APS · APD (avant-projet)
Page approvedn. m. · schematic design (APS (n. m.), US) · design development (APD (n. m.), US) · developed design (UK, approx.)
Definition
Deux phases de la mission de maîtrise d'œuvre qui suivent l'esquisse. L'avant-projet sommaire (APS) fixe les grandes lignes du projet et une première estimation du coût ; l'avant-projet définitif (APD) précise les dispositions, les matériaux et le coût, et prépare la suite (projet, consultation des entreprises).
Two phases of the design team's mission that follow the esquisse. The avant-projet sommaire (APS) fixes the main lines of the project and a first cost estimate; the avant-projet définitif (APD) specifies layouts, materials and cost, and prepares what follows (detailed design, tendering).
Diagram
Example sentences
Written (email, official document)
FRL'APS est validé par le maître d'ouvrage, puis l'équipe passe à l'APD, plus précis et chiffré.
ENThe APS (n. m.) is approved by the owner, then the team moves on to the APD (n. m.), more detailed and costed.
Spoken (standard)
FRJe termine l'APD ce soir, le client attend les plans depuis lundi.
ENI'm finishing the APD (n. m.) tonight, the client's been waiting for the plans since Monday.
Spoken (informal)
FREn APS tout le monde est d'accord ; en APD, plus personne.
ENAt APS (n. m.) everyone agrees; at APD (n. m.), no one does.
Nuances and pitfalls
The sequence of phases. For a building, the mission generally runs: esquisse (n. f.) (ESQ), avant-projet sommaire (n. m.) (APS (n. m.)), avant-projet définitif (n. m.) (APD (n. m.)), projet (n. m.) (PRO), assistance with the award of works contracts (ACT), supervision of the works (DET), assistance with handover (AOR). Public contracts follow the MOP law; private contracts often draw on it.
Avant-projet on its own. Used alone, avant-projet often means the APS or the APD without saying which; you add sommaire or définitif to remove the doubt.
Related terms
esquissemaître d'œuvrepermis de construireDCERegulatory and standard references
Legislation in force may differ from what is shown here.
Validation
- French term, register, FR sentences : ✓ validated
- US/UK equivalents and EN sentences : ✓ validated
- Diagram : ✓ validated
Reviewed by Raphaël B. · 8 Oct 2026
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