establish protocols for the development, use, transmission and exchange of digital data is the default. Also, if the parties fail to agree upon protocols governing the use of and reliance on information in a building information model ("BIM"), a party relies on such BIM at its own risk. Sections 1.7 and 1.8.