Types of Designing Organisations in Engineering
In every construction, industrial or infrastructure project, there are specialised companies responsible for planning, designing, engineering, procurement and even construction. These companies are known as Designing Organisations. They play a very important role in converting ideas into real working structures — such as buildings, factories, roads, bridges, power plants, water treatment facilities, oil refineries, hospitals, hotels and many more.
Understanding these organisations is essential for engineering students, freshers, mechanical and piping engineers, architects, and professionals who would like to work in project execution industries.
✔ What is a Designing Organisation?
A Designing Organisation is a company that performs engineering and designing activities for a plant, building, or infrastructure project. Their core responsibility is to prepare scientific, safe, economical, and code-compliant designs so that a project can be constructed without technical risks.
These firms use engineering calculations, international codes, 2D/3D software tools, simulation techniques and standards to prepare layouts, models, drawings, and documents.
They help the client answer questions like:
- How should the plant or building be constructed?
- What material should be used?
- How much cost will be required?
- What safety codes and standards apply?
- How much time will the project take?
- Which vendors and equipment should be selected?
- Where should pipelines, electrical cables, structural steel and HVAC ducts be installed?
These companies work from the early conceptual stage of a project until final handover and commissioning. Some organisations handle only design, while others take full responsibility from design to procurement to complete construction.
✔ Main Types of Designing Organisations
There are four major categories shown in the image:
- Architectural Companies
- Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC)
- Engineering Procurement Construction Management (EPCM or ECPM)
- Detailed Engineering Design Companies
Each type has a different scope, responsibility level, and business model. Let us understand them one by one in an easy and detailed manner.
1. Architectural Companies
Architectural companies specialise in building design, aesthetic planning, interior layouts, elevation concepts and external appearance. They focus on how a building will look, how the internal spaces will be utilised, how natural light and ventilation will be used, and how the structure will be visually appealing.
Main Responsibilities:
- Building layout planning
- Space utilisation
- External façade design
- Interior planning and furniture arrangement
- Entrance, lobby, corridors, staircases and room distribution
- Ensuring comfortable living and working environment
- Compliance with building regulations
- Location of doors, windows, sunshades and ventilation
- Architectural drawings for government approvals
Where They Work?
- Residential Buildings
- Commercial Buildings
- Hospitals & Hotels
- Shopping Malls
- Schools & Universities
- IT Buildings
- Metro Stations
- City Development Projects
Architectural firms are usually the first step of a project. They create a base model that is used later by structural, mechanical, electrical, HVAC, firefighting and piping designers.
In short, architectural companies give the physical shape, layout and look to the entire project.
2. Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) Companies
EPC companies take full ownership of executing an entire project from start to finish. EPC stands for:
- Engineering: Design the complete plant or system.
- Procurement: Purchase all materials, equipment, machines and components.
- Construction: Build the project on site and hand it over in a ready-to-use condition.
These firms not only design but also execute the full installation. Clients hire EPC companies when they want a single expert partner to take responsibility for everything.
Main Responsibilities:
- Complete engineering design (civil, piping, structural, electrical, HVAC, instrumentation)
- Vendor selection and purchase
- Material procurement
- Site construction using contractors
- Project schedule and planning
- Quality control
- Budget management
- Government approvals
- On-site safety and manpower control
- Testing and commissioning
- Final handover
Once EPC companies receive the final approved design, their role continues until the entire system becomes operational. They ensure that equipment is installed correctly, pipelines are tested, power connections are safe, and structures are strong.
Examples of EPC Projects:
- Oil Refineries
- Chemical Plants
- Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plants
- Water Treatment Plants
- Power Plants
- District Cooling Plants
- Steel Plants
- Food & Beverage Factories
EPC companies take major financial, technical and contractual responsibility. If anything goes wrong, they are answerable to the client.
3. Engineering Procurement Construction Management (EPCM / ECPM)
EPCM companies do not build or procure directly, but they take engineering responsibility and manage the procurement and construction in the best way. In simple language, EPCM firms are the project managers and engineering consultants who supervise everything on behalf of the client.
The client itself issues purchase orders and hires contractors, but EPCM guides the entire process.
Main Responsibilities:
- Engineering design support
- Preparing technical specifications
- Reviewing vendor documents
- Checking quotations from suppliers
- Project scheduling and monitoring
- Site coordination
- Technical audits
- Construction supervision
- Safety compliance verification
- Inspection of installation work
- Witnessing test activities
These organisations give technical expertise and ensure that the client’s project meets all quality standards without overspending.
Key Difference between EPC and EPCM:
| EPC | EPCM |
|---|---|
| Executes the entire project | Supervises and manages the project |
| Purchases all material and equipment | Client purchases, EPCM guides |
| Main contractor with full responsibility | Consultant and manager |
| More profit, more risk | Less risk, service based |
4. Detailed Engineering Design Companies
These are specialised firms that work only on engineering design. They prepare detailed drawings, calculations, datasheets, models and technical documentation for industrial and infrastructure projects.
They do not purchase materials, nor do they build anything. Their scope is to deliver correct engineering outputs that EPC or EPCM companies use for execution.
Core Responsibilities:
- 3D modelling (plant design, building services, equipment layouts)
- Piping layouts, plans and isometrics
- Pipe stress analysis using CAESAR II, Rohr2, AutoPIPE
- Material specification development
- Equipment load calculations
- Electrical drawings
- Instrumentation diagrams
- HVAC duct designs
- Structural analysis and civil drawings
- Data sheets for vendors
- Bill of materials
- Construction drawings
Where They Work?
- Oil & Gas Projects
- Chemical Factories
- Refineries
- Water Treatment Plants
- Pharmaceutical Cleanrooms
- Food Industries
- Heavy Manufacturing Factories
In short, these companies prepare all the engineering instructions that other contractors follow. They ensure correctness, Safety, Standards compliance, and cost optimisation.
✔ Why These Companies Are Required?
Engineering projects are highly technical and involve safety, environmental compliance, quality standards, equipment layout, materials, and budget control. A single mistake can lead to:
- High pressure failures
- Leaks of hazardous chemicals
- Flooding or fire
- Structural collapse
- Production losses
- Regulatory penalties
- Human safety risks
Designing Organisations perform all engineering checks so that the project is safe, reliable, cost-effective and long lasting.
✔ Skills Required to Work in These Organisations
- Engineering knowledge (Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, Instrumentation, Piping etc.)
- Software skills (AutoCAD, Revit, Navisworks, CAESAR II, STAAD etc.)
- Understanding of codes & standards (ASME, IS, EN, NFPA, API etc.)
- Project engineering awareness
- Communication & teamwork
- Safety and Quality awareness
With these skills, engineers can work in any designing organisation and build a long-term career.
Conclusion
Designing organisations are the backbone of every modern industrial or commercial project. Whether it is a building, power plant, refinery, cooling tower, manufacturing unit, data center or hospital — these companies ensure the project is safe, efficient, properly engineered and successfully constructed.
Architectural firms create the look and plan of the structure. EPC companies build the project completely. EPCM companies supervise and manage everything. Detailed Engineering firms create the technical foundation required for execution.
Each organisation type plays a unique role, and together they transform ideas into real working structures that serve society for decades.