Design-Bid-Build

In this scenario, an Owner hires an architect to design a building and estimate the costs and schedules. The plans are then put out on bids and a general contractor is hired, often the lowest-priced bidder. The Owner then holds separate contracts with the Designer and the Contractor; the Contractor holds contracts with the subcontractors.

At this point, the duty of the contractors and subcontractors is to build what the architect designed without input or comment:  the function, practicality, and cost responsibility rests with the client and the architect.